FCM Hospitality, Lola's Garden, Suburban Square

FCM Hospitality and owner Avram Hornik are heading to the Main Line with their first-ever suburban brick and mortar concept. Lola's Garden is now officially under permit review construction at Suburban Square in the heart of the red hot Ardmore dining scene. The brand-new indoor and outdoor restaurant, patio and beer/wine garden hybrid will take inspiration from the company's popular Rittenhouse restaurant, Harper's Garden. The 260 seat dining destination will offer beautiful and picturesque views of Suburban Square's inner green courtyard, while offering the approachability of the company's waterfront favorite Morgan's Pier. The Modern American culinary program will be chef-driven and highlight seasonal local offerings. Look for ample vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The beer program will feature 15 all local Pennsylvania beers on tap. The wine program will feature all Pennsylvania wines including wines on tap and an intimate curated bottle list. The cocktail program will feature 10 to 14 draft and hand-crafted to order cocktails showcasing seasonal flavors and local ingredients.

“We are excited to be part of the renewed energy and exciting changes in Suburban Square and in Ardmore,” said Hornik. “Back in the early 90s, I owned several coffee houses and wanted to bring an outdoor coffee kiosk and seating to the very same spot at what will now become Lola’s Garden. Now, 25 years later, my relationship with Suburban Square comes full circle. Kimco Realty is transforming what was one of America’s earliest planned suburban shopping centers. Shopping centers and malls are no longer designed exclusively as a place for commerce. They are now community gathering spots with a much larger purpose of promoting and fostering socialization and interaction. We want to be part of that energy and the new direction for Suburban Square as it evolves into an urban pedestrian-friendly town center and community hub that includes a grocery store, gourmet farmers’ market, restaurants, green space and much more. Exciting developments in the near future that really attracted me are the plans for new housing coming to the Suburban Square area, plus the new rail station for Downtown Ardmore. This is FCM Hospitality’s opportunity to partner with Kimco and Suburban Square to spotlight and celebrate all things local and from our state - from food and beer, to wine and cocktails. We are excited to join the Ardmore and Main Line community - and we look forward to sharing more details as spring of 2021 approaches.”

The origin of Lola’s Garden dates to three years ago when Kimco introduced Hornik to ideas for the space and their future plans. After several proposed ideas and brainstorming, the lease was officially signed in 2019 for the property that would span several former retail stores. Hornik had a connection to the area as he grew up just a few short miles from Suburban Square and he has memories of visiting with his family as a child. Growing up in a kosher house, Salad Valley was one of the few restaurants his Jewish mother approved of. In the 90s, as a budding entrepreneur in his 20s, Hornik proposed a new coffee concept for Suburban Square that was turned down. The very same spot that Hornik proposed the coffee concept is the very same spot that 25 years later will become Lola’s Garden.

Hornik’s newest concept will be located inside the center courtyard of Suburban Square, which is located at St Georges Rd, Ardmore, PA 19003. It will replace two retail store fronts where Kate Spade and Jack Wills were located. Lola's Garden will occupy the space that faces Sephora and Compass (Compass currently….and is moving), and its is diagonal from the Suburban Square fountain. When open, guests will be able to park just a few feet away in the free Suburban Square open-air parking lot, as well as in the covered parking garage. Lola's Garden will also be accessible by train when the brand-new rail station in Downtown Ardmore opens in a few short years just feet away from the restaurant's entry.

When opened, Lola's Garden will feature over 1,800 square feet of interior dining and bar space (not counting kitchen, storage and back of house), plus a 2,000 square feet four-season outdoor trellis. Inside, look for 100 seats between the dining room and the bar. Outside, look for an estimated 120 seats on the trellis and an additional 40 seats on the sidewalk. Lola's Garden will also provide ample space for special events and private parties.

From the kitchen, Lola's Garden will offer a seasonally influenced, modern American culinary program that will offer a variety of dietary options including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free selections. FCM Hospitality will announce in early 2021 the Executive Chef to head up the Modern American restaurant's culinary team.

At the bar, look for all local beers, wines and spirits. For beer lovers, there will be 15 draft lines featuring all Pennsylvania beers - including ample selections from FCM affiliate partner Mainstay Independent Brewing. A selection of local, national and international bottles and cans will also be available. For cocktails, mixologist Matt Deutsh will feature 10 to 14 handcrafted cocktails to go along with perfectly batched draft cocktails. Cocktails will be designed to pair with the menu and also focus on seasonal and local ingredients. For wines, look for an intimate selection of reds, whites, rose and sparkling selections in draft and bottle. Wine selections will feature a mix of old world and new world wines, to appeal to a broader audience. Hard cider, a gluten free beer and hard seltzer will also be available.

For vibe, guests will find an eclectic garden setting that will feature lush greenery and flowers, complimented by repurposed and recycled natural materials and found objects, with comfortable and community living room style seating and stylings. Even the inside dining spaces will have the look and feel as if you are in the great outdoors. Hornik, who has become locally famous for his lavish use of natural, vibrant elements in decorating his venues, will lead the interior design team personally. Guests should expect Hornik’s first endeavor outside of Philadelphia to exhibit those distinctive characteristics. Like Harper's Garden, look for green-house stylings and all-weather seating with heat and covering during the fall and into the winter.

Anticipated hours are Monday to Friday, from Noon to Midnight, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00am to Midnight. Look for lunch, dinner, brunch and late night menus to be available once fully opened.

For more information and updates as the opening gets closer, visit lolasgardenrestaurant.com and follow @lolasgardenrestaurant on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT FCM HOSPITALITY

FCM Hospitality is a Philadelphia-based hospitality and entertainment company, managing bars, restaurants and seasonal pop-ups throughout the region. The company is owned by Avram Hornik, a leader with more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, who has developed some the city’s most popular permanent and temporary venues such as Morgan's Pier, Concourse Dance Bar, Harper’s Garden, Rosy’s Taco Bar, Winterfest, and the 2013 PHS Pop-up Garden. For more information about FCM Hospitality, visit fcmhospitality.com or call 215.568.1616.