Don’t Fear 🎃: Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & A Focus On The Future Is Here!
October brought us a busy fall as some highly anticipated places launched, others got pushed to Spring, and some continued to truck along.
To say it was busy in Rittenhouse this month is a serious understatement.
Between the opening of long-anticipated projects, visiting VPs, Halloween activities, Red October, and another Eagles season off to its knuckle-biting excitement, it’s been quite busy.
And October brought us some tricks and some treats:
- Vesper was forced to close – we’re not sure if it’s temporary – and long-time Walnut jewelry store Silver Legends closed as well.
- 6 businesses opened up in October and we included 1 from September that we missed (SO SORRY)
- Moved to November are Dear Daphni, Tequilas, and Taylor Chip.
- If we did our homework correctly then the storefronts between 18th Street between Walnut and Chestnut should be completely filled up with Black Turtle Coffee and Framebridge‘s arrivals.
- Taco Bell Cantina’s debut has been moved to Spring (sob), and Flight Club is looking at an early 2025 opening (double sob).
- Brooklyn Dumpling Shop joined our coming soon, and they ARE coming VERY soon: November 6th!
Buuuutttt…all the things are coming (33, give or take), just need to send good vibes to the construction crews we see working every day.
So check out our updated list below and shoot us an email here with your thoughts and tips!
Fond Farewells:
Silver Legends | 📍2008 Walnut St
After 20 years (!!) Silver Legends, the local place for silver jewelry and a variety of handbags, closed on 10/30. RIP, you were very much part of the neighborhood and we’ll miss you.
Vesper | 📍223 S Sydenham St
Kind of sad about this one too. We weren’t familiar with Vesper, a supper club that first launched in 1941 and occupied the entire building. The last makeover for a new clientele was in 2015 when it was relaunched as a more modern club/dining establishment. We love this adorable-looking building that’s an unexpected bright spot on this short street, and hoping it gets an owner who sees its potential given it’s up for sale:
The owner of 1507-11 Locust St, who also owns Misconduct Tavern , is open to selling both the single-story building and the bar. ACNMA LLC also bought the two-story building at 223 S. Sydenham St. in 2015 and consolidated the properties into one, forming an L-shape property.
Sending good vibes to Vesper for a new beginning, hopefully back in Rittenhouse.
Friendly Hellos:
Avigail Adams |📍18 South 18th St
Whimsical discovery and self-empowerment are themes that you would not expect to encounter when you walk through the doors of a jewelry store nestled between a coffee shop and a club. But those words came to our mind when, tipped off by Rambler Roberta, we belatedly visited Avigail Adams who opened up last month. It’s a unique store owned by a unique designer, whom we were thrilled to talk to. Deep dive to come but in the meantime do stop by to check this inspiring store out – we promise it’s worth it.
Black Turtle Coffee II |📍129 S 18th St
Once again Rittenhouse has been blessed by the Coffee Gods as Black Turtle Coffee opened a second location not too far from its original one on 21st and Chestnut and closer to The Square. Founders Braeden Anderson and Selena Gabrielle also own and run the nearby Kook Burger so we know they are quite busy. Take a peek inside here.
Concourse Dance Bar |📍1635 Market Street
The Concourse Dance Bar aka the home of the ball pool has returned, this time reenvisioned as a Wonderland that’s (still) laid-back with no bottle service, and offering more than the ball pool: A mushroom room, ice bar (coats are optional), and a dollhouse featuring dioramas that would make Barbie blush. We collected some pics here.
Framebridge |📍113 S 18th St
If you follow or check in with us regularly then you know that we LOVE options! So when the direct-to-consumer frame-friendly brand Framebridge opened up soon after announcing they were coming here was great. We did get something framed! Deets to come soon but until then do pop in and say hello.
Levain |📍1518 Walnut St
We can’t even begin to convey how excited people were for Levain arriving in Philly but hopefully, it was clear when the line for its opening extended down 16th Street. It’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood and having a bakery that complements Elixir, Starbucks, and Le Pain Quotidien on Walnut is lovely as it’s a well-trafficked street. Check out the first Philly Levain here.
Little Water |📍261 S 20th St
The table has been set! Little Water opened up in the Twenty Manning former space, offering delicious coastal cuisine combined with sophisticated, sexy vibes. The owners also operate River Twice in Passyunk so this is their second restaurant, and worth checking out.
Ritten Deli & Juice Bar |📍1510 Sansom St
If you’ve been lurking on the various local Facebook groups on Reddit then you already now that a deli that’s open late on the street with clubs and more was very much wanted, as was a place where you can run in to get a simple sandwich. We’re happy to share that Ritten Deli and Juice Bar is finally open AND they are operating until 1 am. Their Google listing says they’re at 1510 Walnut so we’ve updated the address accordingly. You can find their menu that fellow Rambler Jesse carefully took photos of here.
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
Construction for the long-anticipated Philly Aritizia continues slowly but surely (promise!) on Walnut Street. The construction on the space above it is also progressing but not sure if they rented it out just yet. ETA is still 2025 and judging by the interior it’ll take a bit of time.
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. ETA is TBD as no construction has begun.
Boqueria |📍1608 Sansom
Thank you fellow Rambler George for reminding us about Boqueria, the NY-based Spanish Tapas restaurant, whose arrival is still pending as one of the first tenants in The Josephine, the new apartment building on Sansom.
The news was first announced in Spring of last year, hence it completely slipped our minds (yes, we’re still annoyed at us). They reportedly leased a 5,000 sq ft space and we haven’t seen any construction for a restaurant taking place there just yet.
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.
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop |📍1504 Sansom St
Coming to the old Snap pizza location on Sansom is Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, the brand that’s been expanding nationwide, and which has a location in Queen Village and that just opened up another location in University City. It’s an intimate space and on brand for them since it’s sort of fast-casual. Good dumplings, btw! Phillychitchat confirmed that the target opening date is November 6th.
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. ETA for launch is early 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. Still waiting on an ETA.
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. The target open date is soon and we promise, that based on what we experienced at their recent pop-up dinner, it’s totally worth the wait.
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 TBD.
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 is this fall (still).
Five Iron Golf |📍3 Logan Square
At the same time the Rittenhouse location reopened, Five Iron Golf announced a partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust to open up a much larger space nearby at 1717 Arch Street that will also have an outdoor patio and Callaway club fitting. ETA is early 2025.
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. We’re tracking the construction updates to come and they just confirmed that their ETA is now early 2025.
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. ETA is TBD.
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, and minimalist, and carry cool shoes and brands, and as it’s a pretty large space with over 2 levels and 25K (!!) square feet, we’re hoping they throw in some cool new features.
This would be their 2nd Philly location as they have one in the Northeast. ETA is 2025 but we don’t have an exact date just yet but 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 2025, and we’ll continue to share construction updates here.
Kissho House | 📍1522 Locust St
In 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 – the exact time frame is TBD.
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!
The current 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 pending as it was September.
New Balance | 📍1619 Walnut St
After years of the fluorescent lights staying on day and night, crews moved in and construction began and now we can confirm: New Balance is moving over into snazzy new digs, so to the OTHER side of the new Jordan store. Given the brand is on a hot streak we’re looking forward to seeing what they do with the space.
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? 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 still 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 are working on the space so it could be a November opening.
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. ETA is possibly soon as we saw some merchandise moving in this month!
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. ETA is anytime (Starbucks is NOT informative.)
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! Taco Bell Cantinas are known for being more city-friendy and serving alcohol, and we hear their boozy Mountain Dew slushies are fun. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until Spring to find out.
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. ETA is pending.
Taylor Chip |📍1809 Chestnut St
It’s been a year and the wait is still on for Taylor Chip, the Lancaster-based cookie store that was supposed to open last year, to arrive. The team mentioned they will have a rough sense of timing soon so we’ll continue to keep our fingers crossed!
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 still this year!
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. With a new alcohol application up we’re tracking this only closely.
Know of anything else coming or in the works? Shoot us an email here so we can watch their progress together!
