Rounding Up The Roundup: The Biggest Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & The Future That’s Coming Fast Into Focus
To kick off 2025 we’re looking back at 2024, and ahead to the dining, retail plus more that everyone’s most excited for.
It’s going to be a memorable year for the neighborhood – in a good way!
2024 may have started a bit mixed, as we lost Kitchen Kapers while gaining Alo Yoga, but then, poof: it trended up. McDonald’s is returning to the neighborhood. NYC’s beloved bakery, Levain, brought their tasty cookies and other baked goods to Walnut, and women’s luxury clothing brand Reformation opened within the year they announced they were coming.
And we’ve got plenty more left on our list:
- 16 new dining options
- 6 new options to drink coffee and/or cocktails and beers
- 3 new retail stores
- 2 new eatertainments, both that are known brands
- 1 new luxury fitness gym, also a known brand
- 1 new self-care place
- 1 new just-for-pets place
These are just the projects that we’re aware of as we’re sure more are in the works. It also doesn’t include the 2 multi-family construction projects underway, and the other construction projects to come. Overall, 2025 is looking pretty good (/knocks on wood).
So to celebrate the year past and the one we’re kicking off, we’re trying something different.
Fond Farewells (RIP)
- We’ve included some of the biggest farewells this year which got everyone talking, and the ones we miss dearly (COME BACK KITCHEN KAPERS!)
- December wasn’t too bad for the store, restaurant, fitness, or any closings because there was only one that we’re aware of.
Friendly Hellos!
- The neighborhood warmly welcomed a number of new places last year, but these in particular saw the most excitement.
- In December we welcomed 2 new places to dine because options are great!
Focus on the Future:
- Looking ahead to 2025, these are the top 8 anticipated arrivals, with 2 new ones on our list.
- We also added 2 new places to our list of future openings – one of them is within an existing retail space but it does give us a cocktail bar, so, win!
Find the deets below and email us at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com with anything we may have missed or that you know is coming.
A Look Back: Our Fondest Farewells Of The Year
Kitchen Kapers |📍213 South 17th St
Kitchen Kapers’ Rittenhouse location closed in January and it’s been a huge loss to the neighborhood, as it was the one place people could go to for a wide selection of cooking and entertaining supplies. Then, the building was sold and received a permit for demolition, and the psychic was forced to move to above Doggie Styles. Busy year for this building!
DTC Brands Allbirds & Outdoor Voices |📍1709 & 1723 Walnut St
The quiet closure of Allbirds in April and Outdoor Voices in February was a bit of a blow for Walnut but a bigger blow, in our opinion, to the direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand industry. Both brands are struggling financially, and Outdoor Voices was recently acquired by another company. Could it stage a comeback like Abercrombie and return to Philly? We’ll keep our fingers crossed!
Rite Aid |📍1628 Chestnut St
When Rite Aid initially declared bankruptcy they had not mentioned closing the Rittenhouse location, but we knew it was coming when they stopped replenishing the shelves. And sure enough, it did close, and in an appropriate reincarnation, it became a Spirit Halloween. However, the absence of a pharmacy/convenience store at that particular corner is still deeply felt.
Howl At The Moon |📍258 S 15th St
Yes, Howl at the Moon was cheesy and could be considered by some as a tourist trap, BUT, let’s face it: it was THE place to go for a bachelorette or 21st birthday party. It was the appropriate mix of cheesiness with fun. Its closure in July jolted many people’s memories, for better or for worse.
Fond Farewells for December
Revel Ride |📍1632 South St
In a surprising holiday twist, Revel Ride owner Jamie announced on Instagram that she’s closing the South Street studio and leaving the city to focus on her other locations down at the Shore. Farewell Revel Ride, you will be greatly missed.
The Friends We Welcomed Most Enthusiastically
Alo Yoga |📍1608 Walnut St
After months of construction Alo Yoga, the athleisure brand that’s popular with the workout girlies debuted in the old Modell’s space in January and had a line down the block. While it didn’t compare to Levain’s crazy long line it was still VERY impressive, and the store continues to look fantastic.
Puttshack |📍1625 Chestnut St
The first of the eatertainments coming to the area arrived to join Spin and Five Iron Golf in February, and has been doing pretty well! It fills out the Chestnut St-facing side of Liberty Place very nicely.
Reformation |📍 1723 Walnut St
We were personally excited when Reformation’s “coming soon” sign popped up soon after Outdoor Voices closed, and knowing others were just as excited made it sweeter. The store opened in July and is in the best possible location: next to the highly anticipated arrival of women’s affordable luxury brand Aritzia.
Levain |📍1518 Walnut St
Levain’s first Philly location was – and continues to be – a local favorite, based on the traffic in and out of the store, and the sheer number of people waiting for the bakery to open on its first day.
Friendly Hellos:
Brooklyn Dumpling |📍1504 Sansom St
Opening up JUST in time for Christmas and Hanukkah was Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, the now-national chain that started in New York. They’ve been rapidly expanding in Philly (as they should) with one location on South St, one in University City, and now the one here on Sansom that replaced Snap Custom Pizza. Ordering is done via a kiosk and food arrives in a numbered locker or can be picked up to go at the service window. They’re open late, which is great news for the clubgoers on Sansom.
Dear Daphni |📍125 S 20th St
The blue doors to Schulson’s Mediterranean restaurant Dear Daphni are open and it WAS worth the wait. We recognized staff from other Schulson restaurants and suffice to say, it’s an all-star cast. Reservations have been hard to come by so we know it’s quickly become a neighborhood favorite.
Focus on the Future: What Ramblers Are Most Looking Forward To
Taco Bell Cantina |📍1634 Chestnut St
LATE SPRING – that’s the latest ETA we’ve heard from the franchise owner for this particular Taco Bell that will be a Cantina, that is, the ones that serve boozy drinks. We think it’ll be a hit, judging by the reception of our post.
Tequila’s |📍1602 Locust St
It’s been a long, long time coming since the electrical fire shut them down in 2022 but Tequila’s getting ready to reopen soon! They’re also debuting a new coffee and cocktail bar, La Jefa, whose entrance will be on the alley behind its main entrance.
Abercrombie |📍1702 Walnut St
The Retail Gods LOOOVE to taketh and giveth, and in this one case, they’re doing it in one fell swoop as Vans will close next month and Abercrombie will take its place. We love a good brand comeback story, and Abercrombie does have some pretty cool offerings. However, Vans was ALSO a great comeback story. Long story short: It’s complicated.
McDonald’s |📍1604 Chestnut St
Speaking of comeback stories, McDonald‘s is also returning to the neighborhood. Only this time it’ll be on Chestnut Street, replacing the old Portabella that moved into bigger, nicer digs just the next block over. It’ll give the new Taco Bell Cantina a run for its money and us more options to pick from at 1 am.
Jordan Brand’s World of Flight |📍1617 Walnut St
When the news dropped that the Jordan Brand was opening its first US World of Flight store after Tokyo, Seoul, China, and Milan in Philly and NOT New York, it was a pretty BFD! The construction team is hustling albeit more slowly as they are reenvisioning the interior. We’ll continue to share construction updates here.
Borromini |📍1809 Walnut St
Is construction continuing to move along for Stephen Starr’s highly anticipated Italian restaurant on the Square? Yes. Is it going to open soon? Probably not, because converting the ancient Barnes & Noble (RIP) to a two-story Italian restaurant is no easy feat, we’re sure. But like many great things in life, we think the wait will be worth it. ETA is early summer.
Equinox |📍1909 Walnut St
Equinox, NYC’s luxury gym export, was slated to open this summer then it was punted to fall. But, as we all know, construction rarely goes according to plan. However, the good news is that Equinox has recently been advertising “the week of” January 13th so everyone can nail their fitness resolutions.
Aritzia |📍1725 Walnut St
Construction for the long-anticipated Philly Aritizia (YEARS in the making) continues to move along quickly now, with workers there every day, aiming for a potentially late spring opening. You can follow our updates here.
Focus on the Future:
1701 Market |📍1701 Market St
The former Morgan Lewis office building is getting ready to enter its luxury rental era this spring. JackPhillyRE shared that this particular project from Alterra, who owns The Versailles on Locust St among others, had been on and off for some time now. Maybe because converting office buildings to residential is both expensive and complex? But the sign is up so it’s happening (no takebacks!)
Amma’s II |📍1500 Walnut St
The former home of Max Brenner’s will house Amma’s, the popular South Indian restaurant that’s currently on Chestnut Street. The new space is pretty big, so it’ll likely be the biggest Indian restaurant in the neighborhood, and the first one with a liquor license to boot. ETA is TBD and we haven’t seen any construction yet.
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 first for PA. Construction had begun but stopped, so ETA is TBD.
Bond Vet |📍2101 Walnut St
In a surprising twist no one saw coming, moving into the former storefront for Carlo’s Bakery is NYC’s veterinary chain, Bond Vet. The best thing is they also offer emergency pet care, something that no city (we feel) can have enough of, as they can get super busy. This is one of 2 locations coming to Philly.
Botld Expansion |📍119 S. 18th St
Botld opening up in 2023 was pretty unique if you know how weird and antiquated PA’s liquor laws are. Freestanding spirit stores are NOT the norm. Not surprisingly, Botld did well (being the official Eagles spirits brand doesn’t hurt either) expanding to other locations, and now they’re taking it to the next level with a sexy cocktail bar in the current location.
Cake & Joe |📍1735 Market St
More sweet treats are coming, and another local darling at that: Cake & Joe is slated to come to Market Street, offering a dessert option for a street that’s been hurting since the pandemic because, WFH. Known for their gorgeous mousse desserts and drinks, this will be an intimate Cake & Joe store with “roughly 1,200-square-foot ground floor facing the garden area between the 1701 and 1735 Market St. buildings”. ETA is this spring.
Dance Robot | 📍1710 Sansom St
Getting a Japanese comfort food place to replace The Foodery (RIP) is great news, and even better with its snazzy new name, Dance Robot. However, hearing that it’s an offshoot from Jesse Ito, one of the best chefs in the country, makes it even better. The exact ETA is TBD.
Dave’s Hot Chicken |📍1731 Chestnut St
Pending in the former South Moon Under boutique space – Dave’s Hot Chicken, the known national Nashville hot chicken chain across the US. Until then Hangry Joe’s, another franchise that opened up this year, remains the solo hot chicken QSR in the area. Construction IS underway and the South Moon Under sign is gone, so thinking we’ll have more options soon for delicious Nashville hot chicken!
Di Passare |📍151 S. 24th St
This old Sotto space has been empty for soooo long. So a dual functional space with a juice bar open during the day and a downstairs restaurant lounge open to guests in the evening sounds great! ETA is TBD.
Five Iron Golf |📍3 Logan Square
At the same time the Rittenhouse location reopened after renovations, 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 this spring.
Flight Club Darts |📍1417 Walnut St
The UK export Flight Club Darts coming to Rittenhouse is making progress! It’ll join Puttshack, Spin, 5 Iron Golf, Cellar Dog, and Garage Bar in offering the neighborhood places to eat, drink, and play (“eatertainment”). ETA is this spring and we’re tracking construction here.
Garage Bar |📍1501 Spruce St
In September 2023 it was shared that a 3rd Garage Bar was opening in the long-closed Fox & Hound space and was received with open arms, the others being in Fishtown and Easy Passyuink. This one would be the biggest one by far, “clocking in at 6,500 square feet plus a large kitchen” and bringing Skeeball machines, pinball, billiards, and more Eagles watch party options. However, it’s been well over a year and the ETA is still 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. The wine bar is replacing the long-closed Nails by Anna D on the fun street that is Sansom. And because they leased the entire building, Rittenhouse will also get a 2nd drinking spot called Liquorette. An exact ETA is pending.
Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
New window decals, new details: The new Josephine apartments on Sansom adjusted their plans which revealed that Boqueria was not coming, however, what IS coming a super nice, super high-end sushi concept. Also coming is an entertainment sports bar and an artisanal cafe that will fill out that side of Sansom and give The Happy Rooster some nice neighbors. ETA is unknown.
Kissho House | 📍1522 Locust St
The “Law Offices of Thomas More Holland” is being reborn as a multi-level modern and luxury Japanese restaurant, with a “vibrant” first-floor bar and a basement “sanctuary” that houses an omakase room from Royal Izakaya and Hiroki Chef Zhengmao “Jeff” Chen, per The Inquirer. We can’t wait to see it, and hopefully soon as the ETA is this year!
La Jefa |📍1605 Latimer St
The electrical fire that affected Tequila’s, and forced it to shut down, allowed the Suros family to re-envision what the space could be. Luckily for us, not only will Tequila also return but we’ll get a Guadalajaran-inspired coffee and cocktail cafe. ETA is this Spring so be sure to follow them on social here for updates.
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. The current ETA is the first half of 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. Fall 2024 was the original target, but work hadn’t begun. So not sure what the new ETA will be.
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. The brand is on a hot streak so having new, larger digs to show off we feel is appropriate. ETA is late January.
Saints Restaurant |📍1901 Chestnut St
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 weren’t able to launch in the fall so a new date is TBD.
Satori Laser |📍1921 Chestnut St
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 in a space that was vacated by Foreign Bazaar a long time ago. We’ve reached out for an ETA.
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. Work is progressing but we’re not sure of the new date.
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.
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 but not seeing any construction happening.
Weckerly’s | 📍 1600 Spruce St
Incoming to Rittenhouse – Fishtown ice cream darling Weckerly’s. The Business Journal reported that they were looking at 1600 Spruce which was formerly occupied by, well, 1600 Spruce, the decor store that recently left the neighborhood. They’re shooting to open in 2025 for sure – see the deets here.
Know of anything else coming or in the works? Shoot us an email at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com so we can watch their progress together!
