UPDATE (8/10/2024): The Garden Court Eatery permanently closed at the beginning of August. The space is now empty.

(7/1/2024): A popular local business, the Garden Court Eatery, is permanently closing after more than a decade of operation. The sign in the window says that everything in the store is 50 percent off before it closes. The Korean-American run business, located on the ground floor of the Garden Court apartment complex, has been a local spot not only as an eatery and grocery store, but also has been known for its nice selection of craft beer.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched by community members a few days ago to help the business. The reason for the store closing is due to “building managers refusing to renew their lease,” according to the message posted by the fundraising campaign organizer, Mohini Dutt, on GoFundMe. The business has been experiencing problems with the building managers for a few years, partially due to the construction of an additional apartment building on top of the store. There have been other campaigns to help save the store in the past few years.

“The workers at Garden Court Eatery have been a stable presence in our community for years, serving us with their foods and drinks, and most importantly, their kind-hearted conversations,” writes Dutt. “…Given all the hard times this little corner of West Philly has been through over the past few years, and the grim stories we hear everyday about this world, I think it is important for us to come together to help them feel our love and appreciation as a community. My only hope is that apart from the financial assistance, they feel immense hope and support while moving on to the next chapter in their lives.”