SWARTHMORE — In the heart of the borough of Swarthmore, an old Italian shoe store at 102 Park Ave., is beginning its next chapter as a gathering place for readers, neighbors, and friends. Celia Bookshop will open its doors on Saturday, Oct. 4. For local founders Beth Murray and Rachel Pastan, Celia Bookshop isn’t going to be just a store, but also a lively gathering spot.
“Swarthmore has a vibrant community of readers and writers,” said owner Beth Murray. “We want everyone to feel at home here, whether they’re hunting for their next favorite read, joining a conversation, or just pausing to recharge.”
A decade ago, small bookstores were disappearing, but today, across the country, there is a renewed sense of community energy around independent brick-and-mortar bookstores. Swarthmore is joining the revival.
Visitors can settle in at one of the comfy café tables, pour a cup of coffee from the self-serve coffee station, and lose themselves in stories or community, while reading, writing, or working on a laptop.
“Our hope,” said literary director Rachel Pastan, “is that Celia Bookshop is a place where readers find new authors they love, and where some lesser-known books find new readers to love them.”
Celia Bookshop takes its name from Joseph Celia, an Italian immigrant and shoemaker who built the building where the store is located in the 1920s and operated a family shoe business there for more than 50 years.
“Some people in town still remember coming here to get their school shoes,” said Pastan. “We love the idea of carrying that history forward and transforming it. Our mascot figure, whom we call Celia, is wearing a pair of beautiful, old-fashioned shoes.”
Carrying that legacy even further is Italian artist Pepe Gaka, whose striking outdoor mural, featuring two children perched atop stacks of books alongside oversized flowers, transforms the bookstore into a new Swarthmore landmark. The mural is a playful symbol of the connections between past, present, and future.
Inside, Celia’s shelves burst with fiction, memoir, history, poetry, gardening favorites, and an expansive children’s area. Look for cozy nooks perfect for lingering over a chapter or meeting a new friend.
The store’s flexible space will host a wide range of events, from author talks and book clubs to writing workshops, story times, and even classes taught by professors from Swarthmore College and elsewhere.
The store’s first class, “In Case You Missed It: Revisiting the Classics,” a six-week exploration of Anna Karenina led by Swarthmore College’s Sibelan Forrester, begins Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Celia Bookshop’s Grand Opening on Oct. 4 will feature the live mural painting by Pepe Gaka; special giveaways for all ages; and refreshments with a champagne toast at 12 noon.
Murray and her husband have purchased the building and will live upstairs, further cementing Celia Bookshop’s place at the heart of Swarthmore.
“I’ve always loved the idea that the right book in the right hands at the right time can change a life,” said Murray. “This bookstore gives us a chance to change lives for the better every day. How great is that?”
Celia’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tues.- Fri.; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat.; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. For more information, call the book shop at 610-871-6329, visit in-person at 102 Park Avenue or follow @CeliaBookshop on social media.
Neumann University will once again host the Blessing of Animals, a popular annual event for pet owners in Delaware County, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in St. John Neumann Circle on campus.
This yearly celebration is held to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. The event will kick off a weeklong campus celebration of the legacy of St. Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
St. Francis of Assisi is remembered for his generosity to the poor, his willingness to minister to the lepers, and his love for animals and nature. He is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment.
All furry and feathered friends, and their owners, will be blessed with holy water, and everyone in the community is welcome.
“Bring your beloved pets, large or small, to receive a blessing and be part of this joyful celebration,” said Guilherme Lopes, director of campus ministry
In previous years, more than 50 pets — including hamsters, rabbits, parrots, dogs and cats – have been among the animals blessed at the event that marks the feast of St. Francis, which is officially celebrated on Oct. 4. The Blessing of Animals is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled. For more information, go to: http://neumann.edu/
Walnut Street Theatre will kick off its 217th season of legendary stories with “Million Dollar Quartet,” Oct. 8 to Nov. 2, with previews beginning on Sept. 30.
Step into the electrifying story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music, and ended up making history. Inspired by the actual events that took place on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, “Million Dollar Quartet” is an ecstatic and engaging musical about a story of fame, friendship, discovery, divided loyalties, professional jealousy and incredible music. The legendary meeting of the four musicians was masterminded by Sun Records’ founder, Sam Phillips who brought them together to create music as a group for the first and only time in their careers.
The electrifying show features over 20 smash-hits from a golden era of music, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
First premiering on Broadway in 2010 after record-breaking runs in Florida, Washington, and Chicago, “Million Dollar Quartet” quickly captured the attention and admiration of both audiences and critics, earning Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Book.
This jukebox musical, full of chart-topping hits inspired by rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Famers Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, with original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux. The show later made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2011. Over 15 years later, “Million Dollar Quartet” continues to impress and delight audiences all around the world.
After an incredible 42 productions on the Walnut stages, Fran Prisco makes his well-deserved directorial debut on the Walnut Mainstage with this show. In addition to leading the cast as director, Prisco will also take on the role of Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records.
Portraying the four legends commonly referred to as the Quartet are Matteo Scammell as Elvis; Brian Michael Henry as Jerry Lee Lewis; Paul Harrold as Carl Perkins; and Ken Sandberg as Johnny Cash. Kathryn Brunner takes on the role of Dyanne, a singer and girlfriend of Elvis; Steve Harding makes his Walnut debut as Jay Perkins, brother to Carl Perkins, and Associate Director Jon Rossi makes his own Walnut debut as Fluke. The production also boasts an extremely talented behind-the-scenes creative team.
For tickets and more information about The Million Dollar Quartet and other upcoming shows of the 2025-26 Season, visit http://WalnutStreetTheatre.org or http://Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.
The Ridley Park Fall Festival will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Hosted by the Ridley Park Business Association, the annual event will feature a fun family-friendly day in the business district of the borough, filled with live music, vendors, cocktails and a car show hosted by Church’s Auto Parts.
For more information, email [email protected]/.
Springfield Township Library will present “Medicine in Ancient Egypt,” 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29.
Back by popular demand, Dr. Stephen Phillips, curatorial Research Coordinator in the Egyptian Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, will provide a richly illustrated lecture that introduces ancient Egypt’s medical world. Attendees will meet history’s earliest documented physician, Imhotep, and the earliest documented dentist, Hesy-re.
The presentation will examine the role of magic and herbs in ancient Egyptian medicine, look at cases outlining specific surgical intervention, and examine an actual case of what was perhaps successful trauma surgery — as evidenced on human skeletal remains recovered during recent excavations in the cemeteries behind the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, Egypt.
In October, Springfield Township Library will present “Making Mosaic Coasters” with Claire, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Everyone is welcome for a hands-on DIY Mosaic Coaster Workshop, where they will design and craft their own original set of mosaic coasters to take home. Whether they are a seasoned crafter or just looking to try something new, this fun and relaxing session is perfect for all skill levels.
All materials will be provided. People are just asked to bring their imagination. Registration is required as materials are limited.
Springfield Library will also present virtual Quizzo on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and a screening of the film “Wicked” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.
On Monday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m., the Springfield Township Library will welcome character actress Pat Jordan and her portrayal of Betsy Ross. When the average person hears the name Betsy Ross, the Stars and Stripes probably come to mind. But she was much more than an upholsterer and seamstress. She pursued her own dreams and made a successful life through the trials and tribulations of the Revolutionary War. Hear her story “first-hand” and learn about this important Philadelphian.
For registration on any or all of these programs, go to http://www.springfieldtwplib.com/event/. The Springfield Township Library is at 70 Powell Rd., Springfield. For more information, call 610-543-2113.
The Wardrobe invites the community to join them for the Fashion Dash Grand Prix, 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 at White Manor Country Club in Malvern. The event will raise funds for The Wardrobe, a mission-based organization fighting clothing insecurity across the Philadelphia region.
The Grand Prix Fashion Dash Kick-Off event will have a kick-off with Porsche of the Main Line. Guests can drive a Porsche or Ineos of their choice, or enjoy an adrenaline-rushing ride in a McLaren, Lamborghini, or Ferrari.
This kick-off for the Fashion Dash fundraiser will be a celebration, complete with light bites, music, and libations, to mark the collective efforts in steering individuals toward success. In between test drives and drinks, FUNDracers can set up their Fashion Dash pages and meet other members of their teams representing one of four Wardrobes located in Exton, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, and Upper Darby.
The Fashion Dash is a peer fundraising campaign with a serious impact – helping hundreds of people with clothing and coaching so they can steer themselves to employment success.
Tickets are available for purchase for $75 or $125 for a couple and are provided as a benefit for sponsors, along with individual FUNDracers who set up their fashion dash fundraising page and raise $100 by October 5. Learn more, donate, and purchase tickets at http://wardrobepa.org/fashiondash/.
Celebrating its 30th year, The Wardrobe is a mission-driven nonprofit organization focused on eliminating clothing insecurity, empowering people for success, and curbing fashion waste.
Whether someone needs an outfit for work or everyday life or coaching to help them build their career, they receive free support and Styling, Time, Advice, and Respect (STAR) Treatment at The Wardrobe. With six locations throughout the Philadelphia region, The Wardrobe supports 10,000 people annually with the clothing, advice, and tools needed to move forward toward independence and stability.
The organization works to eliminate clothing insecurity, which can mean not having anything to wear or not having the right thing to wear. In addition to clothing, The Wardrobe’s guests have access to the Wings for Success education program, offering one-on-one coaching and workshops to help them achieve their professional or personal goals.
Each year, the Wardrobe upcycles 200,000+ pounds of gently used or new clothing. Every article of clothing donated to The Wardrobe is ethically repurposed for free guest services, resale inventory, or recycled with our partner Helpsy.
Information on how to get clothing or sign up as a Community Partner is available at http://www.wardrobepa.org/services/.
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