Mayor Michael Nutter and Seeds Gallery owner Saba Tedla speak about Cedar Park on Monday.

Michael Nutter chats with a local business owner outside the Seeds Gallery on Monday.

Mayor Michael Nutter dropped in at the Seeds Gallery near 50th and Baltimore as part of a multi-neighborhood tour of the city designed to publicize the launch of the Philadelphia Neighborhoods marketing campaign.

The campaign highlights neighborhoods as “visitor-ready” destinations surrounding Center City. One person traveling with Nutter called it “intra-city” tourism that would appeal to people already living in Philadelphia.

Seeds Gallery owner Saba Tedla, who also owns Aksum on Baltimore Avenue, joined Nutter at the gallery.

Nutter, a West Philly native who grew up about 10 blocks from the gallery, called the Cedar Park area an “amazing melting pot” that features what he called the “3 Rs” needed for vibrant neighborhoods – restaurants, retail and residential housing. He also visited East Passyunk and Bella Vista.

 
A memorable scene unfolded on Baltimore Avenue yesterday as Mayor Michael Nutter and folks from the Mariposa Food Co-op stood arm-in-tattooed arm to celebrate the start of renovations to the co-op’s new home.

Mariposa is scheduled to open at the new space (4824 Baltimore Ave.) in the fall. Floor space will increase five-fold in the new building, which will also include classrooms and rooftop bee hives.

Nutter said the expanded Mariposa, which will include a range of dry goods, bulk items, meat, poultry and dairy products, will serve as a model for initiatives citywide to help improve healthy food options.

“This is the kind of neighborhood that can support this effort and show others across the city how to do this,” said Nutter, who joined Mariposa organizers and other city and development officials in cutting a ceremonial cake (vegan, of course).

The new and improved Mariposa will work like a traditional grocery store in that anyone can shop there regardless of whether they are a member. But the lifeblood of the co-op will still be its members, who receive a discount on items and also help determine how it runs. The co-op currently has 840 members and organizers hope to get 1,250 by the time the new store opens. Look for a major membership drive to begin later this summer.

To join, stop by the current co-op location at 4726 Baltimore Ave. or go here.

Here’s a slideshow from the event.

Mayor Michael Nutter and Spruce Hill Community Association President Mark Wagenveld. (Photos by Mike Lyons)

Folks gathered for the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) board meeting last night got a surprise when Mayor Michael Nutter stopped by for an impromptu appearance. Nutter aide Erica Atwood, a neighborhood resident, helped arrange the visit.

Nutter spent about 10 minutes talking to SHCA board members and visitors at its 45th street headquarters about general city issues, such as the budget. Nothing groundbreaking.

Nutter lauded SHCA board members for their civic engagement efforts. “Keep up the good work,” he said before leaving.

As for the SHCA meeting itself, the board:

• Discussed a proposed study of the SEPTA trolley portal at 40th Street between Woodland Avenue and Baltimore Avenue as a “gateway to University City.” The University City District plans to fund a study of the area around the unnel entrance that would improve the area aesthetically as well as add more green space.

• Was informed that restaurant along Baltimore Avenue were hoping to convince the city to allow them to apply as a single entity for permits to allow outdoor cafe seating. Currently the city requires every business to file an application, a fairly arduous process. The Baltimore Avenue Business Association plans to hold a meeting soon to gauge neighborhood support for the plan to apply for the permits as a group. These permits do not apply to businesses that serve alcohol outside.