UPDATE (9/27/2023): Milkcrate Café is now expected to open at 45th and Baltimore on Thursday, Sept. 28. The new location will be selling new and used records as well and available for event rental.

After several months, the vacant commercial space at 45th and Baltimore, previously occupied by Vagrant Café and Milk & Honey Market before that, will have a new tenant soon. Fishtown-based Milkcrate Café has announced its opening a West Philly location “sometime” this week (the sign below was posted on Sept. 13).

Milkcrate is not only known for its coffee (from La Colombe Roasters), and simple breakfast and brunch offerings, it is also a vinyl record boutique. It has a few thousand vintage and new soul, rock and jazz vinyl records for sale. You can check their online record collection here. The store also sells new and used turntables and audio equipment. You can also buy or trade in records or Hi-Fi audio gear at Milkcrate.

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             Cleo Bagels Instagram photo.

UPDATE (9/12/23): Cleo Bagels officially opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 5013 Baltimore on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Formerly known as Dodo Bagels, Cleo Bagels offers mostly traditional fresh baked bagels, bialys, apple muffins (“applethings”), creatively made sandwiches and more, according to the business’ social media posts.

The store hours are from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. or until sold out on Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 17. After that, the store will be open on Friday-Sunday through the end of the month (hours on Friday will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m.), then Thursday-Sunday in October. The goal is to “slowly build their weekday service,” according to the owners.

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Parks on Tap (Instagram photo)

Here’s a great chance to spend more time outdoors this summer while enjoying some craft beer and delicious snacks in a beautiful green setting. Parks on Tap, the traveling beer garden presented by the Philadelphia Parks & Rec, will make another stop at Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore this year (the first appearance was in May). The beer garden is returning Wednesday, Aug. 16 and will stay through Sunday, Aug. 20.

The beer garden hours are:

Wed-Fri: 4-10 p.m.

Sat & Sun: 12-10 p.m.

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Click the image to enlarge it.

Clark Park Farmers Market will soon have a new footprint, according to a recent announcement by The Food Trust, the organization that runs the market. Beginning Saturday, Aug. 12 the market will slightly move and operate on the Chester Avenue sidewalk on the park’s North Side, which is between Baltimore and Chester.

After the move the market, which has so far operated along 43rd Street, will have an L shape – it will occupy the southern half of 43rd Street and the sidewalk along the north side of Chester Avenue.

The new location of the market will be permanent due to the construction of the apartment building at 43rd and Baltimore. It will remain in effect after the construction is complete.

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University City Dining Days returns July 20 to showcase West Philadelphia’s diverse restaurant scene. This year’s promotion will feature 25 restaurants offering three courses for three prices: $20, $30, and $40 at lunch and dinner.

The list of participating restaurants and eateries includes: El Taco, Dahlak, Renata’s Kitchen, Jezabel’s, Garces Trading Company, Pattaya Thai Cuisine, Chengdu Famous Food, Renata’s Kitchen, Aksum, Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, 48th Street Grille, White Dog, and more.

The promotion ends on July 30. To view the full list of participating restaurants, their menus and contact details, visit: https://www.ucdiningdays.com. Reservations should be made directly at each restaurant.

The Pandemic Pantry/Third Wheel Cheese farmstand (Instagram photo).

Here are some new options where you can buy fresh, locally grown produce in West Philly.

Pandemic Pantry Farm Stand

The Pandemic Pantry in association with Third Wheel Cheese are operating a retail farmstand at 705 S. 50th St. Produce is sourced directly from local farms and farmer cooperatives and includes plenty of certified organic options. The farmstand is open on Fridays from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through November. Follow the Pandemic Pantry on Instagram for more info and updates.

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