Live interactive music shows for all ages are coming to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore. Starting May 11, University City District (UCD) is partnering with West Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist Gretchen Elise to present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent on Thursday evenings from 5 – 7 p.m.

“Our goal with Trolley Portal Gardens is to bring programming for the neighbors, parents, and commuters who use the space every day,” said Margaret Starke, UCD’s Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships. “Gretchen has deep connections with the neighborhood and other local musicians and made a great fit as both a presenter and a curator.” Continue Reading

Renata’s Kitchen is expanding into the two-story restaurant space at 3940 Baltimore Avenue (former Trolley Car Station restaurant location).

The two-story restaurant space at 40th Street Trolley Portal Gardens, formerly occupied by the Trolley Car Station restaurant, is finally getting a new tenant. Well-known West Philly restaurateur couple, Katie and Yasser Aiq, the owners of the popular cafe and brunch spot Renata’s Kitchen on Baltimore Ave., have signed the lease for the space and expect to open this winter (“in the next month or so”), with immediate plans to serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

The restaurant, which offers a mixed menu of Mediterranean and American dishes, is not only expanding into a bigger, 125-seat space at 3940 Baltimore Ave., the owners are also planning to eventually launch dinner service, as well as an “inventive drink” menu when they secure the liquor license that comes with the space.  Continue Reading

Beginning Tuesday, June 4, University City District will be holding events at the brand new public space, Trolley Portal Gardens. The public is invited to 40th and Baltimore every Tuesday night in June, from 5 to 8 p.m., to enjoy food from some of favorite food trucks, a mix of free music and family-friendly activities with local arts groups.

Here’s the full schedule through June 24th:

June 4:

Food: A new perspective on traditional American picnic foods from Haley Quinn’s plus popsicles from Ice Cave
Activity: The Green Tambourine will provide live music

June 11:

Food: Award-winning sweet and savory waffles creations from Foolish Waffles plus popsicles from Ice Cave
Activity: Make Mandalas with staff from the University City Arts League  Continue Reading

Mayor Jim Kenney speaks on Thursday at the opening of the Trolley Portal Gardens near 40th and Baltimore. (Photo by West Philly Local).

As trolleys screeched by, Mayor Jim Kenney was among the dignitaries who spoke Thursday at the opening of Trolley Portal Gardens, the public space near the trolley stops at 40th and Baltimore. Kenney, whose mayorship is defined by balancing the “old” Philadelphia of open fire hydrants and block parties and the “new” Philadelphia of “eds and meds,” said the new space balances both.

“This is the ‘old’ Philadelphia and the ‘new’ Philadelphia,” he said. “This is where we’re going.”  Continue Reading

Trolley Portal Gardens, the development project transforming the 40th Street Trolley Portal into a more welcoming public space, has been completed, and this Thursday, Sept. 27, the public are invited to a grand opening. The event will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with city and state representatives, including Mayor Jim Kenney and Senator Anthony Williams, as well as speakers from University City District, SEPTA and business owners.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by an open house and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public (you can RSVP here).  Continue Reading

A couple of weeks ago we noticed that Indego bike share station disappeared from 40th and Woodland. No worries, the station is not gone, it’s been moved to another nearby location. It’s now on Baltimore Avenue near 40th, adjacent to the newly opened Trolley Car Station restaurant. This new bike share station is a part of the Trolley Portal Gardens project, which is officially opening on Sept. 27th at 5 p.m. And now you can hop on a bike and burn some of those calories after dining at the restaurant.