In the last week, two readers have reached out and told us about plans for a new fro-yo shop for 20th & Brandywine. We were in the area today and stopped by, hoping to find out some additional info about this new business. Sadly, there was no one there to talk to, but we did snap a couple of photos.

In the past

Current view

As you can see, a former corner grocery has gotten a serious facelift, as has the rest of the building. While there’s no sign outside as of yet, a sign inside indicates that the name of the new business will be Moyoyo (ehhh…). Decals on the windows suggest some of the menu items, with a curious mix of cotton candy, smoothies, frozen yogurt (duh), bubble tea, macaroons, coffee, and dog treats.

It’s…

We’ve probably written about the southwest corner of 10th & Carpenter half a dozen times in the last couple of years, often bearing the bad news that the latest business to call this little space home had closed its doors. From InFusion to Mazag Cafe to Filter Cafe to Bookz-n-Beans and then finally Brown Sugar Cafe, this space has surely borne the mark of the devil himself.

Last week, Down Dog Healing Cafe became the latest business to attempt to break the curse.

The corner

New signs

With recipes and a philosophy inspired by Ayurveda, this cafe will attempt to fill stomachs and spirits with natural and healing food and drink. And hopefully, they’ll have much more luck than those who came before them.

Back in November of 2011, we told you about an overhaul coming to a prominent Old City corner. And now the project appears to be headed toward completion. After standing vacant for close to 30 years, the BAR arrow signage has been preserved, and the Franklin Trust Company building will be soon ready for a new establishment. Just a few steps away from the popular Franklin Fountain, Shane Confectionery, and a slowly burgeoning group of business on the 100 block of Market, the corner building’s storefront and entryway appear to be the last details in need of attention. Back in 2011, Hidden City did a detailed profile of 100 Market Street, describing the site of the London Coffee House and the property’s rich commercial history over the years.

The corner

We recently wondered when more of the vacant retail spaces along the seemingly thriving North 2nd Street in Northern Liberties would find new tenants. In early March, we shared the news of a proposal for a new cafe at 708 N. 2nd St. Those plans have since been approved and now a new proposal has been submitted for a 150 seat restaurant and jazz club two blocks to the north at 914 N. 2nd St.

The building

Jason and Delphine Evenchik, owners of Time and several other local establishments, appeared before the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA) in April. They were asked to return with more formalized plans, according to Larry Freedman, NLNA zoning chair. According to Freedman, the plans were “cool” and included a stage, “nooks and crannies” and an outdoor rear garden.…

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…

Months ago, in a post-Bloktoberfest haze, we brought you the good news that 1506 South St. would soon be home to the newest restaurant on the block, So Crepe. The space was formerly San Andres Salon and Day Spa, and for a few years sat mostly vacant or perhaps was used as a storage space for some other business on the block. We checked out So Crepe the other day, and found it to be a delightful addition to the neighborhood.

In the past

Current shot. So French indeed.

A peek inside

The restaurant, which seems to have seating for sixty or so, has a nice look, combining exposed brick, hardwood floors, and some reused wood from who knows where. We tried a couple of their offerings (one sweet, one…