This summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will be held Thursday, June 6, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Stroll the avenue from 43rd to 52nd Streets and enjoy $1 deals – food, drinks, dessert, merchandise, theatre tickets, and even a 15-minute business consultation!

Before heading to the Stroll, check out the map below for more info on participating businesses and their offers. University City District will also have paper maps available at the two UCD tents located at 50th and Baltimore, and at 43rd and Baltimore near the entrance to Clark Park.

Also, don’t forget about live music and entertainment. While strolling, check out performances by The Ramblers at 48th and Baltimore, playing your favorite 90s songs as Mardi Gras Jams, Clancy and Lolli’s face painting & balloons at 49th and Baltimore, and Positive Movement Drumline at 50th and Baltimore (shows at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.).  Continue Reading

Just in time for your holiday gift shopping, the Winter Express Shoppers’ Trolley (W.E.S.T.) will return Saturday (Dec. 8), 12-5 p.m., to offer free rides along Baltimore and Lancaster Avenues. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local businesses, meet the owners and explore gift shopping and dining opportunities on the avenues.

The trolley will stop at designated shopping and dining destinations, and businesses will welcome riders with specials, promotions and giveaways, like free seasonal beverages and festive baked goods. There will be great gift shopping opportunities, discounts, and more! Get your ticket stamped at listed businesses for a discount at each one (see the full list and map here). Continue Reading

Developer Ryan Spak, left, discusses “5050 Baltimore” during a zoning meeting at the Calvary Center last night (Photo by West Philly Local).

A 12-unit residential building with ground-floor commercial that includes below-market units proposed for the corner of 51st and Baltimore drew overwhelming support during a Cedar Park Neighbors zoning meeting last night.

Proposed by West Philly-based developer Ryan Spak, “5050 Baltimore” would be a three-story building built on three oddly shaped lots at the triangular corner of 51st and Baltimore. The project needs zoning variances for an additional two residential units. Ten units is allowed by right. The project also needs a variance for a “group practitioner” – a mental health counseling non-profit – which is one of the tenants for the proposed commercial space.  Continue Reading

Rendering of the proposed mixed-use development at 51st and Baltimore.

A three-story apartment building with commercial space on the ground floor is proposed at 51st and Baltimore. Community members are invited this Tuesday, Oct. 23 to a Cedar Park Community Zoning meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore).

Twelve residential units, including “inclusionary” units aimed at a variety of incomes, are proposed on the second and third floors of the building (six units are allowed by right). Passed earlier this month, the city’s inclusionary zoning bill includes sizing and height incentives for developers who include affordable housing in their residential projects. Continue Reading

If you missed the first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll in June, here’s another opportunity to enjoy this great outdoor event. This year’s second and final Dollar Stroll will take place Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Over 30 businesses and food trucks will line up between 43rd and 52nd streets to offer $1 deals – from their signature food items, drinks and treats to memberships. The full list of participating businesses is available here; also check out the map below.  Continue Reading

Baltimore Avenue offers several different kinds of cold desserts during this hot, sticky summer, from vegan ice cream at Little Baby’s to enormous shaved ice concoctions from the Ice Cave. Now we can add another to the list — Swirl Cafe at 46th and Baltimore.

This small family-owned shop features old-fashioned soft-serve with new-fashioned swirled-in “Flavor Burst!” flavorings, as well as bubble tea and milk tea in various fruity and creamy flavors. Seating is limited to a pair of small tables and a five-seat counter, so it might be wise to get your desserts to go. Right now food is limited to a small handful of prepackaged snacks, though there are plans to expand the menu further.

Swirl is open from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week. For more info and updates, check out their Facebook page.  Continue Reading