Three siblings hope to open an Ethiopian coffee shop on the southwest corner of 42nd and Baltimore.

The trio, whose family is from Ethiopia, presented their plan to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee on Monday. The proposal requires a special exception to put a coffee shop in the vacant storefront at 500 S. 42nd Street.

“Our goal is to really showcase our heritage,” said Tigist Hailu, who will open the shop along with her brothers. “One thing we feel is really missing in the neighborhood is the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.”

The proposal will go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in April and, if approved, interior innovations will begin shortly after.

Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser Aiq at their new location at 40th and Baltimore.

Renata’s Kitchen is ready to welcome customers at their new location at 40th and Baltimore, in the two-story building formerly occupied by Trolley Car Station Diner. The new Renata’s Kitchen & Bar is officially opening to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Restaurateurs Kate and Yasser Aiq, the masterminds behind Renata’s Kitchen on Baltimore Avenue, are bringing their brunch menu to the space, which is roughly six times larger than the current location. Customers can expect familiar items such as lemon pancakes, an eclectic selection of espresso beverages and an expanded meze (small plates) menu with fan favorites like shakshukas, a Middle Eastern stew with eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic.  Continue Reading

Gaia, a touring artwork by artist Luke Jerram, will be on display at the Horticulture Center during the Getaway at the Greenhouse event.

This February, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and Constellation Culinary Group will transform the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center into “Getaway at the Greenhouse,” a pop-up indoor summer oasis. Back by popular demand from last year’s debut event, the Horticulture Center will offer art, food trucks, movies, live music and more for visitors of all ages.

Now extended to 16 days (through Sunday, Feb. 16), and with more free programming, this summertime-inspired series is a great way to warm up your winter. Programming for children includes an oversized indoor sandbox, arts and crafts, story time, live animals, and more. Adults can enjoy food trucks, pop-up bars, live music, happy hours, and more.  Continue Reading

A new bagel shop inspired by sojourns to legendary Manhattan shops like H&H and Zabar’s has opened in the Powelton neighborhood last week.

Brothers Brett and Kyle Frankel opened Bart’s Bagels at 3945 Lancaster Ave. The shop was recently featured on 6ABC news. The brothers grew up in Philadelphia and reportedly often visited their uncle in New York where they were bit by the bagel bug, according to the report.

The new shop includes a kitchen, and all bagels (about a dozen varieties!) are handmade on-site, according to the report. Meats are also roasted on-site. The shop also serves schmears and sandwiches. Continue Reading

Abyssinia, the popular Ethiopian restaurant located at the corner of 45th and Locust, is eyeing expansion into the adjacent space on S. 45th Street (a former laundromat) and also wants to offer outdoor seating.

“They are in early stages and will have to apply for their expansion [to the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment] and come back once they have a refusal,” says Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach following a meeting on the plan. Continue Reading

Monthly Spruce Hill Zoning Committee meetings resume after a short break in December. The Monday, Jan. 13, meeting will include:

• Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia, located at the corner of 45th and Locust, would like to offer outdoor seating to its customers in the near future. The restaurant owner will be at the meeting to discuss this proposal, as well as a proposed expansion to the adjacent empty storefront, a former laundromat, on S. 45th Street (see photo).

• A zoning application for seven family dwelling at 4206 Chester Avenue will also be discussed. It’s a multi-family home built in 1900 and is a little over 4,800 square feet, according to Realtor.com.

The meeting will be held at the Spruce Hill Community Association Headquarters (257 S. 45th St), beginning at 7 p.m.