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.
That’s what you missed. More tomorrow.
