Grant Blvd founder and CEO, Kimberly McGlonn, outside the new store.

Grant Blvd, the West Philly based Black-owned business centered on sustainability and ethical clothing production, is set to open its new flagship store this spring at 140 S. 34th St., according to a recent announcement by Penn’s Division of Facilities & Real Estate Services.

Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of Grant Blvd, plans to expand upon her current success by taking designs in a new direction, and elevating the shopping experience for consumers with the opening of the new flagship store in University City.

Grant Blvd is the first Black-owned B Corp in the fashion space in North America, and a manufacturing start-up. In addition to reducing waste before and after production through sustainably focused design, the company works to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of those currently and formerly impacted by the criminal system by partnering with local non-profit and government agencies to create living wage employment opportunities. Continue Reading

Here’s some great news for shaved ice fans. Ice Cave, the popular Baltimore Avenue Taiwanese dessert shop, reopened earlier this month under new ownership. We reported a month ago that the former owners, Po Chang and Jessica Wang, had decided to close their store after more than six years in business due to family matters. However, less than two weeks later, a new family took over the space at 4520 Baltimore Ave, continuing the old tradition.

The new owners haven’t updated the business social media pages yet, and the website is offline. We’ll let you know more details as soon as we have them.

The hours of operation are: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. on weekdays (closed on Thursday), and 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday.

Unfortunately, there have been reports of two more food establishments closing in West Philly.

• University City’s iconic City Tap House unexpectedly announced permanent closing after 13 years  in operation at 3925 Walnut Street on Feb. 23 and closed three days later. The following message was posted on City Tap House University City’s Instagram page:

“It is with a heavy heart that we are informing you that the last day of service will be Sunday, February 26th. This was a difficult decision, as this location was the launchpad for our company’s growth over the last 13 years.”

Following the announcement, numerous messages of support followed in the comments. Continue Reading

Decluttering can bring many benefits, including improved mental health, increased space, and a clean home. Junk removal companies can help residents in West Philly get rid of unwanted items and organize their living spaces. This article will explore the benefits of decluttering and why you should consider using a professional junk removal company to do so.

The Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering can bring many benefits to your life, including:

Improved Mental Health

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved focus and productivity

Increased Space

• More room for the things you love
• Better use of storage space

Enhanced Aesthetics

• A clean and organized home is more inviting
• Improved appearance can boost your mood and energy levels.

How to Get Started with Decluttering

Decluttering can seem overwhelming, but with a clear plan and a little bit of patience, you can transform your living space. Here are some tips to help you get started: Continue Reading

Ice Cave owner Po Chang and dessert chef Jessica Wang in 2016 (Photo by Rana Fayez)

UPDATE (3/11/2023): Ice Cave has reopened under new ownership. More details are coming soon.

(2/16/2023): The local favorite, Ice Cave dessert shop, is closing after more than six years of operation.

The family-owned business opened its first shop serving Taiwanese shaved ice treats in 2016 at 4507 Baltimore Ave., and then moved across the street to 4520 Baltimore in 2020. Ice Cave received a lot of support from the community during the move and was able to survive through the COVID pandemic.

The reason for the shop closing is personal. The owners, Po Chang and Jessica Wang, are moving away from Philadelphia and want to spend more time together as a family, which has been very difficult while running the business. Here’s a part of the message posted on Ice Cave’s Facebook page by Chang: Continue Reading

Blk Ivy, a new concept clothing shop dedicated to the fashion of the civil rights era, has opened in West Philly, at 3605 Lancaster Ave.

Created by well-known Philly sustainability focused fashion icon, Kimberly McGlonn, the store will stock hand-curated thrift and vintage items associated with the fashion of the civil rights movement from 1954 (Brown v. Board of Education, when the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional) to 1972 (the presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to U.S. Congress).

The opening of this shoppable museum took place last week, just as Black History Month kicked off across the country.

This concept shop will bring sustainably sourced fashion to a larger audience, particularly those interested in vintage and thrift shopping. The retail destination highlights the style of civil rights figures such as James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, and Angela Davis with a particular focus on their connection to the city of Philadelphia. The store also showcases rare vintage vinyl, first edition books, and current authors writing about the continuing fight for civil rights. Continue Reading