Malvern: “Here Comes the Sun” Beatles Tribute Set For Saturday

MALVERN —It’s time to get ready for “Here Comes the Sun,” Malvern’s first-ever Beatles-themed spring festival in the Upper Main Line borough.

As the coronavirus is winding down, Malvern Borough officials, businesses, and the community are revving up for the revitalization of the downtown area of the borough.

“We have a huge focus on revitalizing downtown’s Main Street,” Tiffany M. Loomis, borough manager, said, noting the borough hosts numerous holiday events throughout the year, including a Memorial Day parade on Sunday, June 5. “There is a lot of energy.”

David Campli, president of the Malvern Business and Professionals Association, said he’s thrilled with the enthusiasm.

“This is the new rebirth of Malvern, “Campli said, of the 1.3-square mile borough with 3,455 residents. “We are super excited. It’s a walkable borough. People want to live here. We are the Upper Main Line.”

Malvern is one of the last stops on the Main Line’s R-5 train to Philadelphia.

Amy Finkbiner, council president, said the train provides an easy commute to Philadelphia, and there are 300 parking spaces available at a station along King Street. Many students and professionals ride the train. The borough has private schools nearby, Malvern Prep, and Villa Maria Academy High School.

Here comes the sun

The Beatles’ revival is the first large-scale public event to debut in downtown since the pandemic started in 2020.

The public is invited to dress in 1960s attire and attend the free concert performed at 4 p.m. by the British tribute band,“Britishmania," at Burke Park, 26 S. Warren Ave.

Vendors will sell Beatles’ themed merchandise, including replicas of John Lennon’s glasses. The event will also feature a morning farmer’s market, yoga at noon, food trucks and face-painting.

Back on track

This year, Campli said, the borough is experiencing a 30% increase in business following the downturn after the pandemic broke out.

“COVID hit us really hard,” Campli said. “Before COVID, all of the Vanguard employees were coming here to eat and shop.”

When the pandemic hit, many of the Vanguard employees were working virtually. Those who worked in the office ate meals at Vanguard. Vanguard has 3,000 employees in its Malvern campus.

Vanguard employees and others are beginning to come back to the downtown area, which offers restaurants, gift shops, a wedding dress store, antique shops, flower stores, nail salons, yoga studios, fitness stores, coffee shops, breakfast shops and more.

One restaurant, Brick and Brew plans to set up a whiskey wagon, featuring craft cocktails, at Saturday’s “Here Comes the Sun” event.

The restaurant was hit by the pandemic and is gradually picking up business again.
Brittany Maxfield, manager, said the restaurant plans to provide live entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m., beginning May 21.

With so much motivation from the community, the borough officials believe this is the best time to forge ahead with the revitalization.

In the meantime, the borough council is exploring opportunities to obtain grants for a main street manager program to help with revitalization efforts.

West Chester and Phoenixville revitalization programs

In Chester County, West Chester and Phoenixville, have designated areas for revitalization.

The West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2000 and renewed in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 to fund and implement programs that reflect three general goals:

• increase customer traffic and sales
• retain, expand and recruit viable businesses
• to advocate the interests of downtown to government agencies beyond.

Phoenixville Area Economic Development Corporation “PAEDCO” was formed in 1983 by local business leaders to revive the town’s economy.

PAEDCO acts as a conduit for growth in the Phoenixville area.

The goal is to serve as a catalyst to key projects that will serve both economic development and benefit the community.

Throughout the years, the Phoenixville nonprofit has contributed through various grants and also headed several key projects that have played a critical role in Phoenixville’s renaissance.

The project's include the Colonial Theatre, Renaissance Park, Phoenixville Foundry, and buildings on 100 Bridge Street.