Why I love Kennett Square

06/24/2015 08:59AM ● By Richard Gaw

Kathi Lafferty, owner of The Mushroom Cap and Mushroom Festival coordinator “I love everything about Kennett Square—it's my hometown! [One new thing] that I love is the partnership that we now have with Longwood Gardens. I get people from all over the world in here.”

Text and photos by Steven Hoffman

When Kennett Run Charities was formed 26 years ago, one of the goals of the organization was to use the race to raise money to help support local non-profit organizations. Through the years, Kennett Run Charities has been able to gift over $1,000,000 to dozens of these non-profits. Another purpose of the Kennett Run is to shine a spotlight on Kennett Square. That goal has been achieved as well. The Kennett Run's growth mirrors what has taken place in Kennett Square during the last 26 years.

During a few days in May, Kennett Square Today went out to ask a few people who live, work, or shop in town why they love Kennett Square. Here's what they said.

Why I love Kennett Square [10 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

Juan Luna, employee at State & Union: “What I like most is the sense of community here. You get to know everyone, and everyone gets to know you. I also love the greenery and the rolling hills and Longwood Gardens.”

Dawn Hopkins, Kennett Square: “I was born and raised here and my mom grew up here. Back in the 1950s, everybody bought everything they needed in town. Back then, you knew everybody in town, and it's still like that today.”

Anita O'Connor, executive director Kennett Area Senior Center: “Kennett Square is a very special community—and I want to say community because it's more than a town. It's the whole community. It's a community where people are very giving and very caring, and they don't just give financially—they give their time by volunteering. There is so much support from the service organizations, the merchants, the businesses, and people who live here.”

Robin Densten, winetender at Paradocx Vineyard in The Market at Liberty Place: “I love how quaint Kennett Square is. Every person that I've encountered who works here is very friendly. There's a camaraderie and cooperation among businesses.”

Ginny Shar, volunteer at Kennett Area Senior Center: “My husband, Richard, has lived here all his life. I've been here since 1965 and I fell in love with Kennett Square. There are a lot of friendly people here. The businesses have very friendly people. The Kennett Area Senior Center is very helpful. The center helps all the people in the community, you don't have to be a member. There's a good crowd here, and it just keeps growing.”

Charles Manning: “Of all the places on the East Coast that I could have ended up, this is the best place for me. There's plenty of open space and lots of things to do.”

Kathi Lafferty, owner of The Mushroom Cap and Mushroom Festival coordinator “I love everything about Kennett Square—it's my hometown! [One new thing] that I love is the partnership that we now have with Longwood Gardens. I get people from all over the world in here.”

Casey Hoeger, West Grove: “Kennett Square is a nice small town. It's kind of like a hidden gem because they have that small-city feel, with all these things to do, but it's still a small town. And they are dog friendly!”

Cathy Raymond, Kennett Square: “I moved here in 1986. It's a charming place to live. Everybody is so friendly. We have a lot of cool shops. And there's a diverse culture here. You have the farming community, the horse community, the art community. Kennett Square is always evolving.”

Steph Giorno, Landenberg: “It's a nice place with a lot of restaurants and stores. It's clean and safe. And the people are so friendly.”