Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & A Focus On The Future: The August Edition
Rittenhouse is on fire (in a good way) as businesses, restaurants, and construction projects continue to gather steam.
It wasn’t a slow summer for the neighborhood as most businesses geared up for a Fall 2024 launch, construction on residential buildings kicked off, and several announcements for new projects solidified the fact that NO ONE puts Rittenhouse in a corner.
In short, if we did our research right, we have:
- 3 businesses that shut down and 1 that’s on the demolition shortlist (RIP Kitchen Kapers).
- We welcomed 7 new businesses: 1 retail and 6 food-centric ones.
- While most of the coming businesses moved into the “now open” section, we added even more to the “coming in the future” list for a total of 38-ish. This includes places and spaces that are currently shut down for renovations.
And most importantly: Sending friendly hellos to all the students coming back to school, and the fellows doing their residency. Every year, in this city of Eds & Meds, we’re excited to have them come here or return to a neighborhood that’s continuing to blossom and evolve in fun ways.
Long story short: We deserve and are getting a ton of nice things so read on.
Fond Farewells:
DeCarlo Hair Salon | 📍1722 Sansom St St
DeCarlo was a long-time neighborhood staple – 40 years according to their now-offline website! One of their specialties was curly hair, judging by all the positive Google reviews. The site mentions that their stylists are still in the area and suggests calling that 609 number if you need to get in touch.
We hear talented stylists are hard to come by, so hoping their stylists get snapped up quickly or can start their own salon in the neighborhood (If that’s the dream!)
Pumpkin | 📍1713 South St
A comforting mainstay offering delicious food and hospitality for 20 (!!) years, Pumpkin closed its doors earlier this month. The Inquirer reported it was due to a number of contributing factors, and we all know it’s hard for hospitality and business in general out there. We’re really sad to see them leave.
The Kitchen Kapers Building | 📍213 S 17th St
The Business Journal and Twitter (the latter always a winner in our book) reported that the former Kitchen Kapers building which also housed a psychic, received zoning permits for demolition. All we can say is that we feel the loss of Kitchen Kapers and their freshly ground coffee every day.
Trek Bicycles | 📍1923 Chestnut St
Trek Bicycles sadly shut its doors and, as their sign aptly puts it, “It’s never good when a bike shop closes, even a corporate TREK one!” The biking community is a tight one and we know this one stings. So, so, so sorry to see them leave as they were a much-needed local resource.
Friendly Hellos:
Bleri’s Beanery Cafe |📍1745 South St
Rumors of it Bleri’s Beanery – the coffee shop that slid into the former OCF Coffee Shop – not being open were greatly exaggerated, because Bleri’s opened up earlier this month, and the reviews are VERY positive. So stop by and say hi – we’ll be doing some in-person research ourselves soon because we can rarely resist the siren call of coffee.
Brunchaholics | 📍140 S 19th St
Calling all brunch squads: Brunchaholics rolled into Rittenhouse recently. They’re a franchise whose entire business is exactly that – brunch! From what we’ve seen online, the portions are HUGE so a squad would be able to do it justice. Check out the space here.
Chip City |📍 204 S 17th St
One of our many new cookie options arrived in Rittenhouse: Chip City Cookies opened up replacing Miel Patisserie. Both pretty and spacious, it’s a nice dessert option for the neighborhood. Or an afternoon pick-me-up. Or a sugary breakfast…The menu changes every week by the way.
FIGS |📍 1625 Walnut St
Premium healthcare apparel brand FIGS finally launched in Philly, a year after their announcement and it looks good! They had a soft opening and some air conditioning issues but they’re prepping for a formal event next month along with their fall collection.
Lucas Burger | 📍 2101 Chestnut St
We don’t know anything about Lucas Burger, a small burger joint that looks like it’s open in the River West condos and also is home to Mix Bar & Grill. There’s no website, Instagram, or delivery menu but it’s here and apparently offers smash burgers.
Mama’s Falafel |📍18 S 20th St
What’s old is new again as Mama’s Falafel reopened in Philly under new ownership – a locksmith who wanted to open a falafel shop and was able to get the recipe from the original owners who closed shop due to construction issues in the building. Rumor has it that the food is stellar so it’s definitely worth a visit, if not more.
Topside Tavern | 📍 10 S 20th St
We have many things in Rittenhouse but not too many rooftop restaurants. Because you can never have enough of a good thing, the owners of Thanal Indian Tavern transformed the former Farmer’s Keep into Topside Tavern. While the rooftop is still pending the happy hour isn’t, and with the temperatures cooling, Topside Tavern’s indoor/outdoor vibes are strong.
Focus on the Future:
Amma’s II |📍1500 Walnut St (15th Street)
The former home of Max Brenner’s (it closed only last year!) has a new and unexpected tenant: Amma’s, the South Indian restaurant that is expanding to include a liquor license. It’s a popular spot, so we’re not surprised about this news, and excited to have that prime spot on 15th Street occupied once again.
Aritzia |📍1725 Walnut St
Progress is progress as the construction for the long-anticipated, new Philly Aritizia continues on Walnut Street. The Shopping Girlies continue to hold their breath…
Ayat |📍2021-23 Sansom St
The New York to Philly (and vice versa) love continues with the impending arrival of Ayat, a Palestinian restaurant, replacing the long-vacant Roxy Theatre space. This will be their seventh location, and second in Pennsylvania. There had been attempts to demolish the building but it’ll be good to have another restaurant on that stretch of Sansom next to Bolo.
Black Turtle II |📍129 S 18th St
For a while, it seemed that, despite an increase in visitors and RTO mandates that have more people than ever commuting in, the neighborhood had fewer options for cool coffee and pastries, but that’s slowly changing with the opening of new coffee shops. The latest is Black Turtle Coffee‘s second shop as it replaces neighborhood fave and long-closed LeBus Bakery.
We liked the iced lattes we’ve had at their 21st & Chestnut store, and plan on doing more research, which may or may not involve an iced Hawaiian coconut latte. ETA is SOON, judging by their Insta updates.
Borromini* |📍1809 Walnut St
We placed an asterisk by the Borromini name because it’s more commonly referred to as the new Stephen Starr restaurant and rightly so: it’s been a while since we had a new Starr restaurant in Philly, let alone Rittenhouse, replacing the local cultural icon that was Barnes & Noble. This is a highly anticipated launch that will arrive next year.
Cellar Dog |📍258 S 15th St
If you’re an ex-New Yorker, you may remember Fat Cat in the Village: It was a hodgepodge of music and games, along with all the elements of a good dive bar. Well, back in 2021 they reopened as Cellar Dog and now they’ll expand to Philly, replacing Howl at the Moon on 15th Street.
We were a little worried that the space would be empty for a period of time, especially as Garage Bar still hasn’t moved in at the corner of Spruce and 15th, so this is good! Cellar Dog will have live jazz music, performances, billiards, ping pong tables, shuffleboards, and board games. And, like Good Dog Bar, their walls will feature good boys and good girls.
Last we heard the ETA was this fall but now hearing rumors of 2025.
Dave’s Hot Chicken |📍1731 Chestnut St
Alright, so…the sign that first appeared at the former South Moon Under boutique that closed said Dave’s Hot Chicken, the known national Nashville hot chicken chain across the US. Then, that sign disappeared. Recently a NEW sign has popped up that promotes their other locations but hearing that they are quietly working on launching this fall.
Dear Daphni |📍1911 Walnut St
This project has been in the works since 2021 but construction always takes longer than expected, especially if you’re a beautiful building like The Laurel. But that’s finished so – great! However, while the address is Walnut the actual restaurant is on Sansom and the targeted opening date of August still hasn’t manifested. Knowing Schulson, it’s probably being carefully finessed.
Di Passare |📍2319 Walnut St or 151 S. 24th St
We don’t normally cover things closer to the Schuylkill but it’s an interesting development: Micheal Klein shared that an all-day restaurant is coming in the old Sotto place and based on what’s on the website, it sounds cool! A “dual functional space” with a “juice bar open during the day and a downstairs restaurant lounge open to guests in the evening.” ETA is this fall.
Equinox |📍1909 Walnut St
A lot of New Yorkers’ favorite go-to gym for eucalyptus towels, Equinox, is opening up a Philly location in Rittenhouse (yeah, we’re biased, but this is 100% the correct place for them to be) and it looks hot! ETA looks like it’s now late fall.
Five Iron Golf 📍2116 Chestnut Street
We’re big self-care fans. So when the neighborhood’s only indoor golf SIMS fave 5 Iron Golf announced they’ll be closed temporarily for 8 weeks to get a major glow-up, who are we to argue? In short, Five Iron is overhauling the tech and rebuilding the bays. We just received notice that the opening date is mid-September so excited to see its new, tech-forward, and glowing face.
Flight Club Darts |📍1417 Walnut St
The UK export Flight Club Darts coming to Rittenhouse is making progress! It’ll join Puttshack, ping-pong brand Spin, 5 Iron Golf, Cellar Dog, and possibly Garage Bar in offering the neighborhood places to eat, drink, and play. Updates to come as we’ve heard they are still aiming at a fall debut.
Garage Bar |📍1501 Spruce St
The news back in September 2023 that a 3rd Garage Bar was opening in the long-closed Fox & Hound space was received with open arms. It would be the biggest one by far “clocking in at 6,500 square feet plus a large kitchen” and bring all the fun things the neighborhood could use, with Skeeball machines, pinball, billiards, and more Eagles watch party options. The Inquirer said this fall so we’re excited (also going to hold them to it.)
Harper Square |📍113-119 S. 19th St
The old Cavannaugh’s and other businesses on Sansom by 19th Street are thoroughly gone as demolition is now fully completed to make way for Pearl Properties‘ Harper Square: A residential building with plans for 215 units over 54 stories. OCF Realty has a nice deep dive into the project. Feeling for the neighbors, though, as completion is a LONG way off: 2027 to be exact.
HRG’s “Quirky” Wine Bar |📍1534 Sansom St
Things in the news that catch our eye: “quirky” and “wine” together. Is it hard to believe? Maybe, until you know it’s coming from Hawthorne Restaurant Group, the team behind Wine Dive and Sonny’s Cocktail Joint. So you know it’ll be fun! The “no pretense” (their words) wine bar is slated to open this fall, replacing the long-closed Nails by Anna D on the fun street that is Sansom.
Because they leased the entire building Rittenhouse will also get a 2nd drinking spot called Liquorette.
JD Sports 📍1530 Chestnut St
We think that the area could use more shoe options. So when the signs went up for JD Sports in the former H&M space we were super happy, although we did have to Google the brand. The stores look spacious, minimalist, and carry cool shoes and brands. The store in Times Square has an Adidas MakerLab where you can customize your clothes and shoes. So hoping this location has something equally if not more fab. It’s a pretty large space with over 2 levels and 25K (!!) square feet.
This would be their 2nd Philly location as they have one in the Northeast. It’s looking more like a 2025 launch as construction is underway.
Jordan Brand’s World of Flight |📍1617 Walnut St
There’s a reason why Sneaker Con happens every year here in Philly as this city LOVES its sneakers. So when news dropped that the Jordan Brand was opening up its first US World of Flight store after Tokyo, Seoul, China, and Milan – let’s just say, people got excited. ETA is still l2025. Watch the construction unfold here.
Kissho House | 📍1522 Locust St
In more interesting news: the “Law Offices of Thomas More Holland” is being reborn as a multi-level modern Japanese restaurant that has a “vibrant” first-floor bar and a basement “sanctuary” that houses an omakase room. Alas, we will have to wait until next year to experience it.
Levain |📍1518 Walnut St
The Philly Levain is coming along VERY nicely! The New York staple that has been expanding across the country, Levain Bakery’s lusciously huge cookies will occupy the space formerly occupied by My.Suit. The target opening date is September so VERY soon!
Little Water 📍261 S 20th St
Construction continues to truck along at the coastal restaurant Little Water that occupies the former home of Twenty Manning. The team is sharing a bit of their journey to opening on Instagram and the anticipated launch date is this fall!
Liquorette |📍1534 Sansom St
Sometimes, when you plan to launch a “quirky wine bar” on the first floor, you may also plan to launch a bar bar on the second floor. However, if you’re the team behind local faves like Grace & Proper (vintage European vibes) or Sonny’s Cocktail Joint (“where high brow meets low brow“) you know you’re making a bar that’s probably going to be a very unique and cool one – and we love those in the neighborhood!
ETA is early 2025.
Madis Coffee Roasters | 📍1441 Chestnut St
Sweet news out of University City for Rittenhouse: Madis Coffee Roasters is expanding to this side of the Schuylkill with 2 locations. One is coming here and will occupy the corner of 15th and Chestnut, at the base of The Element Hotel, which has never been occupied. ETA is September!
Neuhaus Chocolates |📍 1616 Walnut St
Rittenhouse has quite a few stores but what we don’t have is a chocolate shop. That’s going to change with Neuhaus coming to town next month. The home of decadent Belgium chocolates has leased an intimate space across the street from the new Jordan store, the Apple store, and next to Paper Source, so you’re covered on every gift front.
Ritten Deli & Juice Bar |📍1512 Sansom St
Spotted by fellow Rambler jessierose1 we have a much-needed deli and juice bar coming to Sansom Street to replace the long-closed Distante Clothing. Ritten Deli & Juice Bar’s owner said they will be open late on weekends and explore being open 24 hours. It was supposed to open in August but the owner had noted that they were waiting on inspection so their opening is still pending.
Royal Izakaya “Off-Shoot” | 📍1710 Sansom St
Getting a Japanese comfort food place to replace The Foodery (RIP) is great news. However, hearing that it’s an offshoot from Jesse Ito, one of the best chefs in the country, makes it even better. The maybe not-so-great news? It’s a year away, so buckle in for a summer 2025 opening
Saints Restaurant |📍1901 Chestnut St (2nd Floor)
Cocktail place Noche quietly closed this summer, and the space was immediately snapped up to be re-envisioned as an African restaurant and lounge by the owners of Pepper Fish Bar & Restaurant, and “will serve African dishes along with American and Italian menu items.” They also plan to offer bottle service in the evenings so you know it’ll be hopping! They’re hoping to launch by the end of this year.
Satori Laser |📍1500 Market
NYC export Satori Laser already has a space in Washington Square West but saw the influx of spas and laser businesses here in Rittenhouse grow and decided to join the fun, giving us even MORE options for self-care. They’re aiming for an October debut.
Spirit Halloween |📍1628-36 Chestnut St
There are only 3 things certain in life: death, taxes, and the fact that your building will one day become a Spirit Halloween. RIP Rite Aid. Opening, by the way, is imminent and you can see that they’re working on cleaning and stocking the store.
Sunglass Hut |📍1703 Chestnut St
Moving into the last empty storefront in the newly redone building at the corner of 17th & Chestnut is Sunglass Hut. This space, which is the combination of BJ Variety and Chestnut Street Philly Bagels is much larger than their current location within The Shops at Liberty Space. The crew is hustling, as you can see by the photo, so we’re thinking they are looking to open up pretty soon!
Starbucks |📍1500 Market
The Starbucks at 20th & Market debuted after a modest facelift but it looks like the one at Center Square is getting an extreme makeover with a full gut reno! ETA is unknown but based on what we see it’s likely a 2025 debut.
Starbucks |📍2 Logan Square
This space has been empty for a long, long, long, long, long time because pre-Covid months are kind of like dog years, right? So, when we heard via fellow rambler Eva that Starbucks was coming to the former 2-Yelp stars Au Bon Pain space at 2 Logan Square, we were happy. The space is fairly big and that location can use a coffee shop to accommodate hotel visitors. ETA is STILL TBD.
Taco Bell Cantina |📍1634 Chestnut St
The empty storefront between Dig and Uniqlo is not going to be empty anymore as the Philadelphia Business Journal shared the neighborhood is getting its first Taco Bell, and a Taco Bell Cantina at that! It’ll replace 4 Seasons Food Court which was there for 15 (!) years, although there was a brief moment when Chestnut Diner was open (2020 was a very tough year).
Taco Bell Cantinas are known for being upscale and serving alcohol, although this location is TBD for the moment. Because antiquated liquor laws and all that couldn’t possibly be a challenge. We hear their boozy Mountain Dew slushies are fun. Hoping this Cantina is able to make that happen so we can all judge how fun those are for ourselves. ETA is this fall!
Tacodelphia |📍2051 Walnut St
Fellow Rittenhouse rambler jessierose1 tipped us off that a new food place was coming to the former Chase location at 21st and Walnut, which philly_junebug confirmed was Tacodelphia, a fast-casual restaurant that was formerly known in the area as Illegal Tacos. The reviews are pretty damn good for their 427 S Broad Street location so we’re looking forward to checking these out personally.
Taylor Chip |📍1809 Chestnut St
The neighborhood is still waiting for Taylor Chip, the Lancaster-based cookie store that was supposed to open last year, to arrive. It looks as if they are still on track to open up in 2024 as PhillyVoice notes a September 14th opening!
Teddy Sourias Project | 📍 1515 Market St
We’ve been waiting for more details on this, so we’ll share what (little) we know: Teddy Sourias, the founder of Craft Concepts Group, who has many restaurants you’d recognize in Center City including Uptown Beer Garden, is planning a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 1515 Market that includes a 4,000-square-foot patio.
Tequilas |📍1602 Locust St
📸: Google Maps
The only place you can find a rose margarita in the neighborhood since it closed due to a bad fire, rest assured: Tequila’s IS coming back, and like a phoenix rising from the flames, it’ll be super extra – rumor has it that it’ll have a cafe and a tequila tasting room. ETA is next month to early October!
Undisclosed @The Bards | 📍 2013 Walnut St
It was in the neighborhood for 26 years but hospitality is tough, and the pandemic unfortunately forced The Bards to close. The Philadelphia Business Journal noted that the Bards’ building and the Irish Pub + Cafe were up for sale but no buyer was noted. Now there’s an alcohol application up and work is being done so we’re tracking this only closely.
Undisclosed | 📍1619 Walnut St
Not sure what’s going on at this location BUT after years of the fluorescent lights staying on day and night, crews moved in and construction has been in full swing. It’s zoned for retail and it’s a GREAT location with tons of foot traffic. We did hear that New Balance is moving over BUT it’s not confirmed!
Know of anything else coming or in the works? Shoot us an email here so we can watch their progress together.
