The popular Cedar Park buy local shop, VIX Emporium, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this Saturday (Nov. 19) with a pop-up out front and special discounts and giveaways inside the store, located at 5009 Baltimore Ave.

The pop-up, featuring West Philly artist and entrepreneur Tracy Feldman, will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tracy, who is the owner of the brand Atomic Pop Vintage, will present some of her own 60s and 70s inspired art prints, as well as some vintage goodies from her Queen Village shop.

Inside, guests are invited for special one-day AnniVIXary XV discounts. VIX will also give away its 2023 West Philly calendars to each customer, while supplies last.

“Thanks to all of our supporters for 15 great years on Baltimore Avenue!,” VIX owner and long-time West Craft Fest organizer Emily Dorn wrote in a special email message. Continue Reading

A Black Holiday Pop-up Market is now open at 26 S. 52nd St. (Photo courtesy of The Enterprise Center).

As you plan your holiday shopping, be sure to stop by the Black Holiday Pop-Up Market on 52nd Street just south of Market.

Hosted by The Enterprise Center, the market located in a retail space at 26 S. 52nd St. offers everything from art and jewelry to books and skin and healthcare products from more than 30 Black-owned businesses and Black creators. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The pop-up market runs through Jan. 15. Continue Reading

Cybille St. Aude-Tate and Omar Tate have brought their considerable food expertise to Honeysuckle Provisions, the Afrocentric grocery and café on 48th Street near Pine set to open this Saturday. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Cybille St. Aude-Tate quickly corrects herself when she talks about the folks who shop at Honeysuckle Provisions, the new Afrocentric grocery and café set to open this Saturday, Oct. 29 near 48th and Pine.

“Not customers … neighbors,” said St. Aude, an accomplished Haitian-American chef who runs the shop with her husband Omar Tate, a Philadelphia native who was named Esquire magazine’s “chef of the year” in 2020.

So why are two food heavy hitters who have been featured in Vogue, Food and Wine and Esquire and made their names in the super-competetive New York dining scene opening a gourmet takeout shop in West Philly? For Omar, it’s about coming home. He grew up in Germantown and his mother has lived in West Philly – on Parrish Street – for years. Continue Reading

A new Ethiopian-owned business is opening soon on Baltimore Avenue, a block away from popular Alif Brew & Mini Mart (and run by the same folks). An Ethiopian chicken house, Doro Bet, is coming to 4533 Baltimore Ave., the space formerly occupied by Greenstreet Coffee. The space has been vacant since March 2022 after Greenstreet had to shut down operations due to a fire.

A grand opening has been scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (free chicken bites will be offered to first 50 guests).

According to social media posts, the new chicken house will offer gluten-free fried chicken. Teff flour will be used for the coating (teff is ancient gluten-free grain that originated in North Africa). Chicken is battered in your choice of mild lemon turmeric batter (Alicha) or spicy Berbere batter (Awaze) and will come with “some delicious sauces.” Shawarma and sides, like collard greens, fries and mac and cheese, will also be offered.

Doro Bet will also have some vegan options, like fried mushroom strips and a falafel sandwich.

The hours of operation are: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays).

More information and the menu are available here.

Adrienne Williams, owner of Freebird Greenery, and Drew, her son. (Photo by West Philly Local)

It seems like all 10 of Adrienne Williams’ fingers are green; not just her thumb.

Williams has turned her passion for plants, community and self-care into Freebird Greenery, which will officially open this Saturday at 4711 Pine St. The ground floor storefront in the Garden Court Plaza building includes a variety of sizes and species of house plants, pots and even a locally made “propagation wall,” for starting plant cuttings.

“I really wanted a space that felt like community,” Williams said. “I thought, where do I like to spend time? What environment do I find peaceful?,” Williams said. “Plants are a big part of that for me.” The shop’s vibe fits Williams’ “plant care as self-care” philosophy. Continue Reading

One of University City’s most popular restaurants, Distrito, has closed its doors while chef Jose Garces, who owns the establishment, is “re-evaluating the business,” according to reports.

The upscale-casual Mexican restaurant, which opened in 2008 at 40th and Chestnut, was struggling financially due to the lack of customers during the summer months and closed abruptly on July 9th, according to a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

There is hope though that Garces will reopen the restaurant in late August when students return to campus after the summer break. By that time he hopes to have a “solid business plan going forward.” Garces did not give a definitive answer and said he would make the decision based on the economic situation (rising food costs, etc.) at that time.

The Distrito staff who lost their jobs as a result of the closure will be offered jobs at other restaurants owned by the famous chef, according to the report.