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New small businesses have sprung up like primroses in North Liberties.
Restaurants, shops, and other establishments are coming to the neighborhood at a record pace, with more than a dozen newcomers launching, opening soon, or about to announce their plans. There were several winter additions, too.
Lots of companies are the result of years of outreach and recruitment efforts, according to the 4-year-old North Liberties Business Development District, formed in July 2018.
The area between Old Town and Fishtown is a far cry from what it was half a century ago, when things were largely industrial. Within the past few decades, the neighborhood has become a rapidly growing hot spot for new development.
This comes with stark changes in demographics. Northern Liberties was classified in 2016 as a prestigious area according to a Pew Charitable Foundation report, which noted a jump in median income between 2000 and 2014 across both census districts: 83% in the area below Poplar Street, and 54% above. The residential composition of the neighborhood also became less black and Latino during this period.
The developers are still in a daze. The neighborhood is on track to add more than 5,000 additional housing units in the next two years, according to NLBID, which could attract up to 10,000 new residents — doubling the neighborhood’s population.
The Bease District says there is also approximately 185,000 square feet of new commercial development under construction. Many of the new storefronts in the current boom period are locally owned and operated.
From dim sum to daily babysitting, here’s a summary of what to look out for the next time you’re in Northern Liberties.
What is it: A restaurant run by two Roanne University alumni who moved to Philly a decade ago and met when they became roommates. It adds Turkish cuisine options to the neighborhood’s thriving restaurant row, with offerings from döner to baba ganoush.
Title: 944 n. 2 . Street
Opening details: Pera opened in March, and the full grand opening happened earlier this month, just in time for Northern Liberties Restaurant Week.
what: A café that serves a variety of coffee-containing drinks, as well as tea and tea drinks. It also sells baked goods from J’aime French Bakery and Cake & Joe.
Title: 716 Third Street
Opening details: The store opened last month.
What is it: New joint seafood outpost with two existing locations in North East Philly. NoLibs’ list hasn’t been published, but other sites offer fried catfish, crab legs, lobster tails, wings, and muted puppies.
Title: 180 W Gerrard Ave.
Opening details: Not yet announced
What is it: Named after the portmanto of “mochi” and “doughnut,” a Japanese-American fusion snack that the national chain says has its origins in Hawaii. This is one of three locations coming to Philadelphia. Plus the rings made of rubbery rice flourAnd Mochinut offers bubble tea and hot dogs covered in rice flour and fried.
Title: 809 Street No. 2
Opening details: The date the NoLibs website was opened is unclear. If you want to try one of the sweets, Old City Shop does.
What is it: The Jersey-based chain, founded by two surfers on the Jersey Shore, sells acai, pitaya, and coconut bowls, as well as smoothies. Northern Liberities will host the chain’s third Philly location at the former home of the Bimini Juice Bar, which closed in fall 2020.
Title: 807 North 2nd Street
Opening details: Not yet announced
What is it: Restaurant serving regional Chinese cuisine at locations in University City and Rittenhouse. The NoLibs outpost will provide lunch, dinner, and bar service—plus, it will feature outdoor seating, a first at any of its locations.
Title: 1214 North American Street
Opening details: No specific date has been set, though the restaurants expect to open in late 2022 or early 2023, PhillyVoice reported.
What is it: Once upon a time, Ray Daly’s sustainable, plastic-free business was based only from a truck, hauling neighborhoods to bring items like “UNPaper towels,” bottle-free shampoo bars, and body wash packages to residents. NoLibs is the first brick-and-mortar store, but mobile events are ongoing.
Title: 935 Second Street
Opening details: The brick-and-mortar store opened in mid-March, and the grand opening celebration takes place on Earth Day weekend.
What is it: Shop for women’s clothing, home decor, and “beautiful gifts” for under $100 each.
Title: 215 W Laurel Street
Opening details: Open now, with a grand opening event scheduled for April 30th.
What is it: Bikes by Design sells new custom-built bikes, from road bikes to mountain bikes. They actually make bikes to buy in the store, but they’ll also let you tell them what you want, creating a custom fit from the frame to the pedals. The shop also serves bikes.
Title: 1024 Third Street, Unit 401
Opening details: The store opened this winter, although the official grand opening is yet to come, according to NLBID spokesperson, Cory Aversa.
What is it: New doggie daycare open 7am-7pm. It gives owners access to a live stream to watch their little ones play on the property’s play areas, as well as “spa services” for an additional fee.
Title: 807 Third Street
Opening details: Work on meeting and welcoming potential clients began on April 16th.
1040 Creative
What is it: An art center and gallery offering classes and clubs for everyone from kids to adults. April classes include still life drawing and painting for adults, art diary writing and drinks for people over 21, and an “introduction to game design” for kids.
Title: 1040 North Second Street Unit 301
Opening details: The art center has already opened, with a list of lessons being offered throughout the month of April. The official grand opening will take place on Friday, May 6th.
- An as-yet-unannounced “new flagship restaurant” is coming to North 2nd Street, according to NLBID, but details are muted so far.
- It will house the former Blackbird Pizzeria space at 614 N. 2nd St. something new. Former Blackbird owner Mark Mebus mentioned in an Instagram post in February that another vegan restaurant would replace it.
- Another project is scheduled to occupy 702 N. 2nd St. , which was once home to The Blind Pig.
