West Reading Avenues Fall 2021 - 10

West Reading Peeps
them off Kelly, and seeing how to turn them into money-making
opportunities...that's his jam. He views his entrepreneurial
endeavors as projects not businesses, which seems to imply
things are in flux and evolving, not stale and stagnant. He said
that even a simple game of golf is a serious project to him, and
he loves it. There is some downtime for the family at the Jersey
shore where they own investment properties, so family fun is
also an enterprise. I happened to run into them at Barley Mow
after a recent wine walk when they were about to have dinner
together, so obviously they do know how to take a timeout and
reconnect while supporting other businesses in West Reading.
Raj is thankful to have had parents who encouraged and
supported him, followed by his partnership with Kelly, and
they have imparted these ideals on Devi and Meera. Raj and
Kelly feel success is based on loving what you do, and " getting
out " when you no longer enjoy something. Although " finish
what you start " is an important credo to them, knowing when
something is actually " finished " is important (like the time
when Devi felt she had gotten as much out of XC as she could
in college, and decided to stop with her parents' blessing. It
was finished). Trial and error are also okay; not every business
idea will make it past the talking stages, but the good ones will
come to fruition when the time is right.
So what's " on tap " for Chatty's? A new menu was unveiled over
the summer, which Raj describes as " staples with a twist. " You
will see old favorites and new fusion delights like lemon chicken
8
Avenues Fall 2021
curry, tomato curry, chaat nachos, and a paratha (tandoori)
chicken sandwich (and my well-traveled foodie friend, Alli, says
the curry is among the best she has EVER had). You will also
see cooperative efforts with other West Reading businesses
and local charities. Chatty's will offer brewing and packaging
services to other breweries, like Willow Creek Brewing (Willow
Creek even made a special recipe for Chatty's to serve on
tap). You will see pop-up beer gardens at events, such as at
the July grand opening event for the West Reading Pickleball
Association. And the girls came up with " Chantin' for Charity, "
month-long initiatives to benefit local organizations such as
Opportunity House, Safe Berks, and Reading Pride. Also expect
a commitment to the long-held tradition of West Reading
as a public art space, starting with a mural project inside the
restaurant which will incorporate local artists. And one more
thing - watch for yoga nights at Chatty's, with yoga led by
Double Sunrise Yoga and a pop-up shop by Athleta (brainchild
of Meera, who works part-time for Athleta in KOP). And
don't think it is all about business for this family - you will be
likely to see them advocating for the causes that are important
to them at the community level, whether it's offering ideas at
borough council meetings
or joining forces with
local organizations
such as the Reading
Arts Collective and
various charities.
The Jagadesans
are not just here
to take up a spot
on the Avenue;
they are here to
make an impact
in West Reading
and beyond. Raj
is quick to say this
is the time for his
daughters to lead,
and he is just the
financial backer.
But let's not forget
who inspired and
encouraged them. The
family that works, runs,
and laughs together
" sparkles " together, and
we are lucky to have their
shine right here in West
Reading.
West Reading Avenues Fall 2021

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