🚲 🚗 Washington Ave. overhaul continues 🐰 Easter events aplenty this weekend in South Philly

Happy Thursday, South Philly.

Anybody else dying from their allergies this week? Whew. If you’re not, consider yourself a lucky one.

In this week’s Scoop …

• The city says that the Washington Avenue traffic pattern changes have been a success, with more work coming. Do you agree?

• A glimpse inside a beloved old hoagie shop that needs new life.

• What’s coming to the old Essene Market space in Queen Village?

• Easter events aplenty this weekend, including a 90-plus year-old South Street tradition.

🚴 🚗🚶‍♂️ Transformation continues on Washington Ave

Whether you love the bike lanes and slower traffic — or hate that you can’t do 50 MPH across the city anymore — you no doubt have an opinion on the transformation of the Washington Avenue traffic pattern that’s taken place over the last few years.

More of that transformation is in the works.

Construction is beginning between 4th and Columbus Boulevard this month on what’s being called the “Washington Avenue Connector.” The project will “connect” the two-year-old bike lanes from their current terminus at 4th Street all the way to the Delaware River Trail, providing a nice link to South Philly from points north along the river.

In 2026, bus islands will be installed at the various SEPTA stops along the corridor east of Broad Street as well.

The start of construction comes as the city this week released its Year 2 report on the overall Washington Avenue Transportation Safety Project, studying vehicle travel times and volumes, bicycle and pedestrian volumes, and overall traffic speed since the street was repaved and realigned in 2023.

Per the city, there are positive marks in all categories.

Regarding vehicle traffic, the report says that there were no significant changes to travel times during weekdays, but that weekend travel times did significantly increase — primarily during the Saturday peak. Specifically called out was the 9th Street intersection, where drivers waiting for Italian Market pedestrians caused delayed left turns and routine grid lock.

The overall goal of this project was to make the corridor safer for pedestrians and bikers, and that does seem to be the case — with increased volumes of both during all periods. Vehicles speeds also decreased, which is great because we don’t need a speedway through the middle of South Philly.

As expected, though, the positive changes on the east side of Broad Street were not seen on the west side, where Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson killed significant overhauls to the traffic pattern on the corridor there.

Read the full report from the city here.

What are your thoughts on the transformation of Washington Avenue? Success like the city says, or failure, or something in between?

Reply to this week’s newsletter with your comments and we’ll feature some next week.

🍨 More scoop …

🥖 Long-vacant storefront to finally open this month: Paris Bahn Mi, which has been building out in the old Paradiso restaurant space on East Passyunk for a few months, will open in April, per the East Passyunk BID. The spot is a chain that’s all around the country, including a location in the Northeast, and features bahn mi sandwiches, baguettes, croissants, and more.

🍦There’s never enough small batch ice cream: Opening this Friday at 12 p.m. in Queen Village is Irv’s Ice Cream, in the old Chilly Banana location across from Royal Tavern at 932 East Passyunk.

🚸 Shuttered Essene Market to become a day care: The Queen Village market occupied the corner of 4th and Monroe for decades, closing in the last few months and leaving a hole in grocery options in the area. Now, per a zoning permit issued on April 10, it’s becoming a day care center.

🖤 RIP John McCusker: John McCusker, the long-time owner of McCuskers Tavern, the friendly neighborhood dive full of Phillies and music memorabilia at 17th and Shunk, passed away in March. The Phillies sent over an awesome gesture last week, honoring one of their biggest fans.

⚽️ More World Cup soccer in South Philly? The Linc will host matches in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, and of course will be a major international focal point next year when we host FIFA Men’s World Cup matches. With news that the U.S. has been awarded the 2031 Women’s World Cup, there’s already (very preliminary) talk that South Philly could be in the mix as a host. [Inquirer $]

🍗 Popeyes to get a makeover: Zoning permits were issued this week for an exterior makeover to the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at Broad and Catherine. They’re relatively minor upgrades, adding about 97 square feet to the existing building — but it got us thinking about how weird this building is in this location. With the booming corridor along this section of Broad, and the demolition of the old McD’s a block down, it always made sense that this building and the Rite Aid next door would be knocked down for apartments or something. Guess that’s not in the plans any time soon.

🥯 Bagels coming to 22nd and Wash: Signs for Bagels & Co. went up this week in the new building on Washington Avenue between 21st and 22nd. It’s the same building with the new Aldi that’s about to open. The local chain has locations in Northern Liberties, Center City, Fishtown, and elsewhere in the city.

🗓️ 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 17

Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants ⚾️
⏱️ 4 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Blooms & Buttercream Workshop 🧁
A spring floral-inspired cake decorating workshop.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
🎟️ $140
📍 Creations by Coppola, 1724 East Passyunk

Mary J. Blige: The For My Fans Tour 🎶
Featuring NE-YO and Mario.
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ Starts at $49.50
📍 Wells Fargo Center

Friday, April 18

Phillies vs. Miami Marlins ⚾️
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Marlon Wayans: Wild Child Tour 🎤
Stand up from the WHITE CHICKS star.
⏱️ Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8
🎟️ $50
📍 Live! Casino, 10th and Packer

AWOLNATION: The Phantom Five Tour 🎸
Bryce Fox opens for the alt-rockers.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $58
📍 TLA, 334 South

Saturday, April 19

Easter Egg Hunt 🥚
Face painting, petting zoo, and three age groups for the egg hunt.
⏱️ 10 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 East Passyunk Community Center, 11th and Mifflin

(Another) Easter Egg Hunt 🥚
This one is sponsored by Christ Church in Pennsport.
⏱️ 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Dickinson Square Park, 4th and Tasker

Discovery Pathways Spring Fair 🌸
Postponed due to last week’s rain, this event features boating, free produce, cooking demos, food tastings, games, and yoga.
⏱️ 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 FDR Park Boathouse

FDR Park Bee Walk 🐝
Also at the boathouse, right at the end of the Spring Fair, this event for older kids will check out the nesting habitats of bees in the park.
⏱️ 1 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 FDR Park Boathouse

Disney Drag Brunch 🧜‍♀️
That’s just a weird three words to type, but “get ready to sip, sparkle, and sing” this weekend at Dock Street. (Obviously, this event is for adults.)
⏱️ 12 p.m.
🎟️ $20
📍 Dock Street South, 22nd and Washington

Spring Plant Swap 🌱
Drop off or pick up plants and supplies.
⏱️ 12 to 4 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 South Philly Food Co-Op, 2013 South Juniper

New PA Project: Voter Registration 🗳️
The primary is in just a few weeks. Get all of your voting-related questions answered here.
⏱️ 1 to 4 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

Phillies vs. Miami Marlins ⚾️
⏱️ 1:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Nightly: Live On Tour 🎶 
The pop rockers, with two local band mates, tour in support of a new album.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $16.50
📍 TLA, 334 South

Sunday, April 20 - Happy Easter!

92nd Annual Easter Promenade 🐰
Show up in your Easter best (bunny-themed or otherwise) for this South Street tradition features a parade, Best Dressed Contest, and free giveaways.
⏱️ Event kicks off at 12:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free to attend
📍 Along South Street, mostly between 2nd and 5th

Omar Courtz: Primera Musa Tour 🎤
The Puerto Rican reggaeton artist has sold out the TLA.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $190+ on the resale market
📍 TLA, 334 South

Phillies vs. Miami Marlins ⚾️
⏱️ 1:35 p.m. 📍 Citizens Bank Park

Monday, April 21

CA7RIEL / PACO AMOROSO 🇦🇷
The Argentinian hip hop / EDM duo comes to South Street.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $143.10
📍 TLA, 334 South

Tuesday, April 22

Spring Renewal Tea Blending Workshop 🫖
Learn about and make your own tea blend at this workshop.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
🎟️ $25
📍 Magic Gardens’ Watkins Street Studio, 1002 Watkins

Wednesday, April 23

Joey McIntyre: Freedom Tour Phase One 🎤
The New Kids On The Block pop star tours solo.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $50.75
📍 TLA, 334 South

Brews In The Breeze 🍻
Meet your neighbors at this event sponsored by Point Breeze Collective.
⏱️ 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ RSVP at the link for free apps
📍 Second District Brewing, 1939 South Bancroft

Parks On Tap @ Columbus Square ⛲️
The city’s traveling beer garden opens at the park Wednesday, running through next Sunday.
⏱️ 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
🎟️ Free to enter
📍 Columbus Square Park, 13th and Wharton

An old corner hoagie shop needs some love

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

Vacant since 2020, the building at 15th and Ellsworth that housed the beloved Melino’s Hoagies has been sitting on the market for a while now — and definitely needs some TLC.

Listed at $399,000 with a recent price drop, the mixed-use building definitely could be the right opportunity for an investor — featuring the hoagie shop on the ground floor and two apartments.

The store looks like it’s still in decent condition, per listing photos, but unfortunately the apartments might scare you away.

See a few listing photos below, and the full listing here.

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See youse next Thursday.