Good morning, Lower Merion! 👋

This week, we’re taking a look inside the Rite Aids of Lower Merion and the rest of the Philly region post-bankruptcy, zoom into the two Lower Merion communities named as some of the best places to live in U.S., and round up Main Line BYOBs you might want to consider next for date night.

As always, let us know if you have feedback. Are we missing something? Should we add a section? What community events or groups should we keep an eye on? You can tell us by taking our survey or emailing us at lowermerion@inquirer.com.

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Take a trip to the Rite Aid in Wynnewood, and you might be surprised by what you find — or don’t.

A single box of apple-cinnamon Nutri-Grain bars. A mostly barren wall where over-the-counter pain relievers should be. But, at the same time, a well-stocked seasonal section filled with Easter goodies. What gives?

Rite Aid began diminishing its regional footprint by about 40% in 2022, and the retailer’s location in Ardmore is now closed. Despite the company emerging from bankruptcy six months ago, some of the remaining open locations across the Philly area are still experiencing inventory issues, with customers reporting low stock in Narberth and beyond.

Supply chain, retail, pharmacy, and bankruptcy experts pointed reporters Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells to an array of potential factors, including cash-flow issues, difficulty reestablishing vendor terms, or plans to close even more stores in the future. A Rite Aid spokesperson declined to answer The Inquirer’s questions, but said the company is focused “on improving the flow of products to our stores.”

Read more about the Rite Aids and why some shelves remain bare months post-bankruptcy here.

💡 Community News

Three local communities have earned spots on Niche’s ranking of the best places to live in America — two of which are right in Lower Merion.

A Main Line doctor who terrorized the family of her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, including setting fire to the Lower Merion home of her romantic rival’s 99-year-old grandmother, was sentenced Wednesday to 11½ to 23 months in jail.

St. Joe’s has offered buyouts to some faculty and staff as part of a plan to help close “a small deficit” resulting from the school’s acquisition and integration with the University of the Sciences and the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster.

Heads up: There will be a lane closure on City Avenue northbound between Lapsley Lane and 59th Street from Monday through Friday next week due to construction related to the St. Joe’s pedestrian bridge, according to PennDot.

The Riverbend Environmental Education Center in Gladwyne is looking “to permanently preserve” an adjacent 4.17-acre property that’s up for sale, an effort that now has the support from township commissioners that the center was seeking to apply for a state grant. (Main Line Times & Suburban)

A group of demonstrators protested outside University of Pennsylvania President J. Larry Jameson’s home in Lower Merion late last week, demanding the university disclose investments within its endowment, divest from companies benefiting Israel’s military and government, and defend against ICE raids. A university spokesperson called the effort “an unlawful intrusion and a deliberate act of intimidation.” (The Daily Pennsylvanian)

Montgomery County Commissioners are taking their public meeting on the road, with their first stop at the Lower Merion Township Building on April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. If you’re interested in joining via Zoom, you can register here.

Was that Jason Kelce at the La Salle-Villanova women’s water polo match last weekend? Why, yes it was. Here’s why he was there.

Richard N. Juliani, of Wynnewood, a retired sociology professor at Villanova and pioneering expert on Philadelphia’s Little Italy, died last month of acute myeloid leukemia at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. He was 86.

🏫 Schools Briefing

🍽️ On our Plate

🎳 Things to Do

🎥 Newsies: Catch a screening of this 1992 Disney musical starring Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall, and Ann-Margret. ⏰ Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. 💵 $7.75 for adults, $6.75 for kids📍Bryn Mawr Film Institute

🎤 The E Street Shuffle: Dance in the dark and rock out to this Jersey-born tribute band to the Boss. ⏰ Saturday, March 29, 9 p.m. 💵 $15📍118 North

🎤 Mason Porter + Frog Holler: Fill your Sunday with a bit of bluegrass. ⏰ Sunday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. 💵 $20📍Ardmore Music Hall

🎤 Nubya Garcia: An event where modern jazz, classical, and R&B come together. ⏰ Wednesday, April 2, 8 p.m. 💵 $29📍Ardmore Music Hall

😋 Wonder Grand Opening: The billion-dollar food hall is celebrating the opening of its Ardmore location with a festive evening. ⏰ Thursday, April 3, 5 p.m.📍17 W. Lancaster Ave.

🏡 On the Market

What’s got a wine room, sauna, pool, and multiple fireplaces? This $2,875,000 Villanova residence featuring five bedrooms and five full and two half bathrooms. The 7,701-square-foot home also boasts a four-car garage, skylights, a pool house, and more.

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

🗣️ We want to hear from you!

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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.