The Champagne Toast Edition: December’s Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & Focus On The Future
Five new businesses popped like champagne corks in December, eight more are queued up for 2026, and Mac Mart’s proof that the best pivots are the ones you see coming.
December didn’t just close out the year—it arrived with the energy of someone who actually finished their holiday shopping well before December 23rd.
This month delivered a quintet of fresh faces that made Rittenhouse’s end-of-year lineup feel less like winding down and more like gearing up. From high-energy dance cardio that disguises itself as a nightclub to craft coffee from West Philly, December’s arrivals span the full spectrum of what makes this neighborhood tick: places that give us legitimate excuses to leave the house during the winter.
In the “plot twist” category, Mac Mart closed their storefront but it’s not a farewell—it’s a strategic pivot to kiosk life, proving that sometimes bigger isn’t always better (a lesson many of us learn after attempting to parallel park on Walnut Street).
The pipeline? SO stuffed. Like a properly filled champagne flute, actually. Eight – eight! – new concepts officially joined our watch list that includes everything from caviar bars to bathhouse experiences, modern Vietnamese cuisine to fine jewelry. The variety reads like Rittenhouse’s version of a very ambitious New Year’s resolution list—and we’re here for all of it.
This month’s roundup:
- What Closed (But Not Really): Mac Mart traded their full storefront for kiosk life, because sometimes less square footage means more flexibility—and we respect that.
- Who Unpacked Their Boxes: 305 Fitness transformed the former Physique57 spac, Banshee finally opened from the Cheu/Bing Bing team. Hayden Boutique brought contemporary fashion to a former florist’s studio, Madis Coffee Roasters made good on their promise and opened at The Element Hotel. And Pine Street Grill delivered the neighborhood restaurant concept we didn’t know we desperately needed.
- What’s Wrapped But Not Yet Under The Tree: Bar Caviar is bringing us lux vibes, Bathhouse promises a wellness experience we’ve never seen, Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese will add to our growing Southeast Asian food scene, Mac Mart’s kiosk relocation keeps them in the game, OlfactoryNYC will let us smell good while we look good, Rally House joins the sports retail lineup, Vrai is bringing its lab-grown diamonds, and a mixed-income residential project at the former Philadelphia Housing Authority site rounds out the list.
Unwrap the details below and feel free to email us (rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com) if you spot something we missed or even a typo —we appreciate you!
Fond Farewells :
Mac Mart | 📍104 S 18th St
After 10 years Rittenhouse’s one and only mac ‘n’ cheese destination, Mac Mart, has officially closed its 18th Street storefront—but don’t panic! They’re pulling a full-circle moment and moving to the kiosk at the corner of 18th & Arch next month. So it’s less “goodbye” and more “see you at the corner” as it moves onto the same block as the Comcast Technology Center, and directly across from the Arch Street Starbucks.
Friendly Hellos:
305 Fitness | 📍1623 Walnut St
The NYC-based workout that’s been packing studios since 2012 softly opened at 1623 Walnut Street, taking over the former Physique57 space. Where Physique57 focused on precise, ballet-inspired barre movements, 305 Fitness is all about letting loose and moving however feels good. And yes, we said live DJs—as in, actual DJs spinning at every single class while you sweat. See all the deets here.
Banshee |📍1600 South St
Beloved local fave Tio Flores may be gone but the team behind shuttered favorites Cheu Fishtown and Bing Bing Dim Sum have a new baby! Meet Banshee, a cozy, modern American bistro. It features chef-driven Mediterranean/Basque cuisine with in a warm, Scandinavian-inspired space—think grown-up vibes with natural wood, pendant lighting, and a glowing bar as the centerpiece.
Hayden Boutique |📍 403 S 16th Street
That was fast! The former home of floral store Avanda’s Flowers is now home to something equally pretty: curated women’s shop Hayden Boutique! Hayden offers a curated assortment of women’s clothes, Eagles items (because, of course) accessories, pet toys, and gift ideas – so fun stuff!
Madis Coffee Roasters | 📍1441 Chestnut St
The long-empty, never-been-occupied space in The Element hotel is no more as West Philly fave Madis Coffee Roasters has officially moved in! And this Madis location is lovely – spacious, bright with their signature indoor tree. They source and brew their own beans so the coffee is uniquely their’s, and situated close to Dilworth Park plus both The Element and The W you know it’s going to be a hit.
Pine Street Grill |📍2227 Pine St
Pine Street Grill, the new local hot spot brought to you by power couple chefs Amanda Shulman (Her Place Supper Club) and Alex Kemp (My Loup), has officially opened in the former Italian restaurant Cotoletta space. The vibe, we hear is comfortable and restrained with white stamped-metal ceilings, and the menu is all classics. They keep half the dining room for reservations and half for walk-ins, because sometimes you just need eggplant parm at that very moment, which we deeply appreciate.
Focus on the Future:
Ayat |📍2021-23 Sansom St
The New York to Philly (and vice versa) love continues with the eventual arrival 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 in many, many months, so ETA is very TBD.
Bar Caviar | 📍256 S. 16th St
File this in news that would have thrilled Robin Leach if he was still with us – Per The Inquirer, Rittenhouse is getting its own champagne wishes and caviar dreams fulfilled as boutique hotel The Dwight D will be debuting Bar Caviar. An intimate hotel set in an 1840s row home, The Dwight D will be offering a wide array of champagne bottles and by the glass, varieties of caviar, oysters and crudo, plus small plates. We’re thinking they may transform the living room but either way, we know it’ll be gorgeous, and a GREAT addition to an area that has Monk’s Cafe, Enswell, Super Folie, and Weckerlys in close proximity to each other. ETA is Spring!
Bathhouse | 📍1414 Walnut St
Walnut by Broad had been empty for some time before Flight Club Darts opened up this past Spring, joined later by 7th Avenue. But the scaffolding around The Bellevue is down, construction for Mr. Edison continues and in other great news, New York wellness cult favorite Bathhouse will be coming to town!
Moving into the beautiful and over 5-years empty Tiffany’s location, who moved JUST prior to Covid to the former Zara spot (please come back!) Bathhouse isn’t your average spa where you sip cucumber water and whisper—this is a full-contact wellness experience with eight thermal pools ranging from brutal cold plunges to scalding hot pools, saunas including a Russian-style Banya and a steam room with a starry ceiling that makes you feel like you’re sweating under the cosmos. We had seen construction underway back in July so 2026 is VERY likely. But if they bring even half of what makes the New York spots special—the communal energy, the results-driven treatments, the fact that day passes start at just $39—we’re in for a serious (and welcomed!) wellness option.
Biederman’s | 📍276 S 20th St
Expanding on the caviar kiosk outside The Four Seaons, Lauren Biederman is bringing her hand-sliced smoked fish empire to Rittenhouse early next year, claiming the iconic corner that once housed Audrey Claire, and then Charley Dove. Expect smoked salmon, sable, gravlax, caviar, bagels, and lox – basically everything your bubbe would approve of, now a five-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square instead of a schlep to South Philly. ETA is Spring 2026, so the kiosk at 19th and Arch until then is still your best bet.
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 so thinking 2026 may be in the cards.
Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese | 📍 2015 Walnut St
After a decade of serving tacos that somehow made sense with Peking duck and Korean BBQ (the food truck era was wild, you guys), the Philly Inquirer shared that owner Carolyn Nguyen is closing Revolution Taco in January to open something she’s been wanting: Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese. The concept is Cajun Vietnamese food from her Louisiana (!!) childhood, and seems like the culinary equivalent of Beyoncé dropping Lemonade after years of giving us what we thought we wanted, so we’re excited. ETA is January!
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 —as the photos show— but an infusion of investment capital means we’re seeing signs of life (i.e, construction equipment moving in) at the long-dormant location. ETA is likely late 2027/early 2028 but don’t hold us to it.
Jabal Coffee House | 📍1524 Chestnut St
Philly is beginning to see an influx of Yemeni coffee shops, and fortunately Rittenhouse will be getting 2, one of them being Jabal Coffee House. Jabal specializes in premium Yemeni-grown coffee blends sourced directly from Yemen’s high-altitude mountains—the name translates to “mountain” in Arabic—and the cafes are distinctive.
Yemeni cafes are distinctive for their beautiful designs, late hours, spiced coffee drinks, and desserts ranging from kunafa cheesecake to chocolate-dipped cakes. So expect a luxurious coffee experience that’s designed as a destination and community space. ETA is 2026.
Liquorette |📍1534 Sansom St
Sometimes when you open a quirky wine bar (aka WineDive) downstairs, you go full Jekyll and Hyde and open a high-end cocktail bar upstairs. One that’s a “high-end, technique-driven cocktail bar inspired by luxury European cocktail bars.” ETA to be in love is early 2026!
Lululemon Expansion | 📍1718 Walnut St
It’s official – Lululemon is expanding into the space previously occupied by its next-door neighbor Indochino! Given that construction is notoriously disruptive we hear from fellow Rambler Josh that there are plans to move Lululemon temporarily to 1515 Walnut while they build out a new flagship for us. ETA is 2026 (fingers AND toes are crossed!)
Mac Mart Kiosk | 18th & Arch St
As mentioned earlier in this post, Mac Mart – the brand that went from food truck to a storefront – is moving on over to the former newsstand kiosk at the corner of 18th & Arch, right down the street from the Biederman’s Caviar kiosk which is on 19th & Arch. Honestly, we couldn’t think of a better use of a newsstand kiosk if we tried, and excited to have a grab-and-go option on that corner.
Matcha Panda |📍2033 Chestnut St
In great news for matcha lovers, Matcha Panda is lumbering into the former Black Market CBD and Kratom 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 is January due to unforeseen circumstances (we’re speculating inspection delays as they continue to be a challenge.)
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 McNibble on until late 2026, maybe even 2027, as construction has not begun.
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 and based on the work we’re seeing in progress, it looks like they’ll hit that goal.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries | 📍2101 Market St
The 2nd of the Yemini coffee shops coming is MOTW Coffee. Born from an Instagram initiative called “Muslims of the World” during the owner’s college days at Butler University, the project became a platform for sharing stories across the global Muslim community, and evolved into a coffee shop. The menu leans into specialty lattes, iced refreshers, traditional chai, and Arabic pastries, blending premium coffee culture with cultural authenticity. So..options! ETA is 2026 and we’ll share deets as soon as we know more.
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. We heard construction is moving so we’re holding out hope for a launch in 2026.
O’Morreys | 📍1720 Sansom St
Chef Kenjiro Omori and partner Biff Gottehrer – who first worked together as sous chefs at Dandelion about a decade ago – are reuniting to launch O’Morrey’s, and the backstory is the kind of full-circle moment. The building once housed Genji, a Japanese restaurant Omori’s parents ran for nearly 30 years, where he worked as a dishwasher, and most recently was home to General Tsao’s House. Now he’s taking over the family space with a name that’s part homage, part inside joke – just throw an apostrophe in “Omori” and shuffle the spelling. The concept is elevated bar food paired with a curated cocktail program.
ETA is Spring 2026!
OlfactoryNYC | 📍1501 Walnut St
In great news for the space on Walnut that’s been empty since a Septa bus crashed into it, OlfactoryNYC is moving in! The brand that takes over from Redwing who declined to come back, it offers a hands-on, customizable perfume-making experience where you can create unique scents and personalize pretty much everything: the name, label, and possibly even the bottle!
We’ve reached out for an ETA so we’ll keep you informed but thinking it’s definitely a 2026 opening!
Palm Vintage | 📍 1414 S Penn Sq
The area around City Hall is transforming into an unexpected hotspot, and Palm Vintage might be one of the best additions yet. Opening in the former Waterfront Gourmet Deli space, this dual-concept spot comes from the same team behind the new Fushimi sushi counter at the Shops at Liberty Place.
From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., it’s a straightforward cafe serving pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and coffee. Then at 4 p.m., it pulls a Clark Kent-to-Superman move and transforms into an island-inspired cocktail and sushi lounge, complete with caviar, oysters, and light bites until 10 p.m. The tropical motif promises a relaxed escape, which we could use in this cold winter weather!
ETA was December but, based on our peek inside, it’s looking like a (hopefully!) January debut.
Rally House | 📍1628-36 Chestnut St
FINALLY! The good-looking Rite Aid with the vaulted ceilings and chandeliers has a tenant and it’s none other than Rally House, the sports apparel and fan gear temple per the Business Journal.
Because it’s a historical site there won’t be any changes to the exterior so, as you can see from the renderings they shared with the city, it’ll look pretty much the same as it always has. On the inside though, we’re sure it will be filled with a TON of sports and Philly merchandise. Which is exactly what you’d expect and want from your local Rally House. With this and Mitchell & Ness making it’s way over to this side of Broad, we’re going to quickly run out of excuses to not have new sports gear.
ETA is TBD but thinking…maybe in time for Spring Training?
Sev Laser | 📍1525 Chestnut St
Moving into the space right next to the Five Guys Burger and Fries that may have been on Chestnut since the prior decade is or was Sev. A boutique med-spa with locations throughout the country and the closest one to here in Fishtown, it’s moving into the Pomerantz building that has been vacant for over 18 years (!!). One of our fave RE people JackPhillyRE noted that SEV may be canceled, but we saw that it’s still slated as coming in CCD’s recent Retail Report. We’re going to leave it here until we know more, however, it’s worth noting that their name is not visible on the building anymore..
Starr’s 3rd Restaurant on the Square | 📍225 S. 18th St
As Borromini enjoys its day in the sun, Stephen Starr is turning his attention (fingers crossed!) 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. ETA is 2026 for both it’s (hopeful) arrival and cuisine confirmation!
Teddy Sourias Japanese Project | 📍1525 Market St
Back in spring of last year the Philadelphia Inquirer shared that Crafts Concept Group hospitality owner Teddy Sourias was planning a restaurant that was equal parts nightlife spectacle and serious Japanese-inspired cuisine:
Sourias is eyeing more glitz at 1515 Market in Penn Center. He first saw the potential of the area nearly a decade ago, when he opened the initial incarnation of Uptown Beer Garden in the BNY Mellon Bank Center courtyard. (Uptown relocated to its current, permanent location in 2021.) The restaurant, near 16th Street, will spill out into a 4,000-square-foot patio, adjacent to Uptown. Sourias said he wanted to open for lunch in addition to dinner, because “there’s nothing around there.
It’s great to see this restaurant in progress, and just a bit fashionably late, as all good nightlife projects should be. Name and ETA TBD, but it’s looking great!
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 2025 but haven’t seen anything announced just yet.
Unnamed Italian Bakery @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
Joining recently opened Uchi at the base of the apartment building The Josephine is rumored to 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 about this project soon!
Unnamed Sports Bar @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St
LET’S GO SPORTS BAR! The entire 2nd floor of The Josephine is slated to host an upscale sports bar. ETA was originally 2025 but we haven’t heard anything about it in quite some time. Keeping our fingers crossed for new news soon!
Unnamed Residential Project | 📍2102 Chestnut St
Last year we were super excited when the wrecking ball took down the old Philadelphia Housing Authority building that had been there for about 20 years(although may the Teletubbies art RIP). Then things just stayed quiet for a year until this month a NEW project with mixed-income apartments, commercial space, and a roof deck was announced.
Seriously, this space has survived literally everything: a 2016 partnership announcement, a pandemic, construction cost chaos, and financing drama that would make a Netflix true-crime series. Now, they’re actually talking construction timelines, which feels like believing in Santa again. ETA for breaking ground is early 2026!
Unnamed Residential Project | 📍2204 Walnut St
It looks like, after a long period of hiatus, the new residential project at 2204 Walnut may be moving next year. 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 (yeah, not ideal, but progress is progress. ETA TBD.
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 a 16,000-square-foot ground-floor retail space (!!) There’s no current ETA but they were planning to break ground in 2025. So very TBD.
Vita Sana | 📍2319 Walnut St
Vita Sana PHL, a healthy fast-casual restaurant, is opening right next door in the space formerly occupied by Good Karma Cafe, next to CityCoHo. Think açaí bowls, fresh salads, wraps, and coffee; basically everything you need to fuel those long work sessions without having to venture far from your desk. The Fitler Focus has more deets here and ETA is January!
Vrai | 📍132 S 17th St
The 2nd floor shop at 132 S 17th St across from Gomo Nails has had more costume changes than a Broadway understudy but we think it’s finally found it’s perfect tenant with high-end jewelry brand Vrai moving in! This will be the 10th location for the global and celebrity-loved brand that’s known for its lab-grown diamonds. ETA is Spring 2026 and you can get more deets on them here.
Spotted something we missed? Have intel on any of these projects, or new ones coming into the neighborhood? Hit us at rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com so we can track its progress, together!
