Two of the biggest issues urban farmers face is limited space and limited resources. Neighborhood Foods is a joint collaboration between two Philly organizations and the farms they operate to generate resources, access more land, reach a bigger audience and bring attention to urban-greening and the farm-to-table movement, while providing fresh local produce.

Looks tasty

Through Neighborhood Foods, for $600, beginning in mid-May and lasting until mid-October (deadline for sign-ups is April 30), participants will receive a box of produce (lettuce, radishes, scallions, broccoli etc. early in the season, plus cucumbers, carrots, peaches and more as the season evolves) once a week. By paying up front, the costs of soil, seeds and materials are covered, thus supporting the local community and its farm by reducing the potential for lost investment raising crops that might not sell otherwise.

The initiative is a joint venture between 

112 Market St. should soon be home to a new Froyo place. At the end of last year, Tom Lee proposed this concept for the very small commercial space in this newish building, which would include but twelve seats and a few more seats outside.

The little space

Lee ran into some issues with the community, where new food use in properties that are not already zoned for such is typically prohibited. He was able to negotiate with Old City Civic Association, agreeing to a temporary 5 year variance. As the end of the five year term approaches, Mr. Lee will have to resubmit his zoning application and once again go before the community if he wishes to remain in operation. Well, provided he is still in operation at that time.

When OCCA asked why he didn’t choose to just open up shop in…

Last week, we told you about a large new student housing development at the corner of 18th and Cecil B. Moore Ave., which replaced a once gorgeous church that had become structurally compromised and eventually collapsed. We not only commented on the size of this development, but also about its location, right on Cecil B. Moore Ave., which has not seen nearly as much recent residential developments as, say the numbered streets in the area.

Wowie zowie

Today, we look one block to the west and bring 1901-03 Cecil B. Moore Ave. to your attention. The two currently vacant lots were purchased by 1963 Group LLC for $75K back in October. According to the zoning application, the developers intend to build two four-story quadplexes on these two lots, and hope to include two parking spaces on the corner property. We…

Back in October, we gave you the heads up about some new businesses on the way on the 1500 block of South St. (the same block as the Royal Theater). We gave you the scoop on the planned conversion of the Tritone to a new concept from the Hawthorne’s folks, we told you about Rex 1516, the planned restobar from the folks at Jet Wine Bar, and we mentioned the planned lunch/dinner spot, Quick Fixx.

Former Tritone

Well, last night was the big finale for the Tritone. According to Foobooz, work will soon get underway on what will eventually become known as The Cambridge. The concept will be a neighborhood bar with food similar to Hawthorne’s, a fine beer selection, and a focus on smaller wineries. Expect a…

After more than a year scanning the city’s neighborhoods for a perfect location, DIG Yoga is set to open by late spring or early summer in Queen Village, at 412 Monroe St.

The studio will fill a space that’s removed from the street, up a driveway and next to the building that’s marked with its address.

Future DIG will be behind the truck that's sitting in the driveway.

Co-owner Mariel Freeman, a Bella Vista resident, has owned Shot Tower Coffee, named after the Queen Village Sparks Shot Tower historic landmark, for more than a year. At Shot Tower, she has earned a reputation among the community as an asset to the neighborhood. A number of community residents were on hand to offer support at Freeman’s zoning hearing before the Queen Village Neighborhood Association this month. The…

Back in January, we told you about the ZBA’s approval of ReNewbold, the exciting LEED Platinum project from LPMG that’s planned for the corner of 16th and Moore Sts. Tonight, at South Philly Tap Room, from 5pm until 8pm, you can get some first hand information about this new project, and reserve your new dream home. And there’s drink specials and a free buffet!

A little background in case you don’t feel like clicking back to the old post: LPMG has hired LEED experts Postgreen to design and Hybrid Construction to built 16 single family homes, 2 condo units (all with offstreet parking) and a new commercial space on the vacant lot that once housed a now demolished school building. The mix of two and three story buildings will offer a host of green features, including rain collection,…