img

img

welcome to Old City

img BACK TO NEIGHBORHOOD
Wed
Feb 29
2012

More Froyo in Old City?

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 a vacant space in the neighborhood that was already zoned for food use, he answered that he was unable to find a more suitable location in the area. This seems questionable to us, as this location will be merely a block away from the popular Old City Frozen Yogurt, and just a two doors down from the magical Franklin Fountain. Can this area support three places that offer tasty frozen treats?

The competition. Gotta love those colors.

According to the ZBA, Lee was approved back in December. We imagine that the store will be opening up when the weather gets warm.

–Kaitlin Bostwick

7
COMMENTS
img
Posted in Old City | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments
  • qweezyq

    I would argue that old city froyo is not popular. In fact of the several times i was there I would say maybe 50% of the time there was another patron and I can’t ever recall having two others in there while I was there. Needless to say I never had to wait in line like the actual popular froyo places throughout the city. Frankly, their product is just not very good. 

  • 3rd&Brown

    Why is it for you or anyone else to decide where he should locate? On another note, it’s curious to me that the OCCA is not only opposed to all new liquor licenses, but now opposed to all new food uses, period? What gives? What is actually allowed to open in Old City?

    It’s easy to see why Old City is quickly becoming the next Manayunk and being regularly passed by by entrepreneurs looking for a friendlier environment, whether it be in NoLibs, Fairmount, or on East Passyunk.

  • bluecuracao

    3rd&Brown, OCCA didn’t oppose this new food use. At first, Mr. Lee had been denied his permit by L&I because the zoning overlay in place prohibits new food uses. Why, you may ask? Because there are already a bazillion of them within just two blocks. However, Mr. Lee got the support of OCCA on appeal, partly because he agreed not to apply for a liquor license. There are already around 60 liquor licenses in the same two blocks, which causes problems for police, the LCE, other businesses, residents, etc.

    Not sure how you determined that entrepreneurs pass Old City by, except that you aren’t familiar with the goings-on of the neighborhood. Just in the past month, we’ve had 5 new restaurants open up. For the most part, they were able to ‘recycle’ existing food uses and liquor licenses located in the area.

  • jack hammer

     It’s not just old city… a large part of Northern Liberties, including the 2nd street corridor, has a special overlay which prohibits food use in locations that do not currently serve food unless a variance is granted.

  • 3rd&Brown

    Not true. The overlay prohits alcohol, not food. They’re often linked, but not always. This is case in point.

  • Pdiddy

    Not true, it’s the North Delaware Avenue Special Controls District and it prohibits any restaurant, night club, bar, theater, cabaret, etc.

  • jack hammer

    agree with Pdiddy… even a froyo couldn’t be opened on 2nd street in a C2 property unless it went through zoning.  I heard a pitch for it… I didn’t think it was a great business idea, but I’d rather have that, than an empty store front… also, I’m not sure where the line is drawn between selling food and being a restaurant.

Have a Story for us?
Email Tips@Nakedphilly.com
With Photos & gossip