Rittenhouse Is In Bloom! Welcome To The April Edition Of Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & Focus On The Future
40 businesses, including restaurants, cafes, bars, retail, eateries, and services, are slated to arrive in Rittenhouse.
April’s showers brought more than May flowers.
While we lost two dearly loved businesses, we continue to gain more, and Sansom Street is FINALLY open, which means the future has NEVER looked so much brighter!
In this month’s roundup of businesses who have left or are leaving, recent openings (or reopenings, hello!), and businesses that are planning to open, Rittenhouse is looking pretty damn good: Excluding real estate projects and a bar expansion, we have 40 businesses that are still slated to launch in Rittenhouse!
In short:
- Two businesses closed – a beloved doggy daycare and Mexican restaurant – and one restaurant was canceled, with two businesses slated to close later this year.
- Three new businesses – a furniture store, a VR experience, and a collectible cards shop – opened, one reopened after an unexpected “bath,” and we welcomed back both Walnut Garden and Sansom Street!
- In what we’re focused on incoming in the future, we’re VERY interested in a luxury furniture store, a cozy Fairmont cafe, a head/facials spa, a mysterious cafe or pizza shop at 15th & Latimer, and what’s replacing Bagel & Co and Chika ramen.
Find details and links to what we know (and don’t know!) below. And do feel free to drop us a note at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com about anything you see, your feedback, or even typos. We appreciate you!
Fond Farewells
Di Passare |📍151 S. 24th St
The old Sotto space has been sitting empty for ages (and looks like it will stay that way). The Business Journal dropped some news: one of the project partners left parent company No Name Hospitality. So their fancy all-day juice bar and nighttime restaurant lounge concept, Di Passare, is officially canceled.
But! There’s a silver lining! No Name Hospitality just grabbed Bagel & Co. and Chika Ramen spots!
Dog School |📍1737 South St
Our hearts, along with many, many, many local dog owners, are broken: The neighborhood’s favorite doggy daycare on South Street, Dog School, shut its doors for reasons unknown. We will miss seeing the dogs as we pass by.
The one at 20th and Chestnut is fortunately still open (please never leave us!)
Tio Flores |📍1600 South St
Another neighborhood favorite, Mexican restaurant Tio Flores announced suddenly they would be closing due to “circumstances beyond their control”. Our hearts go out to them, hoping they are okay. However, someone tipped us that they may reopen with a different owner ,so we’re keeping our fingers crossed!
Soon-To-Be A Fond Farewell:
Brooks Brothers |📍1513 Walnut St
The Business Journal broke the news first about Mitchell & Ness moving to the Brooks Brothers space, and the Philly Inquirer confirmed that they’ll be leaving in June. NOT known just yet is if they will (hopefully) stay in Rittenhouse.
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, so enjoy the delicious sushi for as long as possible!
Friendly Hellos:
7th Avenue | 📍1427 Walnut St
Across from Crate & Barrel‘s more hip sibling CB2 is “The World’s GREATEST Modular Sofa” brand 7th Avenue. We’re happy to have another sofa store join both Lovesac, Joybird, and Interior Define, in addition to the lovely store that is CB2, and one that gives residents of historic homes with narrow stairways (IYKYK) another option.
New Balance 2.0 | 📍1619 Walnut St
In a coincidence with a crazy, short storm, the new New Balance got flooded by what we heard was a pipe burst back in March. Shoutout to their construction teams who worked non-stop to restore the store back to its lovely, pristine state.
SandboxVR |📍1712 Walnut St
Philly has many, many great things, but, unlike many other cities, the one thing we did not have until now was a full-body VR experience option. SandboxVR has arrived to keep Saatva company, and offers interesting games, like Rebel Moon, Squid Game, Deadwood, and more, with options to book a private room.
FYI: SandboxVR and the soon-to-come Team Mission are from the same company that also owns the Museum of Illusions.
Sansom Street | 📍Between 16th & 17th Streets
It was a long, winding road to getting Sansom Street back, BUT it’s finally back! And we have a ton more happening now than ever on that block: The Josephine construction is finally done, we’re gaining luxe sushi restaurant Uchi, an Italian bakery, AND a very spacious, unnamed, famous sports bar on the 2nd floor. Tips are much appreciated, as are repeated calls to close Sansom Street during the summer between 15th and 17th streets, so that all local businesses can benefit.
Walnut Garden | 📍1708 Walnut St
You know it’s OFFICIALLY Spring and outdoor beer/cocktails garden season when Walnut Garden opens up its doors! It was a bit of a rainy and cold April, but we’re putting that behind us, even if we’re still a bit salty about the weather putting a damper on our Walnut Garden time.
Wheelhouse | 📍1625 Chestnut St
Sliding into the former Sunglass Hut space (who moved onto Chestnut Street) is the PA-based collectible cards store Wheelhouse! Our deepest thanks to fellow Rambler Josh for the tip, because this looks like a very cool place. They offer signings, events, consignment services, card grading services and more, for both adults and kids. It’s also great to see another
Focus on the Future:
Abercrombie |📍1702 Walnut St
We love a good brand comeback story, so we’re PSYCHED that Abercrombie is returning! Construction is underway with a 4th of July ETA, and we’re tracking progress here.
All Aboard Candy |📍233 S. 20th St
If you’ve ever been to 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, 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. Current ETA is this spring.
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, and construction has not begun.
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. Last we spoke with them, they were still targeting summer for launch, so our fingers are crossed!
Bond Vet |📍2101 Walnut St
In a surprising twist, 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. ETA is this spring.
Borromini |📍1809 Walnut St
Construction is continuing to move along really nicely for Stephen Starr’s highly anticipated Italian restaurant on the Square, informally known as Italian Parc, in the former Barnes & Noble. We’re sure they’re hustling so they can get started on Starr’s next project: The former Devon Seafood & Grill space ETA is late summer (it is a HUGE space, after all!)
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
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 was initially spring, so we’ll keep checking in.
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 was 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. Construction is underway, so a 2025 opening is DEFINITELY in the cards!
Flight Club Darts |📍1417 Walnut St
The UK export Flight Club Darts coming to Rittenhouse is making GREAT 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 for opening is early May!
Greyscale | 📍 1608 Latimer St
We finally have a name for the mysterious hair salon debuting in the former Commonweal Gallery space, right next to La Jefa – Greyscale! They’re a “modern-day barbershop” from founder Vlad, who has a shop in Highland Park, NJ. The booking site is live, and their Google profile is coming along. So thinking they’re opening soon, and possibly just in time for a spring refresh!
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. Completion is a LONG way off: 2027, to be exact, and since there’s been zero progress on the site, we’re thinking it’ll be moved out.
Herman Miller |📍1615 Walnut St
Filing this under “retail stores coming to Rittenhouse not on our Bingo card”: The iconic and luxury furniture brand Herman Miller, which is sliding into the previous New Balance location, and we are SO here for it! The window decal says the launch is summer 2025, so we’ll keep an eye on the construction
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. They were planning a 2025 debut, but construction seems to have stopped.
Jordan Brand’s World of Flight |📍1617 Walnut St
One thing Rittenhouse has been seeing more and more recently has been experiential retail, and fortunately, Nike saw it too. “World of Flight” is Nike’s retail concept that celebrates the legacy of Michael Jordan and basketball culture in general, and this one will be the first for the US. Construction has been moving, but slowly and deliberately. The original ETA of summer 2025 seems unlikely, but we’re hopeful for a 2025 launch nonetheless and will continue to share construction updates here.
Kissho House | 📍1522 Locust St
Talk about sushi with a side of serenity: Kissho House, a luxe Japanese restaurant that will have sushi, omakase, and robotayaki from a former chef who was at Hiroki and Royal Izakaya, is slated to open this summer (construction and permits, God permitting). Joining Kissho will be Urban Oasis, a head and facial spa– so a little something extra to add to the vibe! Interestingly, this entire building was home to a law office.
La Jefa |📍1605 Latimer St
We’re excited to see Tequila’s new sibling, La Jefa, a Guadalajaran-inspired coffee and cocktail cafe, as it’s a truly unique concept. When we peeked into the space while having dinner at Tequila’s, we saw a welcoming, warm and friendly cafe. Currently, they plan to be open from 9a to 1a, and opening is soon.
Leo | 📍300 S. Broad S
The ex-Volver space has a new, luxury tenant: Leo, a Mediterranean restaurant concept, led by a NYC chef who was also responsible for bringing us Curtain Call, the all-day cafe and night-time cocktail space. The restaurant will have a pre-fixe option (shouldn’t that be a must for a pre-theatre dinner?!) and, even more importantly, they’re focused on bringing in locals. We LOVE a good neighborhood restaurant, so we’re keeping an eye on this! ETA is late spring.
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 was the first half of 2025, however, construction doesn’t look like it’s moving for the moment, but we’re hopeful!
Madis Coffee Roasters | 📍1441 Chestnut St
Madis Coffee Roasters announced last year that they were expanding to this side of the Schuylkill with 2 locations: one of them is planned for the corner of 15th and Chestnut, at the base of The Element Hotel, which has never been occupied. ETA is TBD and judging by what we know about the neighborhood, a cafe in that area is sure to be a hit.
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 we can confirm that May 15th is the expected opening date!
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 give us more options to pick from at 1 am.
Since construction hasn’t started and this is a big brand with lots of red tape, we’re thinking this is more of a 2026 opening.
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.
ETA is TBD, but with Brooks Brothers moving out in June, we’re thinking this ETA may move into 2026, eeeek!
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 restaurateur 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 refreshed Bellevue. ETA is this year, but we’re not seeing signs of construction.
Musette | 📍238 S 20th St
If we have to judge a cafe from its Insta and the pretty wording on the exterior wall that was painted recently, then we’re SUPER excited about Fairmont’s Musette expanding to Rittenhouse! They plan to offer an aperitivo/pre-dinner menu, along with coffee and pastries, which will help ease the pain of losing Ultimo. ETA is soon.
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 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.” Last we heard, they had nixed their plans for a late-night lounge; ETA is 2025.
Stephen Starr’s 3rd Restaurant on the Square | 📍225 S. 18th St
Like Zendaya and Tom Holland, Stephen Starr made it official last month: He’s taking over the former Devon Seafood & Grill space!.
And if you ever had the chance to go to Devon, you likely remember the beautiful arches in the ceiling, the tiles, and the expansive space in the back, down the steps. It wasn’t a cookie-cutter space at all, with a story and vibe in itself. We’re excited the Starr team will be taking on the space because if there’s one thing they know, it’s how to make a splash around the Square. ETA is 2026.
Taco Bell* |📍1634 Chestnut St
Construction is underway for this particular Taco Bell that may or may not be a Cantina, hence the asterisk. We think it’ll be a hit, judging by the reception of our post, and everyone’s strong opinions. Construction is quietly happening, and we will continue to monitor progress closely.
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 formerly known in the area as Illegal Tacos. ETA is 2025.
Teddy Sourias Project | 📍 1515 Market St
Teddy Sourias, the founder of Craft Concepts Group, who has many restaurants you’d recognize in Center City, including Uptown Beer Garden, was planning a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 1515 Market that included a 4,000-square-foot patio. Haven’t heard anything since, but hopeful!
Time Mission | 📍 1534 Chestnut St
Time Mission, a social gaming experience where teams travel “through time to save the future,” is joining Sandbox VR to give us two experiential options in the neighborhood! Per a review of the Cali one:
“At Time Mission, each new portal took us to a different destination with a new challenge to solve together as a team. This over-world tied together a collection of artistic, unusual rooms filled with creative contraptions or other physical or mental playgrounds.”
Time Mission will live above JD Sports, which used to be a 2-level H&M. ETA is May!
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 now late 2025, and we’ll keep you posted on the progress!
Urban Oasis | 📍254 South 15th Street
NGL – we don’t know much about Urban Oasis, the incoming new headspa and facials place that will keep Kissho House company in what used to be a law firm.
Unnamed Cafe or Slice Shop | 📍254 South 15th Street
This is super interesting: It looks like a cafe or slice shop (NOTE: we’re leaning towards the latter, judging by the deep fryer and ovens that seem to be there) is coming to the former Starbucks space at 15th & Latimer. One of the people on the permit is Jason Evenchik, who owns Garage Bar, Time, and Vintage, so you know it’ll be interesting! Construction is moving nicely, so we’re thinking they’ll open soon.
Unnamed Italian Bakery @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
Good news: Every commercial space within The Josephine is taken! Next to the incredible-sounding Uchi we’re hearing will be a Philly-based Italian bakery, which will continue to make Sansom between 16th and 17th pretty awesome. ETA is this year, but we haven’t seen any signs of construction, sadly.
Unnamed Sports Bar @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
LET’S GO SPORTS BAR! No, seriously, this is going to be pretty cool: The entire 2nd floor of The Josephine will be a known-brand name sports bar. ETA is this year, but don’t hold us to it!
Unnamed Residential Project | 📍26 S. 21st St
Newly added project to the residential construction projects in (slow) progress: A 200-luxury apartment building is being planned for a current parking lot, plus:
The project would be outfitted with underground parking, a second-story restaurant with an outdoor patio, and a 16,000-square-foot ground-floor retail space, which they anticipate attracting a national retailer.
There’s no current ETA but they do plan to break ground this year!
Unnamed No Hospitality Restaurants | 📍1526 Sansom St
We KNOW, hearing of Bagel & Co and Chika Ramen’s closures (RIP), that someone would move quickly. After all, this is a great space, in a great location with tons of foot traffic. Now we know: No Name Hospitality snapped it up because, obviously, this was a no-brainer. They plan to open 2 separate restaurants, but deets are pending.
Veronica Beard | 📍 1709 Walnut St
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! ETA is this spring, and we’ve seen construction moving along nicely.
Wonder | 📍1600 Chestnut St
Finally, something more valuable than a bank is opening in a former bank space! Wonder, a unique and buzzy food delivery, takeout + dine-in brand, is coming to town. ETA is this year, and we’re tracking its progress here.
Weckerly’s | 📍 1600 Spruce St
Fishtown ice cream darling Weckerly’s is joining all the great new sweet things we have in the neighborhood at the perfect time! The opening date is confirmed for early May, and we’ll continue to post 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!
