MEDIA — Maris Mediterranean Seafood Restaurant, a new Mediterranean-inspired seafood restaurant at 214 W. State St., Media, held its official grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Owned by Media restaurateur Loïc Barnieu, owner of La Belle Epoque, Sterling Pig Brewery and Tap 24, the new restaurant will bring a fresh Mediterranean perspective to Media’s vibrant dining scene, serving a seafood-forward menu featuring whole branzino, seafood towers, grilled swordfish and tuna, lamb chops, seafood pastas, Greek-inspired small plates, and select steak and burger offerings.
A raw bar anchors the culinary experience.
“We want the seafood to be the star here,” stated General Manager Elise Rehoric.
Celebrating the grand opening last week of Maris Mediterranean Seafood Restaurant are, left to right, Trish McFarland, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce president; Loïc Barnieu, Maris owner; Elise Rehoric, Maris general manager; and Dave Fairman, executive director of Media Business Authority. (COURTESY OF DELCO CHAMBER)
The restaurant showcases a bright, coastal aesthetic, with white and Mediterranean blue tones accented by pink florals reminiscent of Greek bougainvillea, which is a stark contrast to the darker interior of predecessor Two Fourteen.
Chef Jose Rodriguez, who also leads the kitchens at La Belle Epoque and Tap 24, partnered with Barnieu to develop the menu.
Maris features seating for approximately 75 guests, additional bar seating, and a robust beverage selection including wine, cocktails and Sterling Pig brews.
Dinner service begins at launch, with plans to add lunch service shortly after opening. Current hours are 4-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 267-500-2979 or go to http://marisseafood.com.
Visit Delco makes holiday shopping sweeter at Cocoa Crawl
Visit Delco will make last minute holiday shopping event sweeter from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 20 on State Street in Media with a Cocoa Crawl. While people are shopping local on Saturday, they can stop by participating restaurants for a complimentary cup of cocoa.
To sweeten the shopping experience even more, Visit Delco is holding a drawing for $250 in State Street gift cards. To be entered, scan the QR code on any drink cup from the event.
Participating restaurants include: Artisan Croissanterie, Cafesphere, Cafe Isla, Jaco Juice and Taco of Media, Ocean City Coffee Company, Off The Rail, Properly Pressed, Rivalry Cafe, Spasso Italian Grill, and Willow’s Garden Cafe.
For more information about the event, visit http://visitmediapa.com.
Free ‘Pet Shop’ show for all ages at Chester High School
Chester Upland School District will present the show “Pet Shop,” directed by Walter Jones.
The free event is at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at Chester High School Auditorium, 232 W. Ninthth St., Chester. The show is produced by Bountiful Blessings and Batson Entertainment.
The show is about children who go into a pet show to purchase various pets and learn how being caged is difficult because everyone likes to be free.
For questions or more information, call 917-753-2438.
PAC Center to mark solstice with drum circle
The Park Avenue Community (PAC) Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore, will host Family Solstice Drum Circle on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m.
On the shortest day of the year, community members are invited to gather together to drum in the light, explore different rhythms through demonstration and hand clapping.
Led by percussionist Garmal Sherif, drummers of all ages and levels are welcome.
Drummers can bring their own percussion instruments, if able, but there will also be some instruments on site. This is a free community event and all ages are welcome.
For more information: http://thepac.center.
Aston resident to graduate from college at age 19
Breyonna Conner of Aston will graduate from Neumann University on Wednesday, Dec. 17, with a BS in Biology, four years ahead of most students her age.
Breyonna Conner of Aston will graduate from Neumann University on Wednesday with a B.S. in biology, four years ahead of most students her age. (COURTESY OF DIVINE + PARTNERS)
However, it’s not the first time the 19-year-old student has been ahead of the curve. She graduated high school at 15 years old from Reach Cyber Charter School, whose flexible online model made it possible for her to accelerate academically at a pace that fit her needs.
Breyonna is preparing for the MCAT, pursuing medical research, and plans to become an EMT next year before heading to medical school to begin a career as an ER doctor and surgeon. She is also a gifted musician who has played classical piano since age 2 and now plays the organ for her church every week.
Giant announces plans for Glen Mills store
The Giant Co. has announced plans for a new store in Glen Mills.
The approximately 53,000-square-foot store is part of a new ground-up shopping center, The Shoppes at Concord, located at Route 202/Wilmington Pike and Ridge Road in Concord Township.
“For nearly four decades, we’ve been a part of Delaware County, continually investing in our stores, the surrounding neighborhoods, and the families who call Delco home,” said John Ruane, president of Giant. “Today’s news reinforces our commitment to not only growing in, but also with, the communities we proudly serve. We’re looking forward to introducing our new Glen Mills neighbors to the freshness and value Giant is known for, in addition to having them experience the latest grocery amenities and service delivered with kindness by our team.”
Construction is scheduled to begin next year, subject to obtaining the necessary permits and approvals. Specific store amenities and employment opportunities, as well as an opening date, will be shared at a later date.
Giant operates 10 stores and employs more than 1,800 team members in Delaware County.
Media Rotary President Mina Yi-Merizalde, right, presents a $2,000 check to Media Food Bank Assistant Director Marilyn Bess, second from right. With them are Rotarians, from left, Janice Miller-Lion, Jeanne Stolar and Larry Smoose. (COURTESY OF MEDIA ROTARY CLUB)
Rotary Club of Media helps local food pantry, honors students of the month
The Rotary Club of Media recently gave a $2,000 donation to the Media Food Bank.
The check included gifts from individual club members as well as a grant from the Rotary Foundation of Media.
The funds will provide food and toiletry items for families who are struggling this holiday season. Club members helped distribute food to over 80 families on a recent Thursday evening and saw first-hand the importance of having this Food Bank in the local community.
Penncrest High School Assistant Principal Joe Fuhr, left, and Rotarian Courtney Ballauer, right, chair of the Rotary’s student of the month, congratulate Penncrest students Paul Graham and Parker Caruso on receiving December’s students-of-the-month honor. (COURTESY OF MEDIA ROTARY CLUB)
Also this month, The Rotary Club of Media honored two students of the month at Penncrest High School.
Parker Caruso, a junior at Penncrest, is one of the honorees. Parker initiated a club at Penncrest for fighting blindness, as a chapter of the Philadelphia Foundation for Fighting Blindness. The club, under her leadership held an “eyes on the cure” 5k and a Carnival for the Cure, which raised $13,000. As a result she was named one of the “Top 100 Community Change Makers” by the University of Delaware, received the Rose Tree Media School District Outstanding Student Award, and the Penncrest Emerging Innovator award.
The other honoree at Penncrest High School is Paul Graham, a senior who was a team captain and the quarterback for the Penncrest football team and is a power forward on the basketball team. He was named the Central League’s offensive player of the year in football. In addition to his athletic prowess, Graham is a member of the National Honor Society and the math and science honor societies and received the Penncrest Academic Excellence Award. He also volunteers at the Media VFW. He plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University as a Business Administration major next year.
The Rotary Club of Media meets at noon every Thursday at Margaret Kuo’s Kitchen at Granite Run.
Anyone interested in learning more about Rotary is welcome to attend, or go to http://Mediarotary.org for more information.
The Chester Rotary Club recently donated 1,000 to the 2025 Chester Corps’ Salvation Army Kettle Drive. (COURTESY OF THE SALVATION ARMY)
Chester Rotary Club contributes 1,000 to Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Chester extended its thanks to The Chester Rotary Club, which recently made a $1,000 donation this year to support the Salvation Army Chester Corps’ annual Christmas Kettle effort.
“The Chester Rotary Club has been a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army, and its continued commitment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families we serve throughout the community,” Chester Corps officials said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for their faithful partnership and generous support year after year, especially during the Christmas season when the needs are greatest.”
For more information about Chester Rotary Club, go to: http://chesterparotary.org.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@delconewsnetwork.com.
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