Locust Moon Comics, a local publishing business that until recently also had a shop near 40th and Chestnut, has revealed plans to move into the former church complex at 47th and Kingsessing. The plans will be discussed during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.

The complex, which is undergoing extensive renovation, began welcoming its first tenants this winter. One of the first commercial tenants to move onto the grounds, Children’s Community School, is holding an open house at the new space on Friday, Feb. 26, from 9 – 10 a.m., with more open houses scheduled for March 10, April 1 and April 28.

Along with two childcare centers, Children’s Community School and Little Learners, The Soapbox Community Print Shop & Zine Library was also announced as a likely tenant for the complex. The organization was raising funds late last year to help cover space renovation and moving expenses.

Locust Moon Press and The Soapbox will present their plans during Tuesday’s zoning meeting of the Southwest District Services at Kingsessing Recreation Center (50th and Kingsessing). Here’s more information from Locust Moon’s Facebook page:

“There’s a community meeting to assess our viability for the neighborhood. The Soapbox Publishing Center and Zine Library will also be presenting their exciting plans for the basement of the church. This meeting is a crucial step in getting into this wonderful new space. Please come out and show your support for independent comic publishing in West Philly!”

The firm of renowned architect Frank Furness designed the 115-year-old church building, which was saved from demolition last year and converted into commercial space.

Delaila Aryee (left) and Lyndsay Brown (right) with former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter.

A new fitness and physical therapy private practice with a focus on affordable physical therapy and rehab, fitness classes and open gym options, has recently opened at 5008 Baltimore Avenue. Vital Step Physical Therapy and Fitness co-owners Delaila Aryee and Lyndsay Brown, both Doctors of Physical Therapy, are young entrepreneurs who were featured on A Woman’s Nation in September 2015. Their dream then was to open their own, compassionate practice that would serve their community.

“We are very passionate about making an impact in our local community because we have spent many years here as clinicians, residents and graduates from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (also located in West Philly),” Aryee and Brown told A Woman’s Nation.

Thanks to the women’s passion and a little help from KIVA Zip, which provided a microloan allowing to renovate the space and to purchase necessary equipment and supplies, Vital Step opened its doors in November.

At Vital Step, you can get physical therapy services for various neurological conditions, including stroke, brain/spinal injury, Parkinson’s disorder, Multiple Sclerosis and more; orthopedic conditions, including joint replacement therapy, arthritis/joint pain, lower back/neck pain, sports injuries and more. The facility also offers balance and fall prevention programs, CHF and COPD management, postpartum therapy, diabetes and high blood pressure management, and other services.

Rehabbing an ankle injury at Vital Step.

As concerns fitness and health education, Vital Step offers general and specialized fitness programs, including yoga, low impact aerobics and Zumba/dance, and nutrition education.

Vital Step Physical Therapy & Fitness is located at 5008 Baltimore Ave., on the 2nd floor of the Mercy wellness center (it is not affiliated with Mercy).

For more information, visit: http://www.vitalsteppt.com/. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

(Photos from Vital Step’s Facebook page).

Here’s a list of assorted local businesses and their holiday hours. We’ll update the list as more information becomes available.

Coffee shops, restaurants

• Coffee Market (45th and Pine): Thursday (Dec. 24), Saturday (Dec. 26), Sunday (Dec. 27): 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Friday (Dec. 25): 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Green Line Cafe (45th and Locust): Thursday (Dec. 24): 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday (Dec. 25): Closed; Dec. 27 – Jan. 1: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (43rd and Baltimore): 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. until Saturday, Jan. 2.

• Honest Tom’s Taco Shop (44th and Spruce): Closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 27 and Dec. 31, Jan. 1, 2, 3.

• Renata’s Kitchen (46th and Baltimore): Thursday (Dec. 24) & Friday (Dec. 25): Closed; Open for the rest of the week and New Year’s (serving New Year’s Day brunch!).

• Rx The Farmacy (45th and Spruce): Closed until Thursday, Dec. 31.

Grocery, liquor stores

• Mariposa Food Co-op (49th and Baltimore): Thursday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 25: Closed; Saturday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 1: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Supreme Shop ‘n Bag (43rd and Walnut): Dec. 24 & Dec. 31: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Dec. 25 & Jan. 1: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• The Fresh Grocer (40th and Walnut): Open 24 hours

• Fine Wine & Good Spirits (43rd and Chestnut, 49th and Baltimore): Dec. 24: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Dec. 25 & Jan. 1: Closed; Open regular hours on Dec. 31.

University City-based startup Margo wants to simplify what has become a stressful process.

With changing government regulations and the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there are many new factors to consider while shopping for insurance. That’s where Margo comes in. 

Founder Zach Robbins and the company have built a service that makes buying insurance a little less formal, less “salesy.”

“At the end of the day we believe that everyone more or less needs insurance and we’d like to make the process as convenient as possible. Being such an arduous task, it doesn’t need to be more complicated,” said Robbins.

Here’s how it works: A consumer contacts Margo through text message, e-mail or online chat. No 1-800 numbers. A good start.

After the customer makes the initial contact, the company’s Insurance Advocates run the data past carrier partners and follow up with the best insurance quotes. The process is entirely digital. While carriers are the parties with the most control over insurance rates, Margo’s Insurance Advocates make sure to notify users when their rates change and can also help them determine if there is a need for a policy change.

Oh, almost forgot, the service is free. The insurance carriers pay Margo.

In Margo’s early planning phase, the team worked with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s Small Business Development center for early stage assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students were paid to help lay the groundwork for select new ventures.

To learn more about the digital insurance agency, visit www.getmargo.com.

– Rana Fayez

A reader, Alex, sent us this photo this morning of some graffiti at the recently opened Clarkville bar and restaurant on the corner of 43rd and Baltimore. He writes:

“I went to breakfast at Green Line this morning and noticed Clarkville has been vandalized. Xed out windows, and the messages “merry Christmas ” and “f*** you.” What a shame. I hope the owners can clean it up without too much trouble.”

We asked owner Leigh Maida whether Clarkville will be closed today. Her response: “No way! Open for business! Come eat and drink so we can pay for the repairs.”

UPDATE: Soon after this post was published the University City District graffiti removing crew showed up and helped clean up the building:

Photo courtesy UCD.

   Photo courtesy of Lil’ Pop Shop.

After over three years of operation at 44th and Spruce and gaining popularity throughout the area, Lil’ Pop Shop is ready to expand.

The new location, at 4608 Woodland Ave., will serve as a main production hub for the business and will include more offerings. “We’re outgrowing the kitchen on 44th,” says owner Jeanne Chang. “We will have a lot more equipment [at the new location].”

The new space is equipped with an oven for baked goods, including cakes and pies, confections, marshmallows, and different types of cookies. “This will greatly impact the products we can make; it will better serve the neighborhood,” Chang said.

Lil’ Pop Shop II will emulate the same model as the first, as it will be mainly for takeout with limited seating.

Chang relocated to Philadelphia in 2012, after her husband began working at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, a West Philadelphia nonprofit that researches smell and taste. She decided to open the business on 44th and Locust in May 2012 and has been serving up original popsicle recipes ever since. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she uses her culinary background to craft flavors such as Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Early Grey with Black Pepper and Green Tea with Mochi for her customers.  Continue Reading