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Three ribbon cuttings on Chestnut Street happened last week Joan Shepp, Blue Sole Shoes and Boyds Philadelphia opened their doors after 6 months at a joint press conference.
Boyd’s is excited to be reopen and they just announced they’re opening a store in Suburban Square in Ardmore as well. Read the story at the Philadelphia Biz Journal. See you out and about in Rittenhouse Square.
Hello it’s Thursday and gloomy, but the news I’m writing about showcases a bright future for Center City. I’m happy to report that Rittenhouse Row is ready for for your return. So many stores are open now, restaurants are open, the oppressive summer heatwave has subsided and the streets and park are clean and inviting. Some of our favorite stores have closed, a few closed because of the riot, but the majority were affected by the pandemic. Some did close before the pandemic like Intermix, I know a lot of people are sad about that store. A few new stores opened after the pandemic. I will do a comprehensive post next week after the ribbon cutting for the reopening of Boyd’s and Joan Shepp.
After weeks of cleaning Mac Cosmetic store at 18th and Chestnut Streets will be re opening tomorrow. M-S 11-7; Sunday 12-6 (It’s not reflected on their website or Instagram, but the managers have reached out to me to give me the good news) . Nearby Sephora re opened last month at 1714 Chestnut St. Unfortunately superstore Ulta Beauty has closed for good on Walnut Street, but they have a nice store in the Fashion District on Market Street.
Tumi looks to be opening soon as they have re stocked their store.
Opened and waiting for you. Blue Sole Shoes
Center City is getting back to business, and is looking forward to seeing you. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news these past few months, but I want you to know that things really are looking good and opening up. I feel that it’s safe to come into the City, but of course always be aware of your surroundings. Be extra careful after dark, a lot of stores seem to close by 8pm and foot traffic is lighter at that time. The restaurant areas are packed, and when possible park as close to them, take an Uber or a cab, again it’s just because a lot of folks are still working remotely so there’s not a lot of foot traffic after dark. Wear your mask, if you can eat out, try and tip at least 25%. When a server comes to your table if you remember wear your mask, protect both of you. Be considerate, and kind. We’re all stressed out in this unprecedented time. See you social. Twitter and Instagram. Stay in touch with what’s going on on Rittenhouse Row here.
In another series of Hughe Around Town I’m updating you on the progress of Midtown Village. It looks great. Lots of places re-opening, a new business, and two places saying good bye to the neighborhood.
For the third week Midtown Village / Gayborhood will be dining outside with many of the streets closed. It’ll be the 2nd time for McGillin’s Old Ale House to participate, after a sold out weekend. Make sure you make reservations at the eatery of your desire before heading there, so that everyone can socially distance safely.
I wrote about it on my blog earlier this month in greater detail.
One restaurant/bar you won’t be hanging out at in the future is Tiki Bar. It is permanently closed. I had been watching it for a few weeks and even saw them cart the Tiki’s off about 2 weeks ago. It was a cool spot, but like the ones before it, and the spot before that, it just never took off. I don’t know why, I love the corner location especially their roof patio.
Good News: Opening between the former Bella Turka and the re opened Duross & Langel is Morton Contemporary Art Gallery at 115 S 13th St in the old Paper on Pine location. It opens on 9/1/20. The owner Debbie Morton is no stranger to Midtown Village as she used to operate another gallery nearby. I stopped by earlier this week, and really enjoyed all she had to offer. She has many local artists as well whom we all enjoy. Check out their website to see her art, as well as the store to welcome her back to the neighborhood.
Speaking of Paper on Pine, they love being in Midtown Village as well and moved just around the corner to 1310 Sansom Street. The store looks great and is stocked with all the items we love about Paper on Pine.
It’s right across from TIME, which I’m excited to see is now re opened. Great to see our City, especially Midtown Village bouncing back. Have a great weekend. See you on Social where I multiple times a day of things I see, for you to do or birds and flowers I come across. This weekend I’m in Cape May, then next weekend I’ll be going to Lancaster, for more than just my normal day trip. Have a safe weekend, be kind, and thank you so much for stopping by. xo HughE
In other Phillywood news, Kate Winslet, who was in the middle of filming the HBO TV Series “Mare of Easttown” in the Philly area this past winter, has revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that starring in Contagion gave her a jump on preparing for Covid-19, leading to her wearing face masks months before the rest of the US. She states in the interview she plans to return to Pennsylvania to finish the final 21 days of filming in September. The cast also includes Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, Evan Peters, Cailee Spaeny and David Denman. (source)
This past weekend Flyers TV and In-Arena Host Andrea Helfrich (when I met her a decade ago, she was Miss Philadelphia) had plenty to celebrate as the Flyers won their first Stanley Cup Playoff series since 2012 and her boyfriend, Antonio Presta, proposed at the Four Seasons in Center City. The couple shared their special moment on Saturday overlooking the city of Philadelphia and was accompanied by their beloved mini Australian Shepard, Benji.
Helfrich, a Richboro native and graduate of Council Rock South High School and West Chester University said, “He got me good! A proposal perfectly sandwiched in between playoff rounds, I don’t know how he did it but it was an absolute surprise!” Presta, who is Managing Partner of Craft Manayunk, is an Abington native. Helfrich said “I’m so grateful to my fiancé, family and friends who made this a day I will never forget. (Thanks to the Flyers for providing this information. The photos were taken by Philip Gabriel Photography)
Tomorrow I’ll be writing about Midtown Village, and how the business’ have come together to create a wonderful community. A new business is just about to open, and sadly a couple have closed. In the meantime, have a great day, be kind to one another and I’ll see you on Social Media. xo HughE
Monday I woke up late, as usual in my new normal, but instead of hanging out on the computer I decided to go for a walk. It was one of those walks I take through Center City to see how the City is re opening as well which business have closed during the pandemic. I’m happy to report that folks have returned to the streets to shop, to see friends, to exercise.
Welcome Back Ubiq (I can’t wait for the next limited edition sneaker) and Warby Parker, both now open.
BUT Yesterday I was like an excited kid when I saw that it was finally re opened!! It’s perfect to have Madewell (women’s wear) and Indochino (menswear) next to each other.
I wish I had a better photo, I should have crossed the street. As you can see on the left photo, which I took last Thursday, the sign is still up and projects from the wall. The photo on the right has the letters removed. Signs directing customers to the other locations are in the window. I don’t think Ulta Beauty closed because of the pandemic, it was always rumored they would move once the Fashion District opened, but that’s just my gut feeling, as is most of my reporting. See you on Social Media. Remember your umbrella today.
Hello Wednesday. Slowly the sidewalks of Center City are coming alive with the opening of retail, restaurants and good weather. Yesterday I took a walk through the Fashion District (forever known in conversations as the Gallery to anyone born before 2000). The Fashion District opened last year to much fanfare, and just like Philadelphia it’s 2020 future looked bright, until Covid19 had other plans.
This was my 2nd walk in the past few weeks.
Yesterday the mall er I mean #thedistrict was much more bustling, with more stores opened and folks with shopping bags.
Great news all you Ulta Beauty is open at Fashions District. It’s the only one opened in Center City. I have a feeling the one on Walnut Street is not going to open. Recently they took the boards off the store front, but they put signs in the window directing people to this one as well as the one in KOP.
I’ve always loved this campaign the Fashion District has promoted, and I believe this statement is true again. The Fashion District is a perfect date spot, just eat dinner before you go. To stay up to date with everything happening and opening at Philly’s latest mall, check out their website.
Hope you’re weekend was a blast, let’s get to the fun stuff:
A ChitChat reader wrote on Friday: Just spotted Savannah Guthrie walking down Ventnor ave across from Casels market in Margate. She looked stunning! She was wearing an amazing knee length navy dress with open back and a huge hat. (Def a more Hamptons look than Margate – so we noticed her right away. But she really is stunningly beautiful in person!)
Sophy Curson, the chic women’s boutique that opened in 1929 on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, has withstood the test of time and is one of the first high fashion clothing stores to re open during the pandemic after Philly moved into greenish, and they always have a fun window display.
Speaking of fun, fabulous high end clothing stores, Joan Shepp (1811 Chestnut Street) will reopen in mid-August. She just dropped some big news earlier this week when she announced home decor partner Kevin O’Brien will be sharing retail space in Joan’s iconic Rittenhouse Store. Kevin will be opening an 800 square-foot beautiful shop in the mezzanine of Joan Shepp in September. The shop will be dedicated to showcasing his products, which range from bedding and decorative pillows to rugs and furniture. Joan feels it is a valuable service to offer her customers in these trying times
I previously reported Boyd’s clothing store, across the street from Shepp’s, will open on September 1, the new date is September 14. Here are beautiful heart pastes the kids from the Community Partnership School did with artist King Saladeen
The short lived Inchin’s Bamboo Garden at 1726 Chestnut St has closed, but remains under the same owner who is now opening as Ancient Spirits & Grille , which he plans to open in September the owner told me.
It’s nice to see so many PhillyChitChat readers out and about, like Crystal and Mo who I met at 18th and Chestnut Streets the other day. And for so many others thanks for the shout outs as well, but keep your eyes on the road. A honk is good. Thank and let’s chit chat on Tuesday. In the meantime follow me on Instagram and Twitter as where I talk daily, sometimes hourly filling you in on the who, what and happening in Philly, and nearby.
Good Monday morning, hope you’re all well. I just walked by Sofitel last week and was going to note that after 3 months or so it seems to be preparing to open soon, when Aversa Pr sent over a press release with details of the Sofitel Philadelphia opening.
Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square announced last week that the hotel will reopen its doors to hotel guests and visitors on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 11:00am. The luxury hotel that blends French elegance with American style will reopen for overnight stays for guests in 306 newly renovated elegant suites and 67 newly renovated luxurious suites, plus the stunning Presidential Suite. Banquet facilities will be open for limited private events in accordance with local and state guidelines. Hotel restaurants will remain closed at this time. Sofitel Philadelphia’s top priority remains the safety, care and well being of hotel guests and employees. At this moment, this means keeping guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 by partnering with top experts to implement new standards of safety and enhanced operational protocols and procedures which are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry. As part of the reopening plans, Sofitel Philadelphia is offering guests a buy one, get one free offer for a complimentary night stay with the purchase of an equal night stay.
“We are excited to share that Sofitel Philadelphia is reopening its doors as of August 6th,” said Sofitel Philadelphia General Manager Angela Bauer. “We’ve missed you all and are thrilled to welcome our friends, family and community back into the hotel. As always, our hotel’s top priority remains the safety, care and well-being of our Sofitel Philadelphia family. Welcoming, safeguarding and taking care of others is at the very heart of what we do and who we are. Today, this means keeping our guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 by partnering with top experts to implement new standards of safety and enhanced operational protocols and procedures which are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry. We have missed being part of the Philadelphia community all of these months and we can’t wait to see you.”
The new operational standards being implemented at Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square and Accor properties across North and Central America were developed and vetted by a team of expert advisors to ensure maximum efficacy in preventing the spread of all viruses and pathogens, including COVID-19, with oversight by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections and certification; Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security & fellow with the Infectious Diseases Society of America; and Ruth Petran, Ph.D., CFS, Senior Corporate Scientist, Food Safety and Public Health, for Ecolab, global leaders in cleaning and hygiene, and trusted advisors to the CDC.
All Stay Well Program. Informative info on taking precautions for Covid19
We could all use a little tea time: I was also excited Sofitel Philadelphia was bringing their Afternoon Tea back as well. I’ve been to tea time, and as I’ve written here before I’m a big fan of Tea Sandwiches, scones and tea.
Starting August 1, 2020, Sofitel will be offering afternoon tea for up to 10 Guests in our Magnifique Presidential Suite.
There are 3 seating’s a day, for up to 10 people $500 plus tax. Now that sounds like a good party. Check out more info here.
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