🍔 Burgers, bank to replace chemical plant 🌮 Last call for popular Mexican restaurant

Happy Thursday, South Philly.

Anybody else have to turn their heat back on this week? Not OK. Let’s hope this is the last cold weekend of the season.

In this week’s Scoop …

• We have movement on plans to revitalize a dusty old stretch of Swanson Street, including a towering old warehouse set to go boom.

• Lots of daytime activities this weekend as spring kicks into gear.

• A much-loved Mexican restaurant on South Street is closing its doors.

• Who would ever put floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor of a South Philly row house? Well …

🍔 Goodbye, chemical plant. Hello, Shake Shack — and much more.

In last week’s Scoop, we shared with you that Isgro Pastries plans to open a big new production facility and retail shop along Swanson Street — down near Snyder Plaza, 2300 Arena, and John’s Roast Pork. It is the latest in a series of developments in the area, which until now has basically just been a messy row of dusty old warehouses.

The new Isgros will revitalize one of those warehouses, just as the new Federal Donuts flagship has done next door.

But there’s an even more dramatic transformation project coming just up the block.

A demolition permit was issued two weeks ago for the giant warehouse at 16 Snyder Avenue, formerly home to Inolex, a chemical manufacturer.

Demo should begin soon with Geppert Bros. doing the work.

What will happen with the massive empty lot left behind?

A shopping complex with a bunch of surface parking and six commercial buildings is the plan.

While we’d definitely like to see denser use of this lot, it’s a significant upgrade from the old chemical plant, and will fit in with the other suburban-style developments in the area housing Target, Lowes, Ikea, etc.

Plans submitted to the city in 2022 name five specific retailers as part of the project —

• A Lidl grocery store would go in the back corner of the lot — the biggest building on the plan, backed up to old rail tracks.

• Raising Canes, purveyors of chicken and Texas Toast, would go in with a drive-thru on the prominent corner of Swanson and Snyder.

• Advance Auto Parts would set up shop at the corner of Wolf and Swanson, sharing an intersection with Federal Donuts and the impending Isgros

• Shake Shack would be in the middle of the property, set up basically right across Weccacoe Street from John’s Roast Pork.

• A Chase Bank branch plans to go in near the Canes, along Swanson near Jackson Street.

The city held a public hearing on Tuesday of this week for street improvements throughout this corridor on Swanson Street, which is currently a complete mess for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and anybody else with a heartbeat.

Beginning in 2027, the Streets Department plans to completely remodel the street between Oregon Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, with improved drainage, wider sidewalks, a two-way bike lane between Oregon and Snyder, and a shared bike-pedestrian path between Snyder and Mifflin. Hugely needed.

What do you think of the plans? And what would you like to see next in this area as it continues to revitalize? Reply to the newsletter with your thoughts and we’ll feature a few next week.

🍨 More scoop …

😞 Carnaval cancelled over ICE fears: The Inquirer reports that the annual Carnaval de Puebla, one of the biggest celebrations of Mexican culture on the East Coast, has been cancelled over fear of Donald Trump’s administration. The festival is typically held at Sacks Playground along Washington Avenue and was scheduled for April 27.

🧶 Help catch the Yarn Bandits: You may have noticed the awesome yarn art collection that went up around the Singing Fountain on East Passyunk a few weeks back. You may have also seen it removed this week. Well, it was the work of vandals, who took scissors to the art overnight on the weekend and ripped it apart — and it looked planned, per video CBS has.

🌮 Final call for Tio Flores: The Mexican spot at 16th and South will close its doors after service on Saturday, they announced on Instagram. It’s for “some circumstances beyond our control,” which usually means something with the landlord — but who knows. Either way, a blow for this corner and neighborhood.

🌯 Another FDR Park market opens: Last week, the always-phenomenal Southeast Asian Market opened for the season. This week? The FDR Park Latino Market, down near the FDR Skatepark every Sunday for the summer, 10:30 a.m. to 5.

🍸 May opening for Two Robbers Cafe: Back in January we learned that Two Robbers, the local spirits company that started selling alcoholic seltzers but recently pivoted to vodka soda drinks, would set up shop in the old Hawthornes on 11th Street. Business Journal spoke with the owners, who say they hope to open by Memorial Day.

🗓️ This week’s South Philly events calendar

We can’t possibly find all of the cool events in South Philly on our own. Please send your submissions each week to [email protected] or DM us on IG at @south.philly.scoop.

Thursday, April 10

Bad Advice: Improvised Stand Up Comedy 🎤
Comedians take your questions and give you all the wrong answers.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ Free, donations encouraged
📍 Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, East Passyunk and Federal

Trunk Show with Free Lenses 👓
Headhouse Square optical shop SeeSharp hosts an event where they’re giving away free lenses with the purchase of eyeglass frames. With music and refreshments.
⏱️ 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
📍SeeSharp, 2nd and South

Friday, April 11

Sixers vs. Atlanta Hawks 🏀
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Funhouse with Lauren Ellis: Live Comedy 🎤
A BYOB comedy show feat. four local comics at the venue that bills itself “The Tiny Desk of South Philly”.
⏱️ Doors at 7:30, show at 8
🎟️ $10 at the door
📍 Notsolatin, 1440 West Ritner

Mario Zucca’s Not-Quite-Closing Reception 🎨
The Philly-based artist and illustrator hosts a lil’ party.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ Free, with beer, wine and snacks
📍 Rebel & Wolf Cafe, E Moyamensing and Morris

Harry Mack: Anomaly Tour 2025 🎤
The rapper, who got famous free-styling in public on TikTok, comes to South Philly.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $87.05 via Live Nation
📍 TLA, 334 South

Saturday, April 12

Record Store Day 2025 🎶
Doors open at 9 a.m., with giveaway gift bags beginning at 8 a.m. for those in line, at East Passyunk record shop Latchkey.
⏱️ Doors at 9 a.m.
📍 Latchkey, 1502 E Passyunk

Made @ Bok Spring Market 🛍️
Explore the small businesses of the Bok Building with their spring market in the West Gym.
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Bok Building, 821 Dudley

Easter Egg Hunt For Kids 🐣
City Life Philly hosts this free egg hunt, with groupings for kids 5-and-under, 6-9 years old, and 10-12 years old. Face painting, the Easter Bunny, the whole nine yards.
⏱️ 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍FDR Park

Friends of Columbus Square Easter Egg Hunt 🐣
Yes, another one. Kids under four hunt from 11 to 12, and kids 5-10 hunt from 1 to 2 p.m. Brought to you by Philly Parks & Rec and the 3rd District Police.
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍Columbus Square, 12th/13th and Wharton/Reed

Rex Manning Day Block Party 🖼️
South Street Art Mart hosts their annual block party at 4th and South, with live music, food, art, and giveaways.
⏱️ 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 4th and South Streets

Flyers vs. New York Islanders 🏒
⏱️ 12:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Saint Maron Annual Bake Sale 🧑‍🍳
Place your orders now for pickup on Saturday.
⏱️ 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
🎟️ Items start at $9
📍 Saint Maron Church, 1013 Ellsworth

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 🏍️
Dirt bikes race around the track at Lincoln Financial Field.
⏱️ 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets start at $20
📍 Lincoln Financial Field

NLL Lacrosse: Wings vs. Georgia Swarm 🥍
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Sunday, April 13

Brotherly Love Card Show 🃏
200 tables of sports cards, Pokemon, memorabilia and more.
⏱️ 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
🎟️ Kids free, adults $10
📍 Live! Casino, 9th and Packer

Love Your Schmatte Denim Repair Event 👖
Ripped a hole in those old jeans? Don’t throw them away - head to this workshop on Sunday and get some help!
⏱️ 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
🎟️ Prices vary by service
📍 At My House, 760 S 4th

Black Beauty Expo 2025 💄
The “No. 1 show for black creative entrepreneurs in the hair, fashion, photography, modeling, and makeup industry.”
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
🎟️ $15 to $35
📍 Yesha Grand Ballroom, 2308 Snyder

People’s Budget 101 💰
This interactive workshop digs in to Philadelphia’s budget process, discussing the proposed 2026 budget and advocacy strategies for citizens who want to be more involved in the process.
⏱️ 1 to 3 p.m.
🎟️ Free, and lunch will be provided
📍 Bok Building, Room 413

Sixers vs. Chicago Bulls 🏀
The 2024-25 season mercifully and thankfully comes to an end.
⏱️ 1 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Monday, April 14

Benefit to Support Kampar at Agricola 🍕
Support the staff at Kampar as they continue to recover from a fire in their restaurant with this benefit at the Italian Market pizza and cocktail gem, Agricola.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to sell out
📍 Agricola, 10th and Federal

Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Tuesday, April 15

Spring Break Sk8 Camp 🛹
A two-day mini skateboarding camp for kids aged 6 to 15, all skill levels welcome.
⏱️ 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
🎟️ $75
📍 Palumbo Rec Center, 10th and Fitzwater

Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 🏒
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Wednesday, April 16

Knox: Going Going Gone Tour 🎵
The pop artist tours in support of his debut album.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $27.50 for GA
📍 TLA, 334 South

Children’s Story Time at A Novel Idea 📚
Story time, created with working parents in mind.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ $5 suggested donation
📍 A Novel Idea, 1726 East Passyunk

Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

 🧐 Floor-to-ceiling windows … on a South Philly street?

A recurring South Philly Scoop feature — bringing you an interesting or notable real estate listing from around the neighborhood.

A renovated row house at 934 Mountain Street went under contract earlier this week, outfitted with top-of-the-line finishes throughout, two outdoor decks, a finished basement, a soaking tub in the master bath, and more.

Generally speaking, it’s a dream house.

It was listed at $730,000 for three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths — pretty much par for the course these days for a gutted-and-flipped house in East Passyunk.

There is one huge problem with this house that caught our eye, though — and it’s likely to catch the eye of every single person who ever walks down this block for the foreseeable future.

Giant floor-to-ceiling windows in the front of the house.

Tell me this developer doesn’t live in South Philly without telling me they don’t live in South Philly, am I right?

There is a reason why 99.99 percent of our row houses do not have giant floor-to-ceiling windows, as nice as that sounds in concept.

The fronts of our houses are DIRECTLY ON THE SIDEWALK. AT EYE LEVEL. And on a tiny side street like Mountain, the neighbor across the street — with a direct line of sight to your living room — is like, 40 feet away. How was that a good idea?

At best, buying this house means paying for some very expensive window treatments that you can never really keep open all the way if you value your privacy at all. What a wild design choice.

Are we way off base in our criticism here? Would you buy this house? Let us know by responding to this email with your thoughts.

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See youse next Thursday.