A series of gunpoint robberies committed by what looks like the same two suspects took place on Wednesday night on South 50th street, according to police.

The first robbery was reported near 50th and Walton. A 24-year-old man told police that he was walking in the area around 9:50 p.m. and talking on his cell phone when he was approached by two unknown males who had white T-shirts covering their faces. One of the males pointed a black handgun at the man and said: “Where’s the money? Where’s the phone?”, according to a police report. The man handed the robbers his Samsung flip phone and his wallet containing his credit and debit cards and identification. One of the robbers also grabbed the man’s backpack, after which both suspects fled northbound on 50th street. The man was not injured. Police said that one of the suspects was wearing a white tank top. Continue Reading

Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser (right) Aiq at the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer.

Renata’s Kitchen (formerly Café Renata) owners Yasser and Kate Aiq are ready to open their new food-focused spot at 4533 Baltimore Avenue.

A fire heavily damaged Café Renata at 43rd and Locust last March, prompting the couple to find the new location. The grand opening party for Renata’s Kitchen is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Everyone is invited.

We asked Kate what customers should expect to see at the new location and what is the same and what is different about Renata’s Kitchen compared to Café Renata, a Mediterranean café and breakfast and brunch restaurant.

“The main difference this time around is that we are taking the opportunity to share more of our culinary expertise than we could previously at Cafe Renata. With our focus on food, we’re hoping to launch a dinner menu soon,” Kate wrote in an email.

We’ll let you know about Renata’s Kitchen hours and more details as soon as this information becomes available.

UPDATE: Renata’s Kitchen is hiring line cooks. Please call the restaurant at 267-275-8254.

Police are investigating a gunpoint robbery that took place on Monday night, shortly after 10 p.m. A 25-year-old man was walking on 44th street near Sansom when an unknown young male wearing a mask ran up to him from behind, pulled out a black handgun and demanded the man’s cell phone and wallet, according to police. Then the victim noticed another young male nearby, also wearing a mask. The gunman took the victim’s iPhone and the other robber took his wallet, according to a police report. Then both robbers fled in opposite directions. No injuries were reported. Suspects are described as black males, 18-21 years old, 5’9″ – 5’10”, both wearing masks covering their faces.

Mosaic Community Church, 123 S. 51st St.

West Philly organizations and community groups have a chance to receive grants of up to $6,000 for their projects. Three years ago, as part of a capital campaign to raise money to renovate their new property at 51st and Sansom, Mosaic Community Church committed to give away 10 percent of all of the money raised to organizations who are doing good work in West Philly neighborhoods. This commitment turned into the Building It Together (BIT) Grant Program. This year, Mosaic’s BIT Grant Program has $26,000 to give away and invites local nonprofits and community organizations to apply.

The BIT Grant Program is comprised of two distinct funding opportunities:  Continue Reading

Demolition crews were finishing off the University City High School building last week as plans for “uCity Square” were announced.

As demolition crews finish off University City High School along 36th Street between Filbert and Warren, officials from the University City Science Center and developers Wexford Science and Technology unveiled the planned office and lab complex “uCity Square” that will take its place.

The 4-million-square-foot project will include a cluster of glassy lab and office buildings with commercial and retail space that will border 37th Street to the west and Lancaster Avenue and Market Street to the north and south. The site will also house an “urban grocery store,” fitness center and parking, according to the announcement made earlier this week.  Continue Reading

Twins at 4300-4306 Osage Avenue.

The city Historical Commission’s Committee on Historic Designation recommended on Wednesday adding the Second Empire style twins at the 43rd and Osage and the south side of the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue, both eyed by developers, to the Register of Historic Places.

Proposals for both properties now move to the Historical Commission for final approval scheduled for Oct. 9. Placement on the Historic Register stipulates that the commission “must review all proposals that require a building permit and/or that would alter the appearance of the historic resource prior to the commencement of work,” according to the commission website.  Continue Reading