The Breakfast Club Edition: September’s Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & Focus on the Future

September proved Rittenhouse doesn’t need a hall pass: 12 businesses showed up for their first day, 5 heard their last bell, and 7 businesses graduated to open.

You know the premise (yes, you do!)

Five kids who would apparently never share a lunch table get stuck in the same Saturday detention. There’s the brain (Brian), the athlete (Andrew, the wrestler), the basket case (Allison, who says nothing for hours and then says EVERYTHING), the princess (Claire, obviously the pretty queen of the school), and the bad boy (John, who spends the whole day making trouble). By the time they walk out, they’ve figured out they have a little bit of all the things.

September’s new class is kind of like that. There’s a brain: a romance bookstore, plus two brand-new study halls, since Blank Street and the refreshed Capital One Café are both basically begging you to bring your laptop. There’s an athlete, or at least an athlete’s recovery plan, with three saunas and three pools under the Bellevue, and a gym membership for your teeth (yes, really). The princesses are out in full force this month, between Sephora’s glow-up, a fresh blowout at Artur Kirsh, a new outfit from Hayden, gold chandeliers and a Yemeni coffee at Haraz, and a sushi dinner Claire would absolutely approve of. And the bad boys? One has broken off to offer the neighborhood a unique cuisine on Walnut, and the other stays open until midnight, so curfew is officially optional. The basket case? That has to be us, because we’ve been a bit dizzy keeping track of everything.

So here’s the roll call for September:

• Don’t You (Forget About Me): Hangry Joe’s and Square on Square / Heng Feng both left 20th Street, Mix Bar & Grill closed out 18 years at 21st & Chestnut, and the Starbucks at 22nd & South was cut in the chain’s latest round. Shay’s Steaks also wrapped its run at 16th & Race, and Black Sheep is still on the mend, with February as the unofficial ETA.

• The Breakfast Club: Carolyn’s, Haraz, Blank Street, Bathhouse, Wally, Zac’s Halal, Page Burners, and Artur Kirsh all reported for their first day, while Hayden moved over to Walnut. Sephora and Capital One Café came back from summer break looking refreshed, and Palm Vintage signed up for night classes.

• Saturday Detention: The pipeline slimmed from 37 to 34 as seven names graduated to open, and four new students signed in. Alpha Fit Club is headed to 23rd & Chestnut, Gregg’s of Philadelphia is taking Hayden’s old desk on 16th, a mysterious Neighborhood Bar lit up the former Shiroi Hana, and the Bar 1010 team is giving Mix a makeover. The Pelican Club, however, got held over until January.

When comparing all this with last month, openings more than doubled, from 5 to 12, while farewells held steady at 5. And after swelling from 34 to 37 in August, the pipeline finally thinned out as seven names moved from “coming soon” to “come on in.” Even better, the goodbyes aren’t staying empty for long: Mix already has a new team lined up, and Shay’s is hunting for a new spot nearby.

And a few trends emerged: The caffeine crowd got its fix this month with Haraz and Blank Street, and now the pipeline is pouring something a little stronger. The Almanac team at the old Franklin Mortgage, the new Neighborhood Bar, the Bar 1010 crew, Bar Caviar, Liquorette, and O’Morrey’s make six cocktail-forward spots on deck, seven if the Josephine sports bar ever happens. The wellness crowd keeps enrolling too. Bathhouse is open, and City Heat, Alpha Fit Club, HiLo House, Together, and Pvolve are all on the way, so there’s truly NO excuse to skip gym class. None whatsoever (screams to self.)

Meanwhile, the big-name restaurants are taking the long way to school: Pelican Club moved to January, The Ruxton to 2027, and Ayat to November. But October is already packed, with Gregg’s, City Heat, KYN, Rothy’s, 7th Street Burger, and Somedays all eyeing next month. Some of them were even hoping to squeeze in before the bell.

Read on below for the full rundown, and as always, tips, intel, and typo catches go to rittenhouseramblings@gmail.com. We appreciate you!

---

Fond Farewells That Are Temporary:

Black Sheep | 📍247 S 17th St

One of Rittenhouse’s most beloved pubs had a rough night back in May. Actually, make that two rough nights. Per 6ABC, crews were first called to The Black Sheep around 9PM that Monday. Then at 2AM (because apparently the universe wasn’t done), the fire briefly rekindled, forcing crews to return. Basically, it was a terrible fire, and while they were hoping to open in July, it’s NOT ready.

The unofficial ETA we’re hearing is February, but to stay on top of any new developments be sure to follow their Insta here.

Fond Farewells:

Hangry Joe’s | 📍28 S 20th St

Oh man: it looks like Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken has quietly closed. The Nashville hot chicken franchise opened in June 2024 in the former Chix & Bowls space, giving the neighborhood its very first dedicated hot chicken spot. And it was a fun one! There were seven levels of heat, topping out at an “Angry Hot” that (apparently) came with a waiver.

For the past few weeks, though, we haven’t seen it open, even during peak lunch and dinner hours. The location is also gone from the franchise site, even though Yelp and Google still list it as open.

We’re hoping the team is okay and landed somewhere good. Thank you for bringing something new (and very, very spicy) to 20th Street while you were here!

Mix Bar & Grill | 📍2101 Chestnut St

After 18 years at the base of RiverWest, Mix Bar & Grill is passing the torch. The corner spot opened back in 2008 and became the go-to for brick-oven pizza and wings, and that big front patio also made it a popular outside spot on Chestnut Street.

The good news? The corner shouldn’t stay dark for long. Per The Philly Insider, the team behind Northern Liberties’ Bar 1010 is taking over and plans a quick, seamless transition, with key kitchen staff expected to stay on. The new concept is still unnamed, but it’ll build on Bar 1010’s playbook with a cocktail-focused program, globally influenced pizzas, and a bigger appetizer menu.

Timing depends on the liquor license transfer making its way through the PLCB, so we’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks for 18 years of slices and happy hours, Mix, you were the absolute best!

Shay’s Steaks | 📍200 N 16th St

After a two-and-a-half-year run at the base of Franklin Tower Residences, the original Shay’s Steaks closed its OG location on September 23rd, going out with a food-and-drink giveaway on its last evening. That makes it two for two, since its Rittenhouse offshoot on Sansom closed back in May, and that space is now empty as it waits for its reincarnation as a ghost kitchen.

The good news for cheesesteak fans is that Shay’s may not be gone for good: per The Inquirer, the shop expects to relocate nearby and is close to signing a new lease. We’ll keep an eye out for where they land next!

Square on Square/Heng Feng | 📍274 S 20th St

The “Available” signs are up at 274 S 20th, which means Heng Feng Rittenhouse (or Square On Square for those who remember) has closed after about seven years on the block. It took over the former Szechuan & Hunan, a Thai-Chinese spot, back in 2019. Since then it’s been the neighborhood’s go-to for hand-drawn noodles, dim sum, and scallion pancakes, open seven days a week, and it saved a lot of us the trek to Chinatown when a dumpling craving hit.

The space is now listed with Keller Williams, so no word yet on what’s next, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks for all the noodles, Heng Feng!

Starbucks | 📍2201 South St

Pour one out for the team at the 22nd & South Starbucks, the latest casualty of the coffee giant’s nationwide store closures. Per the Philadelphia Business Journal, it’s one of three area stores in the company’s latest round of cuts, after Starbucks announced it’s closing 250 “underperforming” locations across the U.S. This one already shows as closed as of Sunday.

If this feels like déjà vu, it’s because the last wave was almost exactly a year ago and took out six Philly stores, four of them in our neighborhood: 1801 Spruce, 1709 Chestnut, and two on Market Street. The good news is the Rittenhouse spaces didn’t sit empty for long. 1801 Spruce is now Blank Street, and 1709 Chestnut is on deck for PopUp Bagels, so here’s hoping this corner (and those Market Street spots) finds new tenants soon.

Sending our love to the South Street crew. You were the best, and we hope you land at one of our new cafes!

Friendly Hellos:

Artur Kirsh Salon at Boyds | 📍1818 Chestnut St

Last month we peeked in and found it a strand or two away from done. Now Artur Kirsh Salon is officially open on the fourth floor of Boyds, and they specialize in color and dry cutting. Also, the natural light up there is no joke, so plan on a post-blowout selfie (or five).

Appointments can be made here!

Bathhouse | 📍1418 Walnut St

NYC export Bathhouse is officially open, and getting there is half the fun. You walk in through the old Tiffany storefront and then head down into the Bellevue’s basement, which, tbh, is kind of neat! Our invite to the preview must have gotten lost in the steam room, but The Inquirer has a great look at what they’ve done with all 36K square feet. There are three saunas (one’s a Russian banya!), three pools, a steam room, and even massages if you book ahead.

Oh, and a rooftop terrace with its own pool is coming in early 2027. Catch up on the whole saga here.

Blank Street | 📍1801 Spruce St

Yay, 18th & Spruce has coffee again! It’s been almost exactly a year since the Starbucks left, and Blank Street moved in with curved banquettes, terrazzo tables, and a window bar facing 18th. It’s the kind of spot where you say you’ll stay 10 minutes and you’re still there an hour later.

See our full deep dive here!

Capital One Café | 📍135 S 17th St

Our Capital One Café is back, and tbh, we’re not sure about the bank part, but it looks and feels like a genuine café plus co-working space! The team reconfigured things to look more like some of their NYC locations, with more communal seating and smaller tables scattered throughout. It’s much more open when you walk in now, with the checkout counter off to the side, and it definitely makes a world of difference.

Doors are open and the team you know and love is back, pup cups (and more!) included. Super Rambler Josh Newy already dropped by to say hi!

Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese | 📍2015 Walnut St

The awning at 2015 Walnut isn’t black anymore; it’s mint green! After 10 years of Revolution Taco in that exact space, chef and owner Carolyn Nguyen has reopened with her name front and center: Carolyn’s. The signage sums it up pretty elegantly: Vietnamese Heritage. Louisiana Roots. French Café Spirit. Carolyn grew up in Amelia, Louisiana, a small town where about a third of residents were Vietnamese, and both the food and cocktail menus pull straight from that.

The taco counter is gone, and the space now seats over 30 people, with five spots at the bar and an intimate table at the front window with prime Walnut Street people (and dog!) watching. As a cherry on top, the Revolution Taco crew is still involved, so you’ll likely spot some familiar faces. Get the full look inside here!

Haraz Coffee House | 📍1822 Chestnut St

What was a closed storefront next to Boyds for seven years is now a softly lit, glamorous Yemeni cafe: Haraz Coffee House has opened! It’s bi-level, with a long marble bar, caramel leather seating, pastry cases stocked with everything from almond croissants to Dubai brownies, and plenty of traditional drinks like Mofawar and Adeni tea.

Check out the loveliness that is our second Yemeni cafe (after MOTW) here.

Hayden Boutique | 📍1927 Walnut St

The corner of 20th & Walnut, longtime home of jewelry and gift boutique Tselaine, is alive again as Hayden sashays in! Hayden first opened last December on 16th Street, in the former Avanda’s Flowers space (Avanda’s moved over to 1614 Spruce). Owner Hailey always had her eye on this Walnut corner, but it didn’t work out the first time around, so when it became available, she packed up and moved. (Tselaine, for anyone wondering, went online-only in 2023 after 15 or so years at that very spot.)

With Angela Monaco Jewelry and Casa Vida as neighbors, this stretch of Walnut keeps building its rep as the spot for unique gifts. And Hayden’s old home on 16th won’t sit empty for long, because Gregg’s of Philadelphia is moving in!

Sephora | 📍1714 Chestnut St

Hooray, the Rittenhouse Sephora came back in early September as promised! Our store is a good preview of what’s happening at Sephoras across the country. The beauty studio is now off to the side, and the registers moved to the back, since almost every associate can ring you up on their phone. The store is also organized by category now, like makeup and skincare, though the brand displays are still there.

There is also much, much more merch than ever, so get ready to say good-bye to your money like, now.

Wally Health | 📍1900 Market St, 8th Floor

Okay, this one’s kind of genius. Wally, another NYC transplant, is basically a gym membership but for your teeth. You pay once a year and get unlimited cleanings (with Swiss-made Airflow tech, so no scraping for those of us who aren’t fans), plus whitening, exams, and x-rays, and you don’t need insurance.

Zac’s Halal | 📍104 S 18th St

Can’t decide whether you want a burger, a gyro, hot chicken, or a Maroosh? Luckily, the newly opened Zac’s Halal offers all of the above! It’s from the Delco crew behind Zac’s Hamburgers, and it moved into the former Mac Mart space, so the comfort food lineage on this stretch of 18th lives on (just with fewer noodles!).

Alongside the burgers, gyros, wings, and shakes, there’s a Philly cheesesteak and the Maroosh: marinated chicken, pickles, garlic mayo, and cilantro on a hoagie roll. Doors are open 10:30am to midnight every day, which makes it a solid pick whether you’re trying to decide what you REALLY want for brunch, lunch, dinner, linner, or a late-night snack (as one does).

---

Focus on the Future:

7th Street Burger | 📍1518 Chestnut St

The New York to Philly pipeline shows no signs of slowing down as 7th Street Burger, an NYC smash burger joint that’s built a cult following on no-frills patties, is heading to the former Amma’s space on Chestnut Street. Amma’s, of course, moved to the much larger (and swankier) ex-Max Brenner’s space on 15th, so it’s dosas out, doubles in!

7th Street Burger is known for keeping things simple: smash patties, melty cheese, soft buns, and not much else, but hey, the neighborhood loves classics, and burgers are always a great option for lunch and dinner. It’s moving in near Five Guys and Wendy’s, so… lots of options!

ETA is October!

Alpha Fit Club Philadelphia | 📍2300 Chestnut St

Thanks to Super Rambler Josh Newy for this one! Alpha Fit Club, the Jersey-born group fitness brand that’s basically taken over the Garden State (20+ locations and counting!), is making its way to the corner of 23rd & Chestnut. It started in Westfield, NJ back in 2019, and Philly will be one of its first spots outside of Jersey.

And the building has some serious history! The Philadelphia Design Building started out around 1911 as a row of truck dealerships and repair shops before it became offices in the ’80s. It’s also home to that massive Richard Haas mural on the side of the building, the one with William Penn getting a “repair job.” A gym in a former garage? Honestly, very fitting.

The workout is a coach-led, 60-minute circuit where you rotate through six stations of strength and conditioning work: free weights, cables, turf, TRX, the whole shebang. Classes cap at 24 people, and everything follows a 13-week training cycle, so there’s a plan behind every burpee. Beginners are welcome, too!

ETA is the end of the year. In the meantime, they’re running a sign-up to win a free year of classes, so why not throw your name in?!

Ayat | 📍2021-23 Sansom St

The signs are officially up! More than two years after we first started tracking it, Ayat now has its blade sign hanging over Sansom and a sleek “Always With Purpose” plaque out front of the former Roxy Theater. Peeking in, we can see the Brooklyn-born Palestinian restaurant’s signature greenery climbing toward the back, and the vases are multiplying. There are still boxes and table bases scattered around, but after two-plus years of, um, tracking (never stalking), we’re very hopeful.

Once it’s open, look for classics like maqluba (a six-layer upside-down chicken and rice dish), m’sakhan (sumac chicken on taboon bread), and mezze like hummus and stuffed grape leaves.

ETA is November, per The Inquirer’s fall roundup!

Bar Caviar | 📍256 S. 16th St

We snuck a peek inside The Dwight D’s soon-to-open Bar Caviar, tucked into an 1840s row home on 16th Street, and we may have found our new favorite weeknight excuse. Ken Schutz (sommelier, one half of the couple behind the hotel) is building out a 50-bottle champagne list with 15 pours by the glass. Nonvintage options start at $15, so you can absolutely just come for one glass and a little caviar and call it a Tuesday well spent. Add oysters, crudo, and small plates into the mix, and this is shaping up to be one of the chicer ways to spend an hour (or three) in Rittenhouse.

They’re putting on the final touches and are hoping to open soon!

Call Your Mother | 📍262 S. 19th St

Okay, so we already poured one out for Metropolitan Bakery closing its doors after 32 years, but the space didn’t sit empty for long. Call Your Mother, a popular Washington D.C.-based “Jew-ish” bagel deli (emphasis theirs), is moving in and bringing ALL the energy with it. Think bagel sandwiches, latkes, coffee, and a signature West Palm Beach color scheme: hot pinks and seafoam blues for miles!

The team mentioned they are hoping to open this fall, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed!

Cartolina | 📍1900 Arch St

Nantucket’s easy-breezy energy is officially coming to Rittenhouse-adjacent Logan Square: Cartolina, a Nantucket-born brand known for breezy, travel-inspired women’s clothing, is setting up shop at the base of 1900 Arch apartments.

It’s a big deal, too, because this will be only their third-ever physical store, following flagships on Nantucket and Madison Avenue. And, per their site, 10% of every purchase supports women’s healthcare and education, so it’s easy to feel good about the closet upgrade.

ETA is TBD!

Chase | 📍2200-2202 Market St

Big banking energy (see what we did there?!) is coming to Market St. as Chase moves into what was a 7-Eleven that closed around 2019. The building itself was originally constructed for Girard Bank, so Chase is really just keeping the banking vibes alive. Not exactly a hot new restaurant (sorry guys!) but, hey, having a branch right there is pretty damn convenient for anyone commuting through Market West.

ETA is fall 2026!

City Heat | 📍1650 Arch St

The sweat-it-out crowd is getting a new home base in Rittenhouse-adjacent Logan Square because City Heat, a South Philly hot yoga and fitness studio, is bringing its Hot Room to 1650 Arch! They’re known for Bikram-inspired and Vinyasa hot yoga alongside music-driven fitness classes, plus a “Healing Room” recovery offering for whenever you overdo it.

ETA is October!

Devon & Blakely | 📍1701 Market St

Salad-and-sandwich people of the Market Street lunch shift, you’re going to have to adjust your walking route just a teeny tiny bit as Devon & Blakely is heading one block east!

The NYC export landed at Ten Penn Center back in 2013, taking over the old Pikkles Plus space, and has likely been settling your daily “salad or sandwich?” debate ever since. Now they’re moving into a bigger spot at 17 Market West, aka the former Morgan Lewis building, which is now all apartments. Their current landlord has converted the top ten floors of Ten Penn Center into apartments too, so Devon & Blakely is basically trading one office-to-residential conversion for another.

The new space is under construction now, with the team hoping to be settled in this fall.

Frame | 📍1526 Sansom St

The old Chika Ramen space is finally and literally coming into frame, as Frame is expanding to Rittenhouse. After Chika Ramen shuttered in March 2025, No Name Hospitality grabbed the lease and teased a diner for the space, but Philly Insider confirmed that what’s actually coming is Frame Midtown, while Shay’s Steaks will convert into a ghost kitchen.

ETA was mid-June, then it slipped past that with no word, and it’s been quiet ever since (no, no sign of any construction). But we’ll continue to keep eyes on it!

Friday Saturday Sunday Expansion | 📍261 S 21st St

Our favorite James Beard and Michelin Star-winning restaurant is about to get even harder to get into, but in the best possible way!

Friday Saturday Sunday landed $1.5 million in state funding for its expansion into the building next door at 2048 Rittenhouse Square PLUS adjacent 2046, because, obviously, one rowhouse isn’t enough for the demand, and the plans are bigger than we thought. Now they’re sharing it’s going to be a full multi-level dining experience. Groups of up to 18 guests will move floor to floor for different courses of the tasting menu, an open kitchen, and a dedicated sweets room that Chad and Hanna Williams say doesn’t exist anywhere else on the East Coast. Basically, dessert is getting its own zip code.

The current dining room and Lovers Bar aren’t going anywhere; this is purely additive, to the tune of a $7.5 million project overall. If you’ve ever tried (and failed) to snag a reservation here, the extra space may make it a tiny bit easier.

ETA: TBD, but with the delay (and the total radio silence on construction) now making a lot more sense, we’re just excited to see everything come together!

Gregg’s of Philadelphia | 📍401 S 16th St

Hayden’s old spot on 16th isn’t staying empty for long! Gregg’s of Philadelphia is moving in with curated vintage clothing and timeless goods. And the name has a really sweet story: the shop is named after the owner’s late grandfather, Gregg, who taught them to appreciate quality pieces and the stories they carry.

So if you’ve been hunting for a one-of-a-kind jacket, or just love a good vintage dig, you’ll want to put this one on your calendar. It’s the latest in a string of fun small shops on this corner, too, since it was Avanda’s Flowers before Hayden moved in.

ETA is Saturday, October 3rd!

HiLo House | 📍26 S 20th St

Get psyched as Delco’s HiLo House, named Best Fitness Studio, is headed to Rittenhouse in the former Unite Fitness studio, and we’re already feeling the burn just thinking about it.

HiLo House built its reputation pairing the Lagree Megaformer (think: slow, controlled, muscle-shaking reps) with the VersaClimber (full-body cardio, but vertical, so brace yourself). They just opened a second location in Media and now they’re eyeing a third right here in the neighborhood. They’re going up in the world, quite literally, given the VersaClimber situation.

If you’ve never done either machine, just know that HiLo doesn’t do easy. But based on reviews, that’s exactly the appeal, plus a tight-knit class community that keeps people coming back for more.

ETA is late 2026 / early 2027 per their team!

Jabal Coffee House | 📍1524 Chestnut St

Our third Yemeni (or Yemeni-influenced, like MOTW) coffee shop will be 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. The Rittenhouse location’s renderings look equally gorgeous, as you can see here.

ETA had originally been this year, but we haven’t seen (or heard!) any signs of construction. We’ve reached out to the team (again!) and will keep you all posted!

KYN | 📍1807 Chestnut St

KYN has been playing it coy, but the mysteriously named Korean coffee and desserts shop sliding into the former Taylor Chip spot is percolating toward done.

Peeking in, the setup is fully installed with all the things we love to see in a coffee shop: dual grinders and a proper La Marzocco-style machine. The overall vibe reads chic minimalism in warm wood tones, with black and silver accents, and the logo is super stylish. And per a job posting circulating for baristas, this is shaping up to be Rittenhouse’s first Korean-specific coffee shop.

ETA is early October!

Liquorette | 📍1534 Sansom St

Sometimes when you open a WineDive downstairs, you go full Jekyll and Hyde and open a high-end cocktail bar upstairs, because why not? Liquorette is positioning itself as a “technique-driven cocktail bar inspired by luxury European cocktail bars,” and it’s the perfect contrast: downstairs you’re vibing with natural wine and bagel bites, and upstairs you’d be sipping clarified citrus cocktails that require three types of bitters.

They were originally aiming for 2026, and as of a January mention from Philly Mag, it was still on the “hopefully this year” list, but that’s now the most recent word we’ve got, and it’s been quiet ever since. We think a cocktail bar to balance the cafes isn’t the worst idea, so we’ll work on our manifestation skills.

Keeping our fingers crossed for WineDive to have an upstairs neighbor!

McDonald’s | 📍1604 Chestnut St

In the comeback story nobody asked for but everyone’s into, McDonald’s is plotting its return to Rittenhouse in the old Portabella space. (The menswear shop didn’t close; it just leveled up to a bigger spot a block over, so no drama there.) And after months of the construction stop-and-stare, the crews are BACK! Peeking in, there’s warm wood paneling up along the walls, a glass vestibule framing the entrance, and plenty of ladders, carts, and blue tape all over the place.

ETA is still TBD, but this is the most movement we’ve seen in a long time. Chestnut is fast becoming THE street for burgers, so the Golden Arches need to hurry up and join the party!

Neighborhood Bar | 📍222 S 15th St

Okay, so THIS popped up out of nowhere! Big thanks to Ramblers Bill Conallen and Peggy Bakker for the heads up. Giant glowing “NEIGHBORHOOD BAR” letters are now hanging over the former Shiroi Hana, right next to Good Dog. Shiroi Hana served its last sushi back in January after 41 (!!) years, so it’s nice to see the lights back on.

As for who’s behind it, The Inquirer reported back in March that the owner of Giovani’s Bar & Grill around the corner bought the building, and he’s thinking one vibe downstairs and a different one upstairs. There’s also a liquor license notice in the window with an amusement permit checked off, which usually means TVs and music. Sports bar, maybe? We’ll see!

And is “Neighborhood Bar” the actual name, or just a placeholder? No clue yet, and no ETA either, but we’re keeping a VERY close eye on this one.

O’Morrey’s | 📍1720 Sansom St

This was one of the neatest stories from The Inquirer: 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. The building once housed Genji, a Japanese restaurant Omori’s parents ran for nearly 30 years, and most recently was home to General Tsao’s House. The concept is elevated bar food paired with a curated cocktail program.

ETA was originally this year, but details and signs of construction are scarce.

Philadelphia Golf Club | 📍111 S. 15th St

One flight up from 15th and Chestnut, tucked away in the Packard Grande, is a turquoise-ceilinged hall with carved stone columns and lion heads for door handles (yes, really!). And it’s about to get a VERY modern short game. Philadelphia Golf Club, from the team behind Brooklyn’s Gowanus Golf Club, is moving into the 1924 mezzanine, which has been empty for a few years since its last corporate tenant moved out.

Per the Philadelphia Business Journal, the club will have three TrackMan simulator bays, a PuttView putting green, and 24/7 fob entry, with membership capped at 100. It’s built for golfers who want to practice on their own schedule, and with no staff on site, members (and their guests!) can come and go whenever they like. Take the full tour of this gorgeous space here.

Founding members got their keys on September 25th, and the rest of the membership follows in early October!

PopUp Bagels | 📍1709 Chestnut St

PopUp Bagels is popping up in the former Starbucks space, per the Philadelphia Business Journal, because Chestnut Street’s 2026 hot streak obviously needed a carb infusion.

The Connecticut-born chain is known for its straight-from-the-oven, unsliced bagels that customers grip, rip, and dip into schmears. So if you’ve been treating bagels as a mere cream cheese delivery vehicle, or just love having full control over your bagel-to-schmear ratio, this could be a very welcome addition to your breakfast rotation.

ETA is TBD, but we’ll keep a very close eye on this one!

Pvolve | 📍1735 Market St

Market Street is about to move, literally, as fitness brand Pvolve is flexing its way over. The concept, which Jennifer Aniston has been repping since 2023, focuses on longevity, with class formats ranging from sculpt to cardio to heavy weight training. Basically, a workout that’s designed to build you up for the long haul without wrecking your joints in the process. So, the anti-HIIT!

ETA is late 2026!

Rothy’s | 📍1613 Walnut St

The space went dark this spring after a decade as Pandora, the go-to for every gift-giving occasion on the calendar. Stepping into the void: Rothy’s, the San Francisco-born brand known for knitting flats, loafers, and sneakers out of thread spun from recycled plastic bottles. Comfortable, fashionable, and machine washable on streets built for rambling? We love everything about it.

The construction is done and merch is about to be brought in. So their original ETA of early October is on track!

Somedays Bakery | 📍1601 Walnut St

The paper’s up at the former Republic Bank which, in Philly real estate speak, is basically the Bat-Signal for “something delicious is coming.” And according to The Inquirer, that something is Somedays Bakery, a NYC-based croissant wonderland that’s about to make your (and especially our!) carb-loving heart very, very happy.

See our deep dive here and get excited enough to work up an appetite as their ETA is THIS week!

The Caddie Room | 📍1617 JFK Blvd

The long-dark corner at 16th & JFK is getting a tenant, and, no, it’s NOT another bank! Per the Philadelphia Business Journal, The Caddie Room is taking the former BB&T space at One Penn Center, and the pitch is less sports bar, more “private living room in the middle of Center City.” They’ll have two fully enclosed TrackMan simulators, a putting green, lounge seating between them, and entrance via a pin code. Founding memberships start at $200/month off-peak and $350/month for full access, and they said they’re limiting memberships to around 120.

ETA is early 2027!

The Pelican Club | 📍225 S 18th St

Stephen Starr’s fourth restaurant on the Square, The Pelican Club, is taking over the former Devon Seafood Grill space with a Greek-rooted, Mediterranean concept inspired by the jet-set Mykonos of the Onassis era. By the way, this will be his ninth restaurant in the neighborhood. The man collects Rittenhouse storefronts the way some people collect vinyl (sorry, not sorry)!

And now we know where the name comes from: Starr just shared a photo of Petros the Pelican, the beloved mascot of Mykonos and the inspiration behind the name, snapped by the restaurant’s own Greek chef. More details on the executive chef and the menu are coming in a few weeks.

The original October ETA has moved to next year. Per The Inquirer, they’re aiming for January so they’re not competing with the holiday rush. We’ve got the full story here.

The Ruxton | 📍210 W Rittenhouse Square

If you appreciate a good steakhouse with enough vintage glamour to make Gatsby jealous, this one’s for you. Per the Business Journal, The Ruxton, a Jazz Age-inspired steakhouse from the team behind Loch Bar, is slated to arrive at The Rittenhouse.

Think velvet upholstery, walnut millwork, custom Murano glass chandeliers, and those iconic Rittenhouse Square views that turn dinner into an event. And who doesn’t love dinner and a show?!

ETA is summer 2027!

Tidal Force VR | 📍1510 Chestnut St

Luckily for us, the NYC-to-Philly pipeline is also delivering experiences: Tidal Force VR is taking over the former Kids Foot Locker space with a multiplayer free-roam VR experience where groups of up to 6 battle through custom-built game worlds, per the Business Journal. Think escape room meets laser tag, but make it sci-fi. Between Tidal Force, Sandbox VR, and Time Mission, the neighborhood is quietly building out what might be Philly’s unofficial holodeck district.

ETA is October/November!

Together Athletics | 📍320 S Broad St

Old City’s favorite reformer-and-mat studio is coming for Rittenhouse. Together Athletics was founded by Kate, a former D1 field hockey player, and her husband, and they’ve built a serious following on reformer Pilates, mat sculpt, cardio dance, and power work, all under one very bold claim: Pilates is a sport. We’d like to formally request the debate.

They’re already running two Old City locations plus a seasonal Stone Harbor pop-up, so Rittenhouse would be stop number four, which feels overdue.

The team tells us the ETA is this fall!

Unnamed Concept @Mix Bar & Grill | 📍2101 Chestnut St

The corner of 21st & Chestnut is getting a fresh start! The team behind Northern Liberties’ Bar 1010 is taking over the former Mix Bar & Grill space, and they told us to expect a new cocktail and pizza menu, a light cosmetic touch-up, and a brand-new name. Per The Philly Insider, key kitchen staff are expected to stay on, and the menu will lean into globally influenced pizzas and a bigger lineup of apps. So basically, the patio stays and the pizza gets an upgrade!

ETA is TBD while the liquor license makes its way through the PLCB, but since it’s more of a refresh than a full rebuild, we’re hoping it won’t be long!

Unnamed Concept @The Former Franklin Investment | 📍112 S 18th St

Bar Noir is back!

JK, not really BUT the mystery is solved! Like LeBron bringing his talents out East, the Almanac team is taking their talent over to the West i.e., the west side of Center City as The Philly Insider confirmed in his newsletter.

Almanac is the tiny 23-seat, Japanese-influenced cocktail bar above omakase restaurant Ogawa that landed a James Beard semifinalist nod for Best New Bar this year and made Bon Appétit’s list of America’s best new bars. Back in June, a liquor license quietly transferred into the former home of The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., the speakeasy that helped put Philly on the craft cocktail map back in 2009. Now we know who’s behind it and a bit more about their plans.

Basically, the plan is two floors with two different personalities, and each floor gets its own name. Downstairs will be dark, calm, and intimate, with a cocktail menu built around one theme that could stick around for a year or more. Upstairs will be brighter and livelier, with draft, frozen, nitro, and shaved-ice cocktails that are mostly prepped ahead, so drinks come out fast and bartenders have more time to actually hang with you.

The space has been dark since Franklin moved behind the 1715 Rittenhouse Hotel in 2021, so there’s a lot of work ahead. No name or opening date yet, but we’ll be keeping a VERY close eye on this one.

Unnamed Concept @The Irish Pub Space | 📍2007-11 Walnut St

After four decades of last calls, St. Patrick’s Days, and at least one Rocky cameo, the former Irish Pub finally has a new owner. Dan Tsao, the operator behind Chinatown’s acclaimed EMei, closed on the property in May, drawn here by something very 2026: delivery data showing Rittenhouse was already one of his strongest customer bases. The concept is pending, so in the meantime, take a walk down memory lane to celebrate the next chapter of The Irish Pub here.

The liquor serving permit is up, so: progress! The current ETA is 2027.

Unnamed Sports Bar @The Josephine | 📍1620 Sansom St

We’ve been keeping an eye on the rumored second-floor sports bar at The Josephine, and the status remains… murky. The concept (craft cocktails, premium bar bites, and wall-to-wall screens for your Eagles-obsessed soul) hasn’t exactly been confirmed, but it hasn’t been killed off either. With Bar Cicci now locked in downstairs, the big question is what’s going on with that substantial second floor. Is the sports bar still in play? Did it morph into something else entirely? Is the space getting split?

So far, we haven’t seen any action or heard any news, so this is now very much TBD.

Unnamed Teddy Sourias Asian Restaurant | 📍1515 Market St

It was well over 2 something years ago that Craft Concept’s Teddy Sourias looked at a Penn Center courtyard and thought “yeah, I can work with this.” That became Uptown Beer Garden, and now he’s going bigger with a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 1515 Market that’ll have a massive 4,000-square-foot patio right next door to Uptown. The vibe? Nightlife meets legit cuisine.

The space looks complete but all has been quiet for a bit but we’ll continue to be on the lookout for ANY news!

---

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!