So much to spill this month, from a bigger space for bookworms to a Sunday farmer’s market in Berwyn to a new sweat space in Wayne. 

• Mayday All Day

A new café in West Chester is serving more than craft coffee and tasty bites. Located on High Street, Mayday offers a community-oriented, aesthetically pleasing spot to sip and soothe the soul. The long hours (seven days a week, from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM) are intentional, to give customers the opportunity to linger and build community.

So far it’s working; open since March, the café attracts a steady stream of patrons who enjoy Mayday’s delicious coffee brews, smoothies, teas and homemade syrups, along with healthy bites like acai bowls, toasts and yummy sandwiches. A florist is available from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and there’s a small retail selection stocked with self-care items as well.

The 2,100-square-foot space seats about 40, and a private room is available to rent for meetings and parties.

Owner Austin Piona is a Downingtown East grad who worked in corporate finance before opening Mayday. The name is a nod to his own mental health journey and the importance of taking care of yourself and seeking help when needed.

Mayday is located at 123 North High Street in West Chester. Hours are 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM, seven days a week. 

• Main Point Books Expands

Main Point Books is back and bigger than ever! After temporarily relocating to another storefront in Wayne, the popular indie bookstore wrapped up a big renovation and expansion in late April—just in time to celebrate its tenth anniversary. The newly refinished lower level adds about 2,000 square feet and now houses the shop’s children and young adult sections, with plenty of space for younger patrons (and their parents) to browse and play.

Other enhancements include a 50-person special event space for author visits and book clubs and a new family-friendly bathroom. Owner Cathy Fiebach also added a general manager and events director to her team.

Main Point Books is located at 116 N. Wayne Avenue in Wayne. Hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

• To Market We Go

There’s a new farmer’s market in town! Debuting THIS Sunday, May 7, the Berwyn Farmer’s Market will take over the plaza in front of Handel’s every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Hosted by Culinary Markets and sponsored by Eadeh Enterprises, the market will run through October 29. 

Featuring over two dozen local food producers and farmers, the market aims to strengthen farm-to-table connections and promote the benefits of eating locally grown fare. Expect fun and entertainment for the whole family each week, including live music, contests and demos. 

The Berwyn Farmer’s Market is located at 573 E. Lancaster Avenue in Berwyn. Hours are Sundays 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM through October 29.

• Mangia Mangia!

The old Garrett Hill Pizza has gotten a serious upgrade. In its place you’ll find a two-story Italian gastrobar called Exit 13, lovingly updated and restored by none other than Luciano Di Felice, son of Garrett Hill Pizza’s original owners.

With an acclaimed Italian pizza chef at the helm, Exit 13 exudes authenticity with its curated selection of gourmet pizzas, homemade pastas and pinsas. (A healthier alternative to traditional pizza, pinsa dough is made from soy, rice and wheat flour that’s fermented for up to 72 hours and baked at a lower temperature.) The décor is classic and cool with retractable glass doors and barstools crafted from vintage Vespa seats.

The bar serves craft beers, cocktails and moderately priced Italian wines.

Exit 13 Gastrobar is located at 910 Conestoga Road in Bryn Mawr. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Web site coming soon.

• Sweat Sessions in Wayne

A new fitness studio Wayne is reallly turning up the heat. Nestled in the Strafford Shopping Center near the farmer’s market, HOTWORX sends clients into one of eight infrared saunas to complete their workout of choice, from yoga, barre and pilates to cycling, rowing and HITT. Each sauna fits up to three people, and classes are taught on demand, by virtual instructors. Strength workouts are 30 minutes, and cardio classes are 15 minutes.

While the temps in infrared saunas run about thirty degrees cooler than traditional saunas, patrons still need a special towel and mat ($50 to purchase; $5 to rent) to soak up the sweat and prevent slips and falls. Proponents of infrared sauna workouts cite numerous benefits, including to higher cardiovascular outputs, improved recovery times, increased endurance and less joint and muscle pain overall. There’s also the whole detox effect.

HOTWORX studios are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Classes are booked on the HOTWORX app, and your first class is free. The Wayne studio also features a special area with weights and other strength equipment that members can use before or after their sauna session.

HOTWORX is located at 396A W. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. The studio is open 24/7.  

• Sip, Eat & Play in Devon

I swear when my kids were toddlers the clock seemed to move backwards some days. How I would have loved a place like Le Mignon back then to give us ALL a much-needed change of scenery! Located in Devon, Le Mignon (French for “cute”) offers coffee and cakes for parents and a play space for kids.

Both the menu and play area are thoughtfully curated and designed. Coffee from La Colombe is paired with a selection of homemade, globally inspired small cakes and pastries. (Matcha and tea are also available.) The play area is filled with high-quality wooden toys, slides, swings and pretend play essentials.

Single sessions and annual memberships are available. You can also reserve the entire space for a birthday party.

Le Mignon is located at 300 W. Lancaster Avenue in Devon. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Weekend afternoons are reserved for birthday parties.

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