In the meantime, the Main Line is abuzz with a new sushi spot, an eco-friendly way to stock up on household essentials, a surprise opening (and closing) of a controversial business in Radnor and more…

• On a Roll

A new sushi spot called Osushi just rolled into Ardmore, on Greenfield Avenue. This is the second location for Osushi; the original in New Jersey has earned a cult following for its insanely fresh fish and artful plating. The menu features an impressive array of authentic Japanese entrees and nearly two dozen specialty rolls, like the Tuna Banana Roll; the Incredible Hulk Roll made with salmon yellowtail, white tuna and avocado with a dollop of honey wasabi mayo; and the Crab Shack Roll topped with homemade crab fries. Carryout is available, including bento box lunches that come with miso soup, salad, rice, shumai and sushi rolls.

• AFC Fitness to Open in Radnor

Are big gyms back? AFC Fitness is betting on it with plans to open a new location in the old Philadelphia Sports Club in Radnor—another Covid casualty that closed in 2020 after filing for bankruptcy. AFC will invest $4 million to reconfigure the space with larger, more open workout spaces; two giant turf fields; a café; a post-recovery area and other modern (i.e., Covid-friendly) updates. The 42,000-square-foot club hopes to open in June.

• SHIFT Your Thinking

SHIFT Sustainable Goods + Services—a BYO container pop-up located inside Narberth’s American Family Market—is extending its lease a second time, through March 2022. In January, eco-conscious besties Kimberly Bezak and Eleisha Eagle opened SHIFT to give Main Liners an easy, one-stop shop to practice sustainability (and “shift” their thinking!). Customers visit the store with their own empty containers (a mason jar, Tupperware or old soap bottle with do) and fill ‘em up with household goods like dish soap, hair products, hand sanitizer and ketchup. Most products are sold by the ounce, minus the weight of the customer’s container. Aside from liquid goods, SHIFT stocks other eco-friendly, biodegradable products as well, such as bamboo dental floss. Online ordering and bicycle delivery services are in the works. Can’t make it to the store? Head to SHIFT’s Web site, where Bezak and Eagle spotlight local sustainable businesses and events, donation sites and recycling resources.

• Open & Shut in Radnor

Angry Radnor residents packed a township meeting last month to protest the sudden, surprise opening of CBD Kratom in downtown Wayne. Township officials didn’t need much convincing to shut the business down since it opened illegally, without obtaining any of the required building or business permits.

Located on a busy stretch of Lancaster Avenue in an area where students from several local schools often congregate, CBD Kratom sells CBD, kratom, delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids products. According to the Mayo Clinic, kratom—an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree in Southeast Asia—can act as a stimulant or sedative, depending on the dosage. Side effects include seizures, high blood pressure, liver damage and hallucinations. In June 2018, 25-year-old Caleb Sturgis of West Chester died after drinking kratom-infused tea.

The company took over the space from Starbucks, which was using it as a training facility. For weeks the large windows were covered with brown paper, giving area residents—and township officials—few clues as to what was happening inside. Once the signage went up (complete with a large marijuana leaf), residents were quick to voice their outrage. According to township officials, no one from CBD Kratom made any attempt to contact the township prior to opening. The business has since agreed to shut down until all permitting issues are resolved. In the meantime, Radnor residents have begun circulating a Change.org petition to stop the business from reopening. As of press time it had garnered nearly 1,000 signatures. A town hall meeting is also scheduled for Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 PM at Radnor Middle School to discuss the harmful effects of kratom and delta-8. Sponsored by the Radnor Advancement Coalition, the meeting will feature a panel comprised of medical and public health experts, along with parents and legal professionals.

• Binge or Cringe: The Podcast

Jamie Joffe of Conshohocken has launched a podcast based on her uber-popular Facebook group Binge or Cringe where members debate the latest and greatest TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and other platforms. For its debut episode last month, Joffe interviewed Elisa Zuritsky and Julie Rottenberg, executive producers and writers of “And Just Like That” and “Sex and the City.” (Joffe and Zuritsky are high school pals.) Joffe plans to release new episodes monthly, and future guests will include reality stars, filmmakers, actors and other celebrities dished about on her Facebook group.

• Pay to Play?

Calling all music lovers! It’s been a rough few years for music festivals, including the Wayne Music Festival.  After two years off due to Covid, the beloved fest hopes to return on June 11 (bands have already been booked!), but they need help with expenses. Organizers have launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of $100,000. Any leftover funds will benefit the Music Is Love Foundation, which raises money and awareness for children’s medical causes.

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