Some lucky person will never forget their recent visit to the 40 Stop Mini Market at the corner of 40th and Market streets. That is where Monday’s winning Cash 5 ticket worth $325,000 was bought. The winner has not been named.

The jackpot comes as result of picking all five numbers – 13, 20, 22, 29 and 33 – correctly in the daily drawing, which now starts over at $125,000. The store will also get a cash prize for selling the winning ticket.

We are happy to report that West Philly-based independent film project “MAYA” has reached and even slightly exceeded its funding goal on Kickstarter and will begin shooting in the first week of April. Thanks to everyone who supported it!

The film’s director, Dan Papa, is very excited that they hit the goal and says that they can’t wait to start shooting. They are still casting for the male lead role and should have a decision on that within the next couple of weeks.

A couple of crew members are still needed for this project, so anyone interested please email Dan at danieljamespapa [at] gmail.com. Here‘s the film’s Facebook page.

A popsicle shop is planning to open soon at 265 S. 44th Street in the vacant space formerly occupied by Unitea coffee & tea shop.

Local resident Jeanne Chang is going to open Lil’ Pop Shop in early April if licensing and inspections go as planned. Chang lives right around the corner from the shop and says she’s very excited about opening in West Philly. The shop is planning to sell artisan popsicles with rotating seasonal flavors using local dairy and produce. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.

This part of 44th street features three other businesses – Tampopo, Local 44 and recently opened Honest Tom’s Taco Shop.

After six years of operation, Wake Up Yoga is closing its West Philly location at 49th & Baltimore. The announcement was posted on their website and Facebook page. The studio will be staying open through April 17 when the last class will be taught.

To read the announcement click here.

Wake Up Yoga has two other locations – in Fairmount and South Philadelphia.

Il Rimedio, a restaurant that will offer “modern northern Italian cuisine,” will replace the once popular Rx at 45th and Spruce, where the brunch used to be worth waiting in line for on a Sunday. After about four weeks of displaying the sign “Closed tonight due to technical difficulties,” a new notice appeared on Rx restaurant’s door today (see below). As many locals suspected, the restaurant is changing hands. The Rx name, which opened under new ownership in 2010, played off the pharmacy that was previously located in the space. For those whose Italian is a little rusty, Il Rimedio translates as “the remedy.” Let’s hope so.

Stay tuned for more information on the new restaurant and its owners.

If you didn’t get a chance to buy girl scout cookies during their January – early February sale, there will be two more cookie tables set up this week, so come by and stock up!

Wednesday, Feb. 15 – 39th and Locust Walk, 3:00-6:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
Saturday, Feb. 18 – Clark Park “B” (43rd & Chester), 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (weather permitting)

For more information or to order cookies, contact Amy Kwasnicki (Brownie Troop 93273) at: kwaszilla [at] gmail.com.