SUMMER 2022
commUNITY
Robert and Arielle Ashford have cultivated a new and thriving community.
Blossoming in Manayunk | Summer Styles on Main Street A “Fit” For Everyone
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M A N AY U N K LO C AT I O N 4 2 6 0 M A I N S T, P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA 1 9 1 2 7 215.709.2888 N E W L E A F M A N AY U N K . CO M B R O O M A L L LO C AT I O N 2 9 1 6 W E S T C H E S T E R P I K E , B R O O M A L L PA 1 9 0 0 8 610-353-8888 W W W. N E W L E A F C U I S I N E . CO M
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YA R D L E Y LO C AT I O N 1 1 9 F LO R A L VA L E B LV D. , YA R D L E Y PA 1 9 0 6 7 267-682-6888 W W W. P U R P L E L E A F C U I S I N E . CO M
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contents
magazine
SUMMER 2022
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Mark Your Calendar
Take a peek at Manayunk’s upcoming summer events.
08 Blossoming in Manayunk A pop-up bar that blooms come spring time.
12 Hometown Heroes Baker Street Partners are invested in the community in more than one way.
16 Avoiding Trends is the
Newest Trend
A guide to summer styles found on Main Street.
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30 A Unique Collection of
Old and New
Consignment and handmade furniture for any style home.
36 A “Fit” For Everyone Being true to you is at the core of Manayunk’s newest fitness studio.
42 A Manayunk Landmark Welcoming residents and visitors since the 19th century.
46 Now Open Step inside Manayunk’s newest businesses.
Cover Profile Putting the UNITY in community.
Editorial + Production Editors
Megan Douress, Leo Dillinger, Alex Cohen, and Janine Gasarowski Design Cantor Design, cantordesign.com
Manayunk Magazine is published by the Manayunk Development Corp.
Manayunk Development Corporation 4312 Main Street Philadelphia, PA 19127 215.482.9565 | info@manayunk.org
Photography Susan Beard Design Co - susanbearddesign.com Melissa Kelly Photography - melissakellyphotography.com Cover Alexa Nahas Photography - alexanahas.com Photographed by Alexa Nahas Photography JPG Photo & Video - jpgphotoandvideo.com alexanahas.com 4
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR Photos courtesy of The Video Content Factory
Stroll The Street Thursday Evenings June 2 - September 1 Every Thursday night throughout the summer, visitors to Manayunk can walk, shop and eat their way down Main Street for Stroll the Street! Enjoy local vendors, live music, and monthly themed nights such as June’s Beach Month, July’s Throwback Thursday Month, and August’s Pet Month! Select Manayunk restaurants feature happy hour specials, while retail shops offer discounts and other promotions. It’s fun for the whole family!
The 33rd Annual Manayunk Arts Festival June 25 - 26
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We’re back to our street-closed format for 2022! Walk down historic Main Street and celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the largest outdoor juried arts festival in the region! The Manayunk Arts Festival features more than 300 artists and their work from a variety of mediums including glass & ceramics, wood & sculpture, painting & drawing, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, and photography. The festival also features an emerging artist tent in the parking lot next to Riverside Pizza to showcase new talent.
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Dog Day Of Summer Saturday, Aug 20 This one has gone to the dogs! Celebrate our four-legged friends Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. with an afternoon of pet-friendly vendors and activities, such as dog adoptions at participating Main Street businesses. Don’t have a dog? Don’t fret! This is a family-friendly event for four and two-legged guests!
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WWW.BSPDEVELOPMENT.COM RENTALS@BAKER-PARTNERS.COM
PARISH HOUSE MANAYUNK 141 Krams Ave, Philadelphia PA 19127 12 loft apartments in a converted Church Parish House. Conveniently located at the beginning of the Manayunk Bridge Trail and steps away from Main Street.
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STUNNING NEW CONSTRUCTION Roxborough/Manayunk – 4 Beds, 2-1/2 Baths – Open Floor Plan – Garage & 2 Car Driveway – Roof Deck – STARTING IN THE MID 800’s
MIKE KERSHAW Broker 215-805-1062 mkershawrealty@aol.com
INTRODUCING 4328 MAIN STREET Coming soon, the only new construction apartments located directly on Main Street, Manayunk.
BOB ENSLIN 267-581-4266 Bob@BobEnslin.com www.BobEnslin.com
Full service real estate company serving Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls and Mount Airy for over 30 years!
V E T E R A N
8107 Ridge Avenue | Philadelphia PA 19128 | 215-483-5717 MNYK.Spring2022.Full2.indd 7
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Blossoming in Manayunk A pop-up bar that blooms come spring time
By: Alexandra Cohen Photos by Neal Santos, Rob Cardillo, and JPG Photo & Video (jpgphotoandvideo.com)
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alking down Main Street, you never know what surprises you may stumble upon. It could be a new and exciting restaurant that just opened up filled with locals and visitors catching up over drinks and appetizers. Imagine your curiosity drawing your eyes up while passing under the latest Instagrammable art installation hanging in an alleyway. You walk by the smaller street art and realize the detail and passion that cannot be appreciated through a moving car window. But, as you stray away from the loud chatter and exciting happenings on Main Street, and you make a quick turn onto Jamestown Avenue and you will find yourself stumbling into one of the most delightful surprises the city has to offer. The urban oasis, formally known as the PHS Pop Up Garden at Manayunk, is a beer garden that not only offers delicious cocktails and food, but extends into a much more powerful mission for Manayunk. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) took an unused area of the city and gave it a new sense of purpose. It has been developed into a place the community can meet up with one another or to take classes to engage and connect. It also acts as a resource for local families to have access to healthy and fresh food. The plot of land at 106 Jamestown Avenue started off as a community spot from the beginning. Dozens of years ago, families and business owners would meet there to collect coal. The Reading Terminal Line Coal Trains would come through Manayunk, veer off the tracks to the train shed- that is still standing and used to house the bar, and dump the
coal into the bins for collection. The coals would then be used to heat up the local family’s homes and different businesses within the communities. When PHS and the property owner were introduced, they knew a beer garden would be a perfect addition to the community. But transforming an abandoned coal shed turned parking lot into a desirable garden- would take a little bit of planning. Cristina Tessaro, Associate Director of Activation at PHS, described the initial thoughts of the process. “The design took a lot of influence off the historic train structure so it’s got a lot of industrial elements,” Cristina conveyed. “There are high beams that look like the railroad ties at the base of the privala. We used a lot of building materials - pallets, and donated wood. We took this industrial feeling and then added horticulture, obviously. Plants everywhere, the more the better!” Embedded in the design feature is a fully functioning community garden. This garden is in connection with the PHS program - City Harvest. The program grows and donates seedlings to communities throughout Pennsylvania for their gardens with the promise to donate a portion of their produce to a local food pantry. The Manayunk garden donates all of their proceeds to North Light Community Center, a local non-profit that supports and strengthens the local community. Not only does this give the local pantry access to fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, but it also allows for a demonstration space for education programs for the community to be involved in. Residents are then able to produce the Spring 2022 | manayunk.com
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horticulture in their own homes. Another important design feature that was included in the design is a pergola with rain barrels connected at the base. Manayunk is known to be a terrible flood zone that has affected the local area greatly. The garden wanted to be in partnership to help mitigate the storm water overflow to reduce the flooding. The rain barrels are used to capture and latch onto water, to then be able to water the plants at a later time. While this is beneficial for the community garden, PHS has a program that allows residents to do the same! The Rain Check Program installs a rain barrel at your home and gives access to opportunities to programs and workshops to ensure the barrel is being used to the fullest extent. This program helps residents both reduce their water consumption by not needing to use their hose and fresh water for gardening, and helps reduce the storm water that gravely affects the area. The Rain Check Program is not the only design feature that PHS took to reduce the storm water within the community. Cristina discussed the plans of teaming up with their neighbors, The Animedic Veterinary Hospital, to tackle more plantings to help with the flooding in conjunction with the Tree Tenders Program. The team is planting five street trees, approved by the city and with the help of the local volunteers, along the front of their properties. This will bring more awareness, and hopefully trickle onto the other neighbors. The end goal is to promote the tree plantings and to eventually have more trees and blocks planted in the future throughout Manayunk. On the topic of discussing what horticulture was going into the design of the garden; flood mitigation, sustainability, and community were the main focus. While it may be great to have a variety of brightly colored, tropical plants - it just is not the right fit for the garden in Manayunk. “It’s just getting worse and worse every year with climate change, so we wanted to showcase native plantings, North American plantings, as a way to mitigate certain climate change,” Cristina said, “We planted 10
North American natives with the idea that they will be there for the life of the garden and they will grow bigger and do more for the site and the environment, and be more and more impressive each year.” Even though the plantings are the same every year, they will continuously grow and be more exciting and different every year, so that one will not get sick of the view. And knowing the plantings are sustainable benefits the environment even more. This also allows locals to be able to produce the same and grow the native plants in their own gardens. Some of the plantings that are growing in the garden include Dwarf Columbine, Autumn Fern, Woodland Phlox, Foamflower, and Golden Alexander. On top of the beautiful scenery, the drinks and food are spectacular. With a variety of drinks infused with herbs and spices that are grown right there on premises. With a new and revised drink list, PHS took the theme of more tropical drinks to sip in the garden. Some local favorites are the Jamestown Fizz Cocktail or a Manayunk Mule Shotsicles. Additionally you can get a variety of frozen cocktails, tiki cocktails, draft beer, canned seltzers, and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. To go along with the refreshing drink options, the garden offers a delicious variety of food options. If you are just looking to snack on something - you may munch on some fresh popped popcorn or a Bavarian Pretzel. There is also a large variety of sandwiches; offering a Vegan Crab Cake Sandwich, Italiano Hoagie - and even more for both adults and children. The PHS Pop Up Garden in Manayunk is something different to remove yourself from the bustling city. Whether you are there for a quick snack, enjoying an evening with friends, or attending a program, a portion of all the proceeds from every purchase helps the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society advance their mission throughout Philadelphia. By visiting the beautiful garden, you are supporting your community by allowing access to healthy, organic food, access to flood mitigation tactics, and promoting education in the horticulture world.
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Bendi Jewelers brings you every design imaginable. A delightful array of necklaces, earrings, and rings are on display. Whether you are about to propose or are seeking the perfect birthday present, no project is too big or too small for us to handle.
4333 Main St.. Philadelphia. PA. 19127. 215.508.5220. Bendijewelers.com
4201 MAIN STREET | MANAYUNK PA, 19127 | 267.323.2495
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Hometown Heroes
Baker Street Partners owners, Steve Olszewski and Andy Mulson, are financially - and nostalgically - invested in the community. By Noel Bartocci Photos by Melissa Kelly Photography (melissakellyphotography.com)
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home is more than a house. It’s more than just where you sleep and where you store your stuff. A home extends to the community around you—where you grew up, the friends you’ve kept for decades, and the memories you’ve made along the way. To honor your home and your community, you invest in it. You restore, rehabilitate, and celebrate whatever originality you can. It’s hard, laborious work, but Steve Olszewski and Andy Mulson of Baker Street Partners love the challenge. If you’ve ever taken an extended walk around Manayunk or Roxborough, then you’ve without a doubt stumbled upon the work of Baker Street Partners, a locally owned and operated real estate developer, which prides itself on restorations, rehabilitation, and new construction that compliments the surrounding community’s look and feel. Which is of course a look and feel that they’ve intimately contributed to their entire lives.
“As real estate developers, we pride ourselves on being responsible. The core of our work, our focus, is the northwestern section of the city, mostly Manayunk and Roxborough, because this is our home.” Steve and Andy have been in business with one another for 15 years, but the foundation of their professional partnership was built well before that. “Andy and I have known each other since high school,” Steve notes in his confident cadence. He regales me with the story in a softer tone, eschewing any preconceived notion that to develop real estate, you must be blunt. Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 13
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“Our goal is to always ask, ‘how is this going to be better for the area?’ because this is where we both still live. Our kids grew up here. Our wives are from here.” “Me and our friend CJ started renovating houses together, and Andy and his father were doing the same thing. Building houses, but a few years before us. They were doing it longer,” clarifying the timing, he continued. “We all connected on a project, partnering up on a development behind Dobson’s school,” referring to James Dobson Elementary School, off Umbria St. “From there, we’ve been working together ever since. But we all grew up with each other. Back then, we were just boys hanging out.” Andy speaks at a higher decibel level than Steve, arms crossed with a naturally stoic presence. However, he pulls off this demeanor of authority without an ounce of unfriendliness. I get the impression that validation from Andy comes heavily weighted. The two partners play off one another in a way that can only exist in the presence of trust and mutual respect. “Steve and I went to Roman [Catholic High School] and hung out in the neighborhood together,” Andy explains. “It wasn’t until around ’07 when we eventually joined up and became partners. That’s from a business perspective, but from a friendship perspective, it was years before that.” As they tell the story of how they ventured into business together, I couldn’t help but notice how it seemed to happen in the best way possible—organically. “They were doing their thing [Steve and CJ] and me and my father were doing our thing. Of course, we would talk about work and run stuff by each other, but we didn’t work on anything together until then, and have ever since.” It would be a few more years before the entity known as Baker Street Partners would 14
officially form. Steve, explaining the name, “It comes from being on Baker Street. Baker & Carson, specifically. A good friend of ours’ Mom lives there and we would hang out on the stoop—that was our first home office.” After a laugh, he reminisced, “We raised hell on Baker Street for many years. I lived on St. Davids. Andy lived on Flamingo in Roxborough. It just made sense to have that kind of origin story to our company.” Today, joined by both Steve’s brother and Andy’s son, Baker Street Partners has completed some of the most impressive development projects in the Manayunk/Roxborough area (don’t believe me, just look at Parish House Manayunk). “We renovate single-family homes and new construction single homes that we build and sell, but we also consider ourselves restoration experts,” Steve explains, further describing their offerings. “We’ve done several churches and adapted-for-use projects. We’ve run the gamut, pretty much. A lot of different development opportunities,” hammering the core of his comments home, he adds. “Specifically around here. We like to think we have a good reputation for being honest local guys. What we say we’re doing, we do.” Andy nods along as Steve describes the intent to create a relationship with their community, one built on trust and familiarity. “When we did the St. Lucy’s development on Green Lane, that had the recipe to be very contentious with the neighbors.” Steve is referring to a series of adaptive reuse projects that would transform the church, school building, and rectory into family homes, apartments, and adequate parking for the influx of residents. For those newer to the area, that
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“When we walk down Main Street, we see faces every day that we’ve known our entire lives and luckily, we don’t have to worry about running from them.” includes what is now the East Main and Greenview apartment buildings. Rehabilitating and repurposing a building with so much history comes with unique challenges, the least of which are surrounding residents’ expectations. Both Steve and Andy leveraged their familiarity with the neighborhood to get in front of as many concerns as they could. “With us literally being kids that hung out on the street corner from there, we went to all the neighbors behind the scenes and said, ‘We’re going to buy St. Lucy’s, and here’s what we want to do - what do you think about this?’” The potentially dangerous tactic opened them up to criticism, “We got the good, the bad, and ugly—a mix of what they didn’t want to see, want to see, and everything else.” The neighborhood outreach, however, did make their intentions clear for nearby residents, which goes a long way regarding trust from the community. Their desire to maintain the integrity of the neighborhood was evident in their plans. Andy adds, “When you look at the facade on Green Lane, it was purposely built like that to look like the houses and structures that were there for well over 100 years. We probably could’ve stuffed a couple more houses in there, but we looked at the ratio of parking too, and that contributed to our plan.” “When we walk down Main Street, we see faces every day that we’ve known our entire lives and luckily, we don’t have to worry about running from them.” Greenview is just one of their numerous completed projects around the neighborhood, most beautifully realized as a blend of modern comforts and historic aesthetics (again, check out Parish House). Steve and Andy were also gracious enough to take me on a tour of their current development, which is nearly complete. Located at 4328 Main Street, this
new building will be a premier retail space on the first floor with four modern apartments on the second and third floors. Walking through the framed and not-quite-yet wired interiors, it was already clear that this space is going to be special. Even without walls, you can see the care and extra details they put into the floor layout. Slightly wider staircases for moving furniture, nearly body length windows that capitalize on the natural light and canal views, and finally, the amazing roof decks for the eventual third-floor tenets. Standing on the roof, looking out across the hills of Manayunk and Roxborough, I immediately envied the people who will eventually make this their home. For Baker Street Partners, it’s about development and investment. Investment into a community for which they carry deep respect. It’s not unlike how they describe their working relationship. “No titles—just partners,” Andy very succinctly puts it, further explaining. “The biggest thing is that you need to have each other’s best interests in mind. When I make a decision on our behalf, it’s not a matter of one of us doing better— it’s a matter of both of us succeeding. For the collective whole to be where we both want it to be, not only for each other, but for our families.” A home is more than a house, just as a community is more than a collection of buildings. In talking with Andy and Steve about all things Baker Street Partners, it’s also clear to me that friendship, family, and business can successfully mesh into something more than just another real estate developer.
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FASHIONS Spritz Tee by South Parade from LILA Philadelphia Floral Blazer by Mondi from Remix on Main
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Avoiding Trends is the Newest Trend
Manayunk businesses sell fun, timeless items that will still bring you joy each time you see it in your closet by Janine Gasarowski Photography by Susan Beard Design Co. (susanbearddesign.com) Apparel courtesy of Nicole Miller - Manayunk, LILA Philadelphia, Vamp Boutique, and Remix on Main Accessories by Ilumine Gallery Hair by Michael O’Connor - Salon L Makeup by Annie Morris - Salon L
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o you ever look back on old photos of yourself and absolutely cringe when you see your outfit? In a society heavily influenced by social media and the effects of the pandemic, fashion trends are changing faster than ever before. What was once popular last month is already out. Shopping for new clothes can be so fun and yet so stressful at the same time. I constantly debate with myself about which trends are worth spending money on, or if I should stick to what I know works. Keeping up with the fluctuating trend cycles is nearly impossible,which is why many of Manayunk’s boutique owners agree - the new fashion “trend” is steering away from the trends.
TRENDS
JEWELRY Gold Knot T Bar Chain Bracelet, Twinkle Band Yellow Gold Ring, Parker Bracelet , Supreme and Harmony Aquamarine ring set from Ilumine Gallery
Fashion trends once cycled between decades. You wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same clothing your mother wore! Now, vintage T-shirts and baggy jeans are just some of the norms you’ll see these days. The trend cycle has sped up so much, creating what is called “fast fashion.” Fast fashion refers to how quickly something becomes popular, as well as how fast the trend dies out. Everything about the clothing item is fast — the time spent making the product, how fast it gets to you, how fast it goes out of style, and how quickly the item will break. The industry heavily relies on “micro-trends,” the funky items you think you just need to have in your closet, but by the time you get them there, it no longer serves you any interest. There are many trendy items I find cute, but I know they will ultimately be collecting dust in my closet.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE FASHION INDUSTRY In the last decade, social media has heavily influenced this rise in fast fashion. “Shopping haul” videos have inspired the urge to want to shop, often resulting in regretful purchases. Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 17
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Tops: “LA DOLCE VITA TEE” by South Parade from LILA Philadelphia “Eva Blazer” from Vamp Boutique Pants: “Solid Denim Wide Leg Pant” in Ivory by Nicole Miller from Nicole Miller - Manayunk Shoes: Emery Clog by Dolce Vita from Nicole Miller - Manayunk Accessories: “My Passport” Barrel Bag in bright green by Vice Versa from LILA Philadelphia
Every time I go online, I am shown several half-hour-long videos of people sharing all of their excessive purchases. The demand for new clothes is high, and the supply is overwhelming. The pandemic has also caused a rise in online shopping, making the purchase of a micro-trend possible with the click of a button. They are so cheap and tempting to purchase, however, “free” and fast shipping comes with a cost.
WHY STAY AWAY FROM TRENDS + BIG BOX RETAIL? The three distinguishable areas of fashion are trend, classics, and personal style. The best place to be is in the center of all of these, which can be easily accomplished by shopping small. Manayunk’s business owners - Nicole Miller - Manayunk, Philadelphia, LILA Philadelphia, Vamp Boutique, and Remix on Main, to name a few - take the time to ensure the most important part of putting together an outfit: dress in what makes you feel comfortable and confident. When a new trend arises, we shouldn’t be ditching our original style to try and include it. The trend may not work for you, and that is nothing to feel bad about. There are several reasons you should be staying away from fashion trends and fads.
SHOP SMALL + SUSTAINABLE Fast fashion’s disposable products are a large contributor when it comes to pollution and environmental harm. One possible way to avoid contributing to this is to be more of a conscious consumer — buy essentials and pieces you absolutely love. Manayunk businesses sell fun, timeless items that will still bring you joy each time you see them in your closet. The boutiques are stocked with items that you will continue to wear years after purchasing them. So, why buy from a big company that won’t be affected by your purchase when you can support a small business and brighten their day — especially when Manayunk is full of small businesses? The added plus of shopping in Manayunk is that the business owner is almost always there. This makes shopping more of a personal experience. The owners are all invested in the items they carry. Take Remix on Main, for example. You can practice sustainable shopping by supporting a small, second-hand shop. Remix on Main is a luxury consignment shop specializing in high-end designer resale fashion. They personally curate their selection of items. “I will go the extra mile to communicate with a client, either on social media or email, hours at a time to make sure what they’re buying is what they like,” said Remix’s co-owner Ljupka Neducsin. “I want them to understand what they’re buying.” I shopped with Remix’s co-owner, Tanya Malinovska, while searching for items that fall under spring fashion. She pointed me towards the vintage hot pink and orange patterned blazer designed by Mondi. This cheerful blazer is just one example of the unique, timeless items they carry. And, it looks great paired with the “Spritz Tee” from LILA Philadelphia and a pair of your favorite jeans. 18
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INCLUSIVITY AND CONFIDENCE COME FIRST “There are so many different body types,” said Laura Anne, co-owner of LILA Philadelphia. “It is impossible for a trend to work for everybody.” The new spring trends include bright colors, floral patterns, cutouts, and platform shoes. A few timeless items are jeans, blazers, t-shirts, printed sundresses, and the classic LBD (little black dress). However, a trend that never goes out of style is dressing in what makes you feel comfortable and confident. The most important aspect of fashion is that it reflects who you are. Dress in what you feel expresses yourself and don’t feel pressure to follow trends to satisfy other people. I personally do not feel comfortable with the new trend of cut-outs. I have always preferred more loose-fitting clothing. On my hunt for spring outfits, Vamp Boutique owner, Teresa Davis, showed me a few different floral sundresses. The playful “Avery Dress” from Vamp Boutique uses elastic to add layers and bounce to the dress. This piece combines my preference for loose clothing, the classic patterned dress, and bright colors that also align with the current trends. “In the last few years, Manayunk fashion has changed by the customers’ willingness to take more fashion risks with both color and style,” Teresa said. “The customers are more adventurous. Although they are more adventurous, they still look for basic safe styles as a first go-to.” The stylists at Nicole Miller - Manayunk — Mary Dougherty, Jillian Dunn, Zara Barrett, and Emily Spennato agree with this as well. “Bold colors are everywhere,” they said. “People are excited and happy to be diving into their closets again with places to go, and outfits reflect this. Orange, kelly green, coral, hot pink, yellow, and bright blue are all important colors right now.” For my third outfit, I was searching for a happy medium between casual and sophisticated wear. Bright hot pink is in and blazers are always in, which is why I landed with the “Eva Blazer” from Vamp Boutique. It is a fun piece that lays right between the casual and sophisticated lines. I chose to pair the blazer with a graphic T-shirt to create a look you can wear for almost any occasion. The “La Dolce Vita Tee” from LILA Philadelphia worked perfectly for this. To tie in a few elements of my style, I have always felt more comfortable wearing looser-fit jeans. The “Solid Denim Wide Leg Pant” from Nicole Miller - Manayunk can be dressed up or dressed down. The wide-leg flare adds a nice touch to the outfit and makes me feel confident. I have also always loved the color green, and the “my passport” barrel bags from LILA Philadelphia are a must have! The complementary colors, hot pink and bright green, are a combination that brings the neutral-toned outfit to life.
EARRINGS Ink & Alloy Heart Earrings from LILA Philadelphia
FASHIONS Avery Dress from Vamp Boutique Braided Ivory Headband from LILA Philadelphia JEWELRY Link Dangle Earrings Perfect to pair with your paperclip necklaces. Gold vermeil with cz accents by Tai.
BUYING LONG-TERM GIVES YOU THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK One thing our Manayunk business owners all agreed upon is the importance of not getting lost in the nevSummer 2022 | manayunk.com 19
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er-ending trend cycle, and focusing on finding your personal taste as well as investing in classics. Laura Anne spoke about the importance of spending your money on a few high-quality items rather than over-consuming trendy items that will fall apart even before their trend cycle ends. “It is not just a garment,” said Laura Anne. “It is a work of art.” “At Vamp, our first priority to our customers is to help them build their wardrobe, while adding some fun styles to show their personality,” added Teresa. “You want your wardrobe to have some staple pieces that you can not only restyle, but rewear and still feel confident in them in the years to come. They also will be a great way to save money.” The stylists at Nicole Miller - Manayunk have similar thoughts. “Well-made clothing is an investment. It should be versatile, worn for multiple seasons, and last for years,” they said. A key to long-term fashion - and always looking put-together - is accessorizing with gold jewelry. Gold jewels are a classic accessory choice that works with nearly everything and never goes out of style. To complete all three looks, I shopped with Lynda Berdin, owner of Ilumine’ Gallery, who has an abundance of luxurious pieces you can use to illuminate any outfit of your choice. Some of my favorites I am wearing in these outfits include their Parker Bracelet, the Dreamy Sunflower Red Garnet Ring, and the Scattered Stars Kyoto Opal Disc Necklace.
ANTI-TREND FASHION FASHIONS “Eva Blazer” from Vamp Boutique “LA DOLCE VITA TEE” by South Parade from LILA Philadelphia JEWELRY Parker Wrap Necklace, Scattered Starts Kyoto Opal Disc Necklace, Orbit Drop Bracelet, Port Ring & Dreamy Sunflowers Red Garnet ring from Illumine Gallery
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“Fashion is how I express myself,” said Laura Anne. “I put on my clothing as armor to get me through the day.” This is how your clothing should make you feel! Don’t dress for others, dress for yourself. Dressing in what makes you happy will always take reign over temporary trends and following social pressures. Luckily, the boutiques lining Main Street all carry exciting, classic items that are built to last. Manayunk is a unique and funky town and the clothing here reflects that personality. Amp up your wardrobe by investing in small town staples.
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COVER STORY
Putting the
UNITY
in Community Robert and Arielle Ashford embark on their latest business endeavor, The Volstead by Unity. By Leo Dillinger
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THE VOLSTEAD
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obert and Arielle Ashford have cultivated a new and thriving community built upon trust, support, and inclusiveness throughout Northwest Philadelphia. Since 2019, the couple has opened yoga studios in Manayunk and Chestnut Hill (Unity Yoga), a recovery community organization in Manayunk (Unity Recovery), a taco shop in Roxborough (Unity Taqueria), and a brand new vegan restaurant with a zero-proof bar on Main Street (The Volstead by Unity). They also have plans underway for a coffee shop near the Wissahickon train station later this year (Unity Java). While these business concepts may not appear to have much in common, each holds the same deep-rooted mission focused on supporting those in recovery and offering the resources to help people reach their full potential. “In every city in this country, this issue is huge,” Robert said. “I think for us what we’ve found is that by putting these places in public and by being available and accessible, we’re seeing people who aren’t comfortable asking for support anywhere else just happening in here organically. The amount of stories shared at this bar alone in the last three weeks, it’s comforting to see that happen because it’s hard to have that personal connection in other places to this level of depth and empathy.” Robert (who was born and raised in Texas) and Arielle (who grew up in Utah before moving to California) first met each other at the White House. Arielle was keynoting an event on the Affordable Care Act and Robert was working as a program director for a nonprofit. Robert and his friends were accidentally led into the wrong room where Arielle was speaking. After this mix-up, Robert sent his friends back to recruit Arielle to get involved with their nonprofit. After three years of working alongside each other, they eventually moved to Philadelphia and got married. While walking through West Philly one day, Arielle and Robert had discussed the potential idea of merging a recovery-focused yoga studio with a nonprofit recovery community organization. The idea soon began to take shape and as the concept developed, the couple started looking for an ideal location to open up shop. After looking all over, they eventually stumbled upon a vacant walk-up space at 4363 Main Street. Immediately falling in love with the area, Robert and Arielle wanted to become a part of the tight-knit community
in Manayunk. “It was the right place at the right time,” Arielle said. “We were looking for spaces and couldn’t find anything because it had to be very particular. We wanted to have the yoga studio and the recovery center so we needed to have two spaces. To try to find something that fit the layout I had in my head was damn near impossible.” In August 2019, they officially opened Unity Yoga and Unity Recovery and never looked back. The following year, they bought a home in Roxborough and expanded to a second Unity Yoga studio in Chestnut Hill. By 2021, they had expanded the Unity Recovery center into a much larger space at 106 Gay Street and opened Unity Taqueria on Ridge Avenue. And this year, they successfully opened Philadelphia’s first zero-proof bar at 4371 Main Street: The Volstead by Unity. “I was pretty insistent that if we were going to do this concept, we had to do it on Main Street in Manayunk,” Arielle said about The Volstead. “I didn’t know if it was going to be possible, but the location had to be right. I was walking to class one day and I saw The Diner at Manayunk had closed. I had a thought ‘Oh that could be cool,’ but you just never know if it’s going to be possible.” “There is such a high rate of substance issues and mental health crises in restaurants and hospitality in general, whether it’s the low pay or the long hours or the work hard/play hard culture,” Robert said. “Before I got into recovery, my last job was a bar manager. The amount of friends who go through that and don’t talk about it or don’t have the support or find recovery and have to leave an industry that can really pay their bills as they continue to grow professionally. For us, it is where can we find good concepts where there are high rates of these co-occurring concerns that people aren’t getting support with so that people don’t have to leave their lives behind. They can still have living wages and good paying jobs but still being supported in their recovery in that process.” To address these issues that run rampant in the food industry, The Volstead exclusively hire people who are in recovery, returning from incarceration, or are family members and allies of those in the community. They pay beyond a living wage as a means of empowering their employees and creating a space where they’re able to recover and thrive. Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 23
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COVER STORY
Knowing the neighborhood needed a vegan restaurant, the Ashfords teamed up with chef Frederick Morris to craft a menu that boasts big and bold flavors while focusing on plant-based, health-conscious items. While some items like Penny’s Meatballs (named after the Ashfords’ three-year-old daughter) will remain permanent staples, Robert said the menu will likely change every 90 days in order to showcase a variety of seasonal dishes, pastas, fruits, and veggies. As for the bar, The Volstead provides an alternative space for those who don’t drink both zero-proof and nonalcoholic beverages, from authentic prohibition era-inspired cocktails (like the Main Street Manhattan and Roxborough Fizz) to flavorful beers and wines that contain less than .5% ABV. Many of the products carried by The Volstead are very new brands, with the zero-proof concept becoming more popular market across the United States over the last five years. By offering a unique experience to both its customers and employees, The Volstead has transformed into a melting pot for people from various backgrounds and identities where they can engage in an open and honest dialogue. “We hold a lot of stories in all of these businesses separately,” Arielle said. “There’s a trust built here when they come to this restaurant because they know we aren’t serving alcohol. People come to the yoga studio because they know they’ll feel welcome and we’re vaccinated and boosted. There’s this extra level of mindfulness of health and well-being.” “If we want businesses like this, we’ve all got to become recovery friendly to an extent,” Robert said. “We’ve got to be much more open-minded around value that can be brought to districts, blocks, and communities to serve the people who live, work, and play here because that live, work, and play looks different to a lot of different people.” The Ashfords have proven their mission thus far to be a success. Today, the Unity business community employs more than 150 people. Unity Recovery is doing over $3 Million in grants this year to ensure the services they are offering remain free and open to all, making it one of the largest RCOs in the United States. The recovery center now serves 20,000 people directly every year in addition to over 1 Million people who have attended online recovery meetings online from across the world. Meetings are available seven days per week both in person and online with a well trained, trauma-informed staff that help people 24
with addiction, homelessness, and domestic violence. “People always ask us how we do it all with a baby and a million businesses and a nonprofit,” Robert said. “We do it because we have phenomenal teams. From the leadership to the individual peers, the yoga teachers, the hourly workers and the shift leads at the restaurants, the managers, wait staff, and cooks here. The only way we’re able to do it is with a phenomenal team.” In a country with more than 22 million Americans with past substance use concerns and more than 40 million in mental health recovery, the Ashfords and the Unity community continue to bring this issue out of the shadows and into the forefront by creating an open, accessible, and welcoming environment to assist anyone seeking assistance at any stage of their recovery journey. “Some of the students who come to the yoga studio, they will reach out and say they know somebody in their lives who is struggling,” Arielle said. “They themselves may not identify as being in recovery, but they will ask for support to help their family. Our businesses can kind of catch these people and then we offer additional support by referring our clients and our students and our customers so they can get support from multiple angles.” Not only did Robert and Arielle establish their business roots in Manayunk. They’ve also become two of the biggest supporters of their small business neighbors. They serve Valerio coffee at The Volstead. The wooden bar was made from Joe Donahue at Urbanburb Furniture. The furniture at Unity Recovery was supplied from TransAmerican. The Little Apple keeps their spaces smelling good. Arielle purchases her wardrobe from LILA Philadelphia. While Manayunk’s family-friendly, walkable, and versatile nature is what initially attracted Robert and Arielle to the neighborhood, it’s the people that have convinced them they made the right choice. “At the end of the day, what keeps us here and keeps us most excited is the types of people that we meet,” Robert said. “From the fellow small business owners to the customers and guests that walk in, I think small town charm is real here. I’m from the South and southern hospitality is huge. I know people on the block and they’ll stop in or wave from across the street whether they’re locals or business owners. This vibe is so unique to Manayunk, it reminds me of the town I grew up in.”
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UNITY YOGA Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 25
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COVER STORY
UNITY RECOVERY For Robert, Arielle, and the rest of the Unity community, the overall goal has never been saving or fixing people, but rather giving people the support and resources to succeed. Whether it’s through the self-nourishment and empowerment of recovery yoga, or a restaurant offering plant-based foods and a stress-free environment for those who don’t drink, or career opportunities and peer-to-peer work for those looking to achieve the highest quality of life. The one notion that resonates throughout all of their endeavors is to invite everyone, regardless of backgrounds and experiences, to join together and put the “unity” back into “community”.
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“Some people naturally exclude themselves because they think it’s not for them,” Robert said. “I encourage anyone reading this, whether or not you identify as in recovery, or if you’re an ally of the recovery community or you’re not, the reality is the commUNITY we’re building, this place and all of our places are for everyone. No matter how you identify, what you’ve been going through, whether you think you belong or not. If you think ‘That’s not for me,’ it still is. And that’s what I hope everyone takes away from this. Whether you decide to patronize our businesses or not, if you need help or you want good food or you want good customer service and experiences, this commUNITY is truly for everyone.”
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NOW OPEN
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4321 Main Street • Manayunk, PA 19127 • 215-487-0880 MNYK.Spring2022.Full2.indd 27
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A Unique Collection of Old and New
An interior designer’s dream, UrbanBurb Furniture offers consignment and handmade furniture for any style home. By Samantha Costa Photos by JPG Photo & Video (jpgphotoandvideo.com)
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y husband and I were taking a stroll on Main Street a year or two ago when I spotted it: my childhood toy chest. The plaid-patterned vinyl exterior shone in the sun, perfectly intact – no cracks, no worn edges. It was in like-new condition. It brought me through a time loop, back to the ‘80s – containing all of my treasures, like the Fisher-Price Little People airplane or my bucket full of wooden blocks. It was a hand-medown from my older siblings, born in the ‘70s. I quickly took a photo and shot my family a text message. They were as shocked as I was, and I considered buying it for a second. But, with little purpose for this piece, I simply enjoyed the nostalgia on the sidewalk in front of UrbanBurb Furniture. Stories like these bring great joy for UrbanBurb Furniture owner and designer, Joe Donahue. UrbanBurb, located at 4313 Main Street, opened in December 2018. There, Joe has a collection of high-end vintage consignment pieces and custom, live-edge furniture. “When it comes to vintage items, we’re always looking out,” Joe said. “We love things that aren’t being made anymore.” One of Joe’s most memorably consigned pieces includes a Warren Platner dining set. It had a steel tubing base, a round glass top, and six chairs. He bought it from someone in Philadelphia, and the collection went to a happy owner in Detroit. The chairs alone were $2,000 to $3,000. It was a handmade first edition from the 1960s. Alternatively, those who have an eye for design or an artistic spirit can have just about anything created by Joe and his team: dining and coffee tables, benches, fireplace mantles, entertainment units, and more. There are various wood types and epoxy resin designs to choose from. “There is a lot of thought and craftsmanship that went into these pieces, so you take a double look at the things that come out of UrbanBurb because it’s really remarkable,” Joe said.
The Journey to UrbanBurb Getting into this sort of business wasn’t a direct path. A woodworking class ignited Joe’s passion for furniture. After years of owning a children’s gift store, he also credits his mother’s artistic eye and said it’s all in the family. “I think I got that from her – noticing different qualities, and when something is a lot nicer than something else,” Joe said. The Art Institute of Philadelphia graduate who focused on industrial design always wanted to work with products and furniture. He started with odd jobs, like creating lock bodies 30
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for office furniture, putting all of the slides on drawers, and engraving signs for braille. But none of it was what he truly wanted to do. At the time, his mother was working at a consignment shop. He picked up shifts here and there. Once he realized the woman who owned the shop was ready to move on, Joe was inspired to step up to the plate. That’s when UrbanBurb was born. So, why did Joe name it UrbanBurb Furniture, anyway? “It’s more of a style brand or a custom design firm, where we eventually plan to come out with our own lines of furniture. There’s a vision that’s not met yet,” Joe said. The name lends itself to the principle that they get furniture from suburban and urban areas. As a student, Joe came up with a chair design with endless positions. The idea was to have an umbrella company, where there is a place where you can have these pieces in a suburban area in an urban environment. Manayunk is at the intersection of urban and suburbia, which is why UrbanBurb Furniture fits so well into our busy corridor of small businesses. “We worked out of a closet in our old place. When we moved to 4313, we had a whole basement to work in,” Joe said. “That was more helpful because some of the pieces we were working on were large dining tables.” The Main Street location offered room to grow. They did several epoxy resin tables in the early days, but nothing as big as they are creating now. “We’re doing full-on epoxy tables, where we’re dumping sometimes 60 liters of epoxy into a table, and the outcome is gorgeous,” Joe said. “You have to really know what you’re doing.”
Sought-After Custom Designs To date, Joe’s favorite custom piece is a current project he’s prepping for a celebrity’s family member in Gladwyn, PA. Joe could not share the name due to privacy concerns. However, Joe teased that it might wind up on TV, so stay tuned. The details of the table, however, 32
are public information. It’s a 12-foot table – the biggest Joe and the team has created. “It came at a time in my life where I have a baby, and a lot is going on. I almost didn’t really want to do it at the time. But now that it’s beginning to take shape, I’m the proudest of it, and it’s our greatest table to date,” Joe said. It takes time and attention to detail to create each unique piece. The 12x4 rectangle table boasts black walnut on the sides and an epoxy river down the center, covered with aluminum, battleship gray, and midnight black pigments. “It just came out so remarkable,” Joe said. “They didn’t want it to be translucent. But you can almost see into it, which is really fascinating and is something that I haven’t seen much. When I look at it, it surprises me to this day, even though I’ve been working on it for two months.” The project will take a full eight months when complete from start to finish. Joe said he prides himself on making sure the customer is happy when they give him the time to focus on it. Understandably, there are instances where it’s tough for Joe to part ways with some original designs. He just likes them that much. “My industrial design background really lends itself to not just throwing something together but arranging the wood inside the epoxy as aesthetically pleasing as possible,” Joe said.
Collaboration on Main Street and Beyond Joe credits his supportive team of Joel, Tony, and Zach as part of UrbanBurb’s success. Being on Main Street in Manayunk has its advantages. Joe said everybody who comes in is eager to see the new pieces and is happy when they notice a change in the store, even if they were just in the week before. “It gives us a boost of energy when we see people really engaged in seeing fresh products. We are in an internet world where people are buying online and cannot go and touch it,” Joe said. “It opens people’s eyes in realizing there is some stuff that was really taken care of in its lifetime and crafted in a certain way. It wasn’t just this boxed furniture that we’re
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all used to now.” Being part of our tight-knit neighborhood sometimes means collaborating with other small business owners. Joe was eager to help the folks at The Volstead, Philly’s first zero-proof bar and vegan restaurant right here on Main Street. He worked with owner, Robert Ashford, to create the 12-foot, L-shaped, live-edge bar slab. “It’s a gorgeous piece,” Joe said. “When people are open to working with us, we’re absolutely into it.” He’s also created a countertop and table for Unity Yoga and two tables for Deke’s Garage Roadhouse BBQ in Germantown. “It’s a really nice thing when a business owner trusts you to work on a piece they’re going to see every day. It gives us a lot of confidence,” Joe said. Joe also works closely with Pendleton, a company that sells wool blankets, merino wool clothing, and Southwestern decor. Joe incorporates their signature patterns with some of UrbanBurb’s high-end vintage and custom furniture pieces. And, what’s a new living room set without a cozy candle? Joe also works with the local company, Skeem, to sell their thoughtfully designed soy/ vegetable-based candles. “We are happy to support other businesses from Philadelphia. It’s fun to be a retailer as well as a consignor and a craftsman,” Joe said. Head over to UrbanBurb Furniture’s Instagram @urbanburbfurniture for quick links on how to work with Joe on consignment or custom pieces. Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 33
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A “Fit” For Everyone
Encouraging people to do what they like and be who they want is at the core of Manayunk’s newest fitness studio, Launchpad Fitness. By Megan Douress Photos by JPG Photo & Video (jpgphotoandvideo.com)
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O
ne size doesn’t always fit all. Nor does Kelly Maguire, owner of Manayunk’s newest boutique fitness studio, Launchpad Fitness, want it to. Launchpad Fitness has a mission of separating fitness goals from physical appearance, welcoming people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. The all-inclusive studio stems from the idea that fit bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Take, for instance, Kelly herself. Kelly has never identified as “athletic.” In fact, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that fitness started to take a larger role in her life. “It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that I found something that I actually enjoyed,” Kelly explained. “I felt it had a really positive impact on my life, how I interact with the world, and how I feel physically and mentally. So, I really got into it because I want other people to discover that same thing for themselves.” That “something” was BODYPUMP classes at the Roxborough YMCA. The workout uses lightweight barbells and focuses on repetition, building both strength and endurance. Kelly had been taking the classes for some time when she came to a fork in the road within her career. She had been a tech freelancer, but the job was winding down. She took it as an opportunity to try something different, influenced by a friend who was previously her BODYPUMP instructor. She took the workshop and became an instructor. “I loved it. It was awesome,” Kelly said. “From there, I also got a personal training certification so I started working one-on-one with people and just really, really enjoyed it.” “Finally, I found something I enjoyed and it was rather helpful,” she added. “It doesn’t have to be the same thing everyone else is doing. There are a lot of different options and avenues.” A few short years later, the building at 106 Gay Street, one that Kelly and her husband, Chris (who co-owns Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory), had been eyeing up as a real estate investment, was listed for sale. The warehouse formerly housed fashion designer, Paula Hian, and was just what they were looking for. Things fell into place for the husband-wife small business owners, who purchased the building in 2019. “Chris needed a place to expand his kitchen space for Tubby Robot,” Kelly explained. “We built out this portion [the first floor] as a gym and I just dove head first into fitness.”
With a wide-open studio space and a few years of experience in the fitness world on her side, Kelly opened Launchpad Fitness in May 2021 with a class schedule that fit the lifestyles of all sorts of people looking to get healthy, from classes to personal training sessions. Group classes include Core + Mobility, which focuses on the small core muscle groups to ensure performance gains; 30 Minute Cardio Pump, a new lunchtime low-impact workout that uses light weights and cardio moves to music; and Kelly’s favorite, Flexibility through Strength. “That’s made up of all of my favorite little exercises,” Kelly said of the class. “For the first two reps, you’re like, ‘This is easy. Is this even an exercise?’ By the last two reps out of 15, you’re like, ‘What is this? Why does this hurt so much?’ I love the slow burn ones!” Launchpad Fitness’ flagship class is the unique Cirque-It Fitness, inspired by Kelly’s love of circus aerial arts. The all levels class is a fast-paced circuit-style training infused with circus arts, including aerial apparatuses. “We’re not doing performance, artsy flowy stuff,” Kelly emphasized. “We’re doing the pull ups and upper body workout part of that stuff. As a studio that welcomes all fitness levels, Kelly and her team see a lot of people who are looking to start – and stick with – a workout routine. Kelly’s advice is what she learned from her own experience. “Start with something you genuinely enjoy,” Kelly explained. “Not just what you hate less than other things, but the things that you think are fun and you maybe want to do a little bit better. For me, that’s flying trapeze. I know that in order for me to get better at it, I need to build my lat strength and I need to work on my flexibility so I can tuck under the bar and do fun little shapes. Once I identified the thing that drives me and the thing that I’m excited about, I built my workouts around that.” Kelly also suggests that people new to the workout scene start slowly to not overwork your body, which will inevitably mean taking longer breaks and potentially breaking the healthy habit before it really gets off the ground. “Don’t reinvent your life in one day,” she said. “You found an activity you like? Great! You Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 37
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“We’re here to help them get stronger and to develop more cardiovascular strength, stamina, and all of the other good things that come with it. “ found the thing you need to do to strengthen or get faster at. Do that once a week with enough time to recover in between.” “Plan to rest because if you don’t make that plan, it’s really easy to overdo it, especially if you have other people you’re doing this stuff with, and that’s how you end up injured,” Kelly added. Encouraging people to do what they like and be who they want is at the core of what Kelly is trying to accomplish at Launchpad Fitness, including creating a body positive environment. One thing she’ll never do at her studio? Talk about weight loss. “We’re not going to tell someone they should stop being fat,” she said. “We’re here to help them get stronger and to develop more cardiovascular strength, stamina, and all of the other good things that come with it. “ “That’s something I really actively wanted to create – a space that’s safe for folks,” she added. Her support has been reciprocated by the Manayunk community since opening just a year ago. Kelly acknowledges that trying something new can be intimidating – especially since there’s no “hiding in the back” in her studio classes. “I really appreciate that people are willing to give us that chance,” Kelly said. “Even when we’re not a good fit for someone, I’m really glad they came out and checked it out.” 38
manayunk.com | Summer 2022
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A Manayunk Landmark
St. John the Baptist parish has been welcoming residents and visitors to the corner or Rector and Cresson Streets since the 19th century. By Brian Anderson Photos by Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)
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t 200 feet in elevation, the steeple of St. John the Baptist rises above Manayunk with a stately permanence. This 118-years-young church, designed in the Gothic style of architecture, is one of the most impressive and beautiful buildings in Manayunk. Rich in details and character, St. John the Baptist parish has been the spiritual home to thousands of Catholics in Manayunk for almost two centuries. St. John the Baptist parish began humbly in 1831 when Jerome and Eulalia Keating gave the gift of property and constructed a small church that stood on Rector Street where the upper school building now stands. The magnificent cathedral-like church many of us know was constructed in the late 19th century. St. John the Baptist Church is one of the oldest structures in Manayunk, and certainly one of the most magnificent. Thousands of parishes and guests have walked through the doors of St. John’s since its dedication, and many more will continue worshiping in the years to come. This is the story of the design of the church that so many of us know today. St. John’s was built with thousands of gray, brownish stones, described in church records as “almost as hard and durable as granite.” The stones came from a quarry in Bucks County. Inside, materials — wood, marble, plaster, metal and glass — blend and come together throughout the nave and sanctuary.
Step inside the church’s nave and you’re welcomed by the defining characteristics of Gothic architecture: pointed arches, rib vaulting, and stained glass windows. These majestic arches are painted in muted but beautiful reds, blues, and golds. The grayish-green base of each arch calls back to exterior gray stones. These magnificent arches invite you into this place of worship. As they extend up into the rib vaulting, your eye is drawn toward the sanctuary. Dedicated on April 1, 1894, constructed through a legacy bequest by Bernard McCane and his wife, and funding from the community totaling $250,000.00 to complete, St. John’s was designed by architect Patrick Charles Keeley of New York. Written to celebrate the church’s sesquicentennial, the church’s history book from 1981 documents the founding of the church, including key elements of its design. “The selection of Mr. Patrick C. Keeley of Brooklyn, one of the most celebrated architects of church buildings, proved to be one of Mr. Loughrey’s best decisions,” the history exclaims. [Loughrey was the longtime friend to McCane and executor of his estate]. Monsignor Kevin Lawrence, St. John’s pastor, explains Keeley’s architectural influence is clear in these arches. Keeley, a renowned Irish-American architect, designed hundreds of churches with these exquisite point arches. Summer 2022 | manayunk.com 43
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Along the aisles, St. John’s features 14 stained glass windows. Many of these windows depict arches and other Gothic design elements, which is a unique feature for these works of art. You’ll also find a rose window in each semi-transept and one at the entrance of the church. Continue through the nave, toward the sanctuary, and peer up toward the vaulted ceilings. You’ll find four more sculptures of important figures for the church: St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland), since Manayunk and Roxborough had a large Irish population at the church’s founding; St. John the Baptist, the church’s namesake; St. Peter, one of Jesus’s 12 apostles and the first Bishop – or Pope - of Rome; and St. Paul, spreading the teachings of Jesus authoring 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament in the Bible. Finally, we’ve arrived at the sanctuary. The main altar is white marble with columns of Mexican onyx, the history explains. The main altar is flanked by two side altars - one dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the other to St. Patrick. This main altar is where Msgr. Lawrence and other priests celebrate Mass each week. There are two more sculptures on the main altar that speak to both its founding and its mission. In 1881, Bernard McCane and his wife, Cecilia, provided a $100,000 gift to construct a new cathedral-like church, which was instrumental in the funding of the construction of St. John’s. “The two figures on the high altar represent St. Bernard and St. Cecilia, namesakes of [the church’s| benefactors Bernard and Cecilia McCane. They allegorically refer to the preaching of the Gospel, St. Bernard, and beautiful music, St. Cecilia, both integral parts of our Catholic heritage,” explains the history. The Lourdes shrine, Crucifixion, Stations of the Cross, and most of the original statues were cast by eminent sculptor Joseph Sibbel. Look closely at the art around the sanctuary and you may learn more about St. John’s the Baptist. These murals, original to the church by the J.P. Kavanagh Studio in New York, depict the life and death of the saint. Together, all the gothic features, sculptures, materials and religious symbolism create a 44
beautiful church that is celebrated by parishioners each week. It is a truly remarkable place of worship. If you walk out of the nave and look up, you’ll see dozens of pipes that make up the church’s grandiose organ. This Austin 1906 pipe organ, like so much in St. John’s, is original. The intricate woodworking surrounding the organ makes it an incredible sight to behold as you walk out of the church. The organ has been repaired and updated over the years, and more repairs are likely needed in the future. Now, step outside the church and look up - way up. Completed in 1906, the bell tower reaches more than 200 feet into the sky and is visible throughout Manayunk and beyond. For many Manayunk residents, it’s the landmark on 76 that says, “You’re almost home.” The bell itself is original. Though made of unmovable stone and mortar, the building has been updated and improved in recent years. The baptismal font was moved closer to the center of the church, and with it came new Tennessee marble flooring surrounding it that matches the color and tone of the marble floors throughout the church. Several years ago, an initial church restoration capital campaign raised funding to repair the masonry and other structural repairs, including reinforcing the bell tower and refurbishing the cross atop the tower. The campaign also helped pay for repairs to the roof, exterior stone and mortar, which is now secured and better protected from the elements. The parish recently launched the second phase to address much needed interior repairs to paint, damaged plaster due to prior water infiltration, and environmental controls for remediation of these issues for future sustainability. Restoring and repairing St. John’s is an ongoing project for the parish, but these improvements reflect both the history of the church and its role in the future in Manayunk. Like the parish community it supports, the design of Saint John the Baptist Church never stops evolving.
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NOW OPEN
Mr. Wish | 4321 Main Street A tea-licious new business is opening! Located on the corner of Main and Cotton Streets, Mr. Wish offers fresh and healthy tea beverages and smoothies, just in time for the warmer months ahead. Stop by to try out customer favorites such as the matcha milk tea and mango smoothie.
The Volstead | 4371 Main Street Manayunk is now home to Philadelphia’s first zero-proof bar. The Volstead by Unity is a 100% vegan full-service restaurant, which employs those in recovery and returning from incarceration. Stop by this summer for seasonal and sustainable foods and zero alcohol drinks!
JGlow Beauty | 4352 Main Street Your new go-to glam squad has a permanent location on Main Street! Whether you are looking for everyday makeup tips, beauty services, or that perfect wedding makeup, the gals at JGlow Beauty have you covered. Book your beauty session at jglowllc.com.
The Cresson Inn | 114 Gay Street Manayunk’s local corner bar just got a huge upgrade! The Cresson Inn has been revamped and is open for business. New menu items include Beyond Burger, taco fries, and The Philly Anthem - a nod to the classic Philadelphia sausage sandwich. The bar also has eight local craft beers on tap.
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EVENTS STROLL THE STREET THURSDAYS JUNE - SEPT | 5-8PM MANAYUNK ARTS FESTIVAL JUNE 25 11AM - 7PM JUNE 26 11AM - 6PM DOG DAY OF SUMMER AUGUST 20 | 11AM - 4PM OUT & ABOUT IN MNYK SEPT 30 - OCT 2 HALLOWEEN OCTOBER 29 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26 HOLIDAYS IN MANAYUNK DECEMBER
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Manayunk Magazine is a print and online destination guide about the district – from the small business to public art, many trails and our annual festivals that bring visitors from throughout the region. Distributed: • Business on Main Street Manayunk • Direct Mailed to adjacent neighborhoods – Bala Cynwyd and beyond • Distributed at Hotels and Apartment complexes throughout 19127, 19128 and 19131 Printed 2x a year: Summer and Winter
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