Today, The Inquirer did an awesome story about this classic piece of Pottstown history, their funky space and their mouth-watering sandwiches. Check it out here.
And be sure to check them out in person! No doubt, someone from the Brunish family will be behind the counter ready to welcome you.
Brunish’s Deli is located at 577 Lincoln Avenue, Pottstown, PA, across from the former Jefferson Elementary School. They’re open 7 am-8 pm, Monday-Saturday and 7am-6pm on Sundays. The phone number is 326-1900.
The weekend is finally almost here for Yoga on the Steps, which benefits the amazing organization: Living Beyond Breast Cancer. In case you weren’t able to attend our last Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour and you haven’t seen this video circulating around the internet (especially on facebook), here’s the culmination of some fun ideas, a lot of great participation by local business owners and leaders, and the talent of a certain photographer, Melia Rios-Lazo of Priceless Moments
Owner of High Street Yoga and the creative force behind the video, Barbara Kosciewicz offered her thoughts today about the video. She writes of the project:
Throughout the long winter, during each class someone would comment or giggle about a certain pose we could do in a location in Pottstown. We dreamed for spring to come and decided it would be our spring project. Before long, the idea began to grow and evolve into raising awareness and funds for our Yoga team Tri-County for a Cure that is attending Yoga on the Steps on Sunday May 15th. Suddenly the project became much greater than ourselves and became something both fun and meaningful
There is still time to get involved with Yoga on the Steps: you can donate to the Tri-County for a Cure team or even sign up to participate on Sunday. Just visit www.yogaonthesteps.org to get the details.
For those who have been following the development of Pottstown’s Heritage Action Plan or HAP, it’s time to rank the various projects and strategies that have surfaced.
The purpose of a HAP is to inventory and assess our heritage resources – arts, culture, history and recreation – and then come up with a vision and marketing strategy to entice hikers and bikers off the Schuylkill River Trail and into the downtown. We have already identified our resources and are now at the point of prioritizing projects and strategies for the $25,000 we hope to receive in implementation funding from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area in the coming months.
Anyone can participate! We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who care about the revitalization of Pottstown’s downtown. Here’s what to do:
Attached is a TRAIL TOWN COMPONENT RANKING spreadsheet. If you have a few minutes over the next 24 hours, please follow the instructions below and return your rankings by tomorrow, May 11th toptownHAP@gmail.com.
1. Click on the link above to open the file.
2. Rename file, adding your name, e.g. “REPKOtrailtowncomponentranking.xlsx”
3. Rank each component on a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being extremely important to 10, not important.
4. In the suggested location column, add a suggested location or a comment, if you want.
5. Return the completed ranking form as an attachment in .xlsx or .xls (EXCEL) format by tomorrow, May 11th to ptownHAP@gmail.com.
For those who have been following the development of Pottstown’s Heritage Action Plan or HAP, it’s time to rank the various projects and strategies that have surfaced. These rankings will determine the initial priorities for funding and completion.
To bring everyone up to speed… With funding from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, Tom Carroll and I have been leading a cross-section of the community through a Heritage Action planning process on behalf of the Borough. The purpose is to produce a plan with a vision and marketing strategy around our heritage resources – arts, culture, history and recreation – so that we can entice hikers and bikers off the Schuylkill River Trail and into the downtown. We have identified our resources and ranked them, and are now at the point of prioritizing projects and strategies for the $25,000 we hope to receive in implementation funding from the SRHA in the coming months.
Anyone can be a participating partner! We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who care about the revitalization of Pottstown’s downtown. Here’s how to participate in the ranking:
Attached is a TRAIL TOWN COMPONENT RANKING spreadsheet. If you have a few minutes over the next few days, please follow the instructions below and return your rankings by next Wednesday, May 11th to ptownHAP@gmail.com.
1. Click on the link above to open the file.
2. Rename file, adding your name, e.g. “Repkotrailtowncomponentranking.xlsx”
3. Rank each component on a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being extremely important to 10, not important.
4. In the suggested location column, add a suggested location if you are so inclined; i.e. “Bike Lane Striping” Suggestion: “Add bike lanes to Evans and Franklin Streets; connecting the North End to the Downtown”
5. Return the completed ranking form as an attachment in .xlsx or .xls (EXCEL) format by Wednesday, May 11th to ptownHAP@gmail.com.
Last week I walked into a Pottstown landmark and walked out totally in love with this town all over again. No, the building isn’t on the Historic Register, although the place has got the past written all over it, and its traditional pork and beef hot sausage sandwich – with mustard, relish and onions – is called “old school.” Yep, I’m talking about the concrete extension of the basement at 577 Lincoln Avenue, where Brunish’s Deli has been located since 1938. If you want a taste of Pottstown history and a hearty sausage sandwich, cheesesteak or hoagie, you need to put this on your list of go-to local spots.
Brunish’s Deli has been a family affair from the beginning, starting in 1937 when the grandparents of the current proprietors – Dan and Bob Brunish – opened a candy, sandwich and mini-mart in a basement a few doors away. One year later their grandparents moved to #577 and set up shop in their own basement. Dan and Bob’s father took over in 1949, and added hot dogs and hot sausage to the menu in 1955. Dan has been running the deli full-time since 1974. Justin Brunish, Bobby’s son, also works there, making him the fourth generation to be in the business. The Brunishes claim to have the last originally-owned family sandwich shop in town.
In addition to an extensive sandwich menu, they’ve got convenience items like pasta, sauce, soups, chips, mac & cheese, cereal, soda, and – of course – Tastykakes. They’ve also got some sports gear for sale, most notably, Phillies hats and jerseys.
Brunish's interior
If you want to experience something real, check out Brunish’s for the food, the atmosphere and the architecture. While the 6’4.5” ceiling is just barely high enough for 6’4” Dan Brunish to stand up straight, the cocoon-like surroundings and the friendliness of the Brunishes make it feel like home.
Brunish’s Deli is located at 577 Lincoln Avenue, Pottstown, PA, across from the former Jefferson Elementary School. They’re open 7 am-8 pm, Monday-Saturday and 7am-6pm on Sundays. The phone number is 326-1900 (“The same number since Day 1,” says Dan.)
This past Monday, about a dozen members of the Heritage Action Plan working group gathered at the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce to review the results of a recent listing and ranking of Pottstown’s heritage resources.
The map below – created by Tom Carroll – shows the clusters of historical, arts, cultural, dining and recreational resources in and around the downtown. Some highly-ranked resources received “poor” ratings for physical condition. It’s important to keep in mind that highly-valued resources, perceived to be in poor condition, may be excellent candidates for money or attention to draw the most benefit from them in our promotional efforts.
The map also listed major annual or seasonal events hosted in/by Pottstown every year. When these events are shown by the month in which they occur, it becomes apparent that the Borough and various other organizations are holding major events that draw visitors from throughout the region 8 months out of the year. Coordinating & enhancing promotion with downtown merchants and PDIDA could be one of several recommended strategies in the HAP. Creating additional events to fill in the other months would lead to a full year of “hometown celebration” programming.
As the working group moves toward defining Pottstown’s heritage marketing strategy and branding, history and the arts emerged as themes to pursue. Here were several comments/suggestions:
Start giving Historic Walking Tours on First Saturdays, led by MCCC students.
Consider giving Cemetery Tours, esp. for John Potts Cemetery, which is now not open to the public, and for Edgewood Cemetery. Coordinate with Pottsgrove Manor.
Look into creating a Historic Church Tour; several churches were highly-ranked.
Use banners (inexpensive) to designate High St. as an “Avenue of the Arts.”
Use banners to generate excitement & direct visitors to downtown. Addcolor!
Coordinate with PDIDA & downtown merchants.
The group briefly talked about tourism/hospitality amenities that are lacking or need improvement. Safety and cleanliness had been concerns in our first large group meeting back in March.
High school students will be cleaning up the downtown on the April 30 Clean-Up Day, and this should be the beginning of more frequent clean-ups downtown by student volunteers.
Need to do a better job of tapping volunteers in the community.
Involve high school students in creating marketing materials.
Need signage, banners, kiosks to get Trail users into the downtown – still must decide how many, what goes on them, where to place them and prioritize list.
Need more occupied storefronts, esp. creative-related, for critical mass to attract trail users.
Will need lodging for overnight visitors when Trail is complete.
Consider a winter carnival in February.
HAP partners must continue to have conversations & coordinate with County & PennDOT regarding road projects and trail linkages.
As one participant noted: “This is exactly what the ULI report was talking about.”
We expect to have another large group meeting in the next couple weeks as we solicit more input on a vision statement, marketing strategies, and trail town components like signs, kiosks and connecting paths. The public is invited to join in here or by emailing PtownHAP@gmail.com.
Joe describes the way this relatively new town created waterfalls at one of their gateways and at an entrance to a walkway along the Des Plaines River and asks readers to imagine something similar along Pottstown’s Schuylkill Riverfront.
With funding from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and the William Penn Foundation, the Borough is in the midst of developing a Heritage Action Plan. The plan will lay out a vision, goals and objectives, and a marketing strategy for linking Schuylkill River Trail users to downtown resources, such as shops, restaurants, arts, culture, history and recreation. The River and the Trail are key to any revitalization and economic development strategy.
A working group meeting is taking place this morning, Monday, April 18 from 10:30am-noon. Anyone interested in being part of the planning or implementation of the Heritage Action Plan is welcome to attend this or future meetings. Please send an email to PtownHAP@gmail.com or check out the Pottstown Heritage Action Plan on Facebook for more info.
A huge “THANK YOU” to Joe for giving us some creative food for thought!
On Thursdays, we’ll be putting the spotlight on some entertainment & recreational possibilities for your weekend in Pottstown.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
Thursday Night Karaoke at Chummy’s/Sunnybrook , 8-11 pm. Sam and Tim DJ this cool event. Drink specials and more.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
Join Remi and Star and the Calle Sol dancers at the Starry Ferrari Third Friday Salsa Social In Pottstown at the Ballroom on High, 310 E. High St., 2nd floor. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Food will be set out buffet style at 7:45 pm, first come, first served. Salsa lesson at 8 p.m. Dancing to salsa, bachata, merengue, cha cha, reggaeton, and more till at least 12 a.m.! DJ REMI! They had over 100 people at last month’s party! BYOB. ABSOLUTELY NO UNDER-AGE DRINKING! IDs checked at the door. Under 18 must be under the supervision of a parent. Security on Site. Admission: $12 Dress code: Dress to impress. NO boots or sneakers, no hoodies, low slung jeans, please.
World War II Swing Dance at Sunnybrook Ballroom. 8-11 pm, Tickets $24 on sale at Phillies Fire Co. For Info Call 610-323-2229
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
Dinner specials at The Brickhouse, in the historic Security Trust Building, 152 E. High Street. Friday & Saturday Nights: Country Fried Steak Entree-$13.99. Sunday Nights: Brick House Rib-Eye-$12.99
Join The Gallery Schoolfor their 5th annual fundraiser Fashion Plates 5: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s happening this Sunday, April 10 from 1-4pm atBrookside Country Club at Prospect and Adams Streets in Pottstown.
Please note: tickets are not available at the door. All tickets must be purchased by Friday, April 8 – that’s today! To get your tickets online, click here.
This year’s theme is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the fashion show will feature pieces for him and her, courtesy of Boscov’s, and modeled by members of our community. Magical Sight and Sound will bring their musical expertise to the afternoon, and guests will be treated to a fabulous dance demonstration. Remi Rosales, co-director of the Salsa Dancing and Zumba program at the Ballroom on High and his student, Karen McArthur, will dance Remi’s salsa choreography to Ban Ban.
Your ticket includes lunch, dessert and an special endless cocktail “Tiffany Punch.” (There will also be a cash bar.) Guests will be treated to great door prizes and have the opportunity to bid on some fabulous silent auction items.
Bring a friend! Purchase two tickets for only $100, a $20 savings! Individual tickets are $60 each. Tickets for children under 12 are $30, and men are welcome, too! Your support helps The Gallery School fulfill their mission of making the arts accessible to everyone in our community.
Local wine consultants and educators, Dean and Lisa Foster, are offering a class on Wines of the Finger Lakes this Thursday, March 31 from 6:30-9:30 pm in Pottstown. The class costs $35 per person and reservations are required in advance. Call or e-mail for more info or to register: 610 469 6164 or Vintageconnections@comcast.net.
Through their blogs, “Vintage Connections Wine Info,” and “Grapevine” in the Pottstown Mercury, Dean and Lisa provide information and recommendations about wine, wine events, and the world of wine, primarily in the Montgomery, Berks, and Chester Tri-County Area of Southeastern Pennsylvania. They also focus on affordable and accessible wines, mostly priced under $20 and sometimes under $10, and available at PA Wine and Spirits stores or at wineries located in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Their consulting business, “Vintage Connections,” provides wine education, wine classes and seminars, educational food and wine pairings, wine tastings, and other customized services. If you haven’t been to one of their classes yet, you’re missing out on a very enjoyable opportunity to get over that hump of being intimidated by the sometimes overwhelming world of wine!
Positively Pottstown blog 
