More Treats Than Tricks Here, With October’s Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & Focus On The Future
Seven new Rittenhouse businesses opened in October, and three more are bubbling up—proof the neighborhood’s fall hot streak is still brewing strong.
October in Rittenhouse feels like that perfectly curated Halloween party—where someone actually puts effort into the playlist and the snacks aren’t just a bag of fun-sized chocolates thoughtlessly dumped into a bowl.
This month brought us more treats than tricks, with a solid lineup of 7 new arrivals that would make even the pickiest trick-or-treater jealous. Leading the pack? The first World of Flight in the entire U.S! We also welcomed another fun, interactive option for those moments when debating which natural wine to order feels like too much commitment, plus not one but two new cafes to fuel our increasingly ambitious “I’ll be productive today” delusions.
Speaking of movement, 2 businesses pulled their own version of the monster mash and relocated within the neighborhood—proof that sometimes the best upgrade is literally JUST a few blocks away. Meanwhile, our Focus on the Future watch list grew by 3, bringing our total non-construction projects that are on the horizon to 24!
This month’s roundup:
- Who Vanished Into The Night? We said goodbye to a beloved French bakery that kept our croissant standards impossibly high, plus a high-end furniture showroom that flew under the radar but delivered serious style.
- Who Materialized From The Shadows? Quite the boo-quet of businesses! The debut of the first Jordan store in the entire US, Time Mission, the social gaming experience for the days we DON’T want to do happy hour (rare, but happens), the 1 destination for many food options aka Wonder, a Yoga and Pilates studio JUST in time for us to get fit prior to the holidays (we are forever optimistic), plus we added a charming Parisian cafe and a sleek coffee outpost. Because we can never have too many caffeine options! We also have a charming new boutique from Old City plus we saw Amma’s move to their new, much more spacious digs in the former Max Brenner space, and a florist shop that relocated from down the street, bringing their blooms to a better corner.
- Who’s Lurking In The Shadows? Mighty Bread Company made the Rittenhouse community VERY happy with their announcement, plus a former Afghan and Mediterranean casual restaurant is flipping to Mexican, and a coffee by day, sushi by night concept is coming to a former deli by City Hall.
Let’s dig into the details—no shovels or spooky sound effects required. Deets are below and as always, let’s explore what’s happening in the neighborhood together – just email rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com. We appreciate you!
Fond Farewells:
J’Aime Bakery | 📍1644 Pine St
We’re so, so, so sorry to share this if you’re a huge fan of their croissants like we are, but the adorable offshoot of the 12th Street J’amie French cafe has closed its Rittenhouse location. Per the note on the door and on their Insta, owner Bastien ran into unexpected health complications related to an accident but he’s also going to spend (much deserved) time with his family. Happily, the original location IS open and we promise, it’s worth crossing Broad.
Usona’s Showroom | 📍1633 Locust St
The high end, somewhat mysterious (How do I get in? Who do I call? What is this good looking place?) Usona home furniture store quietly closed its Rittenhouse showroom recently – not the original location, now occupied by Soul Cycle, but the one on Locust.
Friendly Hellos:
Alchemy | 📍2300 Market St
When is the destination worth the journey? In our case, exploring Alchemy’s spacious, 2nd digs over at 2300 Market definitely fell into that category. Popping up in the brand new life sciences-centric building, the spacious new Alchemy fits seamlessly in, transforming what is essentially a lobby into a VERY spacious coffee shop. Much thanks to fellow Rambler George for the tip!
Amma’s South Indian Cuisine |📍1500 Walnut St
It’s finally done: Amma’s has moved to its new home all the way from Chestnut Street in the former Max Brenner’s location and it looks 🔥! The relocated Amma’s, known for its South Indian cuisine, is much more spacious and also has a full bar, and even a private room. They’ve adapted and adopted the Max Brenner space VERY nicely too! The daylight flooding in is lovely and now they’ll be able to seat people faster.
Avanda’s |📍1614 Spruce St
Amma’s wasn’t the only business that relocated this month – Avanda’s Floral & Plant Boutique moved from their homey digs from not-so-far 410 S 16th St to the former Margarita hair salon location, on a very nice corner of Spruce St. So now you have no excuse for NOT stopping in for some fresh flowers!
Casa Vida |📍2003 Walnut St
Need another option for a unique and fun boutique that’s on Walnut proper? Then you’re going to love adding Casa Vida to your rotation of intimate boutiques. Sliding into the former Ritual Shoppe, and offering clothes and more to accompany the jewelry you pick up from their next door neighbor, Angela Monaco, this offshoot of the Old City shop now allows you to lazily not cross Broad!
Hive Yoga & Pilates |📍1632 South St
JUST in time to help us feel fit and look confident while fending off nosy relatives at Thanksgiving, we have a new Yoga and Pilate studio: Hive Yoga & Pilates cobra’ed it’s way into the former Revel Ride space. Offering infrared heat along with community, this pretty, light-filled studio is still offering founding members deals so be sure to check it out!
La Maison Jaune Café |📍244 S 22nd
Rittenhouse-adjacent Fitler Square is quickly gaining quite the reputation for good-looking cafes that you want to hang out at. Because joining recent arrival JAX cafe is Parisian-inspired La Maison Jaune Café! Brewed in what was once an antiques store, the black and white tiled floor, mirrors with cascading flowers, and marble counter tops along with the delicious Rival Bros coffee contribute to a charming space you most definitely want to hang out in.
Time Mission | 📍1530 Chestnut St
Time Mission, from the same company as Sandbox VR, just landed to offer us an experiential gaming option beyond happy hour. This social gaming experience is unique: you “travel through time” to save the future. However, it’s not an escape room where you’re hunting for clues in cramped quarters. Instead, you’re free to roam an entire hallway exploring different “portals,” each one serving up a unique mini-game with its own goals and challenges. Deep dive incoming next month!
World of Flight |📍1617 Walnut St
We OFFICIALLY had lift off this month as the 1st Jordan World of Flight store in the US arrived! The international stores are a basketball love letter written in retail form to Jordan but THIS location is also a love letter written to Jalen. It packs a LOT into the lovely 1900s (!!) brownstone that was vacant for almost 10 years after British retailer Jack Willis departed. Happy to see this beautiful town home finally come alive, and Rittenhouse solidified as an international retail destination.
Wonder | 📍1600 Chestnut St
The Retail, Coffee & Food Gods weren’t the only ones blessing the neighborhood this month: Superstar food hall Wonder arrived, giving the neighborhood a single destination for a wide array of food concepts via their app. Gliding smoothly into the former WSFS bank location, the “food hall” is pretty intimate as most people order delivery or pickup.
Focus on the Future:
2204 Walnut | 📍2204 Walnut St
It looks like, after a long period of hiatus, the new residential project at 2204 Walnut is FINALLY moving! Naked Philly, who has been long tracking its progress, shared “that the developers pulled a by-right zoning permit, which offers some indication of forward momentum after a couple years of radio silence.” and that it was pared down to 19, instead of the original 29, residential units.
ETA is likely 2027 (keeping our fingers crossed!)
Ayat |📍2021-23 Sansom St
The New York to Philly (and vice versa) love continues with the eventual of Ayat, a Palestinian restaurant, replacing the long-vacant Roxy Theater space. This will be their seventh location and first for PA. Construction has hit MANY snags and we haven’t seen any progress made. So ETA is TBD.
Banshee |📍1600 South St
Beloved Tio Flores may be gone, but its prime location was snapped up by the team behind shuttered favorites Cheu Fishtown and Bing Bing Dim Sum. Their vision? Banshee, a bistro featuring clean Scandinavian design and an eclectic menu that defies easy categorization. ETA is now November!
Botld Expansion |📍119 S. 18th St
Botld opening up in 2023 was pretty unique if you know how lovely PA’s liquor laws are. Botld has done pretty well and now they’re taking it to the next level with a planned cocktail bar in the back space. ETA is 2026.
Cake & Joe |📍1735 Market St
Cake & Joe is slated to come to Market Street, offering a dessert option for a street that’s beginning to blossom once again. Known for their gorgeous mousse desserts and drinks, this will be an intimate Cake & Joe store. Construction is moving more slowly than we’d like (we’re impatient people who love options) but we’re holding on to hope – with the loss of 2 local Starbucks we KNOW there will be demand!
Fashionphile | 📍 1616 Walnut St
Fashionphile, the “high-end consignment boutique for secondhand luxury handbags & accessories in a stylish interior” is thisclose to opening up in their new location that used to house former CKO Kickboxing on the shopping Mecca that is Walnut.
Friday Saturday Sunday Expansion | 📍 261 S 21st St
In super exciting news for everyone wants to but can’t easily get into Friday Saturday Sunday, news from The Inquirer announced that they’re buying the home behind them on Rittenhouse Square. Per the article, that’ll allow them to accommodate about 40 – 50 more people at what they’re saying will be a “higher-end chefs table.” ETA is next summer!
Harper 2.0 |📍113-119 S. 19th St
The OG Cavanaugh’s and other businesses on Sansom by 19th Street are long gone to make way for Pearl Properties‘ Harper 2.0. Completion is a LONG way off: at the current rate of construction, which is nil for the moment.
Holy Guacamole |📍1722 Sansom St
Well, that was (thankfully) fast – 1722 Sansom traded spits for dips as Holy Guacamole signaled they’re gliding into the former Villakebabs & Platters space! The eatery for Mediterranean and traditional Afghan food (and platters, of course) closed up shop in August with a mention of new owners, who are bringing us another option for our Mexican food cravings. And it looks like they are putting in some serious renovations to make it look good too!
We’re going to take them at their word (posted on the door) and say they’re coming soon.
Liquorette |📍1534 Sansom St
Sometimes, when you plan to launch a “quirky wine bar” aka the lovely Wine Dive on the first floor, you may also plan to launch a bar bar on the second floor that’s a “high-end, technique-driven cocktail bar that’s inspired by luxury European cocktail bars.” ETA is late 2025, even possibly 2026 as the owners are focused on launching Wine Dive and reopening Sonny’s Cocktail Joint.
Lululemon Expansion | 📍1718 Walnut St
Not only are new businesses arriving, and some shifting into larger spaces, we’re now also seeing the beginning of what may be a new trend: expansion! And setting the way is none other than Lululemon whose landlord, according to the Business Journal, is actively engaged in helping us get some extra Lululemon love by allowing next-door neighbor Indochino to exit their lease early AND helped find them their new digs at 1519 Walnut St aka the former home to Bonobos. ETA is 2026 should this be the plan.
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. They’re working on it (literally) now so ETA is now soon!
Matcha Panda |📍2033 Chestnut St
In great news for matcha lovers, Matcha Panda is lumbering into the former Black Market CBD and Kraton store. So it’s a different kind of chill! And this off-shoot of the Chinatown OG will not only have matcha, it also offers cream puffs, crepe cakes, and more to tempt any diet plans you may have. ETA has been moved to November.
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. Permits and zoning notices are up on the building but we’re thinking we won’t have some McNuggets to nibble on until late 2026, maybe even later, as construction has not begun.
Mighty Bread Company | 📍1644 Pine St
Moan no more because coming to one of the most charming townhomes on one of the most charming streets is no other than South Philly’s Mighty Bread Company! Rising in the former J’aime bakery location, this off-shoot of Mighty Bread, the bakery known for delicious small-batch baked goods like, obv, bread, but also tomato pies, morning buns, and more – will all be available right here in the neighborhood. ETA is November!
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 moving into the former Brooks Brothers. This much larger, bi-level space will give them plenty of room to give us even more of want we want – more Birds & Phillies merch! ETA is Spring 2026.
Mr. Edison |📍 200 S Broad St
The Bellevue‘s return to being the Grand Dame includes a brand new restaurant, Mr. Edison from famous restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow. It’s sliding into the former Polo store on Walnut and keep Flight Club Darts, which is across the street, company. ETA is 2026.
Palm Vintage | 📍 1414 S Penn Sq
The area around City Hall is beginning to see serious activity, judging by the number of new businesses springing up. One of them is Palm Vintage, a coffee by day, sushi by night spot that is launching in the former Waterfront (?!) Gourmet Deli. Nestled next to La Colombe at the base of the Ritz-Carleton Residences (whose residents get a front-row seat to every event at City Hall), this spot should see some serious traffic this Holiday season as they open up early December! And our deepest thanks to fellow Power Rambler Jess for the intel – we appreciate you!
Pine Street Grill |📍2227 Pine St
We have a name! Pine Street Grill is on its way from Her Place Supper Club and My Loup’s owners Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemp aka Libbie Loup Hospitality that will be launching in the former Italian Cotoletta space. ETA is late 2025 so we’ll keep an eye out!
Stephen Starr’s 3rd Restaurant on the Square | 📍225 S. 18th St
As Borromini preps for its day in the sun, Stephen Starr is turning his attention (and stellar crew, we’re sure) to the former Devon Seafood space. And if you ever had the chance to go to Devon, you probably remember the beautiful arches, the ceiling print, the tiles, and the expansive space in the back, down the steps – it was a story and vibe in itself. No name, no concept but rumors are now split between American, Japanese, and seafood. ETA is 2026 for both it’s (hopeful) arrival and cuisine confirmation!
The Tox Technique | 📍1921 Walnut St
As Zillow Gone Wild would say, you never know what’s going on behind a facade. Because behind the doors of the former Equinox showroom, you can see NYC’s The Tox Technique, a body sculpting and wellness brand is setting up shop. We’ve reached out for an ETA but based on the fact that their booking page is live and the interior is looking very sharp, we’re thinking it’s soon!
Uchi | 📍 1620 Sansom St
The award-winning, Austin-based restaurant Uchi is coming to the Josephine, and construction is moving! Their Miami and other locations look stunning, and they’ve hired the same designers whose creativity can be seen at Schulson’s restaurants. We’re OBSESSIVELY tracking the construction and we’re happy to hear that they’re planning on a mid November opening!
Unnamed Diner | 📍1526 Sansom St
Upon Glu Hospitality’s closing of Bagel & Co and Chika Ramen, No Name Hospitality snapped up the leases. With Bagel & Co now Shay’s Steaks and More, we’re now just waiting to see who moves into the ex-Chika Ramen restaurant that’ll apparently be an “old-school” diner open until 3am on the weekends, joining a growing number of desired late late-night/early morning options in the neighborhood. ETA was this year but haven’t seen anything announced just yet.
Unnamed Italian Bakery @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
Good news: Every commercial space within The Josephine is taken! And next to the incredible-sounding Uchi will be a Philly-based Italian bakery, which will continue to make Sansom between 16th and 17th pretty awesome. ETA is TBD and we’re hoping we hear (or see) something soon!
Unnamed Sports Bar @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
LET’S GO SPORTS BAR! Apparently, the entire 2nd floor of The Josephine will be a known-brand name sports bar. ETA was originally this year although we haven’t heard anything about it recently so keeping our fingers crossed for something super exciting!
Unnamed Residential Project | 📍26 S. 21st St
The recent project added to the residential construction projects in (slow) progress: A 200-luxury apartment building is being planned for a current parking lot, and:
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 were planning to break ground in 2025.
WineDive | 📍1534 Sansom St
It took a while, but all good things come to those who wait. Luckily, our wait for the uptown WineDive will be done as of November 6th – their official opening date, in the former Nails by Anna D space. The Philly Inquirer also shared that they are thinking of reopening the original location, along with other tidbits about WineDive 2.0.
Know of anything else coming or in the works? Shoot us an email at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com so we can watch their progress together!
