This & That: Savannah Guthrie Spotted, Center City Re Openings & New Biz

August 9, 2020 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

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!)

Foot traffic is picking up in Center City, especially in the Rittenhouse Row shopping areas of Chestnut and Walnut Streets.

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.

Also opening in September on the 1700 block of Chestnut Street is **Greene Street consignment shop.** They’re hiring as well. Check out their site.

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.

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This & That: Rittenhouse Square Opened, New Biz Too

July 28, 2020 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Hope you had a great weekend. Last week I strolled through Rittenhouse Square and reported on a lot of sad news about businesses closing, stores paused, a few still boarded and some who have opened. The first exciting news is: Square 1682, the modern American kitchen located at the intersection of 17 ^th and Sansom streets by Rittenhouse Square in the Palomar Hotel, has re-opened for take-out as well as outdoor dining on the patio seating area.
Lunch is 12 – 4 pm, followed by dinner from 4 – 8 pm daily. Guests can enjoy dishes tried, true, and even some new from the freshly updated Square 1682 menu – Select known favorite dishes have returned, such as the Waffle Fries served with malt vinegar and chipotle ranch ($10), the delectable Warm Cornbread accompanied by honey butter ($5) to start, or the revered Cauliflower Curry entrée, with chickpeas, spinach, and madras curry ($24). Newer additions to the menu include a sumptuous Softshell Crab Sandwich with jalapeno tartar sauce ($16), and Tagliatelle served with Jersey vegetables, pistachio pesto and pecorino ($13/serving, $25/family style).

Also nearby stores like Vince, Gap, The Loft and Govberg’s are open as I mentioned last week. I did another walk through at the end of the week and saw many more stores open and even more who have taken the boards off, which is nice and inviting.

Both Lululemon and Athleta are now open and excited to welcome you back to the 1700 block of Walnut Street. As you know Intermix has closed, but I found out it closed a few days before the pandemic, so we can’t count that as a business lost to Covid19. GM Danielle Kane wishes it worked out, sends her love and thanks.

New Business The previously announced allbirds, which took over the space formally occupied by Timberland at 1709 Walnut St, is being stocked and is ready to open in the next week.

Feast Well Foods can take a lot of the work out of cooking for you this weekend, especially if you’re headed to the shore.

Delivery
Friday, July 31st 3pm – 5pm
or
Curbside pick-up
Thursday, July 30th 4pm – 5pm
Friday, July 31st 1pm – 5:30pm

The Loft is open now for all your summer fashions, and these days summer goes right into October. Grab a cocktail at a.bar as that is open as well.

The former Zara’s is being reconfigured for Tiffany’s Jewelers which is moving from it’s current location in the Bellevue. It is not open.

The Hyatt Centric near 17th and Walnut Streets is coming along. They’re topped off, windows have been installed and the sign is up. Looks great.

Pietro’s has extended their dining area and it looks good. I spoke with a Madewell associate today and they have no idea when they’re going to open the Walnut Store.

But there’s plenty of other reasons to come down town, it’s bouncing back and there’s a lot of sales to be had.

If you’re going to the Apple store make sure you have an appointment, that is the only way you can enter. Give them a call. When you see me in the streets give a wave to PhillyChitChat. Thanks!!