Way To Be

Five things you should know about the long-awaited Weavers Way Chestnut Hill.

by James Saul

James Saul

Northwest Philadelphia's Weavers Way Co-op now has three locations to provide shoppers with local, organic, eco-friendly goods. Here are five things you should know about its long-awaited Chestnut Hill location, which opened last week on Germantown Avenue after two years of planning, renovation and anticipation.

1. It's new. The old Caruso's Market at 8424 Germantown Ave. is now a charming store with more breathing room than Weavers' Mount Airy and Oak Lane locations. It's so new that there's still no sign outside. "People were banging down the door," says manager Kim Spelman-Hall, who was heavily involved with the renovation process.

2. It's big. Chestnut Hill is the co-op's largest location to date, at about 4,500 square feet of retail space. An l-shaped entrance area provides access to fresh produce, organic meats and prepared foods. Then, two long aisles with shelves, refrigerators and freezers extend toward the back. For co-op members familiar with smaller quarters in Mount Airy and Oak Lane stores, the difference is noticeable.

3. It's local. People who shop at Weavers Way are into local produce, and this new store has a huge selection. There are already a few varieties of kale and mustard greens grown at the Weavers Way farm at Awbury Arboretum, with strawberries, onions and garlic coming toward the end of spring. If you prefer organic, hydroponic microgreens, Oh Produce (ohproduce.net) products come from Kempton, just west of Allentown.

James Saul

4. It's green. Sustainably forested lumber is just one of several enviro-friendly tactics in play at Weavers Way Chestnut Hill. There is solar tube lighting and energy-efficient refrigeration; they've installed barrels to collect rainwater, and they compost all kitchen waste. Additionally, a heat recovery tank on the roof turns energy from refrigeration units into hot water to power the hot bar.

5. It's good for a quick bite. The Chestnut Hill store has a full kitchen, offering up a selection of made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads and a hot bar. Omnivorous types can chow down on Woodhouse Turkey or Parisian Pig (ham with Brie) sandwiches. The Normwich is a viable vegetarian option: grilled tofu and veggies with spicy Thai mayo on a whole wheat roll. Weavers Way will eventually provide a seating area for patrons to enjoy their food. For now, Pastorius Park isn't too far off for a picnic.

(editorial@citypaper.net)