The West Reading Economic Development Committee met July 8th. Discussion items included business openings and closings, and updates on ongoing strategic initiatives.

• West Reading Business Openings & Closings

• West Reading Economic Development Updates: Railroad Bridge & Schweitzer's Service Center Acquisition

West Reading Business Openings & Closings

Since the last West Reading Economic Development Committee meeting, several businesses have opened, and others have announced their closings.

Newly Opened West Reading Businesses

• Winnie Mochi @ 400 Penn Ave: offering donuts, savory dishes, boba tea and drinks. Open 9am - 8pm everyday.

• Origen Salon has moved to 430 Penn Ave

• Vivi Bubble Tea @ 450 Penn Ave: offering Taiwanese bubble tea, street food, drinks, and mochi donuts. Open 11am - 9pm Tues-Sun, closed Monday.

• 520 Penn Ave: coming soon, massage services & fitness classes

• Sugar Shack Candy Bar & Ice Cream @ 609 Penn Ave. Open 12 - 8pm Tues-Sun, closed Monday.

• Haul House Records @ 611 Penn Ave: buy/sell/trade vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes, with videos to buy. Open Wed-Sun - see Google for specific hours.

• Tinsel & Twig Custom Laser Design has moved to 643 Penn Ave

Business Closures and Plans in West Reading

• 10 South 5th Ave remains available commercial space

• Willow Creek Brewing closed due to the owners’ retirement

• Broken Chair Brewery closing at the end of August due to the owners’ retirement

• Say Cheese, Nitro Bar, and West Reading Motor Club have permanently closed.
  
  The owners of GNA and business partners have bought the 600 Penn Ave property, the former site of Say Cheese. They plan to open a restaurant - though the type of restaurant is TBD, they told committee members it won’t be an Italian restaurant.
  
  West Reading zoning officer Chad Moyer stated in the meeting that 416 Penn Ave, former site of Nitro Bar and West Reading Motor Club, is “regrouping” and “may try again.”
  

For more details on West Reading Economic Development:

• July 8th West Reading Economic Development Committee Meeting agenda

West Reading Economic Development Updates

West Reading Railroad Bridge repainting

Coordination with Norfolk Southern and design collaborations are in progress in the project to repaint the West Reading Railroad Bridge.

West Reading Acquisition of Schweitzer’s Service Center

In May 2024, West Reading Borough Council approved purchase of Schweitzer’s Service Center and gas station at 433 Penn Ave. The sale is expected to close by the end of July 2024.

The tentative short-term plan is to demolish the site in preparation for parking and community use. Long-term, the purchase of the site ties to West Reading’s downtown master plan from 2021. West Reading intends to use the space to expand the business district. Priorities include parking, walkability, and space for the community.

Derck & Edson, who created the downtown plan for West Reading, will be providing recommendations for use of the site.

Action Item: 

How to Contact the West Reading Economic Development Committee

Philip Wert is the chair of the West Reading Economic Development Committee, and mayor Samantha Kaag has a seat on the committee. These are links to their contact forms on the borough website.

The West Reading Economic Development Committee is scheduled to meet next on Monday, August 12 at 6pm at West Reading Borough Hall.