Radnor Restaurateurs Plan New Eatery For Former Di Bruno Bros. In Wayne

RADNOR, PA — Two Main Line restaurateurs plan to bring new life to the former Di Bruno Bros. in Wayne.

Mike MacCrory and Sean Coyle own four Philly-area restaurants, including The Goat's Beard on North Wayne Avenue. The duo is now planning a fifth eatery at the former site of the Di Bruno Bros. market that closed earlier this year.

Last week, the Radnor Zoning Board voted in favor of a parking variance for the project. Essentially, they determined that the restaurant meets parking requirements in the lot shared by Strafford Shopping Center, which it will occupy, and Lancaster County Farmers Market.

The restaurant's name, cuisine type and targeted opening weren't mentioned at Thursday's meeting. In documents provided to the Zoning Board, it's called "Dahlia."

MacCrory said the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Renderings show 180 indoor seats with a center bar room, a general dining area, a private dining room, and a café.

On the sidewalk beside the restaurant, there will be a canopy area with 42 outdoor seats.

No changes to the facility's footprint have been proposed, and restaurants are an approved use for the property. But the applicant sought clarity on whether it would meet parking requirements.

Under Radnor's zoning regulations, using the space as a restaurant would increase the required number of parking spaces. But the owners of Strafford Shopping Center and Lancaster County Farmers Market have an agreement allowing customers to park at either lot.

Combined, the lots have 307 parking spaces.

The businesses will also attract customers at different times, says Vincent Donohue, the restaurant owners' attorney. The restaurant's peak times will be Friday and Saturday evenings, while Lancaster County Farmers Market only operates three days a week, closing at 4 p.m.

"I drive by this site multiple times a week, and I’ve never seen the parking lot crowded," Donohue said.

Zoning Board members agreed that the lot has ample parking, voting in favor of the variance allowing the restaurant's customers to park in the adjacent lot.

MacCrory said they've entered a longterm lease — 10 years, plus two five-year options — which was contingent upon the parking relief.

The space will require renovations and repurposing before opening.

"Di Bruno Bros. was a lovely facility, but there are several upgrades necessary to turn it into what we need to turn it into," MacCrory said.

Click here to watch the meeting. (The restaurant hearing begins about 59 minutes in.)