Approaching the entrance of Philter coffee shop in Kennett Square Pennsylvania, I’m greeted by the words “Together we will see it through” inscribed on a pennant hanging in the window. It’s a stark reminder how challenging Covid has been for businesses here.  Coffee in hand, I step back outside and find an empty bench a few stores over. I pull down my mask and take in the town I haven’t seen much of over the past year.

Kennett Square is a Capraesque ¹ Of, relating to, or characteristic of the films of Frank Capra, especially as having a somewhat whimsical feel or a story affirming democratic values, individual decency and perseverance, and the power of the ordinary American citizen to influence community and society. SOURCE: Lexico cluster of shops and Victorian homes nestled off of U.S. route 1, roughly halfway between Philadelphia and the Maryland border. 

A water tower perched above the trees and buildings announces “Kennett Square, Mushroom Capital of the World.” According to the Chester County Ag Council²Chester County mushroom farmers (who produce 47 percent of the U.S. mushroom production), need approximately 130,000
tons of hay annually. SOURCE: Chester County the local farms provide roughly half of the U.S. mushroom crop, however the global moniker seems presumptuous.
My bench oversees an intersection at the center of town, where East State Street becomes West and North Union Street becomes South.

On humid summer mornings the stench of the farms permeates the air for miles.  “Trust me, you get used to it” is what locals often try to sell to unconvinced eyes.  However, today’s air is a milder cocktail of farm and spring rain from yesterday’s storms and the resulting fifty-seven degrees.

Before Covid we would walk these sidewalks frequently.  These days only the occasional take-out meal brings me here.  Never mistaken for a bustling urban center, this morning’s foot traffic still feels sparser than I remember.  A window washer runs his squeegee down the glass of the barber shop³FUN FACT: Kennett Square has an inordinate amount of barber shops all within walking distance downtown. Kennett Square barber shops next to me, before moving to the next storefront in line. Across the street a middle-aged man wearing day-glo orange jogs past a masked woman exiting Talula’s Table, a fine foods market.  She awkwardly balances a child in one arm and a couple of hot drinks in the other.⁴Talula’s has equally good coffee, but Philter won the day due to its proximity to my car.

State Street is a narrow two lanes going in a single direction.  Metered parking lines both sides and today a large box truck making produce deliveries hoards several of the spots in front of Talula’s and their neighbor.  Union Street’s traffic runs in both directions and is often busy because of its access to nearby route 1.  Today is no different as a tractor trailer tries to make the right turn onto State Street.  Despite it being a posted illegal turn for trucks of this size, it happens frequently and is always impressive to see it maneuvered. However, the box truck stands in the way. 

The ensuing blockade transforms the serenity to a cacophony of car horns from the now backed-up State Street. The day-glo jogger, workout complete, has come out of Talula’s with a drink in hand and sits down to join me in watching the conclusion from across the street.  Fortunately, a Kennett police officer happens to be nearby and steps in to direct traffic.  Once straightened out, the truck driver crosses the intersection with a new course of direction. Church bells ring in the distance marking his success, along with the nine o’clock hour.

Serenity restored, more reminders of Covid creep into the periphery.  A folding table used for pick-up orders sits out front of Talula’s.  On the other side of Union, you can see the silhouette of a tented portion of sidewalk used for outdoor dining.  Restaurants have had to get creative during the pandemic, especially through the Northeast winter.  Another nearby restaurant has lined the adjacent alley with small bubble-like clear tents.  Each bubble can house two to three diners and contains its own lighting and heat source.  I miss dining out in restaurants, but I’m not quite ready to subject myself to a Terry Gilliam-esque⁵ Bruce Willis and Terry Gilliam on the set of 12 Monkeys. SOURCE:Universal Pictures Home Entertainment experience to do it.  The warm weather can’t get here soon enough.

As I finish my coffee, I decided on roundabout route back to my car.  Other than the window washer now making his way up the other side of the street, the scene mostly remained the same.  Then I noticed the “help wanted” signs in the windows of several of the shops I passed by, as well a couple of new businesses that had just opened.  Maybe there was renewed hope for the coming months, some normalcy on the horizon.  Before I drive off, I notice the banner hanging in the Philter window once more.  Together we will see it through.

See more of KSQ:

Kennett Square Borough – The official site of Kennett Square Borough

Historic Kennett Square – The ultimate resource for any Kennett Square visitor

Tripadvisor – A list of top Kennett Square attractions

Talula’s Table – Great stop for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Or if you’re lucky to secure one of their notoriously hard to get reservations, dinner.

Philter – Great coffee on the other side of State Street.

Photo of Kennett Square water tower courtesy of American Mushroom Institute.