Center City
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Bassetts Ice Cream Expansion to Asia Increases Iconic Shop’s Popularity
The iconic Bassetts Ice Cream in Reading Terminal Market, the oldest ice cream shop in America, has been expanding across Asia with the help of a little-known federal agency that makes international trade less risky, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY. Bassetts Ice Cream was the first business to sign a lease at Reading Terminal Market…
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New York Real Estate Firm Acquires Majority Debt on Historic Wanamaker Building
New York-based TF Cornerstone has acquired a majority of the debt on the historic Wanamaker building and is now moving to seize the property from Rubenstein Partners via foreclosure, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The real estate firm’s acquisition of the loan has shifted the dynamics of the building’s ongoing foreclosure case.…
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Reading Terminal Hosts First-Ever Scrapple Sculpting Contest
Ten artists from across the region showed up at Reading Terminal Market on Thursday for the inaugural Scrapple Sculpting Contest, writes Stephanie Farr for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The sculptors spent 90 minutes chiseling away at five-pound blocks of the Pennsylvania Dutch dish that is made of pig scraps in a congealed loaf form. As the…
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Center City Restaurants, Retailers Are Booming Thanks to Rise of Downtown Residential Population
The rise of Center City shoppers shifting from office workers to downtown residents has led to a boom in restaurant and retail businesses, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer. This is being shown by new research from commercial real estate services firm, CBRE. The study showed that Walnut and Chestnut Streets used to draw…
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Two Philadelphia Hotels on Michelin Guide’s First Full List of Top Places to Stay in Country
Two Philadelphia hotels made the Michelin Guide’s first full list of top accommodations nationwide and were awarded a “Key Hotel” designation in its new hotel rating system, write Eva Andersen and Casey Kuhn for CBS News Philadelphia. Michelin introduced a new system where the best hotels are awarded one, two, or three keys. The rating…
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Franklin Institute Opening Two Exhibits As Part of $20.5M Investment, 200-Year Anniversary Celebrations
This fall, the Franklin Institute will be opening two new permanent exhibits, featuring two of its most popular artifacts as part of a recent $20.5 million investment, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. On November 23, the cultural institution will open its $12 million Hamilton Collections Gallery, which houses its 350-ton Baldwin locomotive.…
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Barnes and Noble’s Center City Store Fills This Very Important Void for Readers
It has been nearly a year-and-a-half since Center City’s new Barnes and Noble store opened and while it has less space than its old Rittenhouse Square location, it has done more sales, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The newer Chestnut Street location is designed and curated more to those who most feel the…
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African American Museum in Philadelphia to Present New Exhibition from Award-Winning Actress, CCH Pounder
The African American Museum in Philadelphia will soon present a new exhibition titled, “Shared Vision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection.” The exhibition, which will make its debut on Saturday, September 14, will feature paintings from the personal collection of award-winning actress, CCH Pounder, which contains over 500 works of art from which the pieces…
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New Immersive Gaming Experience and Eatery Arriving to Center City This Fall
Beat The Bomb, an immersive team video game experience and eatery, is targeting entering Philadelphia by the end of September or early October, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. It would mark the culmination of a four-year effort to enter the Philadelphia market. The concept would offer 10,000 square feet of gaming and…
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University of the Arts Seemed to Be on Firm Footing Before Its Abrupt Closing Was Announced. What Happened?
The University of the Arts, which used to occupy a series of striking old buildings along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, seemed to be on firm footing when its imminent closure was announced on May 31, writes David Murrell for Philadelphia Magazine. University of the Arts is a private university that was always highly reliant…
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How Center City Restaurants Are Adapting to Return of Customers as Remote Work Wanes
Center City restaurants in Philadelphia are hoping to see a boost as more commuters return to in-person work, and are working to adapt to customers’ new expectations, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY The family-owned Lamberti Pizza & Market had to close its doors during the height of the pandemic. When it came time to reopen,…
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African American Museum in Philadelphia to Host Event Celebrating History of Black Music in Philly
The African American Museum in Philadelphia is hosting an event celebrating the rich history of “The Philadelphia Sound” on Thursday, August 1. The official name of the event is “AAMPlifying Black Philly Music: Unveiling the Philadelphia Sound.” The interactive program will explore Philadelphia music history spanning from the 1800s to the present-day with a focus…
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Wall Street Journal: Former Philadelphia FBI Agent is Co-Author of Book on 1988 Art Heist Case He Worked On
John Barelli, co-author of “Stealing the Show: A History of Art and Crime in Six Thefts,” has compiled a list of the five best books on real-life art heists in The Wall Street Journal. One of the books is about an art heist that took place in Philadelphia: “Priceless” by Robert K. Wittman and John…
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The Mann’s Historic Partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra to Be on Full Display July 24-27
When The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts for the second week of its summer residency in Fairmount Park, it will celebrate 100 years of legendary composer George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The performance on Wednesday, July 24, will also feature American jazz artists, the Marcus Roberts Trio – and…
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Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Parkway Was Inspired By an Avenue in Paris
The Ben Franklin Parkway is one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable places, and it got its inspiration from an avenue 4,000 miles away in France, write Jacqueline London and Kaleah Mcilwain for NBC 10 Philadelphia. The boulevard is called Champs-Élysées. While the inspiration was clear, it took decades to come to fruition. During the 1890s, Philadelphians…
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Reading Terminal Market Set to Bring Back Annual Ice Cream Festival on July 13
Reading Terminal Market is bringing back its annual Ice Cream Festival on Saturday, July 13, writes Michael Tanenbaum for PhillyVoice. Dozens of vendors will be in attendance at the pay-as-you-go indoor and outdoor event. The confirmed outdoor vendors include: • Bassett’s Ice Cream• Cloud Cups• Dreams Ice Cream• El Merkury• Famous 4th Street Cookie Co.•…
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BalletX Receives $7.4 Million Gift from Late Penn Professor, French Literature Scholar
BalletX has received the largest gift in the history of its existence in a $7.4 million donation, writes Peter Dobrin for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The donation was left by the late Joan DeJean. The former French literature and culture scholar, author, and longtime professor at the University of Pennsylvania, passed away last away last December…
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American Red Cross Center City Building Goes Up for Sale, Conversion Likely
A five-story Center City West office building currently owned by American Red Cross is going up for sale, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 52,676-square-foot building was most recently assessed by the city at $12.2 million. It being on the market presents another conversion opportunity in an area of Philadelphia that has…
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