When Jason and Angela McFarland opened a small record store out of a closet, they were simply living out a lifelong dream. But as their popularity outgrew the space, they moved their store to a larger storefront in Jeffersonville. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the business shifted to curbside services - including freshly brewed coffee from Angela and Jason's son, Jake! Recently, I visited Vinyl Closet Records to browse their extensive music collection, enjoyed a refreshing cup of coffee, and sat down for a quick chat with Angela, Jason, and the famous Barista Jake himself to learn more about Vinyl Closet Records.

When Jason and Angela McFarland opened a small record store out of a closet, they were simply living out a lifelong dream. But as their popularity outgrew the space, they moved their store to a larger storefront in Jeffersonville. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the business shifted to curbside services - including freshly brewed coffee from Angela and Jason's son, Jake! Recently, I visited Vinyl Closet Records to browse their extensive music collection, enjoyed a refreshing cup of coffee, and sat down for a quick chat with Angela, Jason, and the famous Barista Jake himself to learn more about Vinyl Closet Records.

Nestled in a cozy corner shop in the heart of Narberth, Narberth Bookshop is an independent bookstore stocked with an array of books and small gifts for all ages. Senator Cappelletti stopped by Narberth Bookshop to browse the current offerings and sat down to chat with owner Ellen Trachtenberg about what's in stock, what services they offer, and what you can expect when you set foot in Narberth Bookshop.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center, a 30-acre preserve located in Gladwyne, provides education programs for grades K-12, nature camps, and free public access to nature trails. Riverbend Environmental Education Center strives to develop environmental literacy through hands-on education tools. Senator Cappelletti stopped by Riverbend and met with Executive Director Erin Reilly to learn more about what Riverbend has to offer for students and the general public. Together, they explored the trails, discussed the importance of environmental literacy, and met some reptilian friends along the way!

Aux Petits Delices es una pequeña pastelería francesa situada en el corazón de Wayne, que ofrece las mejores delicias y sabores de Borgoña, Francia. Después de comenzar su carrera en el mundo culinario, Marqessa Gesualdi decidió convertirse en pastelera. Cuando el antiguo propietario de Aux Petits Delices decidió vender el negocio, Marqessa decidió continuar con el legado de tres décadas de este pequeño negocio. Con un pequeño equipo de pasteleros, Aux Petits Delices elabora artesanalmente pastelería francesa clásica desde cero y con amor. La senadora Cappelletti visitó Aux Petits Delices para conocer mejor su historia y degustar algunos de sus deliciosos dulces.

Ardmore Music Hall is one of the premier independent music venues in the Northeast for nationally touring concerts, and the location at 23 East has a storied history of 40+ years of shows as a rock club. Located on the Main Line, Ardmore Music Hall hosts programming ranging from rock & roll to funk, jam, roots, adult contemporary, hip hop, Americana and everything in between. Senator Cappelletti recently visited this (not so hidden) gem in Senate District 17 and learned more about their history! Watch the video to see this month’s spotlight.

New Avenue Café is a project of New Avenue Foundation, a nonprofit organization begun in 2013 by two fathers of adult daughters with disabilities. These dads wanted to expand the social and employment opportunities for their daughters, as well as others, and to ensure that all members of their local communities would feel welcome and valued. To that end, the nonprofit was begun. Now, seven years later, the employment initiative is taking root with the New Avenue Café at the Kelly Center for Music, Arts, and Community in Havertown. Senator Cappelletti visited the café to learn more about how they engage with our community!

Senator Amanda Cappelletti recently visited Martha’s Choice Marketplace learn more about how the marketplace runs and the area they serve. As the largest food pantry in Montgomery County, Martha’s Choice focuses on distributing fresh bulk produce, meat, and dairy to clients across the county. Martha’s Choice serves approximately 1000 clients each month and provide vital goods to the people they serve. Watch the video to learn more about Martha’s Choice!

Over the summer, Senator Cappelletti visited vonC Brewing to hear their story and celebrate their opening in district 17! With a family history in brewing, brothers Rick, Eric, and Jay von Czornig are sixth generation brewers. In 1860, their great, great, great grandfather founded Schmidt’s Brewery in Philadelphia. Today, vonC is a microbrewery with a tasting room, including a spacious outside beer garden in Norristown, PA, the heart of Montgomery County.

Watch the video to learn more about their story!

Senator Amanda Cappelletti recently visited Premier Barber Institute in Norristown, PA to learn more about their mission, services, and successes! Premier Barber Institute owners Dan, Tyrik, and Victor are very passionate about helping future barbers succeed in their goals and reaching their ambitions. They have been working on growing not only the school but growing the individual students within their programs to become talented professionals in the world of barbering.

Watch the video to learn more about their story!