February’s Flown By With More Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & Focus On The Future
Our love for the Birds, along with the retail, restaurants, and more that have arrived and/or are coming, is at an all-time high.
Let’s face it: February was a beyond epic month!
Between the Eagles-driven energy in the city, the ability to make instant friends with “Go Birds!”, the opening of Garage Bar juuuuuust in time for the Super Bowl, the news of Catbird coming, Aritizia opening, post Super Bowl joy, and all of the businesses that are looking to launch this spring…we’re thinking it’s pretty epic!
- We said farewell to only 1 place – Vans (hoping it has a comeback story like the brand replacing it).
- We’ll be saying farewell to Shiroi Hana at some point, but NOT – NOT – yet!
- We welcomed three businesses, 2 of which immediately got mobbed (in a good way) after opening.
- We have SO many great things coming: We’re tracking 5 bars, 5 coffee & specialty cafes, 3 entertainment/eatertainment places, 2 residential real estate projects, 17 restaurants, 7 retail stores, and 3 service-oriented businesses are coming for a total of 39 (!!)
Basically, things look pretty good right now in the neighborhood! Check out the details below and drop us a note at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com to share any tips, news, or thoughts – we appreciate you!
Fond Farewells
Vans |📍1702 Walnut St
It was a triumphant return for a store that had sadly burned down and staff that had lost their jobs but were able to come back. Alas, it was fairly short-lived as Van’s parent company VF Corporation closed some stores across the country.
Soon-To-Be A Fond Farewell:
Shiroi Hana |📍222 S. 15th St
After 20 (!!) years, the owners of Shiroi Hana, a charming sushi and Japanese restaurant right next to Good Dog bar put the building up for sale as he plans to retire. ETA for closure is still pending, and the restaurant is still open until then.
Friendly Hellos:
Aritzia |📍1725 Walnut St
If you’ve been following our updates here on the construction, this should not be surprising, but it’s still jarring in the BEST possible way to see Aritzia finally open up! It’s gorgeous and looks stunning next to Reformation while near Anthropologie, Madewell, J.Crew, not to mention all the great athleisure options we have…basically, our wallet isn’t safe.
Garage Bar |📍1501 Spruce St
When’s a good time to open a brand-new bar after the news broke in 2023? Well, if you’re Garage Bar, why not do it on the Super Bowl?! It was a smart move because we heard the lines were well down the block for both the Super Bowl and the parade.
We’re not familiar with the vibes of its predecessor, The Fox & The Hound, but this name is apt for a bar literally in a garage. And while they’re leaning into the garage vibes (as they should) with the decor, we think it looks pretty cool! Combined with the wide array of beers, ciders, and canned drinks, paired with the kind of food you want when drinking a cold beer (or otherwise), skeeball, AND pool tables, we know Garage Bar is well on its way to becoming a fun neighborhood spot.
Tacoteca Mexican Grill |📍1829 JFK Blvd
We are tardy to this opening, so our heartfelt thanks go out to fellow Rambler Steven Zakulec for sharing this news – the residents at The Sterling have yet another food option to choose from! Tacoteca, a halal Mexican fast casual place, just opened up in the former Taiwanese Bao-logy eatery, which closed in April 2023. Bao-logy was unique, so it’s great to see another unique restaurant option – and one that’s halal, too! – open up in its place.
Focus on the Future:
17 Market West |📍1701 Market St
The former Morgan Lewis office building is getting ready to enter its luxury rental era!. JackPhillyRE had shared that this 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 now, some of the units have hit Zillow, and it looks like move-ins will start this spring.
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 closed and Abercrombie picked up its existing lease. We love a good brand comeback story, and Abercrombie does have some pretty cool offerings.
All Aboard Candy |📍233 S. 20th St
If you’ve ever been to the Boyd’s holiday market, then you’ve probably seen the colorful and fun candy brand that is All Aboard Candy. And if you’ve ever wondered why Rittenhouse doesn’t have a candy store (we literally JUST got our own chocolate store, Neuhaus!), well, you’re in luck because they’re opening their first brick-and-mortar store in the former Tortorice’s eatery, right next to 1-900-Ice-Cream. BTW, candy + ice cream is a great way to have an instant party with no hangover, and we’re here for it.
Amma’s II |📍1500 Walnut St
The former home of Max Brenner’s will house Amma’s, the popular South Indian restaurant that is 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.
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 has begun and the ETA is this summer!
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. ETA is this spring!
Borromini |📍1809 Walnut St
Construction is continuing to move along for Stephen Starr’s highly anticipated Italian restaurant on the Square, as it converts the OG Barnes & Noble (RIP) to a two-story Italian restaurant. ETA is this summer, but it’s a large space to convert, so we won’t be surprised if it gets punted to fall.
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. ETA is TBD.
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”. They anticipate opening up this spring.
Catbird | 📍109 S 18th St
New incoming store alert for the girlies who love itty-bitty, layerable jewelry: Brooklyn-based brand Catbird is coming to the neighborhood! ETA is THIS spring, and we’ll be providing updates on its construction and progress here.
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 Royal Izakaya, one of the best chefs in the country, makes it even better. ETA is still TBD, but construction is underway!
Dave’s Hot Chicken |📍1731 Chestnut St
Pending in the former South Moon Under boutique space is 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. As you can see, it’s looking GREAT (loving that wall art!) so we’re thinking they’ll open up as soon as possible.
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 still 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 have an outdoor patio and Callaway club fitting. ETA is still 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”). They confirmed that their anticipated debut is this spring, and we’re tracking construction here, although not much has happened just yet.
Hair Salon | 📍 1608 Latimer St
Not 100% sure WHO is coming to the former Commonweal Gallery that’s right next to La Jefa, but we do know that it’s a hair salon! Our thanks to fellow Ramblers Emily and Angie, who shared the news with us and who are just as eager to know who it is. We’re guessing the ETA is this yea,r as construction is hustling.
Hair Vyce |📍1722 Sansom St
Coming soon to the ex-De Carlo hair salon space, right above Villekebab? Another salon, this one that’s multicultural and expanding from West Philly – Hair Vyce! Besides haircuts, Hair Vyce specializes in hair coloring and curly hair (so it is Ouidad certified!), among other services, like bridal hair.
It’s great to see a salon option that serves the entire Rittenhouse community, so we’re excited for its arrival – ETA is this spring!
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, and it’s been moving slooowly.
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. Launch is this year, but exactly when is TBD.
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 – and remains! a pretty BFD. But their incredibly classy move with the Love, Hurts banner is even bigger in our humble opinion – one of the best things to have happened to Walnut Street retail this month (THANK YOU NIKE!)
Alas, it is now gone but luckily, the construction crew is in there and forging ahead. We’ll continue to share construction updates here.
Josephine Cafe | 📍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 is a super nice, super high-end sushi concept, Uchi! 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, it will be soon as the ETA is this year. We’ll keep an eye out on your behalf in regards to construction.
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 also get a Guadalajaran-inspired coffee and cocktail cafe. ETA is soon, 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 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.
Malai |📍 260 S 18th St
Another NYC gem on its way to our neighborhood: Malai ice cream, right next to Starbucks on 18th in the former David David art gallery, and fitting for what looks like an elegant ice cream parlor. You can find more about them in our article here, and they are planning a spring debut!
McDonald’s |📍1604 Chestnut St
In a highly anticipated comeback story, McDonald‘s is 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.
Mitchell & Ness | 📍1513 Walnut St
In yet another example of one business taking over the lease of another, one of our favorite sports stores, Mitchell & Ness is reportedly moving into the gorgeous Brooks Brothers store. And it makes sense on so many levels because with the incoming Jordan World of Flight, the new New Balance store, and JD Sports not too far (plus the many athleisure stores on the street) it’s really a perfect fit.
Mr. Edison |📍 200 S Broad St
After years of renovations, it’s been great to see The Bellevue coming back to life with a beautiful new look. And that journey back to its former grandeur continues with a brand new restaurant called Mr. Edison from famous restauranteur Jeffrey Chodorow. It’ll slide right into the former Polo store on Walnut and keep the incoming Flight Club Darts across the street company.
The concept and vibes have not been shared but based on his previous well-known restaurants such as China Grill, and Asia de Cuba, and the new ones he’s been launching, you know it’s going to be as equally fabulous as the new Bellevue. ETA is this year.
Rhythm & Spirits |📍1617 JFK Blvd
If you’ve ever been to the Rhythm & Spirits in AC, well, you’re in luck as it’s making its way over to the former Classic Cake Cafe in Suburban Station! Rhythm & Spirits Philly will be similar, i.e., Italian food with no rules (must find out more about that), live music, and best of all – brunch! That’s a great area for tourists and visitors to Dilworth Park, so it’ll be sure to be in demand. ETA is late fall.
Saints Restaurant |📍1901 Chestnut St
Cocktail place Noche quietly closed last year, 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 nixed their plans for a late-night lounge, however, and ETA is this year (fingers crossed!)
Sandbox VR | 📍1712 Walnut St
Someone asked Santa or that Genie in a bottle for a full-body VR experience, and voila! Sandbox VR heard and will be arriving in Rittenhouse this year. We recently got new information that clarified it’ll be launching on the 2nd floor above Saatva on Walnut (and NOT Chestnut); kind of hoping a collab is in their future as we think it’d be fun.
Taco Bell Cantina |📍1634 Chestnut St
LATE SPRING – That’s (still) the latest ETA we’ve heard from the franchise owner for this particular Taco Bell that will be a Cantina. We think it’ll be a hit, judging by the reception of our post. However, ONE IMPORTANT UPDATE: There is no alcohol, so our hope for a boozy Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze will continue to be on hold.
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, and it’s likely that it’ll open up this year.
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.
Tequila’s |📍1602 Locust St
It’s been a long, long time coming since the electrical fire shut them down in February of 2022 but Tequila’s getting ready to reopen soon, bigger and just as glamorous as before, along with a tequila/mezcal tasting room (we hear).
Combined with their new coffee and cocktail bar, La Jefa they are on track to be one of the most anticipated reopenings. BUT the wooden door is down and the windows plus door are getting a fresh coat of paint, so we’re really, really, really hoping for then to open any moment now.
Uchi | 📍 1620 Sansom St
We finally know the name of the high-end sushi place coming to The Josephine: The award-winning, Austin-based restaurant Uchi. Their Miami and other locations look stunning, but they’ve hired the same designers whose creativity can be seen at Schulson’s restaurants. So you KNOW the vibes will be amazing, and while the food looks stellar, we hear it’s even more delicious than it looks.
ETA is 2025, and we’ll keep you posted on the progress.
Veronica Beard | 📍 1709 Walnut
And just like that, the final empty ground-level store on Walnut, in the former rockstar spot occupied by Allbirds is going to be filled by the cool, chic, and classic brand Veronica Beard! Our thanks to fellow Rambler Roberta for letting us know and sharing our excitement! They’re hoping to launch this spring, but it’s not confirmed.
Weckerly’s | 📍 1600 Spruce St
Fishtown ice cream darling Weckerly’s is going to join all the great new sweet things we have in the neighborhood! The Business Journal reported that they were looking at 1600 Spruce which was occupied by, well, 1600 Spruce, and the renderings they submitted to the city seem to confirm it. They’re shooting to open in 2025 for sure; follow our updates 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!
