Main Line Society of Professional Women (Wayne)
Founded in 2009 by Eileen Connolly-Robbins, SPW draws from 137 zip codes. Its multifaceted programs accelerate the advancement of women leaders of all generations. SPW has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as the region’s top business-networking organization.
What’s in a name: SPW is actually part of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, so the focus was always on the Main Line region.
Hometown pride: “The Main Line is a flourishing area, full of talented professionals, and provides great access to other metropolitan areas,” says Connolly-Robbins, who is also executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. “That has been extremely beneficial for SPW, because we are expanding our reach and drawing speakers and attendees from surrounding states.”
CertaPro Painters of the Main Line (Bryn Mawr)
Offering interior and exterior painting for residential and commercial properties, CertaPro was founded by Chris Drucquer, who painted his way through college at the University of Pennsylvania and bought a local franchise in 1992. “I chose the Main Line because everyone told me this is where I wanted to grow my business,” he says.
What’s in a name: It was originally CertaPro of Bryn Mawr, before Drucquer made the switch five years ago for obvious reasons. “Business has almost tripled since then,” he says.
Hometown pride: CertaPro frequently gives back to the community, painting with young patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, running annual winter coat and book drives, hosting a 5K to benefit Homes for Our Troops, and more.
Main Line Health (area-wide)
The area’s most extensive health system is a nonprofit venture that encompasses four of the region’s most respected acute-care hospitals and employs more than 12,000.
What’s in a name: It reflects the positioning of several of its hospitals and facilities along Route 30, but that geographical footprint continues to grow.
Hometown pride: From the creation of the Lankenau Heart Institute to the opening of the Main Line Health Center at Exton Square, Main Line Health stresses convenient care options for its patients.
Bikram Yoga Main Line (Berwyn)
Two words: hot yoga. Bikram celebrates its 10th anniversary in October. “We have watched many other fad exercise studios quickly come and go,” says owner/director Erin Cook. “We’re the real deal because we’re a family.”
What’s in a name: Bikram was the Main Line’s first certified hot-yoga studio.
Hometown pride: Cook grew up in Berwyn and attended Villanova University. “Bikram has families from Malvern to Bala Cynwyd,” she says.
Main Line Bistro (Bryn Mawr)
This culinary newbie has been on the map since February 2013. It serves crepes, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast all day.
What’s in a name: “I wanted a highly regarded name that’s as distinguished as the area,” says owner Carmella Thompson.
Hometown pride: Thompson cites the Main Line’s emphasis on education and the higher incomes as prime reasons for opening a business here.
Main Line Autographs (Berwyn)
Owner Jim DiCandilo travels to sports memorabilia shows around the country. His online-only business has more than 100,000 different autographs for sale, plus an extensive selection of photos, baseballs, bats and cards. “We’ve had loyal customers for 34 years, and we pick up new ones every day,” he says.
What’s in a name: DiCandilo grew up in Rosemont, went to Radnor High School, and attended Villanova University.
“My home, all my schooling and my first job (24 years at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) were all within five miles of each other, right along Route 30,” he says.
Hometown pride: “We travel the United States and ship to customers all over the world, but there’s no place like the Main Line,” says DiCandilo. “We inevitably run into customers who know what the ‘Main Line’ in our name stands for.”
Main Line Antiques Show (Radnor)
This year’s event is Nov. 14-16 at Cabrini College.
What’s in a name: Many of the items featured exemplify the rich history of the Main Line, as do its programs and themes. Now in its ninth year, the show has been held at several historic Main Line locations. Cabrini offers a Trumbauer-designed house and the fascinating story of the Paul family (who built its Woodcrest mansion) and the Dorrances (who owned it next).
Hometown pride: Berwyn’s Surrey Services, which is the Main Line Antiques Show’s nonprofit beneficiary, has been an asset to local seniors for more than 33 years.
Main Line Spine (King of Prussia)
This medical practice specializes in rehabilitation, with a focus on musculoskeletal medicine and the spine. Dr. Roy M. Lerman started Main Line Spine in 1993. He’s a Lower Merion High School graduate.
What’s in a name: Lerman left his practice in California and moved back to the area in 1991. “After two years, I decided to strike out on my own,” he says.
“The Main Line has an excellent patient demographic, and I had the perfect name.”
Hometown pride: Main Line Spine has grown to seven physicians and one physician’s assistant, occupying 12,000 square feet in the Merion Building. “I loved growing up here,” says Lerman.
“We thought this would be a great place to raise our children.”
Main Line Art Center (Haverford)
MLAC offers visual art instruction for all ages, levels and abilities, along with innovative, free art exhibitions that are open to the public. The center dates back to 1937, when it was known as the Bryn Mawr Art Center. It merged with the Suburban Center of the Arts in 1954 as the Main Line Center of the Arts. It was renamed in 1993 under the direction of longtime executive director Judy Herman.
What’s in a name: “It represents a larger sense of community,” says MLAC communications director Rachel Ammon. “Our reach extends far beyond the stretches of Lancaster Avenue.”
Hometown pride: MLAC relishes the history of its current home. Known as the “White House,” it was built in 1868 on 50 acres behind what was once the Buck Inn on Lancaster Avenue. Various owners, including the Hires family of root beer fame, subdivided parts of the property before the Bryn Mawr Art Center purchased it in 1948.
