The Streets of West Chester

It has potential… maybe. There are a few highlights, most of the restaurants are nice for chains, barns and nobles is a good place to kill 45 min and catch up on the latest in print. SMari is actually the hidden gem in the bunch (check out their reviews). But the rest is blah, blah, blah. Sooooo much potential, so little execution. But there are the rumors that one day soon it will get better, we can only hope, cause we can’t shop, that’s for sure!!!

This is a nice space but I feel so much more could be done with it. Recently on a beautiful evening during one of my many trips to Cincinnati, I decided I couldn’t stand to be in the hotel a minute longer and decided to head to the Streets of West Chester for dinner and to hang out for awhile. Dinner was mission accomplished at PF Chang’s, but «hanging out» lasted the two minutes it took me to review all the stores here. There’s nothing of interest at all except a Barnes and Noble. There were signs indicating an ice cream store would be opening soon, which would at least give an excuse to sit outside for a bit.

When I think of Union Centre Boulevard, I think of Rave Motion Pictures just off the highway. In actuality, Rave is just one of the many great places at the still young and very nice Streets of West Chester shopping center. In addition to the movie theater, there are several shops and many excellent restaurants, not to mention its proximity to the IKEA.
I’ve never been to their actually shops, save for the large Barnes and Noble, but the West Chester shopping center offers several different places including Chico’s, J Jill, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, a spa, and salon. The restaurants are the main attraction though, with ten great places to eat. Well, when I say great, that includes Steak and Shake if you aren’t into fine dining or if you’re looking for something quick, but there are some actual good options.
There’s a nice Panera Bread and also the Original Pancake House and Coldstone Creamery, but if you are looking for a great place to eat (especially after a movie at Rave) they have you covered. Top restaurants include Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Mitchell’s Fish Market, and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, while Champps Americana, Red Robin, and Smokey Bones Barbeque round things out. Bravo!, P.F. Chang’s, and Mitchell’s are definitely the top places and always make for a great meal.
In addition to providing some upscale shopping and restaurants, The Streets of West Chester also is home to the West Chester/​Liberty 2008 Arts Renaissance Series (six consecutive Wednesdays of music, dance, and from local performers — just ended this week) and the Streets of West Chester Summer Nights (local car groups bring custom and classic cars to the «The Streets» every Tuesday evening).
I’ve never been the biggest fan of West Chester, but when it comes to top places in town at which to shop and eat, The Streets of West Chester is definitely one of the best and one of my favorites. If it weren’t for Rave, I probably wouldn’t go there much, but then again they wouldn’t have been able to attract all those restaurants and shops either.
(NOTE: the listed hours are for the shops; restaurants and movie theater hours vary)