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  • 🚧 Boot Road Bridge to Close for Year-Long Replacement Project | Skelp Level Bridge Open Date | 🥫 Food Bank Anniversary

🚧 Boot Road Bridge to Close for Year-Long Replacement Project | Skelp Level Bridge Open Date | 🥫 Food Bank Anniversary

Downingtown Local Pulse Issue Aug 27th, 2025

Author

Chesco Sean
27 Aug

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In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

🤪 Joke of the day 😆

Why did the stadium get so hot?

(Answer Below…)

Boot Road Bridge to Close for Year-Long Replacement Project

EAST CALN TWP — PennDOT will begin major construction this fall on a $13.3 million bridge replacement project in East Caln Township, closing Boot Road between Quarry Road and Southwind Lane for a full year starting September 8, 2025. The aging three-span bridge over Amtrak will be replaced with a modern single-span structure. The project also includes improvements to approach roads, drainage, guide rails, and the nearby intersection at Boot and Quarry roads. Left-turn lanes, modernized signals, and upgraded drainage aim to improve traffic flow and safety. Despite the road closure, Amtrak and SEPTA services will continue operating without interruption.

Skelp Level Bridge Reopening Slated for September 5

Earlier photo of Skelp Level Bridge under construction

EAST CALN TWP — East Caln Township’s Skelp Level Bridge is nearing the end of a year-long reconstruction project and is expected to reopen by September 5, 2025. Closed since November 4, 2024, the bridge replacement was funded by a grant and required a full closure of Skelp Level Road in the area. Residents have been detoured via Springhill Drive to Boot Road or Skelp Level Road to Route 322 (Brandywine Avenue). The project is completing within its original 10- to 12-month timeline, barring unforeseen delays.

Food Bank Marks Anniversary with 1,600-Pound Donation Goal

EXTON, PA — To mark its 16th anniversary, the Chester County Food Bank is hosting a food drive during the week of August 25, 2025. With a goal of collecting 1,600 pounds of food—honoring each year of service—the organization is calling on community members to donate much-needed items, especially canned fruits in their own juice and applesauce. Donations can be made directly at the Food Bank’s facility.

Two New Ways for Local Businesses to Shine in the Downingtown Local Pulse

Downingtown is built on the strength of its small businesses — the shops, restaurants, services, and makers that give our community its unique character. Now, there are two new ways for those businesses to get in front of thousands of engaged local readers through the Downingtown Local Pulse.

We’re introducing two promotional programs designed to give businesses year-round visibility and meaningful connections with our audience:

1. Partner Program

This package gives businesses a featured listing in our Local Business Directory, making it easy for residents to find and support you. Partners also receive:

  • A monthly Business Spotlight article that tells your story.

  • A pinned article on our website for maximum visibility.

  • Exposure to our massive Facebook audience, with each feature shared across our highly engaged social channels.

2. Patron Program

For businesses ready to take their visibility to the next level, the Patron Program includes everything in the Partner Program plus:

  • A top-level ad placement one issue a month, ensuring your brand stays front and center.

Both programs are built to keep your business in the local conversation month after month — not just as an ad, but as a valued part of the community’s story.

Whether you’re a family-run shop, a growing startup, or a well-established local favorite, these programs offer an affordable way to boost your visibility while supporting the Downingtown Local Pulse’s mission to celebrate the people and businesses that make our town special.

Building Beauty & Confidence with Hello Honey Aesthetics

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — In this episode, Jenny Leigh sits down with Alissa Graziani, the powerhouse behind Hello Honey Aesthetics. Alissa shares how she turned her high school passion for makeup into a thriving beauty business offering lashes, brows, medical skincare, spray tans, and one-on-one trainings.

She opens up about the challenges and rewards of launching her salon during COVID, why Chester County’s community spirit drew her in, and how she’s grown from a solo entrepreneur to expanding her space, services, and even mentoring an assistant.

From client confidence to customizable beauty treatments, Alissa’s mission is clear: helping people feel comfortable, confident, and authentically themselves.

Tune in to hear her inspiring journey, the secrets behind Hello Honey’s success, and why her clients say it’s not just lashes—it’s “lashes and therapy.”

Upcoming local events…

East Fallowfield Touch-a-Truck (East Fallowfield) - Sept 6, 10am-1pm

Chester County Catalina Wine Mixer (East Goshen) - Sept 6, 2pm

Labor and the Early PA Iron Industry (Pottstown) - Sept 6, 2pm-3:30pm

17th Annual Caln Community Day (Thorndale) - Sept 6th, 3pm-8pm

Hot Wings N’ Wheels (Thorndale) - Sept 6th, 12pm-4pm

Cars and Coffee and Donuts (Downingtown) - Sept 13, 9am-11am

Kids’ Day in the Park (Bell Tavern Park) - Sept 13, 10am

Chesco Air Fest and Valley Day (Chester County Airport) - Sept 13, 11am-6pm

Corn Hole Benefit for Vets (Downingtown) - Sept 13, 1pm

Downingtown Library Horror Trivia Night (Downingtown) - Sept 19, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Road to LionCage (Downingtown) - Sept 30, 4pm-7pm

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 8:30am-2pm

Downingtown Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 11am-4pm


House Cleaning

🤪 Joke of the day 😆

Why did the stadium get so hot?

Because all the fans left. 🏟️

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