Manayunk Magazine - Summer 2017 by Manayunk

MANAYUNK LIVE|SHOP|DINE|PLAY

SUMMER 2017

Salon L Gets Restyled Owner Michael O’Connor invites you to take a look inside his new salon.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream! Welcome to Manayunk’s Woodworking Oasis. MNYK-SumCover.indd 1

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FRESH. SATISFYING. YUMMY.

CMY

Great wines • Craft beers on tap • Seasonal cocktails Artisan breads • Full catering menu • Outdoor dining Market menu • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner - every day Award-winning Sunday Brunch 4266 Main Street, Manayunk, PA 19127 | 215.487.2663 | WinniesManayunk.com

Catering

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Market

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4312 MAIN STREET MANAYUNK, PA 19127

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215.483.9990

WWW.CANALHOUSE.COM

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MANAYUNK

LIVE SHOP DINE PLAY

theyanako.com

magazine

4255 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127 (267) 297-8151

contents JUNE/JULY 2017

Things We Love

A frame for every face.

In Case You Missed It

A recap of our spring events.

Cover Profile

A fresh new look for Salon L.

DINE.

Now Open

Taste This

More doors have opened in MNYK.

A fresh local marketplace has arrived.

LIVE.

Conversation With The Chef

et the scoop on Manayunk’s newest G ice cream shop.

PLAY.

Around Town

Get technical with Delphic Digital.

Editorial + Production

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It’s going to be a “hot” summer in Manayunk.

Making magic happen one click at a time.

manayunk.com | Summer 2017

SHOP.

Mark Your Calendar

10 Meet Our Photographers

Editors Jane Lipton, Caitlin Maloney, Megan Douress, Joan Denenberg, Leo Dillinger, Rachel Jenkins Design Cantor Design, cantordesign.com Sales M7 Media • 610.417.9261; bauerjim7@gmail.com Photography Susan Beard (susanbearddesign.com) Melissa Kelly (melissakellyphotography.com) JPG Photography - jpgphotography.com Alexa Nahas - alexanahas.com

28 Business Savvy Saving big on clothes for your little one.

40 Local A&E Cut loose at this community woodshop.

Get Physical

Beer and running, a scientific pair.

Manayunk Magazine

is published by the Manayunk Development Corp. Manayunk Development Corporation 4312 Main Street Philadelphia, PA 19127 215.482.9565 | info@manayunk.org

COVER Photographed by Alexa Nahas Photography alexanahas.com

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Anniversary BEST OF MAIN LINE AND WESTERN SUBURBS

Yanako JAPANESE KITCHEN + SUSHI BAR theyanako.com 4255 Main Street Philadelphia PA 19127 267-297-8151

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t F o e r o r d e a h A n d W 匀䤀倀⸀⸀⸀ Come Together

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Chabaa PRIVATE EVENT SPACE | CATERING www.chabaathai.com 4343 Main St, Philadelphia PA 19127 215-483-1979

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

now - mid-august Inside Out

This spring, Manayunk is about to bring the inside out! The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be installing large-scale replicas of favorite works from the museum’s collection around Manayunk. Visit these exhibitions around the neighborhood for 45 days from now until mid-August. Artists in the series include Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, and more. If you’re a Manayunk resident, you can visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art for free from July 21-23 — just bring your ID!

thursday evenings

june 1-sept 7 Stroll the Street Every Thursday this summer, visitors are encouraged to walk, shop, and eat their way along Main Street to celebrate the season with different themed nights each week, including Movie Night, Beach Night, Pet Adoption Night, and Back to School Night. Bring your appetite, because select Manayunk restaurants will feature $5 appetizers and $5 cocktails and retail shops will stay open late so you can shop into the evening.

saturday/sunday

june 24th 11am-7pm june 25th 11am-6pm Manayunk Arts Festival

�� crafts from all over the country are presented at the largest outdoor, juried arts festival in the region. Nearly 300 artists will be showcasing their original ��A & ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, painting & drawing, photography, and wood & sculpture. The Emerging Artist Tent will also be expanding to Grape Street this year to showcase even more local talent.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Best of Manayunk Business owners, employees, and guests met up on ��A celebrate the Best of Manayunk on March 23! While �� attendees enjoyed signature dishes from winners such as Taqueria Feliz’�� The Goat’s Beard’s steak and mac n’ cheese. The Best Of issue, featuring all the winners, was also on �� newsstands. Photography by Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

StrEAT Food Festival On April 9, foodies of all ages walked up and down Main Street Manayunk as they were greeted by over 70 of Philadelphia’s best food trucks and gourmet food vendors. No one was left unfed at the StrEAT Food Festival, as anyone with an empty stomach was welcomed to taste BBQ, tacos, pizza, ice cream, cupcakes, and even vegan bites. As people made their way from one end of Main Street to the other, they enjoyed the perfect weather and music as it �� Photography by JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com).

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The Bazemore gallery | 4339 Main Street, manayunk 215.482.1119 | www.thebazemoregallery.com | @thebazemoregallery

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LIVE: MEET OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Capturing Magic With a passionate spirit and an expert eye, Susan Beard makes magic happen through the lens. By Rachel Jenkins Photography By Susan Beard Design (susanbearddesign.com)

ow is it that we can pick up a camera and push a button, and with a flash, a special moment in time is frozen forever on film? It’s a little-understood process that feels very near to magic. Susan Beard, a native of Chestnut Hill and long-time Manayunk photographer, has spent her life capturing that magic. As a teenager, Susan developed an eye for the visual arts, so it was no surprise when she decided to pursue photography early in her professional career. In her 20s, Susan worked for eight years in television behind the scenes, but not behind the lens. She collaborated with art directors in set design and wardrobe to craft the scene you see on screen, or “the other side of photography.” It laid the foundation for Susan to develop a well-rounded approach to the art form later in her career. “[Photography] is not just being able to put a camera to your face and snap away,” Susan said. “It’s multiple layers of discipline, which I feel really lucky that I was able to have.” Her experience in television eventually led Susan to work as a photo stylist for The Franklin Mint, a private company based outside of Philadelphia. But the structure of corporate life was never Susan’s end goal. A year into her new job, Susan began to feel stifled. “I didn’t really fit in,” she said. “I was trying to go for the Senior Art Director position, but I was getting passed over because I was so young. So, I saved a lot of money and quit.” Susan set a course to run her own fine arts studio, hoping to supplement her income with a freelance television job here and there. But the market had other plans, and the lack of opportunities in television gave Susan the final push to dive wholeheartedly into her own studio. Drawn to the charm of Manayunk as it was on the verge of a renaissance, Susan 10

rented an old mill space on Leverington Avenue in 1990. As a still-budding photographer trying to make it on her own, Susan’s early business consisted mostly of headshots. With every job, she was making connections and chasing a magic moment to let her know she was in the right place. One day, it came unexpectedly. “I photographed a mother and a newborn, and it was so beautiful that the woman was crying,” she said. “I was literally capable of moving people to tears. And I said, ‘Wow. This is what I want to do.’” With a new sense of purpose, Susan began advertising herself in the newspaper. She quickly gained clients in Manayunk and Chestnut Hill who kept her going strong for over a decade. As the new millennium emerged, public interest in photography was booming. Susan’s business grew beyond her wildest expectations, with multiple assistants and staff trips to New York becoming the norm. And then, by the late 2000s, everything changed. With the dawn of the iPhone and Instagram, everyone became their own photographers and photo editors. Anyone with a smartphone had the ability to snap a photo at a moment’s notice, then fix it up with an app or a filter. “The consumer doesn’t need us the way they used to,” Susan explained. “The way we all knew it for an entire generation, if not two, had completely shifted. It caused me to rethink everything. My advice to young business owners is to know that things will never stay the same.” Susan faced a challenge to recapture public interest in professional photography in more diverse ways than ever before. Today, her services fall under Susan Beard Design, an umbrella company for a variety of retail and interactive photography projects. There’s Regal Beagle, in which animal enthusiasts can send in their pet photos to be placed in

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historical portraits. There’s WaxWorks Photo, which uses the “encaustic” painting style of oil paint and beeswax to create unique works of fine art on top of photography. And of course, there’s her original photography studio, which shoots portraits, weddings, and corporate functions. What began as an industry challenge has turned into a lifestyle for Susan — and keeps her busier than she could have ever imagined. “I really need three of me. One for WaxWorks, one for Regal Beagle, and one for Susan Beard Design,” she said. “It’s like having three husbands!” When it comes to staying fresh in an unpredictable industry, Susan has continued to find success doing what she has always done: make it up as she goes along. Like a true artist, she’s dynamic. She evolves with her industry, and gives herself fully to each new project. “I always ask myself, ‘How am I going to reinvent myself today?’” Susan said. “When I go into that studio to shoot whoever it is — a boy, a baby, a bride — I’m there and nowhere else. You have to be present for magic

to happen.” Susan has even more projects on the horizon, like a “legacy” service to honor terminally ill loved ones with a professional portrait, and regular “Wax and Wine” encaustic painting nights at her studio. This May, Susan also released a photography book featuring moving images and stories from noteworthy people in Philadelphia. It’s a project that has been among the most rewarding throughout her long career — a career that has always been inspired by people. Years ago, photographing a tearful mother and her newborn was the magic moment when Susan knew she could make it. Today, that child has grown up and Susan’s life has changed. But Susan still keeps the early portrait hanging on her studio wall to remind her how it all started. “Every career always has a lot of twists and turns, but when you look back there’s this beautiful line. You’re weaving this tapestry, and you don’t even know you’re doing it. It’s all about making good decisions, and looking back, I did.” Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 11

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LIVE: MEET OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS

manayunk.com | Summer 2017

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Trusted local specialist for all your real estate needs. Sellers, contact me for a free comparative market analysis on the sale of your property. Buyers, contact me for a free meeting on the home buying process.

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LIVE: AROUND TOWN

Manayunk’s Creativity Factory A neighborhood tech agency is putting Manayunk on the digital map. By Rachel Jenkins Photography By Melissa Kelly Photography (melissakellyphotography.com)

ong gone are the days that 10 Shurs Lane housed a bustling textile mill near the Manayunk Canal. But the air of productivity is still alive and well in a much more modern sense at the 140-year-old building. These days, it’s the headquarters for Delphic Digital, a hotbed of creative thinkers making waves on Philadelphia’s digital scene. In 2004, technology entrepreneur, Mark Patten, founded Delphic Digital, a web design studio with only eight employees at the corner of Shurs Lane and Cresson Street. Quickly adding web development capabilities, they focused on building websites to establish brands for their clientele. By the time company partner Lance Hollander was added to the mix in 2012, the agency had grown to include digital marketing services, becoming a full-service digital agency. In 2015, Delphic Digital moved 144 feet down Shurs Lane to a new building that could accommodate the nearly 80 employees they had. Mark may have initially come to Manayunk for the affordable rent, but his company stayed for the creative work environment the neighborhood provided. “We’re obsessed with experience,” said Beth Perkins, the Talent Acquisition Manager on the team. “Mark and Lance wanted to find a place that set the right tone as soon as you walk in the front door.” That’s putting it mildly. Everything about Delphic Digital is designed with intention. Inside, the company took the bones of the old mill with its high ceilings, skylights, and original hardwood floors and turned it into a 21st-century creativity factory. The elevator greets you with a different TV theme song each time you ride. The main floor is a well-thought-out

maze of whiteboards filled with sticky notes and rough website wireframes. Pockets of desks are arranged so designers can “collaborate at a moment’s notice,” or let their minds wander. Each conference room is named after a celebrity muse like Ellen, Oprah, and Bill Murray. “There have been plenty of times when I’m leaving work around 6:30 p.m., and I hear a ruckus at the back of the office because there’s an informal ping-pong tournament going on,” Beth said, laughing. “We also have dogs that employees bring in from home. They’re a part of everyday...so this is a place where people genuinely want to be.” Delphic Digital has come a long way since its birth 13 years ago. They have made a name for themselves not just with their impressive work environment, but the digital strategies they create for the absolute best customer experience. The company has worked with both regional and global companies, from Borgata to the likes of Comcast and Aramark. Vice President of Client Services, Danielle Rossi, believes the work they have done for Delaware North’s national park division (with clients like Yellowstone and El Questro in Australia) have been among the most rewarding for the team. “We wanted to bring national parks and their lodging to life in the digital space. So some of our team members had the opportunity to visit the locations to talk to the staff and experience what it’s like to actually be there,” she said. “Not a bad gig.” A self-proclaimed passion for experience is more than just a chance at a Yosemite adventure (who would say no to that business trip?). Hands-

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on research is important to the Delphic Digital team because that’s exactly what they want the website user to experience digitally, in the simplest way possible. The average web user only sees the finished product of a site, so the complicated world of digital strategy that lives underneath remains ambiguous. If the team at Delphic Digital is doing their job right, it will stay that way — meaning web users can navigate through a website’s interface and interact with a brand without even having to think about it. “Once a site launches, that’s when the work truly begins,” Danielle explained. “We are laying a really great technical foundation for contextual marketing and serving unique experiences for audiences. Then, we begin to layer in digital marketing programs like paid search, email, and SEO.” It’s clear that Delphic Digital speaks digital strategy like a second language, because that’s what the staff is trained to do. But for a budding entrepreneur without expert guidance, connecting their business to online customers can feel a little more confusing. Danielle cleared things up: it’s all about getting inside customers’ heads and focusing on their needs. “You need to understand how your customers are using digital,” Danielle said. “And try to meet that experience in an organic way. Ask yourself which tasks you want users to perform on your site. How will they interact with the brand?” Beth added that Manayunk entrepreneurs, with their proximity to a whole host of Philadelphia colleges, are especially primed to get help from young professionals hoping to break into the digital marketing world. “Philadelphia is one of the most inclusive tech communities that I’ve ever worked in,” Beth said. “It doesn’t take that long to make good connections if you just put yourself out there. I would encourage local entrepreneurs to connect with Philadelphia universities because there are so many students who want hands-on work and would do it for a Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 15

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LANCE HOLLANDER, MANAGING PARTNER, AND SAM LEONE, VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

reasonable price.” Beyond making lasting connections with the right talent, there are a number of resources business owners can use to learn more about digital. Delphic Digital regularly blogs about industry trends and tech events, including some they host in their own ground floor space. On May 4th, they hosted a Star Wars-themed event for Philly Tech Week, so participants could learn to “bring optimal digital experiences to the galaxy.” It’s just another way they are making Manayunk a creative and tech-oriented destination. Like the company itself, many Delphic Digital employees have become part of the fabric of the community. In fact, an estimated 25% of the Delphic Digital workforce are Manayunk residents — either they decided to work local, or their job at Delphic Digital drew them to the area. A cutting-edge company like Delphic Digital could very easily have thrived downtown or in a trendy urban hub like N. 3rd (“Nerd”) Street in Northern Liberties. They could have worked in the thick of the hustle and bustle. But Beth and Danielle are grateful for the “homey” neighborhood spirit, and have become invested in the energy of community relationships. “When we go down to Volo for a cup of coffee every day, the pace is different [than downtown],” Danielle said. “You almost forget you’re at work because everybody there is a local taking a break. Getting coffee becomes a meaningful event.” Whether Delphic Digital is searching for the optimum digital experience or a real-life one, they seem to have found it here. It lives in their bike ride to work, beautifully interactive websites, and office ping-pong tournaments. If only those 19th-century mill workers could see them now. 16

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“You almost forget you’re at work because everybody there is a local taking a break. Getting coffee becomes a meaningful event.”

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SHOP: THINGS WE LOVE

The Eye for Style

The husband-wife duo of The Eyeglass Works provide eyewear thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practical, yet stylish.

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Photography By Susan Beard Design By Megan Douress

(susanbearddesign.com)

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alking into The Eyeglass Works at 4407 Main Street is like getting the red carpet treatment. Jack and Jane Goldberg truly treat their clients to like celebrities upon entry with a “Have a seat!” followed by a completely personalized shopping experience — as if no one else is in the store with you. A handful of eyewear comes your way and is placed on the table in front of you. You’re asked to try on the first pair. “How do you feel about this shape? Do you like the color? How about we try this pair? Does this match your personal style?” These are just a few questions Jack and Jane may ask you during your one-on-one with the owners of the friendly shop. “We’ll bend over backwards for our clients,” Jack said. The husband and wife duo are no strangers to the stylish retail scene in Manayunk. The veterans started calling Main Street home in 1983, when they opened The Eyeglass Works. “There was a beer distributor across the street and there was the Canal View Inn, and that was it. There was nothing here!” Jack remembered. “We took a different approach,” he added. “We took an approach that was more unique, higher end, quality products. This didn’t happen overnight. Time went by and we developed a nice reputation.” That reputation comes from a lifelong career in the business of eyewear. In 1971, Jack founded an affordable eyewear company called For Eyes with a group of friends. After much success, Jack and his brother sold the company in 1980 and opened a lens factory on Tower Street. The factory distributed to most of the East Coast and even had a small outlet store inside. “Manayunk was really vacant, but somebody who owned property saw me at our outlet and asked me if I’d like to open up a store on Main Street,” Jack said. “There was nothing on Main Street and he wanted a retail business. I decided I wanted to do something else with my career, so I opened the store on Main Street with my wife, Jane.” Some may say Jack and Jane are partially responsible for the revitalization of Manayunk when they opened their storefront 34 years ago. The high-end business brought in clients from Chestnut Hill, the Main Line, and other affluent neighborhoods. Soon, it became a “hub,” as Jack referred to it. “Manayunk was thriving and fortunately, through the ups and downs, we’ve maintained, and we still maintain,” Jack said. These days, Jack and Jane bring in quality eyewear from all over the world. They focus on selling unique, more cutting edge handmade styles. Jane even goes to Europe — typically France and Italy — twice a year to buy. Some of their more local favorite brands of eyewear include Anne & Valentin from New York and LA Eyeworks from, you guessed it, Los Angeles.

“[LA Eyeworks] started a year or two before we did,” Jane said. “They actually came into the store to thank us for selling their frames!” As one may assume, Jane is the resident styling expert at The Eyeglass Works with a lot of help from one of her employees, Denise Boyer. They’ll first look at the client’s face shape, their overall style, and even the career of her client when finding the perfect pair of glasses for them. “If they’re a lawyer, you want something a little bit more conservative — intelligent,” Jane said. Jane and Denise look at facial structures, too, like the size of their nose and where the eyes are set on their face. If someone wants to de-emphasize their nose, they’ll pick a pair that sits lower on the bridge. And when her customer has a smaller nose, they’ll select a pair that sits higher on their bridge to make it more prominent. But with the changing times, Jane admits that styling her clients doesn’t always come easy, even with an inventory of 2,000 frames to choose from. “The process used to be square face, put a frame with a soft edge. Round face, don’t use a round frame. Oval is the perfect face — you can put anything on it,” Jane explained. “But things have changed. People want different styles, different colors, different shapes.” “A lot of people have small faces, so we have to find frames that fit their face, but that’s not really the style right now,” Jack added. “We try to get as many small frames as we can.” And while finding the perfect fit is one thing, channeling her clients’ personal style — and keeping up with the current fashion — is a whole different animal. Jane explained that chunky, black matte frames had a moment, but with summer just around the corner, color is the next big thing. “We all wear colorful frames here,” Jane said. “The chunky frames are still very popular, but we’re also seeing smaller, round, metal frames gaining popularity. When we first started, it was mostly metal. Now, it’s coming back. It’s almost like anything goes.” And before heading to the shore this summer, Jane will style you with the perfect pair of shades as well. “Go bigger with sunglasses — a frame that you wouldn’t normally wear as a regular frame,” Jane encouraged. “People go a little wild with sunglasses, but you can!” The Eyeglass Works truly has something for everyone — Jack and Jane make sure of it. After all, they say the quality of their products and their service is what keeps them going, and they can’t do it without their loyal clients. “We have frames and lenses for every generation,” Jack said. “Our clients come in and they know what they want, and we do our best to accommodate their needs and their price points. Once you become our client, you stick with us because you know we’re going to have the best products.” JACK AND JANE GOLDBERG, WITH STYLING ASSISTANT DENISE BOYER, STYLED THE MANY FACES OF MANAYUNK! WEARING FRAMES FROM THE EYEGLASS WORKS ARE LISA JOHNSON OF HIDDEN RIVER YARNS, ANDRES MALDONADO OF RIVER CITY OUTPOST, LINDA DOHERTY OF THE EYEGLASS WORKS, ANTHONY GUALTIERI OF TAQUERIA FELIZ, MARY SPEARS OF MILLAY, JACK GOLDBERG, LENNY BAZEMORE OF THE BAZEMORE GALLERY AND THE JUICE MERCHANT, AMANDA BORROUGHS OF VOLO COFFEEHOUSE, JD KOREJKO OF JOHNNY DESTRUCTO’S HERO COMPLEX, AND LEAH MCDONALD OF SUSAN BEARD DESIGNS.

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Manayunk info@toptailsdogwalking.com www.toptailsdogwalking.com

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COVER STORY

Salon L Gets Restyled Michael O’Connor’s journey from basement barber to owning two of the Philadelphia area’s top salons. By Caitlin Maloney Photography By Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

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s most stories go, Michael O’Connor’s entrance into the world of hair salons was an organic one. It all began when he was a 16-year-old high school student focusing on his school work and working for a bricklayer outside of the classroom. “One day, I just started cutting my friends’ hair in my basement,” Michael said. “Then dads started coming to get their hair cut, then my sisters started asking for more unique cuts. So, I knew it was time to give it a real try.” After a few years of practice in the basement, he enrolled at Jean Madeline Institute at the age of 23. To say he was underprepared is an understatement, but one thing is for sure — Michael was ready to learn all he could. “All I had at home was a pair of clippers and scissors,” he laughed. “This was on a whole other level.” After about a year and half, Michael completed the program and went on to work at some of Philadelphia and Bucks County’s top salons including Gary Charles & Associates and David J. Witchell. He didn’t make his way to Manayunk until a few years later at the age of 25, when he was strolling along Main Street with his then girlfriend, now wife, Leah. He spotted the original Salon L’Etoile, and knew he wanted to apply for a job there just by the looks of it.

“At that point, it had been open for about nine years,” Michael said. “It was a great salon with a great footing, but I knew there was a lot of room for growth for me there.” And he was right. After just seven months of working in the salon, Michael started overseeing the jewelry counter, and stepped into a management role shortly after. After being in business for so many years, Michael knew the salon needed to expand outside of their beloved location. “I knew I needed to be on street level and offer better parking options for my customers,” he said. “Working from a blank canvas is so much easier than working around pre-existing condition. You can only remodel the same space so many times.” He originally looked for a location to purchase, but when Michael came across the old Restoration Hardware space at 4120 Main Street, he knew he couldn’t lose out on the space even though it wasn’t on the market. “I had my eye on places on Main Street,” he said. “But I couldn’t find anything comparable to the grandeur and layout of the Restoration Hardware space. And having a free parking lot at the building was something I couldn’t pass up.” Michael admits there was a little skepticism surrounding the potential space among his staff, but Michael had a vision. Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 23

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COVER STORY

“I loved the old space, but it’s all about forward motion,” he said. So, in July 2017, Michael and the team packed their bags — and their scissors, curling irons, hair dyes and all — and moved the salon a few blocks down to the new location. “It was a crazy move,” Michael remembered. “We didn’t close the salon for a single day. We didn’t want to stop our staff from working or stop our customers from being able to get services. Plus, we had a new building with renovations to start paying off, so we had to keep things moving.” The move was one thing, but the renovation was another project in itself. Michael admits he was more confident going into this renovation project because just three years earlier in 2014, he ventured out on his own and pursued his entrepreneurial spirit by opening his own salon in North Wales, Salon L, named after his wife Leah. “I built that salon from the ground up,” Michael explained. “I helped general contract that job. I built the stations and the front desk for that job and used some of my past bricklaying experience to accent the pillars and front desk with brick pavers.” Michael wanted to incorporate Restoration Hardware’s original aesthetic when renovating the wide open space. “I didn’t want to mask that or strip that down,” he explained. “I wanted to work with the style of Restoration Hardware — clean, classic, a little strong, but with added feminine touches throughout.” He even went to the Restoration Hardware outlet to purchase some pieces to accent the space, including the large chandelier at the salon’s entrance, along with wood and metal shelving units. 24

When it came to the layout of the space, Michael’s main focus was to keep it open. He didn’t see the main space as just a salon — he saw potential for client events, hair events and distributor product launches. “To accommodate that, we designed the space so all of the stations can be broken down, and I can put them in the back room so the main space can be cleared out for events,” he said. His once-doubtful staff are all growing fond of the new space, the open one-level concept, and the natural light from the two large skylights. “We can all see each other and interact more,” he said. “It’s easier to communicate and make sure the clients are where they need to be.” And while Salon L’s clients have grown to love the new space. According to Michael, they’re enjoying the amenities, especially the free two-hour parking. “The biggest thing I see is that customers are just more at ease coming in now,” Michael said. “Sometimes at the old location, they would walk in flustered after trying to find parking.” With the big move also came a choice to make a name change. Since Michael already owned Salon L in North Wales, he again chose Salon L, to give the salon a fresh start and connect it with his other location. With a new name and a new look, Salon L still offers the same great services as the prior salon, including women’s and men’s haircuts and coloring. They also specialize in microblading and balayage, a low maintenance and cost-conscious coloring process. “The hair trends now are so different than when I first started,” Michael said. “The trend then was to be extremely blond and extremely straight

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— to the point where your hair was just damaged. Now, we recommend people embrace their natural texture and don’t force changes or you will ruin the integrity of your hair.” With more space to work, Salon L expanded their services to feature a beauty shop in the front of the salon. Clients can stop by to shop top beauty lines like Bare Minerals makeup, Oribe luxury hair products, or get waxing services. But, there’s still a section of the large space that has yet to be filled...until now. The front left half of the space, which has direct access from Main Street, will soon be home to Pilgrim Roasters, a brand new coffee shop that roasts their beans on site. “Coming off being right above Volo [Coffeehouse] in the old location, we knew it was a great partnership. There’s no coffee shops at this end of Main Street, so it will bring more traction,” Michael said. Michael knew a café was something that was important to his staff to make the new space complete, but even as is, he’s noticed the energy of his staff has changed at the new location. “Some of them were walking into the same space for years,” Michael said. “They just have more energy now when they walk into the new location. The change of environment has definitely been a positive one.” Team member Dana Tobin, who won Best Stylist in Best of Manayunk 2017, was actually Michael’s first assistant and has been working with him for over 14 years. In fact, Michael says over seven of his employees have been with him for more than 12 years and are now like family. Michael has also managed to bring his own family members into the salon industry including his nephew, Ryan, who is currently the floor manager at Salon L in Manayunk, and another nephew, Matthew, who manages at the North Wales location. This former basement barber has certainly turned his once hobby into a true family affair. Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 25

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5/18/2017 3/15/17 10:27:02 AM

SHOP: BUSINESS SAVVY

The Small Price to Pay for Big Names Worn Yesterday celebrates three decades ��A to Manayunk at an affordable cost. By Ainsley Maloney Photography By Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

hen Davida Levin, owner of the first children’s and maternity consignment shop in Manayunk, describes why kids love her store, she spends just as much time talking about confidence as she does about clothing. She mentions self-esteem as much as style — fitting in as much as fit. Brand name clothing can be an automatic ticket to the “in” crowd for young kids, and it’s her lifelong mission to remove the price barrier so children can wear the brands they love and never feel left out. She knows that pain first-hand. When Davida was four years old, her mother died. Months later, her father remarried and moved Davida and her sister from their childhood home in South Philly to Lower Merion. “In junior high school, everybody wore the same brand,” Davida said. “Today, it might be True Religion, but back then, it was Ladybug. A silly name, but everybody wore it. My stepmother was like the Wicked Witch of the West. She was not going to spend money on my sister and I. I felt like I didn’t fit in.” When she became a mother to her daughter Meredith, she vowed to offer her everything she possibly could. “Of course, I went crazy for my daughter and bought her all high-end clothing,” Davida remembered. As her daughter grew, Davida wanted to ensure the high-quality clothing went to another good home. So, she took them to consign at the Kids Exchange, a consignment shop in Glenside, Pa. which has since closed its doors. While in line, she passed a girl’s dress she remembered seeing at her favorite boutique — one that retailed for $90. When she turned over the tag, her jaw dropped: it was $21. “It looked brand new,” she recalled. “The only difference is that it had 28

been previously owned. I bought it that day, and ever since, I was hooked.” That was in the early 1980s. The only way to avoid paying full price back then was to shop at outlet stores (discounted, but still expensive) or thrift stores, “where you’re checking for stains and tears,” she said. Consignment offered a perfect solution: brand name clothing available in clean and organized stores, at less than a third of the original price. In 1986, Davida opened the first consignment shop in Manayunk, Worn Yesterday, at 104 Levering Street. Throughout the next 31 years, she moved to four more locations before settling into her current spot at 4228 Main Street, where she’s been for seven years. Worn Yesterday carries children’s clothing from newborn to size 20 for boys, and size 14 for girls. She also sells maternity clothing and accessories like hats, shoes, and diaper bags. “We specialize in the high-end brands,” she said, which includes American and European brands such as Ooh! La La Couture, Burberry, Terez, Ralph Lauren, Crewcuts by J. Crew, Diesel, True Religion, Splendid, and more. “If you’re a big fan of Old Navy, this isn’t the place for you,” she said. “You’re not going to go to school and see 10 kids wearing the exact same outfit. It’s one-of-a-kind clothes for one-of-a-kind kids.” While some of her items are secondhand, many are brand new, with the tags still on. “Consignment doesn’t mean ‘used,’” she clarified. “It means we don’t pay for the clothes until they’re sold. It might mean we get them brand new from the manufacturer — they might be left overs from last season. It’s like an art gallery, which does not pay for every piece of art up front,” she added, but instead, takes a percentage of the final sale.

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“The difference is in the price,” she continued. “Our price is under a third of regular retail cost. I have raincoats that retail for $49, and I’ll sell for $23.99. They might be last year’s, but they’re wonderful — brand new.” The biggest cultural change Davida has seen over three decades is how popular consignment has become. “I used to have customers who would only come in through the back door,” she recalled. “Newscasters who were on TV — they’d only come when my store was closed because they didn’t want anyone to see them shopping here.” Now, there are numerous consignment shops on Main Street. “I started this whole thing,” she said. “I’m a second-generation store. My customers who shopped for their kids...now those kids are shopping here for their kids.” Over the 31 years she’s been on Main Street, her customer traffic has remained consistent due to reputation and word of mouth. “I’ve been very lucky because I’ve always been a destination store. People drive to get to me. I don’t depend on walk bys. People always say to me, ‘You have the most fabulous clothing,’” she said. Many of her customers are like family. Rather than call her store by name, parents affectionately say to their kids, “Let’s go to Davida’s store!” They flock to her from Lower Merion, King of Prussia, Lafayette Hill, Center City, and New Jersey. “That’s what’s great about Manayunk. It’s a central location,” she said. A select few customers regularly consign with her, mostly because she has high standards for the items she accepts. “I’m tough,” she said. “Everything has to be completely perfect: stainfree, barely worn, barely washed, and seasonal. But once you become a 30

consigner, we take care of you. My typical consignors are over-buyers — they just like to shop! They bring me hundreds of garments at one time that never even made it on the kids before they outgrew them.” “I’ve had the greatest customers,” she added. “Ed Snyder [co-founder of the Flyers] used to shop at my store, and I’m a season ticket holder. So, when he walked in, I was like ‘Ed! Welcome to my store!’” That relationship eventually led to her daughter landing an internship with the Flyers. “That’s the greatest thing about being a small business owner — the wonderful relationships,” she said. “Manayunk is such a great neighborhood to live in. It has people of all races and religions living next to each other. Everyone gets along.” What motivates her to work six days per week, she said, is when a child puts on an outfit and glows with pride. “Children need to feel good about themselves, and one way is when they have something they love to wear,” she said. “Kids come in and say, ‘This is where I got my favorite jacket! This is where I got my favorite t-shirt!’ I love kids. We have fun in here. I let them mark the garments for me, put the tags on with the tagging gun. Oh, they love it! I tell them, ‘Now you can get a job in a clothing store one day — when you’re in college — because you have experience!’” she laughed. “Every generation has its brand, and children want to wear what everyone else is wearing,” she said, adding that once kids feel settled socially, they have more mental energy to focus on their school work. “Children deserve to feel good about themselves. That’s what motivated me to open my store. There’s no reason kids can’t have the brands they want, and there’s absolutely no reason to pay full price.”

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DINE: TASTE THIS

Creating A Culinary Community

The fresh food marketplace Manayunk didn’t know it was missing. By Megan Douress Photography By JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com)

f there is one thing that everyone knows about Manayunk, it’s that the neighborhood is, essentially, a food hub. Restaurants have been bringing in visitors since the 1980’s, and slowly, more and more food businesses opened up, such as ice cream shops, burger joints, and taco stands. For Andres Maldonado, there’s always been one element to this

food community that’s been missing for some time now — a marketplace. “I wanted a place that I can walk to, get some groceries, go back home, cook them, and do the same thing the next day,” said Andres, co-owner of the newly opened River City Outpost. “Sometimes I eat greens, some days I want sweet potatoes, and some days I want guacamole. The con-

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venience of having something fresh, available, and healthy is huge.” Andres and his business partner, Pat Breslin, met two years ago by spending time at Volo Coffeehouse. Andres was (and still is) a barista, and Pat had been a regular there. In the spirit of living in our small community, Andres and Pat became fast friends and realized they had something in common — their love of food. “In the summer of 2016, I found out Andres was roasting granola,” Pat said, adding the conversation eventually lead to opening their own food store. “We talked about the building while we were sitting outside at Lucky’s [Last Chance] one day, and we were like, ‘Let’s go and do this!’” The building was 4414 Main Street, the former location of Gaily’s Crazy

Cow Cafe. It had been vacant for a little over a year when Pat and Andres sought the help of other local business owners to track down the owners of the building. “Just from both of us living here, we knew what the community of business owners was like,” Pat said. “We got a lot of help along the way. Jack Goldberg (The Eyeglass Works), Pat Feeney (Main Street Music), and Chris Barnes (Lucky’s Last Chance) were super helpful. We literally signed our lease at Lucky’s with one of the bartenders as our witness!” Main Street’s newest business owners got to work on the building in the fall, and spent the next six months making it their own — dusting fixtures, ripping up the carpeted floors, and painting over the green and purple walls. In between sleepless nights surrounded by dust and paint, they found time to create a business plan, go through catalogs of suppliers for non-perishable items, and find suppliers for organic fruits and vegetables — but not without the help of friends Ammie Ferguson and Art Tran. Ammie, former owner of Tapasya Hot Yoga on Levering Street, has a macrobiotic food certification and shared her knowledge of all things Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 33

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food with Andres and Pat. On the other hand, Art Tran, who has recently joined the team as a partner, offered to help with things like River City Outpost’s website. “Art has been here practically every day since we opened,” Pat said. “He’s a great chef — his heart is in it. That’s where Andres, Art, and I all connect. We all love food.” So, where did this love of food come from? For starters, Pat grew up in a Polish and Irish household where potato dishes and pound cakes were regularly on the menu. But he really found his passion for fresh produce when he bought a house with a large backyard — perfect for gardening — in Manayunk 10 years ago. “The thing I’m fascinated by is being able to get food items and not having to over-dress it,” Pat said. “The real taste of vegetables is what I really love about food.” Andres chimed in, “When I first started going to school, I woke up to the juice squeezer early in the morning because my mom was making orange juice. That was my alarm.” “My brother is a chef, my mom is a closet chef, and my grandma was definitely a closet chef, too,” he added. “I grew up with people who take their time in the kitchen and love to talk about how they cook something and what it tastes like.” Pat went on to explain how the idea of “taking your time” lead to the slow food movement. It started in the 1980’s when fast food chains mass-produced their products, which ultimately lead to a potato shortage and poor living conditions for cattle. “It was this whole grab-and-go mentality,” Pat said. “The slow food movement is not buying into the fastest and cheapest. It’s being aware of where everything comes from. Take your time with your food — enjoy it more!” When it came to the business model of River City Outpost, building upon the slow food movement was a must. 34

“What’s good is when you think about the basic principles of it — it’s good food and it’s good local food,” Pat said. “It simplifies everything down to a way where you don’t have to be scared of it.” Taking a cue from the slow food movement, Pat, Andres, and Art have a goal of getting products as naturally and locally as they can, from produce to baked goods, and even home products, such as cleaning supplies. They get their apples from Kauffman’s Fruit Farm & Market, their chocolate milk from Maplehofe Dairy, and their produce from Lancaster Farm Fresh, which represents a variety of small farms in the general area. “They do a lot of the vetting with what they’re going to sell,” Pat said of Lancaster Farm Fresh. “We wanted to bring in radishes last week, and they said the radishes weren’t up to their standard, so they wouldn’t sell them to us.” As much as they would love to only sell locally grown products, it’s a tough job for farmers in the northeast. “Not everything grows here, but if we’re going to carry it, it absolutely positively has to be organic,” Pat said. “I think about the lemons, for example. When Walter from Palmer Distilling came down here and said he wanted to use our lemons for his gin, that’s when we realized we needed to bring them in. If we have access to it, we’re going to bring it here. We need to cater to what people want.” This is the kind of mentality Pat, Andres, and Art had all along when they decided to open River City Outpost. It’s not for them, it’s for the community. The thought really came to light when they had a local mom come to them with the idea of a cow share program. She had already done some outreach through social media, and had several people interested. But, she wasn’t sure what the next step was. “She said, ‘Can you guys help figure that out and do that?’” Pat said. “There are a lot of sleepless nights, but that’s why we show up every day. There are so many more of those stories out there.”

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The future of River City Outpost lies within the community as Pat, Andres, and Art strive to make the marketplace a co-op. They want to prove that they are invested in the community not only physically, but truly. “I think of every dollar that is spent here,” Pat said. “Let’s say we buy a product for one dollar and sell it for two dollars. One dollar covers our cost and the other we want to go back to the community. We joked a lot about River City being a gang. That’s the potential we could hold.” Art added, “One of the things one of my brothers once said was, ‘Go live somewhere you love and find work there.’ Same thing goes for ‘Go live somewhere and start something there.’ It’s really about promoting

the community — we want to bring up the community on another level. We want to create something sustainable.” For the more immediate future, Pat, Andres, and Art are working on having a fully functioning kitchen to create prepared foods using fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses from Pennsylvania, along with bread from Baker Street Bread. Open-face sandwiches and salads are just some of the items Andres and Art will be fixing up. The kitchen will also be utilized for off-site catering for meetings, banquets, and the like. For now, River City Outpost will continue their weekly “Snack Sack” program, where customers can sign up for a weekly bag of whatever is available that week — from produce to anything else they have in store and want to highlight. “It’s a program to engage the community — to try new things, to get creative with what you can make out of the sacks when you get them,” Andres said. Also, in the near future is a partnership with Manayunk-based food truck, Zsa’s Ice Cream, who will be parked outside of the storefront from Friday nights until Sunday nights all summer long. This is just another way Pat, Andres, and Art want to make that connection to the community, all while proving Manayunk has always needed a place like River City Outpost. “This season is all about growth, and I think the seeds we already laid down here are pretty profound. We’re excited by it,” Pat said. “Now, we’re rushing to get this kitchen open so we can start doing things we didn’t think were possible four weeks ago!” “We want to know what people want us to carry in the store,” Andres added. “We’re open to people coming in and telling us what they want us to buy, telling us what they want to see here. Keep checking back because we’re always evolving and carrying new things!”

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DINE: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CHEF

The Adventures of Tubby Robot Two lifelong friends unite their passions for ice cream and video games under one roof. By Leo Dillinger Photography By JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com)

ver since they met in sixth grade at Julia R. Masterman School, Chris Maguire and Steve Wright Jr. have shared an unwavering enthusiasm for ice cream and video games. On March 19, that enthusiasm materialized into their very own storefront. Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory delights its patrons with homemade ice cream and a side of nostalgic video games. For both Chris and Steve, creating a shop focused around “two of the greatest things in life” comes as a complete turnaround from their previous careers. After graduating from New York University with a custom degree in 36

Art, Computer Science and Animation, Chris became a web developer who co-founded a handful of startups. Oddly enough, Chris originally designed the “Tubby Robot” mascot during this time as a 404 Error graphic on his websites. But the further he ventured into his career, the more Chris felt disenchanted with his non-stop work life. The inability to look people in the eye while continuously staring into a computer screen disconnected him from the real world. It didn’t take long for Chris to devise his next step. “At this point, I had saved up a bunch of money from web development and I was between jobs,” Chris said. “I asked myself ‘What do I do next?’ and I was like, ‘Think, Chris! If there’s anything you could do in life...money is not an object. Time and space is not an object. What would it be?’ And the obvious answer was an ice cream parlor that has arcade games — the two best things in life combined.”

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While Chris specialized in the tech industry, Steve worked as a legal assistant for the Department of Public Welfare. He, too, was beginning to feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day stress of his career. “I was dealing with people’s livelihoods,” Steve said. “It was an important position, but at the same time it was soul crushing because we dealt with the worst situations. A lot of them were child abuse cases, which is like the opposite of selling ice cream. When it came to the point where Chris was serious about opening an ice cream shop, I immediately jumped on board.” Neither business partner had a professional background in the industry, but they did eat enough ice cream in their lifetimes to recognize what impeccable ice cream looks and tastes like. Before the idea of a brick and mortar shop even came to mind, Chris attempted to master some basic flavors at home with an ice cream maker he and his wife received as a wedding gift. It took him roughly a year of iteration to finally get his recipes down to a science, but these core flavors paved the way for Chris and Steve to get experimental. Today, they churn roughly 60-80 gallons of ice cream in-house every week and offer 16 flavors at any given time. There are always new, creative flavors in the rotation and many more they haven’t even introduced yet. Some of their bestsellers include Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl, Chocolate Mint Chocolate, and Lavender Honey, which was custom designed for North Light Community Center’s Spring Gala. But the pièce de résistance on Tubby Robot’s menu is their selection of specialty sundaes, like Chris’ personal favorite: The Belgian Waffle Sundae. Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 37

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“Sundaes are what it’s all about,” Chris said. “Ice cream is great, but I think ice cream is best when you pair it with different temperatures and textures. There’s nothing better than combining the hot with the cold or having that bite change midway through.” What’s even more impressive than Tubby Robot’s frozen treats is the space itself. When Chris initially acquired the property, 4369 Main Street was nothing more than a dilapidated building between two restaurants. With the help of local architecture firm, Cadre Design, Chris and Steve were able to raze the original building to the ground and rebuild a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. With just a 600-square-foot space, the Tubby Robot team needed to utilize every last available inch to their benefit. They knocked down a sidewall to make way for multi-panel sliding windows and maximize their natural light. Customers ooh and aah at the three large tile mosaics designed by Chris himself that feature the Tubby Robot mascot reenacting scenes from classic video games in local settings such as Pretzel Park, Belmont Plateau, and the Manayunk Bridge. From inception to opening, the entire process took about two and a half years to implement. “We’ve put a lot of love and care in the design and it shows,” Steve said. “There are so many people from out of town who come in assuming we’re a chain. They’ll ask how many locations we have because they’re blown away by how professional it all looks.” And then, of course, the cherry on top of Tubby Robot is Wall-O-Vision, Chris’ custom video game console that features all your favorite video games from days of old. A mounted computer and projector on the ceiling displays classics like Donkey Kong, Tetris, and Space Invaders onto the building next door. And it’s all controlled by wireless controllers on the shop’s countertop. What fascinates Chris and Steve the most about their 38

clientele is how the younger generation has no idea what a joystick is or what these games are, yet they are still mesmerized by the technology. “It’s amazing to see how the games are still compelling,” Chris said. “You might think technology has progressed so much and these kids are only into things that are so much more interactive. But you sit them down in front of Ms. Pacman or Galaga and they’re hooked! It draws them in along with their parents.” Steve has referred to ice cream as “a great facilitator in bringing people together,” and that’s exactly what the Tubby Robot is programmed to do. They want to provide their patrons with the best ice cream in a comfortable setting that people from all walks of life can enjoy. Just like the friendship Chris and Steve have created, their hope is for customers to build similar bonds with shared experiences over ice cream and video games. But it goes even further than that. They want to bring their customers’ ideas to life, whether it’s through a particular ice cream flavor or a sundae or a video game of the week. Manayunk welcomed Chris and Steve’s business endeavor with open arms and supported their progress every step of the way. And now, they want to return the favor through community involvement, collaboration with other businesses, and contributing to the overall narrative of the neighborhood. “We want to be your neighborhood ice cream parlor and we want to grow with you,” Chris said. “Being the people who make the ice cream ourselves, we can really have a lot of fun together. When I say we have a new flavor every week, it’s because people come in every week and give us a suggestion. And we’re building on that. I’d love to get even more suggestions through ice cream-based conversations with everyone in Manayunk.“

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PLAY: LOCAL A&E

Cutting Loose at Philadelphia Woodworks Michael Vogelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community shop gives members and visitors a place to relieve stress through woodworking. By Leo Dillinger Photography By Melissa Kelly Photography (melissakellyphotography.com)

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hile Michael Vogel studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, he fell in love with the campus’ woodshop. But after graduating and taking up a career in finance, Michael found it nearly impossible to continue his passion. “There was nowhere I could go and casually have a hobby in woodworking,” Michael said. “And it kept gnawing at me this idea of trying to invigorate a hobby while having a job. Nights and weekends would be something I’d want to do, but I had no space, I had no tools, and I had no experience with how to maintain those tools.” As the years went on, Michael grew more and more disconnected with his role in the finance industry. He needed a radical change to get him to a place where he could be happy. And he needed it fast. “I kept fantasizing about how a woodworking hobby would be an escape from everything else,” Michael continued. “I decided to build a business around that escape knowing there would be lots of other people just like me who want to have this hobby. But there was no way to know if this was the kind of business that would be well-received. It’s the kind of thing you have to do on faith.” When Michael initially conceptualized “Philadelphia Woodworks” in 2011, only three other woodworking shops like the one he envisioned existed in the country. He interviewed two of the shop owners (one from Washington D.C. and another from San Jose) who eventually became his mentors. Michael visited their shops and learned from their experiences to identify what it took to make his member-based woodshop a success. The next step was finding the right location. Michael eventually stum-

bled upon a large, raw industrial space on Umbria Street across from the Ivy Ridge Train Station. Though the building needed months of work and renovation to create the right atmosphere, he immediately knew this would be the perfect space to house his new business. Before signing a lease, Michael also needed to find people who would actually be interested in his project. So he pounded the pavement, putting out postcards on corkboards and countertops at hardware stores and lumber suppliers. He networked with numerous fellow woodworkers, built up his email list, and slowly but surely, the word started to spread. Philadelphia Woodworks opened for business in March 2012. “The coolest thing about woodworking is just being able to lose yourself in it,” Michael said. “Your stresses and anxieties about everything else going on around you disappear for the period of time you’re working on something. An entire day will pass by and you’ll forget to eat, you’ll forget to take care of everything you wanted to take care of just because you disappear into another place. And that place is mentally and physically stimulating. This is an experience that you just get to lose yourself in and find yourself at the same time.” Michael and his mix of full-time staff and part-time instructors truly make the experience worthwhile for their 125 members and the thousands of students who take woodworking classes every year. Right as you walk through the door, the rich aroma of fresh lumber soothingly hits your nostrils. The wooden decor all over the lobby, from the front desk to shelves holding numerous woodworking technique books, reiterates the idea that you are dealing with the finest professionals. Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 41

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The space is compartmentalized into three core areas: the main woodshop, the classroom, and the lumberyard. The main shop area is a woodworker’s dream come true with enough room and tools for members to operate on projects of all sizes whenever the shop is open. Meanwhile, the classroom intimately hosts anywhere from six to 10 students at a given time with individual workstations. Philadelphia Woodworks offers two types of classes. The first and most popular type is for experience seekers looking to create their very own 42

souvenir from cutting boards and picture frames to coffee tables and Adirondack chairs. These classes range in length from three hours to multiple weekends depending on the project you want to craft. The other class serves new and veteran wood artisans looking to perfect a particular skill. The shop even offers private one-on-one lessons, custom projects and repairs, and a lumberyard that’s accessible on nights and weekends. “I want people to be as bold and as confident as they’ll let themselves be with trying something different,” Michael said. “As much excitement as there is for crafts and woodworking, I find just as often people fearing they won’t be good at woodworking. The truth is if you have the right environment, the right people coaching you, and just give us some trust, the experience will be incredible.” Now in its sixth year of business, Michael’s shop has started to gain the recognition it deserves as the market for community woodworking spaces has grown every year since he first opened. Now, he’s become a mentor for new entrepreneurs who travel to Philadelphia Woodworks from across the country to get a glimpse of his operations with the hope they’ll open a shop of their own. Several local companies have hosted team-building retreats at the shop. Night and weekend classes always tend to sell out and make a much more adventurous water cooler conversation than Painting With A Twist. “We’re now five years strong and doing incredibly well,” Michael said. “It’s been a surprise to me how amazing everything is going. Every statistic about what a small business’s success should be have all been beaten, and it feels amazing. This place is exactly what I hoped it would be and a whole lot more.”

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Canal Lounge at

Bourbon Blue

The Canal Lounge is Manayunkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier event space. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect for groups of 25 to 125 people, for any and every event. Contact our event coordinator, Melissa at mgregory@bourbonblue.com for more information.

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PLAY: GET PHYSICAL

“To the Professor!” Manayunk Beer Runners mixes two of the neighborhood’s biggest cultures for a fun, yet effective way to start the workweek. By Noel Bartocci

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here are few things more anxiety-inducing than joining a workout group for the first time. Running has an even more intense subculture that can feel impenetrable at times — or at least seem that way. A perception from the outside is that runners take their sport very seriously — intensely so. Any newbie wanting to try can understandably feel uncomfortable when seeking out a social start. Worries of, “What if I hold everyone up?” or, “What if all these runners make me feel so slow?” aren’t unreasonable concerns to cross one’s mind when starting out, so running alone feels like the only option. I speak from experience, having harbored these concerns myself. I still hesitate when I’m invited to run with others, as if by reflex. Then there’s the Manayunk Beer Runners, a non-elite, social running club designed to have a good time for runners of every level. Whether you’re a marathoner or just starting out, the group is open and welcoming to all — and their dogs. “It’s really important for us not to be an elite running club. We’re for all paces and physical types,” explained Dave Scarpello, founder of the Manayunk Beer Runners group, which he manages with fellow runner, Sandy Korenkiewicz. It’s very important to both of them to keep running fun. That’s also where the beer comes in — and the science. Yes, this all starts with science. You may be asking yourself, where does beer running come from? Professor Manuel J. Castillo-Garzon, M.D., at the University of Granada in Spain conducted a study regarding the nutritional benefits and hydrating capabilities of beer. Through his research, he concluded that beer and water have similar re-hydration effects under the conditions of the

study, which compared a moderate amount of beer to the same amount of water. The carbohydrates can also help replace lost calories, aiding in a quicker recovery. Simply put, you hydrate with beer just as quickly as with water. Philadelphia has had a community of “beer runners” for some time now. Less than a year ago, Dave sought out a few of his runner friends to start a group in our community. After only six months, the Manayunk Beer Runners are nearly 500 strong. Every Monday, Dave maps out two different running routes — one route is three to four miles and the other is five to six miles, both capitalizing on all the great running paths in Manayunk. Both runs begin in the same spot and, of course, end at a local pub or restaurant. Prior to the run, Dave will coordinate with the watering hole in order to make sure they can accommodate the group, to which they often respond with excitement and sometimes specials. “I can imagine Mondays aren’t the busiest nights, so if I say we’re guaranteeing 20 people, they love it,” he explained, adding, “and we’re a good group. We lucked out with this group.” Dave continued to express his gratitude and overall pride about the quality of people who’ve gravitated to the local Beer Runners chapter. He is both proud and beside himself, which is a level of humility far too rare. So, how does someone start? “Just show up. That’s it,” Dave said. Dave’s humility and go-to attitude, especially when it comes to running, is rooted in the reality that in 2003, he was told that he may never be able to walk again. Through hard work, belief, and persistence, he Summer 2017 | manayunk.com 45

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found himself not only on his feet, but running. Then running more. Then even more. Before he knew it, he was ingrained in the local community and wanted to be more proactive. We all have a story, but Dave wanted to make the second half of his more focused on spreading that positivity. The Beer Runners presented him with the perfect opportunity to do just that. Dave’s positivity is contagious as well, because it wasn’t long into our conversation when I realized, “I’m going to end up running with them, aren’t I?” As Dave went on about the people, the personal growth shared, and the charitable efforts the group has made, it was hard to not find the whole thing appealing. For the first time I thought, “Hell, maybe I can run with other people.” There I was the following Monday, standing at the corner of Main Street and Green Lane with a group of strangers. Dave introduced me to the group and handed me the directions for tonight’s run with the remark, “It’s a little tough today — hills.” Anyone familiar with the landscape of Manayunk knows that the hills around here aren’t cavalier inclines, but treacherous slopes towards the sky. Great. As we wait for more people to show, I just sit back and listen to the runners, stretching and talking about everything from work to recent accomplishments as comfortable friends and acquaintances are apt to do. Tonight is a dog-friendly excursion, so the inclusion of pups lightens up the group with every new arrival. We embark when everyone arrives at about 6:35 p.m. — not bad for a 6:30 p.m. projected start. The group splinters at a point in the run and all along the way, both Dave and Sandy make sure everyone is still together. Sandy goes ahead

to make sure the leaders are good while Dave keeps track of the slower paces, stopping or doubling back on occasion just to make sure everyone is alright. Safety is a major factor for them, so they take great pains in making sure no one gets lost or splinters off. When everyone arrived at our finish line, the Hilltown Tavern on Roxborough Ave, it was time for the ritual toast — a call and response with glasses raised high, “To the professor!” — and a picture. Dave and Sandy also go through announcements, from congratulating members who completed the Boston Marathon to group outings and charitable events coming up. The Manayunk Beer Runners isn’t content with simply running and drinking on a weekly basis. They use their platform to support and partner with organizations like North Light Community Center and Friends in Pink, as well as participate in food drives, local races, and youth groups. They also coordinate group events like Philadelphia Union games and joint excursions with other fitness groups. They take every chance they can to support new or favorite local spots, and celebrate the community as much as possible. In a way, the Manayunk Beer Runners are unfortunately titled, for they are so much more than just beer and/or running. They’re a support group that happens to host runs when they meet. They’re celebratory week-starters with long-term health benefits. They’re a group of people who don’t just wax poetic about the neighborhood, but explore and patronize every part of it together. Beer enthusiast or not, if you love good people and even once considered trying running, then all you need to know is…they meet every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Main Street and Green Lane. I’ll see you there!

Carefree Living Around Manayunk

• Garden Style Apartments

• Free Off-Street Parking

• 2 miles to Main Street

• Private Entrances

• Dog Park & Canine Trail

• Across from Umbria Golf

• Patios/Balconies

• 24 Hour Fitness Center

Range

• 1 mile to SEPTA train

www.theglenapartments.net | 215.482.4889 46

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Extraordinary Service Since 1985!

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RIGHT ON THE WATER WAY OUT OF THE ORDINARY Life at The Isle brings waterfront living to Manayunk. These brand new apartments feature upscale amenities and offer everything you want to fit your lifestyle. Enjoy scenic water views from your apartment or use the private resident pedestrian bridge to hop over to Main Street to dine at your favorite local restaurant or try one of Manayunk’s own brews from the Manayunk Brewing Company. Whether you want to work up a sweat in the state of the art fitness center or go for a jog along the canal, there’s no shortage of options for fitness fans. Located in the heart of Manayunk, you have easy access to nearby destinations like Center City and King of Prussia.

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NOW OPEN

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Pilgrim Roasters Located in the same building as the new Salon L, Pilgrim Roasters set out on the journey towards providing more coffee options to Manayunk. The cafe roasts their distinct selection of coffee in small quantities to ensure you receive a product full of quality and freshness. Stop by for friendly service and an exceptional cup o’ joe! 4120 Main Street

SOMO Looking for a sleek, new, and affordable place to bring your friends when they visit this summer? Look no further than SOMO, one of Manayunk’s newest restaurants serving American fare. Whether you’re in the mood for small plates, sandwiches, entrees, or a salad, SOMO provides you with a little bit of everything for lunch, dinner, and even brunch on the weekends. You won’t go home thirsty either as SOMO offers a wide array of hand-crafted cocktails, over 20 beers on �� eekly specials and happy hours will keep you coming back each week, especially their $1 oysters on Tuesdays. 4311 Main Street, 267-297-6668

Sona Distinguishing themselves as “Not your father’s Irish pub,” Sona promises to reinvent your idea of a pub with their Irish fusion and twist on a modern gastropub. Featuring traditional but reimagined pub fare and specialty artisan pizza, Sona has something for everyone. Pair your meal with a drink and choose from 32 taps with rotating craft beers, as well as a specialty craft cocktail menu. While you come for the food and drinks, you’ll stay for the beloved Irish spirit with live music, dancing, and, of course, lots of craic! 4417 Main Street, 484-273-0481

manayunk.com | Summer 2017

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