A couple of years ago, Scoot2You opened at 747 S. 4th St., offering a combination gallery space and scooter rental store to Fabric Row. Not only was the opening of the business noteworthy in the sense that they were introducing a cool concept, but also because they were opening in a space that have been vacant for at least the previous five years.

In 2011

Regrettably, Scoot2you couldn’t make it work at this location, moving to a new location in Old City in less than a year’s time. And so this space again sat vacant, though it seems as though it won’t be empty for long.

New sign in the window

According to the sign we spotted in the window the other day, 4 Shore Swimwear Boutique will be taking over this…

Neighborhood festivals can be great ways to bring together local businesses and residents, while at once building and showcasing the character of the neighborhood. In Northern Liberties, for example, thousands from inside and outside the neighborhood walked along 2nd Street and through the Piazza during last year’s 2nd Street Festival.

It seems a little strange that a similar festival hasn’t yet emerged from South Street Headhouse (SSHD), a conglomerate of various businesses on the eastern end of South Street. But that’s all about to change. This year marks the first attempt at that, as the first annual South Street Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th. From 2nd to 8th Streets, South Street will be transformed in a street festival featuring more than 20 restaurants, 30 bands and 100 vendors.

Yes

Please.

“We wanted something that…

By now, you’ve probably heard about the tragic three-alarm fire that took place over the weekend at Jack B. Fabrics at 4th & Fitzwater which claimed the life of Captain Michael Goodwin of South Philadelphia’s Engine 27. Not only did the fire completely destroy the building that housed the fabric store, but it also caused significant damage to neighboring buildings which contained businesses and apartments. According to an email we received from Queen Village Neighbors Association, several of the apartment dwellers lacked insurance and lost many of their possessions.

In the past

Current view

Demolition ongoing

In response to this tragedy, the Directors of QVNA have created the Fabric Row Fire Relief Fund, which will be used to aid in the recovery of local…

A few months ago, we reported on a much-needed mural coming to the side of a vacant building in Queen Village. That art project got underway last week, and the butterfly-themed painting will have lots of little eyes on it if/when a planned daycare opens next door.

The former Verte Couture Fabrics and Leather at 770 S. Fourth St., at Fulton Street, has been under construction on and off for several months, with permits pulled for electrical, plumbing, HVAC work and general interior and exterior improvements in the windows.

Months ago

In the meantime, Conrad Booker, the local artist whose work already decorates a few locations in Queen Village and Headhouse Square, began priming his canvas and painting a white frame on the north wall of the building where the daycare center will eventually live. The Queen…

A new boutique should be arriving at the corner of Fourth & Monroe in Queen Village any day now. Where the children’s clothing store Rode’O Kidz at 721 S 4th St. once lived, is a sign in the window reading “Coming Soon Helena Boutique” with a phone number and an email.

Signs

An email to the proprietor of Helena Boutique went unanswered, but the store’s Facebook page, with one “like” as of this writing, says Helena will be an “upscale women’s clothing boutique” with “ready-to-wear designer and casual contemporary apparel and accessories.” The specialty shop is slated to open this month.

Old store signage still remains

The new business will augment what seems to be a growing fashion hub for Fourth Street in Queen Village. “Fourth Street is the new Ave. Spread the word,” proclaims the…

Early in the twentieth century, South 4th Street existed as the commercial center of Philadelphia’s Jewish community. In the 1920s, City Hall issued pushcart permits thus laying the groundwork for what would later be known as Fabric Row. In its heyday, as many as 500 people made their living as a pushcart peddler in the area.

Back in the day

A few months ago, almost 100 years later, members of the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) and Queen Village Neighborhood Association (QVNA) joined together to form a 4th Street Improvement Committee to work on the revitalization of Fabric Row.

In recent years, this stretch of blocks south of South Street have changed somewhat, with the mix of mostly fabric merchants coming to include new, local retailers. For example, Red Hook Coffee & Tea, Bicycle Revolutions, and Juju, the organic…