BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County welcomed two new businesses this past week and learned that a longtime gardening icon based here had been sold.
Making news here and around the world is the acquisition of the beloved gardening brand, W. Atlee Burpee Company, by a California-based garden and pet company. Company operations will remain in Bucks County under the acquisition agreement.
Also making headlines across the county is the opening of two new businesses - Cork & Candles in Warrington and LaScala's Fire in Newtown Township.
Read more below and by clicking the headline for a more in-depth story:
A new experiential retail store, Cork & Candles, has opened its doors at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington.
The new BYOB candle-making scent bar, a first for the Philadelphia-based store in Bucks County, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and mimosas.
The Bucks County franchise is owned by Newtown resident Linda Welles, a former baking and cooking instructor who became frustrated with the job market and decided to pursue her longtime dream of owning her own business.
Cork & Candles in Warrington. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
LaScala's Fire has opened its doors at the busy Village at Newtown shopping center on Eagle Road. The latest entry into Newtown's ever-changing restaurant scene is serving a "reimagined" classic Italian-American menu with a modern twist. Its menu includes traditional Italian favorites - pizza, pasta and a favorites list of chicken, eggplant and veal dishes - plus something unique for an Italian restaurant - an extensive sushi bar, including rolls and poke bowls.
Lascala's Fire at the Village at Newtown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Bucks County-based W. Atlee Burpee Company, an iconic American seed company trusted by gardeners for 150 years, has been acquired by California-based Central Garden & Pet Company in a transaction that closed on Sept. 30. "Burpee is an iconic American brand with a remarkable 150-year legacy of innovation, quality and consumer trust," said Niko Lahanas, chief executive officer of Central Garden & Pet. "Its high brand awareness, deep consumer relationships and established digital capabilities make it a compelling addition to our garden portfolio. Equally important, Burpee shares our values, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to delivering exceptional products to consumers."
Burpee's Fordhook Farm in Doylestown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Prickett Preserve, a mixed-use center anchored by Wegmans on Stony Hill Road in Lower Makefield, has been sold in a record deal. More than two years after being built, the 146,679-square-foot town center has changed hands for $39 million, the highest price per square foot for any shopping center sold in the Philadelphia area.
Prickett Preserve in Lower Makefield. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Something wicked is stirring in New Hope! The New Hope Halloween Cocktail Competition is taking place from now through Halloween. Local bartenders are getting creative with spooky cocktail specials, and the public gets to help crown the winner. Stop by any participating location, sip your way through their Halloween creations, and cast your vote for your favorite cocktail.
The Oldestone Steakhouse in New Hope. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Nearly 200 tourism and hospitality professionals and local organizations gathered at Visit Bucks County's (VBC) Annual Event earlier this month at The Fuge. Doug Miller, VBC's Board Chair, welcomed attendees virtually and highlighted the organization's continued commitment to strengthening Bucks County's tourism industry through strategic marketing and sales efforts, industry support, advocacy, and collaboration with Bucks County's hospitality businesses. Christine Triantos, VBC's Board Vice Chair, then shared key tourism industry data from the annual economic impact report. In 2025, more than 8.4 million visitors generated $1.3 billion in economic impact and supported a hospitality workforce of 29,397 jobs, she said.
(Photo Courtesy of Visit Bucks County)
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