Welcome to South Philly Scoop!

Welcome to the first edition of South Philly Scoop. Thanks so much for finding us.

Our goal each week is to help you get to know your neighborhood better, with a curated weekly events calendar, some news, a little history, and anything else we find interesting.

We recognize that Philadelphia has a lot of media outlets. Four major TV stations, a daily newspaper, radio stations, places like Billy Penn and PhillyMag, and a million-and-one social media accounts with specific niches.

We’re not trying to replicate what any of those fine folks do each day.

What we are trying to do, however, is focus specifically on our part of the city — the best part of the city. They cover Philly at-large, or the region at-large, without the focus that we’d like on the little things right here in South Philly.

We think there’s enough to talk about right here without worrying about Fishtown or Cherry Hill or whatever else. So that’s what we intend to do.

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With that said, a few more things to get out of the way before we dive into the first edition:

📍 There’s debate on what exactly constitutes South Philly. (Someone once told me that anything north of Snyder doesn’t count, which is crazy, but nonetheless.) For our coverage purposes, we’re calling it anything south of South Street and between the rivers. If you live here, this newsletter is for you.

🚔 We’re not going to cover too much crime here. The local TV stations do a great job of flying their helicopters over us anytime somebody gets shot at, and we don’t feel the need to double down on that. If it’s a big deal, we’ll cover it. If it’s two drug dealers shooting at each other, we probably won’t. (No offense, fellas.)

📆 To start, we’re going to keep this newsletter to once per week on Thursday mornings — in addition to more-frequent posting on our Instagram account @south.philly.scoop. If there’s interest for more or a difference cadence, we’ll listen!

📝 On that note, we very, very, much want your feedback. We want to be a resource for the neighborhood — a news outlet for South Philly and by South Philly. DM us on IG or email us at [email protected]. We’ll respond, and your comments might just get shared in the next edition of the newsletter!

The best way you can support this new venture is to subscribe and share with a few friends — just forward this newsletter. And follow us on IG @south.philly.scoop!

Okay, now on with this week’s edition …

• 🤩 New details on the Xfinity Live! expansion

• 🍨 More scoop …

• 🗓️ This week’s South Philly events calendar

• Openings and closings

• Long-standing corner bar still up for sale

• This week’s old school photo

🤩 New details on the Xfinity Live! expansion

Developers were in front of the city’s Art Commission this week for approval on new signage at Xfinity Live!, and with that we got a glimpse at some fresh renderings on the planned expansion there.

Obviously, this comes in the wake of the big news from last week that the Sixers are staying in South Philly, set to build a new arena with Comcast and the Flyers.

Comcast has been saying for months that they planned to build up the Sports Complex parking lots with or without the Sixers, and this XL expansion was supposedly the first part of that plan when it was announced months ago.

Now we have a better sense of what it’ll look like.

“We have presented our plans to construct a two-story, open-air addition (with eating/drinking establishments) to the current building, along with renovation of the outdoor entertainment plaza space, including a stage, stage lawn, beer garden, and new signage,” the proposal says.

🍨 More scoop …

🚗 Penrose Avenue traffic circle complete? The Streets Department posted on social media about the new roundabout — c’mon, we call them circles around here? — at Penrose, Moyamensing, Packer, and 20th being “open and ready". You can indeed go all the way around it now without issue, but it still seems like this project isn’t quite complete. [@streetsphiladelphia]

🤦‍♂️ Of course he’s from Jersey … : The driver who was caught on video after last Sunday’s Birds game slamming his car directly into a Philly Police cruiser? 45-year-old Thomas Herrscraft of Sewell, New Jersey. An officer was injured, but thankfully released. Herrscraft was arrested and charged with DUI, among other offenses. [NBC10]

🍛 Delicious review of Ramayana: Man, this YouTube review of Ramayana Restaurant at 11th and Moore — right across from Neumann Goretti — got us seriously hungry. Great to see these small spots get the spotlight on a YouTube channel with 300,000+ subscribers. [YouTube]

🔎 Hunt for Termini’s burglar: The Termini Bros. location in the Packer Avenue shopping plaza was robbed late on January 16th. Pretty brazen stuff in that highly-trafficked plaza that also houses Chickie’s and Petes. The bakery posted video online of the break-in, and thankfully, they’re back open. Keep an eye out — nobody messes with our cannoli. [Termini’s on Facebook]

🗓️ 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, January 23

Retro Arcade Night 🎮
Yards Brewing hosts this game night at SouthHouse, featuring Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers tournaments.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets not required
📍 SouthHouse, 2535 South 13th Street

Circles - a 60’s Dance Party 🪩
60’s themed music from all genres highlights the night at the Broad and Tasker nightclub.
⏱️ 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets not required
📍 Dolphin Tavern, 1539 South Broad Street

Friday, January 24

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater 🕵️‍♀️
Dinner is included in this two-ish hour murder mystery event where you’ll attempt to solve the murder — this month’s theme is “1930’s style whodunit”. (Yes, this is technically half a block north of South Street … but we’ve heard good things!)
⏱️ 7 p.m.
🎟️ $59 via Eventbrite
📍 Cavanagh’s Headhouse, 421 South 2nd Street

Sixers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 🏀
Maybe Joel Embiid will play? Probably not.
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Dylan Marlowe 🎶
Country artist Dylan Marlowe hits the TLA on the second night of his first-ever solo tour.
⏱️ Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
🎟️ GA tickets still available at $31.50 each, via Live Nation
📍 Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South Street

Saturday, January 25

ALT 104.5 Winter Jawn 🎸
This all-ages outdoor concert event features Judah & The Lion, Badflower, Dexter and The Moonrocks, and Gigi Perez.
⏱️ Gates open at 1 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets are free but still required for entry. They can be downloaded here. VIP tickets are $65 and get you a three-hour open bar and some other perks.
📍 Xfinity Live!

Winter Jewelry Make-N-Take 💍
Create your own DIY snow globe necklace with no experience necessary!
⏱️ 2 p.m.
🎟️ $40, via Eventbrite
📍411 South 9th Street

Tantra Speed Date 👩‍❤️‍👨
These guys say they do speed dating differently, with a “94% connection rate.” Guess there’s only one way to find out …
⏱️ 5:30 p.m. til 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ $45 to $150, via Eventbrite (tickets for women are cheaper than tickets for men)
📍Center City Breathe, 1425 Federal Street

BKFC: Knuckle Mania V 👊
12 fights are on the card for this major event in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, which is exactly what it sounds like. More info here.
⏱️ Fights begin at 8 p.m.
🎟️ $40 to $500+ via Ticketmaster
📍 Wells Fargo Center

San Junipero: 80’s Pop & New Wave Dance Party 🪩
Local promoters RiotNerd are throwing this one on the second floor of the Queen Village taco spot.
⏱️ 10 p.m. til 2 a.m.
🎟️ $7 ahead of time, $10 day of, via Eventbrite
📍 Rosy’s Taco Bar East, 6th and Bainbridge

Sunday, January 26

NFC Championship Game! Eagles vs. Washington 🦅
Go. Birds. And F Josh Harris.
⏱️ 3 p.m.
🎟️ StubHub’s cheapest ticket is, as of this writing, $637.
📍 Lincoln Financial Field (and every TV in the Delaware Valley)

Italian Sunday Dinner with Ray Gelato and the City Rhythm Orchestra 🍝
Might be a tough draw with the game on … but, dinner, drinks and a show are available at a great price of just $50 on Sunday afternoon.
⏱️ 3 p.m.
🎟️ $50 via TicketLeap
📍 Mummers Museum, 2nd and Washington

Monday, January 27

Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils 🏒
⏱️ 7 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Tuesday, January 28

Sixers vs. Los Angeles Lakers 🏀
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

Ben Barnes 🎶
Chronicles of Narnia actor-turned-musician Ben Barnes headlines this night promoting his debut album, titled “Where The Light Gets In”.
⏱️ Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
🎟️ GA tickets still available at $50.75 each, via Live Nation
📍 Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South Street

Wednesday, January 29

Sixers vs. Sacramento Kings 🏀
⏱️ 7:30 p.m. 📍Wells Fargo Center

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].

🍸 Sonny’s is back! The South Street cocktail bar closed due to a fire almost three years ago, but it’s back after quietly opening last week. [PhillyMag]

🤔 Flannel closes this weekend, but … : The East Passyunk restaurant specializing in Southern-style eats announced on Instagram that it will be closing on January 26. But they’re hinting at a new project, and we’re hearing it will be a Korean BBQ theme called “DaVinci & Yu”. Maybe BBQ and Italian? Guess we’ll see. [@eatflannel on Instagram]

🌯 Wonder Food Hall coming to Broad & Wash: That absurd, beautiful new building with the New York-sized rents at the corner of Broad and Washington is getting another retail tenant to go along with the new Giant. Wonder Food Hall is a New York (of course 🙄) brand that houses several restaurants under one roof, allowing you to mix-and-match different items for takeout or delivery. [Biz Journal $]

👋 Bahn Mi sandwiches coming on East Passyunk: Paris Bahn Mi Bakery and Cafe, a chain with franchises in multiple states, will take over the long-vacant space at 1627 East Passyunk Avenue. A sign went up on the facade of the building a few weeks back, but no opening date has been publicized.

🐓 🍕 Two openings in Snyder Plaza: South Philly is getting an outpost of Asad’s Hot Chicken, the rapidly-growing local chain of Nashville-style chicken restaurants that first debuted as take-out window in the Northeast. It’s headed to Snyder Plaza (37 Snyder Avenue) in the former Kyoto Japan space. Next door, we’re hearing that a Pizza Hut will also be added to the plaza. [@asadshotchicken on IG]

👀 New business in Black N Brew space? The long-time coffee shop on East Passyunk closed in 2024 after failing to pay rent and taxes, per the Inky. Will this vacancy soon be filled? This news came via the @leasedlikely IG story, so you can’t see it anymore … but we’ll dig.

C is for Cookie (… and Cutting the asking price)

Each week, South Philly Scoop will bring you an interesting or notable real estate listing from around the neighborhood.

Today, we’ll focus on the building that houses Cookie's Tavern on Oregon Avenue near 10th Street — it’s back on the market.

A listing came online in November for adjacent buildings at 2654 and 2652 South Alder Street. According to MLS records, the property originally went on the market back in May 2024 at a price of $999,999. The price was lowered to $899,999 in September before again being lowered to $750,000.

Now, it’s down to $650,000. Quite the price drop.

The property listed for sale includes the tavern building on the corner of Alder and Oregon, plus a two-story rowhome next door on Alder. That rowhome is a duplex, containing two separate one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments with split entrances.

The tavern building comes including the recently-renovated bar space, full commercial kitchen equipment, and a space upstairs that appears to need some work but could be used as either another bar space, event space, or another apartment given that it has a separate outdoor entrance.

The building underwent a ton of renovations, including a complete overhaul of the facade, back in 2021 and 2022.

Cookie's Tavern -- which was briefly named Tankie's Tavern before switching back to the original name this August -- is most famous for its annual celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday each November. That event ran for decades, and the celebration was supposed to be held in November 10 of 2024, but was called off less than a month beforehand on October 16.

"We regret to inform you that, due to unforeseen circumstances and out of respect for the groundbreaking ceremony and celebration at the Tun Tavern, Cookie's Tavern will not be hosting the 249th Marine Corps Birthday Party on November 10, 2024," the bar posted on Facebook.

What do you want to see happen at this longstanding corner bar?

This week’s old school photo

Another feature of this newsletter that you can expect each week - an old school photo from somewhere in South Philly, and a bit of the history and background behind it.

Here’s one from 1956 showing workers getting ready to replace the water main along South 7th Street between Reed and Dickinson.

Look closely and you’ll see a sign for Gerritt Street along the sidewalk. It’s clear this is facing south on 7th Street, because if you compare this image to today on Google Street View, you can see the same building right there on the corner of 7th and Gerritt.

Fun fact: there’s a great chance this water main is still supplying the neighborhood with drinking water today. According to WHYY reporting from 2022, the average age of a water main in Philadelphia is 76 years - making the 68-year-old pipe you see in the photo younger than average.

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See youse next Thursday.