Hello 08108! Who is ready for the holiday season? I sure am! I love this time of year as family and friends get to gather, there is a chance for the first snow and the joy on faces as presents are opened! I am excited for you to check out our Holiday edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Collingswood.
We start our issue with Champs Cheesesteaks and Hoagies on W Merchant Street. Meet Nick and Heather, who have been married for 22 years. They are living out their dream as first-time business owners. Nick has a background in culinary, sales, and law enforcement. Heather has a background as a technician in a hospital emergency room. Nick grew up learning the ins and outs of the food business from his father who owned pizza shops in Northeast Philly. Champs, with a Philadelphia Eagles’ theme, “is very different from anywhere else.” Find out why starting on page 9.
Next up, we meet Margie Cedrone, who has been in the jewelry design business for more than three decades. Cedrone, a resident of Haddon Township for 27 years, opened her shop on Haddon Avenue in February 2018, after spending 34 years working on Jewelers Row in Philadelphia. “I have a passion for creating beautiful, unique jewelry that will last a lifetime,” says Cedrone. She’s hoping to eventually expand her services with the addition of her son, Christian Gatto, who recently joined the business. Follow the design starting on page 14.
In this edition, we catch up with the West Collingswood Revitalization Committee (WCRC), which was formed in 2023 to essentially improve the area. To date, they have hosted 12 work/cleanup days, planted 600 native plants creating a pollinator garden, two additional shade trees planted, created plans to install bike racks, trash cans, and string lights in business district, planned a public art project and more. In March, the WCRC held its first Wild Collings West Party fundraiser. Some 250 tickets were sold and they were able to raise $17,000 to further their goals. Learn all about the WCRC on page 16.
Also included in our Holiday edition magazine: Expert Contributors Pip Haxby-Thompson and Steph Scott talk about accidental landlording on page 6; a holiday shopping guide to help jumpstart the shopping season on page 13; Keeping up with Collingswood for future community events on page 22 and hear what our neighbors have to say when asked “What is your favorite holiday movie?” on page 2.
All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead!
Enjoy!
