Fond Farewells, Friendly Hellos & A Focus On The Future: The September Edition
Construction projects are now coming to fruition and while some businesses are making way for others, it’s shaping up to be a VERY busy fall.
We can’t remember it feeling like this last year.
There are so many new businesses that we’ve been waiting for that are finally launching OR new places that are popping up. It’s made tracking openings, closings, and changes so much more interesting, but we wouldn’t have it otherwise.
In a nutshell for September:
- 3 businesses shut down, one moved, and we bid good riddance to the scaffolding at The Lanesborough.
- We welcomed 3 new businesses and the reopening of 2 that were renovated, however, that includes a Spirit Halloween so technically that’s a pop-up, right?
- We have around 37-ish places and spaces that are coming soon but many of them, such as Levain, Framebridge, Dear Daphni, Tequilas, Taylor Chip, are planning to open as quickly as possible.
All this AND we have a full slate of 2025 launches to boot! So check out the list below and shoot us an email here with your thoughts!
Fond Farewells:
1600 Spruce Street | 📍1600 Spruce St
Apologies for the extreme closeups but 1600 Spruce Street, the favorite treats pit stop for the neighborhood dogs, has closed its doors suddenly. They had some great home items and fun gift items so they will be missed.
70Six |📍 132 S 17th St
The cute boutique from NoLibs is no more: 70Six sadly shut its doors in less than 6 months, but you can absolutely shop their adorable creations at their 215 W Laurel Street location or online.
Commonweal Gallery | 📍1607 Latimer St
The revolving art installation studio Commonweal Gallery has moved from its 2021 home on the quiet side street of Latimer to a brand new location in the Olde Kensington arts corridor, so be sure to visit them there.
Jonesy’s Accessories | 📍1931 Chestnut St
The Retail Gods taketh two of the recently opened boutiques from us as Jonesy’s Accessories also shut their Rittenhouse location doors, after having opened up in Spring in as well. You can find them at their Chestnut Hill location and online here.
The Scaffolding @The Lanesborough | 📍Locust & 16th St
The scaffolding that went up earlier this year at The Lanesborough came down, after what feels like forever. The scaffolding next door above Bellini & Andra Hem is still there, but the crews have been working hard so hoping it comes down soon.
Friendly Hellos:
Five Iron Golf |📍2116 Chestnut St
It’s baaaaccccck! The golf SIMs OG has reopened after over 8-weeks of renovations and looks great! Get deets here on the Rittenhouse location, and the story about the NEW location to come to Logan Square.
Juan Pistola’s |📍1625 Chestnut St
Now open in the Shops at Liberty Place: a storefront/tasting room for Juan Pistola’s, a PA-based tequila brand whose core product is a “six-pack of resealable double shots.” Per The Liberty Shop’s Instagram post, Juan Pistola’s also carries locally-distilled spirits, and imported and domestic wines.
Neuhaus |📍1616 Walnut St
Rittenhouse’s first chocolate shop Neuhaus has opened! The home of decadent Belgium chocolates has opened across the street from the new Jordan store, the Apple store, and next to Paper Source to ensure you’ve got plenty of gift options. See inside here.
Spirit Halloween |📍1628 Chestnut St
The inevitable move-in of Spirit Halloween into the former home of Rite Aid is now complete! You no longer have ANY EXCUSES to NOT have a fun Halloween costume, sorry.
Starbucks |📍1500 Market
The Starbucks at 20th & Market debuted after a modest facelift and we thought, based on the exposed …everything, this location was going to be shut down for a bit but they’re back!
Focus on the Future:
Amma’s II |📍1500 Walnut St (15th Street)
The former home of Max Brenner’s (it closed only last year!) has a new and unexpected tenant: Amma’s, the South Indian restaurant that is expanding to include a liquor license. It’s a popular spot, so we’re not surprised about this news, and excited to have that prime spot on 15th Street occupied once again.
Aritzia |📍1725 Walnut St
Progress is progress! Construction for the long-anticipated Philly Aritizia continues on Walnut Street. It’s not fast but it IS steady. New this month: the beautiful (in our opinion) masonry work on the exterior wall.
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 second in Pennsylvania.
Black Turtle II |📍129 S 18th St
Black Turtle Coffee‘s second shop, replacing long-closed LeBus Bakery, is imminent! They shared that they are aiming for October so we’re excited to add another coffee shop to our coffee rotation. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for updates!
Boqueria |📍1608 Sansom
Thank you fellow Rambler George for reminding us about Boqueria, the NY-based Spanish Tapas restaurant, whose arrival is still pending as one of the first tenants in The Josephine, the new apartment building on Sansom.
The news was first announced in Spring of last year, hence it completely slipped our minds (yes, we’re still annoyed at us). They reportedly leased a 5,000 sq ft space and we haven’t seen any construction for a restaurant taking place there . We also haven’t heard back from Boqueria but fingers crossed as a Tapas place on this side of Broad would be very nice.
Borromini* |📍1809 Walnut St
We placed an asterisk by the Borromini name because it’s more commonly referred to as the new Stephen Starr restaurant and rightly so: it’s been a while since we had a new Starr restaurant in Philly, let alone Rittenhouse, replacing the local cultural icon that was Barnes & Noble. This is a highly anticipated launch that will arrive next year.
Cellar Dog |📍258 S 15th St
If you’re an ex-New Yorker, you may remember Fat Cat in the Village: It was a hodgepodge of music and games, along with all the elements of a good dive bar. Well, back in 2021 they reopened as Cellar Dog and now they’ll expand to Philly, replacing Howl at the Moon on 15th Street.
We were a little worried that the space would be empty for a period of time, especially as Garage Bar still hasn’t moved in at the corner of Spruce and 15th, so this is good! Cellar Dog will have live jazz music, performances, billiards, ping pong tables, shuffleboards, and board games. And, like Good Dog Bar, their walls will feature good boys and good girls. ETA for launch is early 2025!
Dave’s Hot Chicken |📍1731 Chestnut St
Alright, so…the sign that first appeared at the former South Moon Under boutique that closed said Dave’s Hot Chicken, the known national Nashville hot chicken chain across the US. Then, that sign disappeared. Recently a NEW sign has popped up that promotes their other locations but hearing that they are quietly working on launching this fall (still yet to be confirmed though.)
Dear Daphni |📍1911 Walnut St
This project has been in the works since 2021 but construction always takes longer than expected, especially if you’re a beautiful building like The Laurel. But that’s finished so – great! However, while the address is Walnut the actual restaurant is on Sansom. Target open date is late October to early November and we promise – based on what we experienced at their recent pop-up dinner, it’s totally worth the wait.
Di Passare |📍2319 Walnut St or 151 S. 24th St
We don’t normally cover things closer to the Schuylkill but it’s an interesting development: Micheal Klein shared that an all-day restaurant is coming in the old Sotto place and based on what’s on the website, it sounds cool! A “dual functional space” with a “juice bar open during the day and a downstairs restaurant lounge open to guests in the evening.” ETA is this fall.
Equinox |📍1909 Walnut St
A lot of New Yorkers’ favorite go-to gym for eucalyptus towels, Equinox, is opening up a Philly location in Rittenhouse (yeah, we’re biased, but this is 100% the correct place for them to be) and it looks hot! ETA is still this fall.
Five Iron Golf |📍3 Logan Square
At the same time the Rittenhouse location reopened, Five Iron Golf announced a partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust to open up a much larger space nearby at 1717 Arch Street that will also have an outdoor patio and Callaway-club fitting. ETA is early 2025!
Flight Club Darts |📍1417 Walnut St
The UK export Flight Club Darts coming to Rittenhouse is making progress! It’ll join Puttshack, ping-pong brand Spin, 5 Iron Golf, Cellar Dog, and possibly Garage Bar in offering the neighborhood places to eat, drink, and play. Updates to come as we’ve heard they are still aiming at a fall debut. Pictured here are photos we took of their Boston venue and we think it’ll be a hit here too.
Framebridge |📍113 S 18th St
In exciting and sudden news, one of our favorite Ramblers Chris shared that the DTC “frame anything” brand Framebridge is coming to the neighborhood this October (!!). You can see pics of our in-person research at their Boston location here and we’ll be sure to update everyone when they open.
Garage Bar |📍1501 Spruce St
The news back in September 2023 that a 3rd Garage Bar was opening in the long-closed Fox & Hound space was received with open arms. It would be the biggest one by far “clocking in at 6,500 square feet plus a large kitchen” and bring all the fun things the neighborhood could use, with Skeeball machines, pinball, billiards, and more Eagles watch party options. The Inquirer said this fall so we’re still anxiously awaiting its opening.
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. Feeling for the neighbors, though, as completion is a LONG way off: 2027 to be exact.
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. So you know it’ll be fun! The “no pretense” (their words) wine bar is slated to open this fall, replacing the long-closed Nails by Anna D on the fun street that is Sansom.
Because they leased the entire building Rittenhouse will also get a 2nd drinking spot called Liquorette.
JD Sports 📍1530 Chestnut St
We think that the area could use more shoe options. So when the signs went up for JD Sports in the former H&M space we were super happy, although we did have to Google the brand. The stores look spacious, minimalist, and carry cool shoes and brands. The store in Times Square has an Adidas MakerLab where you can customize your clothes and shoes. So hoping this location has something equally if not more fab. It’s a pretty large space with over 2 levels and 25K (!!) square feet.
This would be their 2nd Philly location as they have one in the Northeast. It’s looking more like a 2025 launch as construction is underway.
Jordan Brand’s World of Flight |📍1617 Walnut St
There’s a reason why Sneaker Con happens every year here in Philly as this city LOVES its sneakers. So when news dropped that the Jordan Brand was opening up its first US World of Flight store after Tokyo, Seoul, China, and Milan – let’s just say, people got excited. ETA is still l2025. Watch the construction unfold here.
Kissho House | 📍1522 Locust St
In more interesting news: the “Law Offices of Thomas More Holland” is being reborn as a multi-level modern Japanese restaurant that has a “vibrant” first-floor bar and a basement “sanctuary” that houses an omakase room. Alas, we will have to wait until next year to experience it.
Levain |📍1518 Walnut St
The Philly Levain is coming along VERY nicely! The New York staple that has been expanding across the country, Levain Bakery’s lusciously huge cookies will occupy the space formerly occupied by My.Suit. The target opening date is September so VERY soon!
Little Water 📍261 S 20th St
Construction continues to truck along at the coastal restaurant Little Water that occupies the former home of Twenty Manning. The team is sharing a bit of their journey to opening on Instagram and the anticipated launch date is still this fall, per a message with the owners. Can’t wait to experience it!
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 very unique and cool one – and we love those in the neighborhood!
ETA is early 2025.
Madis Coffee Roasters | 📍1441 Chestnut St
Sweet news out of University City for Rittenhouse: Madis Coffee Roasters is expanding to this side of the Schuylkill with 2 locations. One is coming here and will occupy the corner of 15th and Chestnut, at the base of The Element Hotel, which has never been occupied. ETA is September!
Ritten Deli & Juice Bar |📍1512 Sansom St
Spotted by fellow Rambler jessierose1 we have a much-needed deli and juice bar coming to Sansom Street to replace the long-closed Distante Clothing. Ritten Deli & Juice Bar’s owner said they will be open late on weekends and explore being open 24 hours. It was supposed to open in August but their opening is STILL pending.
Royal Izakaya “Off-Shoot” | 📍1710 Sansom St
Getting a Japanese comfort food place to replace The Foodery (RIP) is great news. However, hearing that it’s an offshoot from Jesse Ito, one of the best chefs in the country, makes it even better. The maybe not-so-great news? It’s a year away, so buckle in for a summer 2025 opening
Saints Restaurant |📍1901 Chestnut St (2nd Floor)
Cocktail place Noche quietly closed this summer, 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.” They also plan to offer bottle service in the evenings so you know it’ll be hopping! They’re hoping to launch by the end of this year.
Satori Laser |📍1500 Market
NYC export Satori Laser already has a space in Washington Square West but saw the influx of spas and laser businesses here in Rittenhouse grow and decided to join the fun, giving us even MORE options for self-care. They’re aiming for an October debut.
Sunglass Hut |📍1703 Chestnut St
Moving into the last empty storefront in the newly redone building at the corner of 17th & Chestnut is Sunglass Hut. This space, which is the combination of BJ Variety and Chestnut Street Philly Bagels is much larger than their current location within The Shops at Liberty Space. The crew is hustling, as you can see by the photo, so we’re thinking they are looking to open up pretty soon!
Starbucks |📍2 Logan Square
This space has been empty for a long, long, long, long, long time because pre-Covid months are kind of like dog years, right? So, when we heard via fellow rambler Eva that Starbucks was coming to the former 2-Yelp stars Au Bon Pain space at 2 Logan Square, we were happy. The space is fairly big and that location can use a coffee shop to accommodate hotel visitors. ETA is STILL TBD.
Taco Bell Cantina |📍1634 Chestnut St
The empty storefront between Dig and Uniqlo is not going to be empty anymore as the Philadelphia Business Journal shared the neighborhood is getting its first Taco Bell, and a Taco Bell Cantina at that! It’ll replace 4 Seasons Food Court which was there for 15 (!) years, although there was a brief moment when Chestnut Diner was open (2020 was a very tough year).
Taco Bell Cantinas are known for being upscale and serving alcohol, although this location is TBD for the moment. Because antiquated liquor laws and all that couldn’t possibly be a challenge. We hear their boozy Mountain Dew slushies are fun. Hoping this Cantina is able to make that happen so we can all judge how fun those are for ourselves. ETA is this fall!
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 that was formerly known in the area as Illegal Tacos. The reviews are pretty damn good for their 427 S Broad Street location so we’re looking forward to checking these out personally.
Taylor Chip |📍1809 Chestnut St
The neighborhood is still waiting for Taylor Chip, the Lancaster-based cookie store that was supposed to open last year, to arrive. However, the sign is up and an opening is imminent!
Teddy Sourias Project | 📍 1515 Market St
We’ve been waiting for more details on this, so we’ll share what (little) we know: Teddy Sourias, the founder of Craft Concepts Group, who has many restaurants you’d recognize in Center City including Uptown Beer Garden, is planning a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 1515 Market that includes a 4,000-square-foot patio.
Tequilas |📍1602 Locust St
📸: Google Maps
The only place you can find a rose margarita in the neighborhood since it closed due to a bad fire, rest assured: Tequila’s IS coming back, and like a phoenix rising from the flames, it’ll be super extra – rumor has it that it’ll have a cafe and a tequila tasting room. ETA is next month!
Undisclosed @The Bards | 📍 2013 Walnut St
It was in the neighborhood for 26 years but hospitality is tough, and the pandemic unfortunately forced The Bards to close. The Philadelphia Business Journal noted that the Bards’ building and the Irish Pub + Cafe were up for sale but no buyer was noted. Now there’s an alcohol application up and work is being done so we’re tracking this only closely.
Undisclosed | 📍1619 Walnut St
Not sure what’s going on at this location BUT after years of the fluorescent lights staying on day and night, crews moved in and construction has been in full swing. It’s zoned for retail and it’s a GREAT location with tons of foot traffic. We did hear that New Balance is moving over BUT it’s not confirmed!
Know of anything else coming or in the works? Shoot us an email here so we can watch their progress together.
