Just in time for spring, the long-awaited grand opening of popular Black-owned plant shop Plant and People at its new location, 3952 Lancaster Ave., is tomorrow, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The new location of the mother-daughter-owned shop carries the familiar selection of houseplants and supplies, but now also includes a café.

Co-owners Cherron Perry-Thomas and her daughter Amma described their decision to combine two things they love at the new location on their website.

“Why combine a plant shop with a café? To us, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Both plants and café culture invite a similar energy: they encourage you to pause, to slow down, to connect – with nature, with others, or simply with yourself.”

Tomorrow’s grand opening will feature a repotting workshop, DJ set, food samples from the new café and wine tasting with Mitchell and Mitchell Wines.

Also, check out their annual Big A** Plant Sale (B.A.P.S.) next Sunday, April 27, now at the new location.

The independent Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board announced four upcoming public input hearings to address a general rate increase requested by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), which filed a formal notice with the Rate Board on March 31.

Based on the PWD rate filing, beginning September 1, 2025, the monthly bill for the typical residential customer would increase by 11.7 percent. Beginning September 1, 2026, a typical customer would experience an additional 5.9 percent increase, which means that an average monthly bill would be approximately $96. The reason for the proposed two consecutive year rate increases is “rising costs in labor, materials, equipment, laboratory services, regulatory obligations, and capital costs.” As a reminder, PWD raised its rates twice in the past two years because of the same reason.

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The Kingsessing Library has a new teen and child reading area.

Here’s some great news for Southwest Philly residents. After being closed for a major renovation for more than two years, the Free Library of Philadelphia Kingsessing Branch, located at 1201 S. 51st St., has reopened this week and is welcoming visitors and patrons.

The century-old building (built in 1919) closed its doors in October 2022 to prepare for construction, which began the following winter.

Some of the upgrades and renovations at the library include:

• New teen and child reading area
• New roof, doors and windows which bring more light into the space
• Refurbished masonry
• New elevator
• New furniture, fixtures and finishes
• New lighting improvements on the exterior and interior
• HVAC improvements

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We’re sad to report that West Philly’s Curio Theatre Company has cancelled the final show of their 20th anniversary season due to unfortunate circumstances. The new production, A Funeral Farce, was scheduled to run from April 30 to May 17, but has been postponed indefinitely after a few key staff and family members were diagnosed with serious illnesses, according to an announcement posted on social media.

“After many hours of talks and weighing many options we must, with heavy hearts, cancel our last production of Season 20,” the announcement reads. “We have quite unexpectedly been hit with multiple serious family illnesses. Three of us who are deeply involved in many aspects of the show have been profoundly affected by cancer.”

The show is co-written by Jared Reed and Curio’s artistic director Paul Kuhn and directed by Curio’s managing director Gay Carducci-Kuhn. Curio members hope to do this show in the future, “hopefully with the same cast and crew.”

Purchased tickets will be reimbursed, but in its continuous effort to never turn away a child for financial reasons, Curio is asking to consider donating your purchased ticket to Curio’s Spotlight Fund which gives scholarships to children who cannot afford to attend Saturday classes and camp.

UPDATE: SEPTA has adjusted the schedule for the 42nd Street Trolley Track Renewal project, which will replace the tracks between Spruce Street and Woodland Avenue. The project is now expected to begin today (Tuesday, April 1) and continue until June 13.

Trolley tracks will be replaced along 42nd Street between Spruce Street and Woodland Avenue, which is a portion of the trolley diversion route usually used in the summer during trolley tunnel maintenance. The project will affect parking and vehicular traffic.

During the project’s pre-construction phase, parking will be restricted on the portions of 42nd Street affected by work. 42nd Street will be closed in segments as the project moves along. Only one block at a time will be closed. The intersections of 42nd and Spruce, 42nd and Baltimore, 42nd and Chester, and 42nd and Woodland will not be affected by the project.

Construction hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (sometimes later). Occasional weekend work may also take place.

Additional information about this project is available here.

The newly opened period pantry is open to all community members.

A new period pantry has opened at the Health Partners Plans Community Wellness Center, located at 6232 Market Street. This new hub addresses period poverty that impacts two in five people who menstruate. The pantry will provide free menstrual products, education on menstrual health, and access to community health workers who can assist with scheduling women’s health appointments.

Period poverty occurs when individuals cannot access or afford menstrual hygiene products and is often linked to limited access to basic facilities and running water. People facing period poverty frequently have to choose between basic needs, like buying food or paying for utilities, and purchasing menstrual products, which can lead to significant health and mental health challenges. This issue is particularly prevalent in large cities like Philadelphia and disproportionately impacts Black and Latina women.

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