PHILTER EVOLVES

Coffee shop ‘operating as safely as we can’

Summer downtown in the borough includes an opportunity for locals and visitors to stop at Philter for a fresh-brewed handcrafted coffee at 111 W. State St.

Nearly five months ago, Philter shut down its in-person sales at its West State Street venue following the declaration of a national disaster, to mitigate COVID-19, on March 13.

The coffee house, a regional favorite, reopened on June 12. Although on-site dining has yet to resume, folks can again walk in and order artisan handcrafted coffee to-go.

“We’re opening as safely as we can,” said Chris Thompson, owner of Philter in the heart of downtown Kennett Square.

During the spring in-store shutdown, Philter launched its online store and continues to feature artisan merchandise on-site now that the coffeehouse has reopened to the public.

Current hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends. Thompson is running on a light staff with two to three employees working each day which equates to one shift a day per person.

Thompson owns Philter alongside his wife, Heather. The couple released a statement on the coffee shop’s website in wake of reopening: “COVID-19 has reshaped who we

are today. We are offering for sale a selection of our favorite things. The vast majority of what you will find here is produced by an artist or small business, many are part of our community. By shopping with us, you are helping multiple small businesses, and for that we are grateful.”

Community support, for any small business in Pennsylvania hoping to survive the 2020 pandemic, is key.

In March, Thompson’s landlord, Roger Horowitz, reduced the monthly rent for Philter’s venue on State Street by 50 percent, Thompson said. Since reopening in June, he’s presently paying 75 percent of the business’ typical monthly rent, instead of full price, thanks to the generosity of his landlord.

“With the support of the community, we can keep Philter going,” Thompson said.

And breakfast sandwiches are back — graband-go style. Options include eggs with fresh salmon or spiced eggs and other options.

“Choose to shop locally,” Thompson said.

Overall traffic at Philter remains down by 50 to 70 percent, Thompson said. Retail items have lifted Philter’s average transaction rates.

Select regional artists are featured with merchandise for sale on-site. Many artisan works are for sale including by Nate Willever Pottery, T.S. Kist, Sun Bear Apiary and artwork featuring inspiring words of wisdom by Oxford Pennant.

Items for sale include illustrations by local artist Dan McShane and printed by Lauren Brown Studio of West Chester.

New since the spring are one-of-kind Artist Trucker Hats which are exclusively hand-painted for Philter customers by local Kennett artist, T.S. Kist of Philadelphia.

Also available at Philter is a collection of candles by Sun Bear Apiary of Kennett. The business creates natural beeswax lip balm, hand poured 100 percent beeswax candles, and crafting bars. Thompson has lit a candle inside Philter every day since March when the pandemic hit stateside.

Thompson also ensures Philter features teas from Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop which is located near the coffee shop on State Street in downtown Kennett Square.

Another tea featured is by Ceremony which offers seasonal tea blends.

SUBMITTED PHOTO — ASHLEY BLACK OF FANTAIL PHOTOGRAPHY Kennett Square residents Chris Thompson and his wife, Heather Thompson are parents to three sons, from left, Lincoln, Wyatt, and Oliver. The pair own Philter, a renowned artisan coffee shop Kennett Square.

SUBMITTED PHOTO — JOHN BURDUMY Philter is open seven days and offers artisan handcrafted cappuccino drinks.