🧹 Should Philly expand street sweeping? 🍰 Isgro Pastries to get a big new facility

Happy Thursday, South Philly. ☀️

It has been a beautiful week — the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the Phillies are crushing baseballs.

In this week’s Scoop …

• Street sweeping — and the PPA, lurking in the shadows — returns

• Isgro Pastries is opening a big new facility in South Philly

• Our weekly events calendar

• The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park returns!

• They’re shutting down all the I-95 on ramps, apparently?

🧹 Street sweeping returns this week

Ah, yes — one of the classic Third Rail topics in South Philadelphia. It’s time to move the cars for the street sweepers.

Street sweeping is back beginning April 1 and running through October, impacting the following areas:

• In the Point Breeze neighborhood — Christian Street to McKean Street, between Broad and 24th

• In the area around Mifflin Square — McKean to Oregon, between 4th and 8th.

• The city has a pretty great interactive website at streetsmartphl.phila.gov where they show route locations by day as well as somewhat-live data on each street sweeper.

PPA will somehow restrain themselves from giving tickets to cars parked in the sweeping zones until April 15. Consider it a warning.

Both of these areas were added to the city’s program in 2024, but there’s been no further expansion in South Philly for 2025.

Which begs the question: Should we expand it? Should we go back to the days where we had no sweeping at all?

Opposition to street sweeping is basically rooted in parking — there’s nowhere to move your car on days when the sweeper comes through.

We certainly have parking concerns in our neighborhoods, but the argument that instead we should live in filth isn’t really compelling either. Especially when there are hundreds of cars on South Philly blocks that are never used or haven’t moved in years. You all know the offenders in your neighborhood.

Here, we’re in the camp of expanding it.

The city made a determination on these two current zones because they are historically among the dirtiest in South Philly.

But as someone who lives outside of these zones — in a relatively clean area, by Philly standards — I can attest that my block is covered in old leaf gunk and the storm drains on the corners are often cluttered with debris.

A once a week or even once a month sweep would do wonders for the cleanliness of my block — and every single block in all neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

🍨 More scoop …

🍰 Isgro Pastries is expanding: We shared with you on Instagram this week that the 100-plus year old Christian Street icon is moving operations to a vacant warehouse space at 21 Wolf Street, along Swanson Street. Don't worry — the classic storefront is staying open, too. A second retail location will open at the new spot.

🛒 The new Aldi is so close: There’s been a ton of progress at the new building on Washington Avenue between 21st and 22nd, and the rumor is that the new Aldi will be opening by the end of this month. Judging by the looks of things when we went by on Wednesday, that timeline makes sense.

👨‍🍳 We’ve got two of America’s top chefs: Two South Philly chefs are finalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards, a highly-coveted recognition for chefs and restaurants. In the Emerging Chef category is Phila Lorn of Mawn Noodle House in the Italian Market, and in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic is Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village.

👷‍♂️ It’s buildin’ season: Everybody hates an empty lot (except cats, I guess), and a few of them are set to be filled per zoning permits filed in a last few weeks — mostly in Point Breeze.

• A new three-story rowhouse with roof deck will be built at 1515 South 5th Street, at the corner of Greenwich Street.

• Demolition is wrapped up on an old house that fell into disrepair at 2016 Morris Street, and a permit was issued for construction of a new three-story home with roof deck on the same lot.

• A new three-story rowhouse is coming to 2118 Fernon, per permits. There are two newer three-story homes on either side, so this will fill in an awkward lot on a block that has a few of them.

👧 From gym to day care: According to zoning permits filed late last week, a day care facility will come to 12th and Wharton, in the old City Fitness spot on the ground floor of the Wharton Street Lofts apartment building.

🌉 The new SRT bridge looks awesome: Construction is nearly complete on the $45 million bridge connecting two portions of the Schuylkill River Trail: the popular segment to the north that ends at Christian Street, and a southern standalone portion called the Grays Ferry Crescent. The new bridge should really beef up that Grays Ferry portion, adding a lot more traffic and another connection to South Philly from the north. More details here.

🗓️ 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 3

Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies ⚾️
⏱️ 1:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Priced Like The 90s: TMoms 28th Birthday Celebration 🎉
Everything at the bar is 33 percent off, priced like 1997.
⏱️ 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

Pitch-A-Friend: 45+ 💕
Like other Pitch A Friend events we’ve highlighted before, you sign up and tout why others should date your friend. This one is geared toward those 45 and older.
⏱️ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Chick’s, 1805 Washington

Sixers vs. Milwaukee Bucks 🏀
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Friday, April 4

Passyunk Pilates Open House 🧘‍♂️
Meet the instructors and check out this brand new pilates studio that we told you about in last week’s newsletter.
⏱️ 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Passyunk Pilates, 1820 East Passyunk

Bar Mish Mish (a pop-up) 🍸
The East Passyunk restaurant is popping up in Queen Village for drinks and snacks.
⏱️ 6 to 11 p.m.
📍 Ace Outpost, 749 South 4th

Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m.📍Citizens Bank Park

The Piggy Bank Show 🐖
It’s an art show, but in the form of piggy banks created by 99 different artists.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 YOWIE, 226 South

Deftones North American Tour 2025 🎸
Joined by The Mars Volta and Fleshwater.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ Starting at $118 on the secondary market
📍 Wells Fargo Center

Saturday, April 5

March for Babies Greater Philadelphia 2025 🤰
The March for Babies, affiliated with March for Dimes, raises funds for America’s maternal and infant health crisis.
⏱️ 9:30 a.m., registration at 8
🎟️ Start a team and fundraise!
📍 The Navy Yard

Walk In & Weave On A Floor Loom 🧵
A beginner workshop for those looking to learn how to weave. No experience is necessary!
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🎟️ $155
📍 Bok Building, 821 Dudley

East Passyunk Jazz Crawl 🎷
Live jazz all up and down East Passyunk Avenue, with 12 different venues hosting and a main stage set up at the Singing Fountain.
⏱️ 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free entry, but you’re asked to patronize the host venues and tip the artists
📍 East Passyunk Avenue from Wharton to McKean

Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ⚾️
⏱️ 4:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Pro Box TV Contender Series 🥊
It’s the first time this boxing promotion comes to South Philly.
⏱️ 5 p.m.
🎟️ $80 to $250
📍 2300 Arena, 2300 South Swanson

Caturday Night Fever: Disco Dance Party 🪩 
Buffet, raffles, and a disco-themed dance floor all in support of Stray Cat Relief. Cash bar.
⏱️ 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
🎟️ $40 per person
📍 Society Hill Dance Academy, 1919 East Passyunk

Sixers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 🏀
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Sonja Morgan: Sonja In Your City 😂
The Real Housewives star performs her “unfiltered cabaret comedy show.”
⏱️ Doors at 7 p.m, show at 8
🎟️ $19.99
📍 Live! Casino Hotel, 10th and Packer

Lean Back: 2000s Hip Hop Night 🎤
The biggest hits and club classics from the 2000's all night long with DJs Muhammad & Sweat Daddy.
⏱️ 9 p.m.
🎟️ $5 ahead of time, $10 at door
📍 Dolphin Tavern, Broad and Tasker

Sunday, April 6

2025 Championship Serenade 🎭
The South Philly String Band celebrates their Mummers Parade victory.
⏱️ Starts at noon, goes all day
📍 South Phila. String Band Clubhouse, 2820 West Porter

Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ⚾️
⏱️ 1:35 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Easter Family Day 🐣
Introduce the kids to Swedish Easter traditions and an annual egg hunt.
⏱️ 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
🎟️ Free for members, $5 for kids, $15 for adults
📍 American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison

Paw It 4Ward Foundation Bowling Fundraiser 🎳
This group, which helps rescue pups, holds a fundraiser.
⏱️ 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
🎟️ $30, with two drink tickets
📍South Bowl, 19 East Oregon

Climate Change Crafting Night 🎨
Make art and learn about climate change.
⏱️ 5 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

Monday, April 7

Federal Employee Transition Workshop 🧑‍💻
Join fellow feds in a workshop aimed at updating your resume, networking, and using LinkedIn.
⏱️ 5 p.m.
📍South Philadelphia Library, Broad and Morris

Bok Movie Club: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion 🍿
A screening of the 1997 comedy starting Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ Optional donation
📍 Bok Auditorum, 8th and Mifflin

BossMan Dlow: Dlow Curry Tour 🎤
The Florida rapper says he’s giving away money at every show, so.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $120
📍 TLA, 334 South

Tuesday, April 8

Yoga in the Gardens with Tiffany 🧘‍♂️
Dress comfotably, bring a mat and a water bottle, and enjoy yoga in the Magic Gardens.
⏱️ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ $20, or $15 for members
📍 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South

Mogwai: 2025 World Tour 🎸
Scottish rockers, touring since the 90s, do so in support of a new album.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ $37
📍 TLA, 334 South

Wednesday, April 9

Dean Lewis: The Epilogue Tour 🎶
The soft tunes of the Australian pop artist come to South Street.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $128.70
📍 TLA, 334 South

Openings and closings

If you’re opening a new business and would like to be included in this part of the newsletter, shoot us a quick note at [email protected].

🚧 Major highway ramp closure: If you want to get on I-95 North from Front Street any time soon, don’t bother. The ramp is closed completely, around the clock, for “high-priority repairs” until the end of 2025. The nearest northbound entrances are at Broad Street or up on Columbus Boulevard. [pa.gov]

🛣️ And another one: Yep, that’s not the only 95 ramp closing up. The northbound ramp at Lombard Circle, across from the Moshulu, will close for three years (!) as part of the new park being built at Penns Landing. This one is a little less impactful because there’s another ramp a block down, but nonetheless.

🍹 Rooftop season is almost here: Bok Bar, quite possibly the best place to have a drink in the city, opens for the season on April 10. We are so ready.

🍻 Beer garden season, too: Parks on Tap, the city’s roving beer garden that moves to a new park each week, starts up in Fairmount on April 9. It will come to Columbus Square Park from April 23 to April 27, and then FDR Park on May 7. Throughout the summer it will make additional South Philly stops at Columbus (again), Stephen Girard Park, and Dickinson Square Park. [Full schedule]

🌸 Another sign of spring: John’s Water Ice is open for the year, began its 80th season at 7th and Christian on April 1. Their trucks are also out and about throughout South Philly most nights, and as we told you a few weeks back in the newsletter, a new window is open at 7th and Oregon.

🛍️ Fresh food on Point Breeze Ave: Starting today, April 3, the Point Breeze Community Market opens weekly from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on PB Ave from Wharton to Reed. It’ll be there each Thursday until the end of October.

🍜 It’s Southeast Asian Market time: We’re just full of signs of the season this week. The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park makes its 2025 debut this weekend, open Saturdays and Sundays all summer long.

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See youse next Thursday.