The Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia, located at 45th and Locust, has sustained heavy damage to its front entrance after a car crash. The accident happened on Tuesday around 5 p.m., according to reports, when a 2012 Dodge truck, going at a high speed, ran past a stop sign and eventually crashed into the front entrance of Abyssinia at the corner of 45th and Locust. Before crashing into the restaurant, the truck hit a 2022 Tesla, which then hit another car that went on to hit two parked cars, according to police. A passenger who was inside the Tesla sustained minor injuries in the accident. No other injuries were reported.

Continue Reading

Abyssinia, the popular Ethiopian restaurant located at the corner of 45th and Locust, is eyeing expansion into the adjacent space on S. 45th Street (a former laundromat) and also wants to offer outdoor seating.

“They are in early stages and will have to apply for their expansion [to the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment] and come back once they have a refusal,” says Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach following a meeting on the plan. Continue Reading

Monthly Spruce Hill Zoning Committee meetings resume after a short break in December. The Monday, Jan. 13, meeting will include:

• Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia, located at the corner of 45th and Locust, would like to offer outdoor seating to its customers in the near future. The restaurant owner will be at the meeting to discuss this proposal, as well as a proposed expansion to the adjacent empty storefront, a former laundromat, on S. 45th Street (see photo).

• A zoning application for seven family dwelling at 4206 Chester Avenue will also be discussed. It’s a multi-family home built in 1900 and is a little over 4,800 square feet, according to Realtor.com.

The meeting will be held at the Spruce Hill Community Association Headquarters (257 S. 45th St), beginning at 7 p.m.