Located in the heart of Norristown, ESS Bakery Café is a four food concept bakery and café that offers a combination of Colombian, Peruvian, Mexican, and Spanish cuisine, along with traditional American fare and bakery sweets. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, owner Jamie Mellado moved his special events business from New York and landed in the diverse community of Norristown. What was meant to be just a bakery eventually flourished into the beloved bakery and café that sees plenty of customers from the surrounding community every day. Senator Cappelletti stopped by ESS Bakery Café to have a quick chat with Jamie, check out their new seating area, and savor some delicious empanadas!

Frosty Falls is an independently owned ice cream and treat shop located along the Schuylkill River in Bridgeport. After several years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Laura Houck inherited Frosty Falls Ice Cream from a former mentor and friend. While COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida posed plenty of challenges, Frosty Falls remains a staple in Bridgeport. Senator Cappelletti rolled up her sleeves and was put to work as she learned about the history of Frosty Falls, browsed the menu, and created some tasty treats!

Bryn Mawr Film Institute is a four-screen, nonprofit movie theater and film education center that serves nearly 200,000 patrons each year. Bryn Mawr Film Institute screens a mix of independent, international, classic, and documentary films, while also offering guest speakers, film courses, and interactive programs. Senator Cappelletti took a "behind-the-screens" tour of Bryn Mawr Film Institute to learn more about the history of the organization, the current titles they're screening, and what educational resources are accessible to the community.

Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti visited Narberth Ambulance to learn more about how COVID-19 affected their operations and how they continue to serve the community. The main station is a state-of-the-art facility located at 101 Sibley Avenue in the Ardmore Section of Lower Merion Township. Narberth Ambulance serves Lower Merion, Narberth, Haverford, Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. Watch the video for a sneak peek inside the station!

Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti visited Trails End Café to highlight this locally, family-owned business at the end of the Bala Cynwyd Trail! Serving the area since 2016, Trail’s End Café is proud to serve locally sourced coffees and foods that are healthy, of the highest taste and quality, and reasonably priced. Watch the video to learn more about what is on the menu and their COVID-19 experience!

Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti visited Sweet Mabel Art & Craft to highlight their local products and spotlight this amazing woman-owned business in district 17! Sweet Mabel began in 2005 when Tracy Tumolo took over her grandfather’s former barbershop on the hill in Narberth, PA.  Located in the heart of town, Sweet Mabel offers their visitors a variety of American and locally made housewares, jewelry, art, and other items.

Watch the video to hear the full story and see some of the shop’s great offerings. And next time you are in Narberth, check out Sweet Mabel!

Senator Cappelletti visited Mainline Art Center to learn more about their mission, to see the amazing art they showcase both on their property and in the gallery, and to get to know more about how COVID-19 affected their operations. The mission of Main Line Art Center is to inspire and engage people of all ages, abilities, and economic means in visual art through education, exhibitions, and experiences. Main Line Art Center’s educational offerings for all ages, abilities, and economic means span from traditional to contemporary, and are all held to the highest level of excellence.

Watch the video to hear more about their story. Watch until the end to learn what kind of pasta the artists identify with! See our other #Spotlightinthe17th episodes for more.

Senator Amanda Cappelletti visited Five Saints Distilling which is located in a historic firehouse in the heart of Norristown. Five Saints is a grain to glass distillery which means they start with locally grown ingredients (corn, rye) from Bill Beam Farms in Elverson, PA. Their intent as a grain to glass distillery is to maximize the production of alcohol for every pound of starch that they use. Learn more about the rich story of Five Saints Distilling in the video!

Senator Amanda Cappelletti visited the Headquarters of Crazy Aaron's Putty World in Norristown, PA to hear their story and learn more about the ways Crazy Aaron engages with our community. As his business grew, so did Crazy Aaron's desire to give back to the community. Not only does Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld work with seven Philadelphia-area vocational centers to employ many exceptional individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, Crazy Aaron's took the extra step to help the community during COVID-19 by pivoting from producing putty to hand sanitizer for first responders. Hear more about the story in the video!