Pizzazz on Piazza Square!!

Actually, make that in & around Jenkintown's charming shopping mecca, an oasis of outstanding browsing & buying, nibbling & noshing.

Over the next week, sane shoppers should be avoiding anything that even slightly resembles a mall.  Savvy shoppers & diners will be making a beeline for Jenkintown's gem of shops & restaurants - PIAZZA on the SQUARE, literally in the heart of J-town.   

There is parking in the Square (the meters have been replaced with paying at a kiosk, then displaying the receipt on your dashboard) & along the streets.  Parking is free after 8:00 p.m., after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. 

We love Piazza on the Square, but it managed to surprise us this holiday season with its many delights & unexpected bargains.

John & I have enjoyed special holiday events on the Square, including a very balmy 12/12/15 Santa on the Square.  Friends who recently moved here from the Midwest - parents & three kinder - enjoyed 12/05/12's Light Up The Square tree lighting.  And tomorrow the Jenkintown High School Choir will be in the gazebo, singing holiday songs from noon - 3:00 p.m.! 

There are so many shops & eateries, so will keep our online meander to places John & I adore -OR- have been praised by friends.

Where to start?  Has to be at The Art of It, tucked into the south corner (look for the wrought iron fence).  I'm always amazed at the talent represented throughout the shop, which spotlights original - juried - local artists.  This Christmas season, what blew my mind was that so many of the pieces that caught my eye were remarkably affordable & even the costly coat that I yearn to find under the tree was a great value, considering what it would have been in a comparable shop (is there one?) in New Hope or Philadelphia.  

Around the time we're done checking out The Art of It - both floors - we'd be in the mood for a nosh, so over we'd go to West Avenue Grille.  

 

Blessings on the Kent Cooper clan for introducing us to what is now one of our very favorite places to nab breakfast or lunch (sadly, they're no longer open for dinner).  Doesn't matter what time of day we're there, my order is always the same - the Veggie Benedict, two poached eggs atop grilled portobellas & covered with roasted peppers, then slathered with the buffalo hollandaise (SO worth the extra 75 cents).  If Anne is with us, she'd order the turkey with bacon & avocado wrap, while John almost inevitably orders the build-your-own veggie omelette.  Friends who are limited to gluten-free goodies are over-the-moon with West Avenue Grille's g-f pancakes!

One of these days, the two of us will let our taste buds go wild & order WAG's Mile High french toast or go utterly out-of-control & get an extravagant pancake combos - Monkey (see above), S'Mores (everything you imagine), Strawberry Short Cakes & the totally over-the-top Birthday Cakes.  

Great food, great service, always a great time!

 

Walk off the repast with a nip around the corner to Leedom Street & the glories of Allegheny Art Company's practically one-stop Christmas shopping, from a WOW! selection of cards to wonderful books in a range of prices to an exceptional corner of children's crafts books toys.  Small, but mighty - that's Allegheny.  For a serious artist like John, a more frivolous crafter like moi, or a loves-to-shop Anne, it is a joy to visit & shop.

Time to slip across the street to Velvet Sky Bakery.  We have special affection for Velvet Sky, remembering when it started out several years back.  How it has grown!  It's fun to walk past what was the original cupcake shop, now its custom cake studio, open to view for all to see the magical transformation of flour, butter & sugar into wondrous fantasies.  

Tear yourself away - cupcakes & cookies & utterly yum homemade soups beckon in the cafe & bakery! 

Right next door to Velvet Sky is LEEDOM STREET GAMES.  Yes, the sign might still say Rhinoceros & it's still the same delightful people, but the name IS changing.  Luckily, it remains a spot to charm entice entrance. These are classic board & card games that delight young & old, enrich both minds & relationships.   

Confession - I didn't know what a "gamery" was before the ladies at Leedom Street Games put me in the know.  To shameless plagiarize their marketing info, a Gamery is a cafe that serves up favorite board games & puzzles.  Game players & puzzle makers of all ages are welcome!  Pick from their extensive menu of available games & puzzles, or ask for recommendations.  The ladies are up to day on all the hottest new games.  They can leave you to do your thing or teach you how to play.  Then, all you have to do is have fun!

What an intriguing, fun & frolicky shop!  Games & puzzles can be purchased for Christmas or anytime presents.  Grandparents - great place to stock up on fun things to do with the grandkids!

That's just a taste of all that awaits in & around Piazza on the Square, a marvelous selection of shops & restaurants.  What I've spotlighted here are our personal favorites, but there's so many more for YOU to discover!

Heads up - West Avenue Grille & Velvet Sky are both closed on Mondays.  Not sure about the others.  Just be forewarned!