Neighborhood Bike Works is moving! (Photo from NBW Facebook page).

Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW), a great neighborhood institution that has been providing bike education programs for youth and bike repair classes for adults for nearly two decades, has just announced its plans to open a new, larger hub and community shop in West Philly this Fall. The new site is located at two side-by-side storefront properties – at 3939 and 3943 Lancaster Avenue. It is one mile from NBW’s current headquarters in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Locust Walk.

“By moving out of a basement space to a highly visible, street-level site, we hope more families will find us and get involved in our programs,” NBW Executive Director Erin DeCou said in a statement.

A larger space on Lancaster Ave will offer more flexibility and an opportunity for NBW to operate more than one class or event at a time. Located at the intersection of the Mantua, Belmont, and Powelton neighborhoods, the new headquarters will also allow NBW to be closer to more of the communities they serve.  Continue Reading

The little building at 4610 Cedar is coming down. (Photo by West Philly Local)

The small building that sits on the west side of the triangular parking lot at 4610 Cedar Ave. (near Baltimore) is finally coming down and it looks like a three-story building will take its place.

Fencing has been erected around the building, which most recently was a temporary branch of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, and the work should be completed by the end of the month, according to signs. A permit issued in November 2013 allows for the demolition of the current structure and the construction of a three-story building. The property is zoned for commercial and residential uses and is owned by the Bay Lay Song Family Trust, which is headed by members of the Lai family (who own the Vietnam Café at 816 S. 47th St., among other properties).

The building has been many things over the years (A West Coast Video, cheesesteak place, dollar store, gas station) and two businesses – Domino’s Pizza and Philly Flavors ice cream –  expressed interest in the property over the last couple of years. Both plans fell through.

Café Renata owners Kate Steenstra and Yasser Aiq (archived photo).

Great news for Café Renata regulars and everyone who appreciates good coffee, enjoys food with Mediterranean flavors and supports local businesses: Nearly two months after the devastating fire that shut down the popular café’s storefront at 43rd and Locust, owners Kate Steenstra and Yasser Aiq are sharing the news that they are reopening their business at a new location – the former Subway restaurant space at 4533 Baltimore Avenue. Last month we reported that the space that had been vacant since December was available for rent.

The new lease was already signed, and Katie and Yasser’s plans are under way at full speed to get up and running again. They have started moving their equipment to the new location and upgrading the space.

Morning after fire at Café Renata at 43rd and Locust.

It wasn’t an easy decision for Renata owners to give up Locust St that worked great for them. However, after considering the pre-existing structural issues with the building that were exposed by the fire, the amount of time they had left on their lease and the timeline projections on rebuilding that space that their previous landlord gave to them, they decided that the best option for them and their customers was to give Renata a new long term home.

After the fire a lot of support poured in for Renata owners from the community members and local businesses. A fundraiser for Renata took place in March at The Bar(n) on Baltimore.

“The easy part for us was deciding that there was no way we were going to quit all together. And that 100% came from all the support and encouragement that our customers and neighbors showed us after the fire. We couldn’t have asked to be in a better neighborhood. We’d like to thank everyone for all their continued support, it means so much to us to be a part of this great community!” Katie wrote in an e-mail.

We’ll keep you posted on an opening date, which is expected this summer.

Café Renata is relocating to the former Subway restaurant space at 4533 Baltimore Avenue.

Studio 34 needs a “nightclub” permit to keep hosting large events like the City Kitties benefit auction pictured here. Photo from City Kitties.

A couple of dozen supporters of Studio 34, the yoga and arts space at 4522 Baltimore Ave., breathed a collective sigh of relief last night when the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee vowed to help figure out a way to get the studio compliant with city codes.

Studio 34 needs a “nightclub” permit to continue to hold events like dance recitals and art shows that it has held since it opened eight years ago. A few residents who live near the studio are concerned that if Studio 34 vacates the building one day (it has a 20-year lease) the nightclub permit might be used to open an actual nightclub. The building’s owner also owns the nearby Fiesta Pizza.

The ordeal began a couple of years ago when an organization rented Studio 34 to host a large event. They set up a bunch of folding chairs, but didn’t leave an aisle, a code violation. Later a city inspector came around and suggested that Studio 34 needed a special permit to hold large events that weren’t part of its core mission as a yoga studio. Since another part of its mission is providing community space for all sorts of events, Studio 34’s co-owners have decided to pursue the permit.

“We just want to do it above board,” said co-owner Jim Peniston.

The zoning committee committed to helping Studio 34 and nearby residents figure out a way to get the permit, but have some limits placed on it. For example, there could be a stipulation that the permit has an expiration date.

“No one is anything but complimentary about what you guys are doing,” said zoning committee chair Barry Grossbach.

While no decision was made at last night’s meeting, the board promised to be supportive of Studio 34’s efforts while reassuring neighbors that they won’t someday live near a rollicking, nighttime hot spot.

Last December we reported that the Subway restaurant at 4533 Baltimore Ave. closed down for an indefinite time. Four months later the restaurant is still closed and a sign appeared on the building saying that the space is being leased by Mallin Panchelli Nadel Realty, Inc.

The 1,100-square-foot space with a basement is reportedly offered for $2,500 a month (the listing with more information and photos is here). All the equipment, fixtures and furniture left after Subway are still there and available for purchase, according to the listing.

Prior to Subway this space was used by small local businesses. The news of Subway opening in the space in 2012 wasn’t taken well by some community residents (see photo below). The restaurant became a focal point of controversy in 2011 and 2012 (read more here).

Artist and West Philly resident Samantha Mayo and her partner Kevin Buttery have an interesting, West Philly-centered idea for the empty space at the corner of 45th and Baltimore, right across the street from Milk and Honey Market. They are planning to open “The Arty Bunker,” part art shop for local artists to sell their work to the community and part classroom for kids to take art classes during the day and for B.Y.O.B. painting classes for adults in the evening.

Samantha and Kevin have everything in place to start their business as soon as possible except for the funding, and are currently raising money that would help cover start-up costs and overhead of the shop and classroom. This past Saturday the pair went to Clark Park to spread the word (some of you probably saw The Arty Bunker flyers around the park), and next Saturday they are planning to set up a facepaint table in the park and talk to more people about their idea.

The fundraising goal is $12,000, and the money is being raised through Kickstarter. “No one would get charged until we reach our goal and we have until May 7 until our Kickstarter expires,” writes Samantha. “This is really West Philly community oriented so any support from the community helps!”

Samantha and Kevin say that they understand the risks associated with starting a business:

“We have the motivation and inspiration to overcome the challenges of starting a company. We are two, well-educated and passionate people who are determined to make The Arty Bunker a reality in West Philadelphia.”

If you like Samantha and Kevin’s idea and would like to support it, please go to their Kickstarter page for more information and to make a donation: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239485913/bring-the-arty-bunker-to-west-philadelphia.

Also, check out the video the guys posted on Kickstarter: