The two-story restaurant space on the southwest corner of 40th and Walnut, where Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar used to be located, is finally getting a new tenant. Panera Bread is coming soon to the space, according to a sign posted outside. The space, which also includes an outdoor seating area, is currently undergoing renovation.
Harvest Seasonal closed its doors in early 2017 and until now the space remained vacant. The University of Pennsylvania owns the building and had been looking for “a tenant that will appeal to both the University and surrounding community,” according to an earlier report.
There is no official opening date for Panera Bread yet, but it is expected to be this Spring.
April 10th, 2019 at 9:10 am
I am sure this will do well, but I am very disappointed.
April 10th, 2019 at 1:28 pm
I am very happy to hear this. I hope they do well.
April 10th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
I would love to open my own food spot in this location, but why would Penn support small business in the community it capitalizes over?
April 11th, 2019 at 11:03 am
You mean like that independent bookstore a few feet away. On Penn’s property?
There are literally dozens of independent Philly-oriented businesses around Penn–the new food court is literally all Philadelphian restaurants. But I’m sure you’ve developed a great business plan and labor and acquired the capital necessary to drive a million-dollar project like the one in the article above.
You haven’t? Must be Penn’s fault.
April 11th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
People complain about gentrification in the area. Nothing screams that more than Panera Bread.
It is alsoso generic, I deem it genericification!
April 11th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
What gentrification? This is at 40th and Walnut– is it displacing the fraternity houses across the street?
Funny how some of you have these automatic canned responses ready to go at any time without even trying to understand any of the context. Gentrification! Displacement! Equity! Affordable Housing! Rent Control!
Grow up.
April 16th, 2019 at 2:14 pm
cant wait until bed bath and beyond comes in
April 17th, 2019 at 9:28 am
God forbid people in this area have things they need for their homes at relatively inexpensive prices.