Pudding Down Roots: Magnolia Bakery Will Soon Be Rising Near 17th & Walnut
The NYC born iconic bakery is bringing their cupcakes and banana pudding to 204 S 17th St, the space’s third dessert act, with a spring 2027 opening planned.
The former Chip City storefront at 17th & Walnut has been sitting quietly since June.
Turns out it was just waiting for the right batter to come along. And boy, did it rise to the occasion: Magnolia, the West Village legend behind THOSE cupcakes and THAT banana pudding, has signed a lease at 204 S 17th St for its very first Philadelphia store, per the Philadelphia Business Journal.
If any location has earned its sprinkles, it’s this one. For about 13 years it was Miel Patisserie, the French cafe go-to for croissants, cakes, and macarons. Then Chip City Cookies took the baton in August 2024 before closing this June. (Fun small-world fact: Chip City co-founder Peter Phillips is also the mind behind Somedays Bakery, which just opened two blocks away at 1601 Walnut. Clearly the man knows his audience.)
Croissants, then cookies, and now cupcakes AND banana pudding. This particular store clearly has a type.
Cupcakes, Banana Pudding & a Philly Pour
Magnolia’s story began in 1996 in Manhattan’s West Village, and it’s since grown to nearly two dozen locations around the world. It’s been franchising in the U.S. since last year, which is how we got so lucky. The Rittenhouse shop will be just under 1,200 square feet with four or five seats, so snag one if you can. Otherwise, a bench in the Square makes a very respectable dining room.
The lineup will include their well-known cupcakes, cakes, and banana pudding, plus brownies, cookies, and cheesecakes for anyone who likes to keep their options open (always us). Coffee will come from Philly’s own La Colombe, so the New Yorkers are at least pouring local.
The Franchise Duo Who Went Bananas for Magnolia
The shop will be run by franchisees Jake Klein and John Candela, two North Jersey natives. They considered a few brands before landing on Magnolia, mostly because they had such sweet memories of visiting its New York shops as kids. Klein told the Business Journal they wanted “something that we were passionate about,” and we have to say, cupcakes are a very easy thing to be passionate about.
Rittenhouse’s Sweet Streak
As Magnolia CEO Nathan Louer told the Business Journal, “You’ve got to be in Rittenhouse.” We’re not about to argue. The neighborhood’s bakery scene has been on a serious roll this year. Somedays Bakery just started turning out croissants at 1601 Walnut, and Sweet Mousse is plating mousse cakes and crepes over on South Street. They join local favorites like The Sugary, turning out cakes, cupcakes and cookies at 251 S 21st St, and The Bakeshop on 20th at 269 S 20th St (home of The Brookie and the very on-brand Rittenhouse brownie). And if you’re up near Arch, Vernick Coffee Bar’s pastry counter at the Comcast Technology Center is worth the detour.
ETA for our Magnolia is spring 2027, and we’ll keep you looped in on ALL the construction updates. In the meantime, tell us your go-to Magnolia order!
