Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

When Maxwell Taxi Cab Co. closed earlier this year, that looked to be the end of the road for the beloved Lower Merion business. But the company has since been acquired by a Bryn Mawr business that’s betting that Main Liners will still want to call a cab in the rideshare era. Also this week, the owners of White Dog Cafe are readying to debut their newest Main Line restaurant and the police department will be cracking down on aggressive driving this summer.

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The beloved Maxwell Taxi Cab Co., which shuttered operations this winter amid flagging business, is getting a second chance after being acquired — albeit in a different format

Bryn Mawr-based ML Car Service Ltd. purchased the Lower Merion business’ number in April as it looks to expand its limo services.

ML Car Service, which is betting that some Main Liners will still want to call a cab, is offering old-school car services in high-end vehicles like Cadillac Escalades, Lincoln sedans, or Teslas. Its price point is in line with “Uber Premier” offerings, The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy reports.

Read more about ML Car Service’s business model here.

💡 Community News

The Lower Merion Police Department is upping its enforcement of aggressive driving as part of a coordinated safety effort with the Pennsylvania State Police to crack down on the behavior across the state. Through Aug. 17, the LMPD is among more than 80 departments in the region that will keep a closer watch on heavy truck violations, pedestrian safety, red light running, speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive behaviors, according to PennDot.

A Miami pilates chain is eyeing expansion in the region and has earmarked Ardmore for a future location. Details on when and where Jetset Pilates might open have not yet been shared.

The township is planning nearly $55 million in capital projects for 2026, which it began reviewing publicly at a workshop late last month. Projects include improvements to park facilities, playgrounds, trails, and utility facilities. The public can weigh in at an operating budget workshop on Sept. 3. (Main Line Times)

SEPTA will continue work on the Ardmore station through July 18, updating bridge abutments and the canopy roof system. Work will take place weekdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Expect potential traffic detours and reduced parking in the area. (Patch)

Speaking of SEPTA, the transportation authority is no longer allowing customers to park in its lots or garages for free on holidays or weekends. The change, which started Monday, comes as SEPTA faces an ongoing funding crisis that could cut Regional Rail service, including to the Paoli/Thorndale and Cynwyd lines.

Belmont Hills Library is hosting a summer book swap. Now through July 19, you can drop off books of any genre so long as they are in good condition and geared toward readers 12 and older. The swap, where you can take as many books as you donated, will then take place on July 26.

🏫 Schools Briefing

🍽️ On our Plate

Fearless Restaurants, of White Dog Cafe fame, expects to debut its latest offering at the end of this month. When it opens, Triple Crown at the Radnor Hotel will offer upscale American cuisine and an event space with a “Ralph Lauren-inspired equestrian” vibe, The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports.

🎳 Things to Do

👶 Preschool Mama & Me Yoga: Tomorrow, Best Beginnings in Ardmore will kick off the first of three 45-minute pop-ups this month geared toward moms with kids ages two to five. ⏰ Friday, July 11, 9:15 a.m. 💵 $35 per session 📍 Best Beginnings

🧘 Summer Tai Chi: Instructor Aimée Alegria Barry will take attendees through some moves as well as qigong stretches. ⏰ Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. 💵 $15 for members, $20 for non-members 📍 Stoneleigh

🎵 Summer Hummer Concert: Penn Wynne Civic Association’s summer concert features music from David Crosby tribute band Anders & Friends and snacks from Care Package Bakes. ⏰ Saturday, July 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Wynnewood Valley Park

📽️ Psycho: Catch a screening of the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock horror film. ⏰ Sunday, July 13, 4 p.m. 💵 $13.75 for students and seniors, $16.25 for adults 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: Steve Forbert & The New Renditions headline the Saturday show, while Trout Fishing in America will perform on Sunday. ⏰ Saturday, July 12, 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 13, 4 p.m. 💵 $16.56-$24.84 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo

🍷 Summer Wine Tasting: Sample five nonalcoholic wines from around the globe. ⏰ Sunday, July 13, 4:30 p.m. 💵 $20 📍 Wallace Dry Goods

🕯️ Scented Candle Making: Kids ages 10 to 17 can learn to make their own soy wax candles. ⏰ Wednesday, July 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

🌪️ Twisters: This week’s Teen Movie Night features the 2024 film starring Glen Powell. ⏰ Wednesday, July 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Bala Cynwyd Library

🎤 Dead Flowers: The Rolling Stones tribute band headlines the Wednesday Night Concert Series. ⏰ Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Chet Tyson Pavilion

🏡 On the Market

An updated Craftsman with a covered porch

Built in 1930 and since updated, this five-bedroom Craftsman-style home in Ardmore has a large covered porch and a native pollinator garden out front. The first floor features an updated eat-in kitchen with soapstone countertops, a formal dining room, and a living room with a fireplace. The second floor is home to the primary suite, which has a bathroom with a soaking tub, a custom trough sink, and radiant-heated floors. There are two additional bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor, and another two bedrooms on the third floor, where there are also two flex spaces. The basement can be finished for additional living space, while out back there’s a fenced-in yard and deck.

Price: $899,000 | Size: 2,341 SF | Acreage: 0.22

Have you seen an interesting listing in or around Lower Merion? Share it with us in an email to lowermerion@inquirer.com.

📈 Lower Merion market report

Median listing price: $795,000 (down $200,000 from May) 📉

Median sold price: $997,050 (up $37,050 from May) 📈

Median days on the market: 32 (up three days from May) 📈

This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for June from realtor.com.

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This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.