Pandemic Slowed Launch Of Italian Cafe's Malvern Retail Shop

MALVERN, PA — The peach muffins were a great surprise to some Malvern residents who stumbled on the new bakery and food outlet on Conestoga Road.

Sorelle Cocina isn't brand new, but the store in front of its production center is new. The retail store opened in April at 30 Conestoga Road in Malvern, just as state businesses shut down because of the coronavirus.

Owner Deanne Boucher said she went to curbside pickup, which has been going well. She also sets up shop at four farmer's markets, and has been doing "zero contact" order pickup there.

The business is relying heavily on internet ordering right now, like most restaurants. The combination of pickup, pre-order, catering, and now a retail shop is working, said Boucher.

"More and more people are starting to come in," she said. "Customers are seeing there's more to offer in the store." She said the her family bought the space a year ago, producing here since last November. Her children are involved in the business, she said. "We're a true family owned small business."

Sorelle Cocina locally sources ingredients, trying to partner with farmers at the market when possible, Boucher said. Vegetarian Chili and Italian Wedding Soup are two homemade favorites at the family owned and operated business.

"These peach coffee cake muffins with vanilla glaze drizzle were so popular last week, we made them again for this week," Boucher said.

People around Malvern are discovering the shop. Social media messages from Malvern residents said they didn't know the retail shop on Conestoga Road existed, though some had seen Sorelle Cocina at the farmer's markets.

The Malvern store at 30 Conestoga Road is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Sorella Cucina's Farmers Market business is by pre-order only right now, for pick-up with "zero contact."

Buyers may order and pick up at the following sites, if they can't make it to the retail store in Malvern:

• Malvern Farmers Market: Burke Park, Malvern. Saturdays 2 p.m.
• Eagleview Farmers Market: 570 Wellington Square, Exton, in Eagleview Town Center's Wellington Square. Thursdays.
• Downingtown Farmers Market, Next to Gazebo at Kerr Park, Downingtown.
  Saturdays, 9 a.m.
• West Reading Farmers Market: 500 Block of Penn Ave., West Reading. Sundays, 10 a.m.

Sorelle Cucina foods are also featured at these Chester County businesses:

• Foxy Loxy, 5 Cemetery Lane, Unionville.
• The Woodlands at Phillips, 1020 Kaolin Road, Kennett Square.