Philly Says Goodbye (Again): Closings, Commutes, and Big Moves
City Life
Closing Time: Not a great week for local institutions. Metropolitan Bakery’s Rittenhouse location is shutting down this month after 32+ years. Out in Delco, Wilson’s Secret Sauce announced its closing—a year after Gordon Ramsay dropped in for a TV rescue. Thoughts and prayers for brisket and chocolate-walnut cookies.
Market East’s Big Ask: Op-ed of the day: Market East is still struggling, and some locals think it’s time for bold investment and an identity that isn’t “mall or nothing.”
Tenant Win: City Council is primed to expand tenant protection against retaliatory evictions and launch a proactive inspections program. Decent news for renters feeling the squeeze.
Navy Yard Grows Up: Philly’s Navy Yard got its first apartments this week, hinting at an entire new waterfront community coming together—restaurants, retail, maybe even a grocery store if we dare to dream.
Cheap(er) Parking: Chinatown just scored $5 parking (thank you, PPA partnership) at select lots, at least for a while.
Transit & Getting Around
SEPTA $$ for World Cup: The feds just handed SEPTA $5.5 million to prep for World Cup transit chaos in 2026. Extra trains, security, and more fan ferrying—now let’s see them pull it off.
Self-Driving in the Snow?Waymo is getting its self-driving cars ready for Philly’s winter, testing how they cope with slush and potholes. (If they can survive our streets, they can survive anywhere.)
E-ZPass Stickers? N.J. Turnpike is piloting E-ZPass stickers as a replacement for those chunky plastic transponders. No word if PA will catch up.
Food & Fun
Neighborhood Bites: The March best new restaurant list dropped—might as well treat yourself. Looking for something weirder? Stina is serving up Greek snails that are apparently legit.
ABBA Dance Party: Mark your calendar—there’s a full-on ABBA bash coming to the Swedish Historical Museum. Sparkly jumpsuits encouraged.
Discount Museum Tix: Thanks to a $7.6 million grant, Philly museums are offering reduced admission for low-income residents. Check eligibility before you go.
The Wardrobe is hosting free clothing pop-ups across the region if your closet needs a boost.
Sports & People
Sixers Spiral: Shorthanded and destroyed by the Spurs. VJ Edgecombe is out, and injury reports keep piling up. At least playoff race is still interesting (power rankings here).
Wrexham AFC’s coming back for a summer game at Subaru Park, taking on Sunderland (details).
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary!) just won a GLAAD award for her LGBTQ+ advocacy. Philly love, etc.