Manayunk Magazine - Fall 2017

MANAYUNK LIVE|SHOP|DINE|PLAY

FALL 2017

ALL TRAILS LEAD TO MANAYUNK From mill town to thriving district, Kay Sykora has been the driving force of Manayunk for the past four decades.

Down the Halls of Manayunk’s Schools A Classic Motorcycle Brand for a New Generation You’ll Want To Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name

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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

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VOTED BEST PLACE TO LIVE – MNYK 2017

4312 MAIN STREET MANAYUNK, PA 19127

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215.483.9990

WWW.CANALHOUSE.COM

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MANAYUNK

theyanako.com

magazine

LIVE SHOP DINE PLAY

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

contents SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

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Mark Your Calendar

What’s happening this fall in Manayunk.

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In Case You Missed It

A recap of our summer events.

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Cover Profile

How Kay Sykora has blazed Manayunk’s trails for more than 40 years.

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Now Open

More doors have opened in MNYK.

LIVE.

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Around Town

Get a tour down the halls of our local schools.

SHOP. 18

28 Business Savvy Your go-to iPhone repair store.

DINE. 34

Taste This

The baking legacy lives on.

40

Conversation With the Chef

Where everybody knows your name.

PLAY. 44 Get Physical A personal experience at the ultimate pit stop.

14 Sub-urban Charm The Isle apartments offer a little bit of everything.

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Local A&E

Take a bite out of history.

Editorial + Production Editors Jane Lipton, Megan Douress, Leo Dillinger, Caitlin Maloney, Jessie Walker, and Maria Matysik Design Cantor Design, cantordesign.com Sales M7 Media • 610.417.9261; bauerjim7@gmail.com Photography JPG Photography - jpgphotography.com Alexa Nahas Photography - alexanahas.com Melissa Kelly Photography - melissakellyphotography.com 4

Things We Love

A classic motorcycle brand geared toward a new generation of riders.

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 Susan Beard susanbearddesign.com

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Anniversary BEST OF MAIN LINE AND WESTERN SUBURBS

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

sept 14 Fall StrEAT Food Festival Calling all foodies! Come out to historic Main Street on September 14 from 5-10 p.m. for for the Manayunk Fall StrEAT Food Food Festival - Night Edition and get a chance to indulge your taste buds with everything from savory BBQ to sweet desserts from over 50 of Philadelphia’s best food trucks! Purchase homemade oils, spices, and jams from gourmet food vendors, stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables at the farm stand, and visit restaurants and retailers along Main Street for specials. Bring your friends and family down for this perfect fall activity! As always, the StrEAT Food Festival also kicks off Manayunk Restaurant Week which will run from September 15-28. Get three courses for three prices — $15, $25 or $35.

oct 14 Manayunk Harvest Fest Celebrate the fall season with us in Pretzel Park at our Harvest Fest in Pretzel Park! Bring your family and friends on October 14 for seasonal activities including pumpkin carving, a scarecrow contest, and all things fall! When you’re not grabbing a bite to eat from the selection of food trucks, relax in the park and listen to live music from local artists. Be sure to also check out the specials happening down on Main Street from Manayunk restaurants and retailers!

oct 28 Halloween in Manayunk Come for the thrill of it! Join us for a safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween with a variety of different family-friendly activities! Join in on the costume parade at Pretzel Park and make your way to Main Street for trick-or-treating at restaurants and retailers. It’s sure to be a spooktacular time!

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

“The best organic juice bar in the city!”

4330 Main Street Manayunk, PA 19127 | 920|Montgomery Ave. Narberth, PA 19072 4330 main Street manayunk WWW.THEJUICEMERCHANT.COM 215.483.8888 | www.thejuicemerchant.com 4330 Main Street Manayunk, PA 19127 | 920 Montgomery Ave. Narberth, Pa. 19072

THE JUICE MERCHANT@thejuicemerchant COMING TO THE UPENN CAMPUS IN EARLY 2018!

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 28th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival On June 24 and 25, artists from all over the country came to Manayunk to display their incredible pieces of fine art. Visitors were able to walk up and down Main Street admiring art from seven different disciplines: fiber, glass & ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, painting & drawing, photography, and wood & sculpture. In between enjoying the artist’s unique creations, festival-goers relaxed with delicious food and drinks from local restaurants along Main Street and event sponsor booths. With blue skies and warm weather, it was the perfect summer weekend!

Stroll the Street Every Thursday night throughout the summer, Manayunk locals strolled up and down Main Street and enjoyed fun, family-friendly activities on Cotton Street. With a different theme each week, such as outdoor movie nights, pet night, and fitness night, there was definitely something for everyone. When visitors weren’t indulging in the unique treats from food trucks, they were walking, shopping, and eating their way down Main Street enjoying in-store promotions and $5 drinks and appetizers from select Manayunk restaurants.

Photos by JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com)

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LIVE: AROUND THE TOWN

DOWN THE HALLS

A look into our neighborhood’s elementary schools.

By Jessie Walker and Maria Matysik Photography By Melissa Kelly Photography (melissakellyphotography.com)

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ith fall just around the corner, it doesn’t just mean colder weather and the turning of the leaves, but it also means it’s time for children to head back to school. As another school year gears up, we spoke with principals of some the local elementary schools to find out what they love about their schools and the back-to-school season.

Dobson Elementary School James Dobson Elementary is a K-8 public school with a mission of inspiring learners and empowering leaders. Their small school teaches approximately 295 students and there is only one class per grade, enabling the faculty to get to know each child individually.

The school is dedicated to bringing out the best in every student, helping them to develop the capacity to do anything. Principal Patricia Cruice elaborated on the environment of their academic community, describing it as “small, warm, and caring.”

“We really strive to keep the child at the center of our work, and we aim to find the individual greatness in each student,” she added.

Dobson Elementary uses “The Leader in Me” approach, which stems from a book called The Seven Habits of Happy Kids. This includes emphasizing habits such as being proactive, synergizing, and setting goals.

“It pushes for student leadership and student ownership of learning,” said Principal Cruice.

The school uses this program as the foundation for their curriculum and select events throughout the year, including Fun Friday afternoons.

Every other Friday, students have the opportunity to choose an activity that interests them, where these positive behaviors are reinforced.

There is no shortage of events and programs to get involved in at Dobson, as well. Principal Cruice attributed this to the help of their active Home and School Association.

“The Home and School Association raises funds that enable us to have extra events for the kids. They step in and really do a lot for the school community,” said Principal Cruice.

A costume parade and Halloween party in October, Book Feast in November, and the Dobson Olympics Day and Dobson Field Day in June are among the many events that are sponsored by the Home and School Association.

Principal Cruice commented on how she, as a student, would have been involved in their active student council.

“I really liked being involved in civic discourse and conversation, which led to my path of being a principal,” she said. “I’ve always been committed to the ideals of democracy, fairness, and equality, and those are all ideals that I try to strive for here at Dobson.”

Principal Cruice believes that civically responsible public schools are the foundation for a good neighborhood, which is why she maintains an open door policy for parents, as well as the entire community.

“We encourage parent participation for a range of activities, whether it’s chaperoning a field trip or helping to maximize library resources,” said Principal Cruice. “We’re also always looking for ways to get the students out into the community.”

Dobson’s range of activities, events, and programs make for an exciting elementary and middle school experience for any child. Whether they are a member of the student safety patrol, caring for the Manayunk Canal as a part of the Watershed Project, or even turning the principal into a human ice cream sundae as a part of Dobson Day, the faculty is committed to making every experience a positive learning opportunity.

“It’s the most exciting place to be because kids bring amazing energy and enthusiasm to their learning,” said Principal Cruice. “We have incredible teachers who bring out the best in each kid, so watching that interaction in the classroom inspires me to do everything I can for the students.”

Shawmont School This year, Shawmont Elementary School is not only welcoming back their students, but they are also welcoming in a new principal, Robert McGrogan. Even though he is new to Shawmont, Principal McGrogan is in his 29th year with the School District of Philadelphia and is excited to uphold the school’s mission of providing outstanding education for students from many neighborhoods.

“I am impressed with the passion and commitment of the parents, community and staff,” said Principal McGrogan. “As a group, we feel the school is an oasis, and we are striving to grow it further while maintaining its challenging yet nurturing environment.”

Shawmont consists of grades K-8, and prides themselves on their busy calendar of events throughout the year. It’s all made possible with the help of the Home and School Association, a School Advisory Council, and school and district initiatives. With a range of activities like the science fair requiring academic rigor, or the student shows and musicals for those with a passion for the stage, the variety offers something for every student.

“We also have a myriad of family-oriented events,” explained Principal McGrogan. “This includes family movie night, healthy snack bingo, and a Shawmont 5K Run, just to name a few.”

Shawmont, understanding the advantages and importance of the arts in schools, also has a strong reputation for assisting and encouraging students to pursue their interests in all forms of art.

Principal McGrogan elaborated, “It is our goal to complement and proFall 2017 | manayunk.com 11

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vide an additional avenue for students to express themselves.”

The school distinguishes itself not only through its arts programs, but also through the way it helps develop informed, responsible, and creative citizens who will be ready to achieve their academic and personal goals. Principal McGrogan described it as “a community of ‘doers’” and applauded the staff and community’s effort in accomplishing that vision.

He also commented on his excitement for the start of the school year saying, “Every day is different with its energy and excitement. However, the start and end of a year are my favorite. These new beginnings create a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and ambition.”

He added, “Along the journey of each year, I’m looking forward to the remarkable events that validate our effort and accomplishments.”

Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School In close proximity to Manayunk, Roxborough, and Wissahickon, Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School finds its roots in the neighborhood that has enforced its mission of “working together with students, parents, and the community to develop a positive learning environment.”

Principal Michael Lowe is dedicated to maintaining the mission for his public school that “lives by the motto ‘Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn.’” With this in mind, Cook-Wissahickon aims to help its students build strong character in addition to achieving academic and personal success.

“It’s a philosophy that we strive to achieve day in and day out,” said Principal Lowe, commenting on the school’s focus of expanding its offering of creative and personal development classes in the last few years.

In addition to the usual curriculum, “we offer music, art, computer 12

science, physical education, and character education courses that help engage students in something they love doing and can be successful at,” according to Principal Lowe.

With a supportive faculty behind him, Principal Lowe’s vision for Cook-Wissahickon is “to give students the opportunity to find themselves through the arts and sciences so that one day they can be whatever it is they want to be.” This stems from his own experience growing up attending public schools in Philadelphia and exploring his talents with dreams of multiple careers as an artist, carpenter, chemist, teacher, and then as a principal.

In his two years at Cook-Wissahickon, Principal Lowe has quite a few favorite memories of being principal of his school. One of his most rewarding moments was being named Neubauer Fellow in the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders recognizing the work he has done at Cook-Wissahickon. The fellowship, he explained, “will enhance my skills and provide the support I need to continue to improve as a leader for our school.”

Principal Lowe also commented on the smaller moments that remind him why he loves being principal of Cook-Wissahickon Elementary, like the environment and community involvement.

“From Pre-K all the way to eighth grade, our school is a place where everyone knows your name,” said Principal Lowe. “The community is dedicated to children, from the organizations and business to the faculty and parents of our students. There is such a feeling of family.”

This dedication and bond is what drives Principal Lowe’s philosophy of “working together everyday to make [Cook-Wissahickon Elementary] a better place and our students better people.”

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LIVE: SUB-URBAN CHARM

Rental Ready The Isle is a private oasis offering top-notch amenities in a historic setting.

By Brenda Hillegas • Photography By Ray Cavicchio Photography (raycavicchiophotography.com)

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magine stepping out of your apartment, grabbing a complimentary cup of Starbucks coffee before you exit the lobby, and walking across the canal (via a private bridge, of course) onto Manayunk’s Main Street. Shops, restaurants, public transportation, and more are just minutes from your luxury apartment. If this all sounds like the perfect place to drop a deposit and sign a lease, then this is your chance to make that image a reality. Manayunk’s newest apartment complex, The Isle, is open and ready to rent. “[The location] is at the epicenter of Main Street,” said The Isle’s Property Manager, Ralph Kearney. He works for the Bozzuto Group, a real estate development and construction company that specializes in apartments and other residential communities. “[Waterford Development Associates] couldn’t resist the possibility of building luxury waterfront apartment homes in the literal heart of walkable Manayunk and all that it has to offer our new residents,” Ralph added.

According to Ralph, Waterford Development Associates chose Manayunk and the three-acre site on Venice Island as the location for The Cope Linder Architects, the firm behind the upcoming Philly W Hotel, along with designer David Ertz created this island oasis here on the banks of the Schuylkill River. Large windows and balconies in some units allow for residents to take in amazing water views no matter where their apartment is located in the building. Other projects from

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the firm include The Residences at Two Liberty, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and SugarHouse Casino, all of which also provide stunning views of their surroundings.

Historically, Manayunk’s Venice Island was once the site of McDowell Paper Mill, which was constructed in 1828. The canal was home to many mills, providing workers with small bridges to access their jobs. In keeping with Manayunk’s rich history, nods to the old mill can be seen throughout The Isle apartments.

“We kept a large cornerstone from the McDowell Paper Mill and have it on display in the entry of the apartment complex,” said Ralph. “We also have several original documents framed and on display from the paper mill.”

Such documents include the original plans of the mill, aerial photos from the plant while still in operation, and the Rates of Toll and Rules and Regulations for 1843.

Having a private residents’ bridge to The Isle adds to the historic feel (and privacy) of the complex.

“The gate on Main Street can only be accessed by residents of The Isle, and bring the shopping and restaurants located on Main Street steps away from our community,” Ralph said.

Giving your out-of-town friends a tour of The Isle’s site will be the highlight of any visit. This apartment complex is no doubt the perfect spot for someone who wants to live surrounded by Philadelphia’s culture without the desire to be in the heart of Center City.

There’s so much more to this pet-friendly environment though, as amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour billiard area, and a conference room with a 65’’ TV help create a setting that stands out far above

other Philadelphia area living spaces. Ralph also notes a great room where residents can hold social events, a river deck overlooking the Schuylkill River, and did he mention the free Starbucks coffee? It’s also available around the clock. Late nights or early mornings, The Isle will provide you with what you need to stay on top of your routine.

“The clubroom is accessible to our residents 24 hours a day,” said Ralph who talks about the special residents-only events that take place at The Isle. “We have had many resident events: Wine Down Wednesday including some of the Manayunk Brewery’s finest selections, Water Ice Wednesday where we served the residents Via Veneto’s Italian Water Ice after work, and Breakfast on the Go where we offer breakfast sandwiches from Sorrentino’s early Friday morning.”

Ralph also makes it clear that The Isle was designed to become a part of and not apart from the Manayunk community.

“As such, we are connected physically to Main Street by both the Cotton Street bridge and our own pedestrian bridge over the Manayunk Canal, but our connection to the Manayunk community is much broader,” he explained. “We met with several of the local businesses on and around Main Street with the intent of letting them know we are ready to work side-by-side toward continuing to help make Manayunk the best it can possibly be. Manayunk is such a great neighborhood of Philadelphia and it is an honor to be a part of the local scene here.”

So far, The Isle has also paired with Manayunk businesses like Pineapple on Main, Nicole Miller, Winnie’s, Whirled Peace, Liberty Gin, Salon L., Lucky’s Last Chance, Christie’s Nails, ADVENT, and so many more.

“When you’re at The Isle, you are literally on an island, and our walkability score is 92, which is very high,” he explained.

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When residents are ready to head back home after work or a night on Main Street, they can return to an apartment filled with stainless steel appliances, open kitchens with movable islands, electric ranges with sealed glass top, Silestone kitchen and bathroom countertops, wood-like flooring, pantry storage, an in-unit washer and dryer, and quiet, energy-efficient heating and cooling.

If you’re in the market for a new place to live, The Isle’s website makes it incredibly easy to search for a unit that meets your specific needs.

Search for studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units, search by price range, floor level, and even by how soon you’d like to move in. Floor plans help you imagine where everything will go once you settle in, and galleries of exterior, interior, amenities and neighborhood images make you feel as though you’re already a part of The Isle community.

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Bozzuto Management believes that your home should be your sanctuary. What surrounds you should be your inspiration. Your community should provide an opportunity to not only live, but to experience memorable moments. Ralph said one of the other reasons people will love living at The Isle is because of the management team’s dedication to their residents. “[We] deliver award-winning results. We are totally committed to a single goal: the complete satisfaction of our clients and residents,” Ralph said. “Delivering on that promise has won us both numerous national awards and the loyalty of our residents.”

Visit www.isleapts.com to begin a new residential life here in Manayunk. Afterall, Ralph said, this is the only waterfront luxury apartment living choice in the heart of Manayunk. What else is there to say?

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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.

AMENITIES

FEATURES Studio, one, and twobedroom apartment homes Open floor plan living spaces with large windows Water views from every residence Stainless steel appliances Moveable kitchen islands

Wood-like flooring Electric ranges with sealed glass top Silestone kitchen and bathroom countertops Pantry storage

Private resident pedestrian bridge with direct access to Main Street Fitness center Easy access to canal towpath

In-unit washer and dryer

Cozy great room with fireplace

Quiet, energy-efficient heating and cooling

Modern clubroom and billiards room Waterfront deck with lounge seating on the river

Covered parking garage Pet-friendly building with a dog park On-site bike storage Easily accessible to local transit BuildingLink online resident portal and app Bozzuto Top Notch Services with package acceptance and “Away from Home” services

Business center and conference room

1 Cotton St r eet | P h ilade lph ia, PA 19127 | 866.670.3199 | I s l eA p t s . c o m

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SHOP: THINGS WE LOVE

Triumph Philadelphia: Manayunk’s Motorcycle Destination A classic brand geared toward a new generation of riders

By Leo Dillinger • Photography By Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

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anayunk is well known for its variety of restaurants, shops, and fitness studios. But at Triumph Philadelphia, they’re turning the neighborhood into a destination for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Located at 3901 Main Street, the 8,000 square foot showroom and service department has become the region’s premier Triumph Motorcycle dealership for the last 15 years. Since taking over the business two years ago, owner John Godsey has sought to expand the British manufacturer’s clientele.

“The European brands seem to attract a different customer than the others,” John said. “These days, our demographic is from 22-35. We have the loyal customers that are always going to buy Triumph bikes, but the newest riders are the ones changing the game. This is an old-fashioned motorcycle business and we are trying to make it go digital the way that everything else is.”

What sets Triumph Motorcycles apart from other renowned brands is their classic designs that are deeply rooted in tradition and paired with modern engineering. The retro look of models like the Bonneville, Tiger, and Thunderbird reflect the company’s rich heritage dating back to 1902.

But a lot has changed since they first sold Model H Roadsters to Allied Powers during World War I. In the 50s and 60s, Triumph became the brand of “cool” with celebrity clients including Marlon Brando, Bob Dylan, James Dean, Elvis Presley, and most notably, Steve McQueen. By the early 1980s, the entire company was in a downward spiral toward bankruptcy. It would’ve been the end for Triumph if not for English businessman, John Bloor. After taking over the brand in 1983, he toured numerous factories of Japanese manufacturers with his engineering team to study their assembly methods and the computerization of modern sports bikes. Triple-cylinder engines, 18

pristine balance and handling, and reliable technology are just some of the notable features customers rave about today. Triumph is now one of the world’s top-selling motorcycle brands of the 21st Century.

“The younger kids are the ones who want the sophistication of the electronics,” John Godsey said. “They want advanced bikes because they’re very conscious of what those electronics do for them and how they keep them safe on the road. These are sophisticated customers and we have very sophisticated bikes.”

John and his staff live and breathe motorcycles. As Dealer Principal, he oversees operations, purchases new and used bikes for the showroom, and makes sure the business meets expectations. In the two years John has owned it, Triumph Philadelphia has already doubled their sales and is rolling out the red carpet to welcome a second brand under their roof: BMW. Of course, much of that success can also be attributed to sales manager, Vince Moffa, who has roughly 40 years of retail management experience. Vince makes sure his customers feel comfortable and that all their questions are answered before making a purchase.

Their service department also comes highly recommended. Shop Foreman, Tom Swan, and his team of young, well-trained mechanics don’t limit themselves strictly to Triumph bikes. They’ve worked on everything from Harley-Davidson to Ducati and have earned a reputation for getting the job done.

“I don’t know what makes people want to come here, but if you look at our website and our reviews, that’s the way you build the business,” John said. “Being upfront with people is important. It’s key. People tend to enjoy our laid-back approach with no pressure.”

John acknowledges their relationship with the Manayunk community as another contributing factor to his shop’s success. The staff always recommends their favorite lunch spots to customers that stop

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Not your Father’s Irish Pub

4417 Main Street •Manayunk

484-273-0481 sonapub.com

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in, like Sorrentino’s Deli, Han Dynasty, Win- “Being upfront with people isfied while riding a motorcycle. The revving engine as you cruise down the road sounds enticing, nie’s, SOMO, Bourbon Blue and the Manayunk Brewery. They’ve even hosted barbers from is important. It’s key. People but John knows it’s not for everyone. You have to be a seriously responsible rider with your head on Make Your Mark to cut customers’ hair during tend to enjoy our laid-back a swivel. When you don’t pay attention, take your events at the shop.

Whether they come from the Philadelphia area approach with no pressure.” time, and understand your surroundings, you can get hurt. or as far away as Washington D.C. and New But don’t let the stereotypes sway your decision to buy a motorcycle.

York City, John and the Triumph team enjoy promoting the neighborBoth men and women from 17 to 70 years old have walked out of the hood beyond their four walls. shop with a bike to call their own. From doctors and lawyers to blue-col“The beauty of it is the way we can organically send everybody from lar workers and everyday people, one thing is certain: you don’t have to here as our customers to all the various Manayunk businesses,” John be a member of the Old Boy’s Club to appreciate a Triumph Motorcycle. said. “We’ll end up getting 10 to 15 people here on a Saturday morning “The freedom of being on a bike, it’s just…it’s whatever. You’re in it,” dropping their bikes off for service and they’re looking for something to John said. “It’s a great relief from everyday stress for many riders. I think do. That’s when we like to promote the local businesses.” the speed and the freedom of being on a bike is really cool and it’s what Though John doesn’t ride as much as he used to, he’s still a huge fan of everybody’s looking for.” the culture. There’s an adrenaline rush some people desire that’s only sat-

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Canal Lounge at Bourbon Blue

The Canal Lounge is Manayunk’s premier event space. Perfect for groups up to 125 people, for any and every event. Contact our event coordinator, Melissa at mgregory@bourbonblue. com for more information.

2 Rector St., Manayunk bourbonblue.com

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COVER PROFILE

All Trails Lead to Manayunk

How Kay Sykora has blazed Manayunk’s trails for more than 40 years.

By Megan Douress Photography By Susan Beard (susanbearddesign.com)

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I

f you’ve taken a leisurely stroll, a long run, or a family bike ride on the Manayunk Towpath in the last 40 years, chances are you’ve run into Kay Sykora. More often than not, she can be seen planting with PowerCorps volunteers on any given sunny afternoon or weeding into the wee hours of the evening. Even if you’ve never met her, you might just recognize her name. That could be because she has her own street, Kay Sykora Way, at Main and Lock Streets, which leads to Venice Island Performing Arts Center.

Kay has been active in the Manayunk community ever since moving to the neighborhood in the 70s. Her then-husband was an architect and brought his young family to Manayunk to do a “art community concept” for a college project. Kay, with a two-year-old in tow, found herself roaming Main Street as her new house underwent renovations.

The sights of Manayunk were very different back then. Looking at an older, black and white photograph on the wall, Kay recalled Connelly Containers, Inc. box company, Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks, and NAMICO soaps and detergents that occupied Venice Island. Krook’s Woolen Mill, Wilde Yarn Mill, Blankin Yarn Company, and Blantyre Mills lined Main Street. What is now Furniture Lifestyle was a janitorial service. Adrian’s Auto Supply occupied the corner of Main and Gay Streets, and Joe’s Stop and Shop stood next door.

Over time, owning and operating a mill in Manayunk had its challenges. The narrow streets and steep hills made it difficult to maneuver large vehicles for industrial use. Working with key property owners, Kay felt there was potential for the mill town to evolve into a thriving commercial corridor.

“I realized that wanting to see a change wasn’t going to make it happen,” Kay remembered.

“Manayunk was actually financially viable,” Kay added. “The housing was stable and affordable, many of the folks who lived here worked in the mills, but that was changing. The neighborhood never lost their mill worker population like other city neighborhoods did, and we had the lowest crime rate in Philadelphia.”

Manayunk was a different experience for someone who grew up in the suburbs, but she came to like and respect the people who lived and worked here.

“They were really strong, hard-working people,” she said. “No secrets—everything happened out on the streets! If there ever was an issue, people responded immediately.”

Manayunk had a business association at the time, but Kay was looking to start something new — something that did more community planning and projects. She found that people who lived or worked in the neighborhood were also interested in volunteering their time to these projects, which she notes was the driving force to getting some of the early

s.

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“I was the staff,” Kay said.

“I had $18,000 as the whole budget. There I was and that was my salary for the year.” improvements done. Kay then met with consultants from Pittsburgh, the leading city in Pennsylvania for district improvements. In 1985, Kay and her team of consultants founded the New Manayunk Corporation, which later became what we now know as the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC). The board — mostly made up of industrial property owners, was 18 people strong, Kay being one of them. There was no real staff until she became the executive director in 1988.

“I was the staff,” Kay said. “I had $18,000 as the whole budget. There I was and that was my salary for the year. You get kind of frantic because you have to pay your bills so you have to figure it out.”

MDC’s additional staff members were Gertie Solkov and Becky Cornman, both who shared a passion for improving the district. Gertie, the president of the business association, volunteered her time to doing the books, and Becky managed Manayunk’s first and only parking lot at Main and Levering Streets, which later funded the construction of five more parking lots. Parking revenue also went towards addressing complicated projects, like sprucing up the waterfront.

“Becky and I used to try and clean the canal,” Kay recalled of the early days. “We got a canoe, and our maintenance guys went in the canal. We tied them to a rope,” she laughed.

Kay and her small staff were eager to get district improvements done, and people started to notice.

“The cliff line down by Ridge Avenue and Main Street — it was absolutely disgusting. We all, including all of the merchants, went and cleaned it up,” Kay explained. “There used to be a recreation center [where Venice Island Recreation & Performing Arts Center currently is] and next to it was a vacant lot, which was more like a dumping ground.

So again, we came together and cleaned it up. We eventually secured it and turned that into a parking lot as well.”

After years of closely working together, the business association and

MDC merged together in the early 90s to continue addressing the physical improvements that needed to be done to the district. Kay’s vision of making Manayunk “clean” and “safe” moved forward, and along with it came improvements to the waterfront.

“We were novel in the city, so we didn’t get a lot of competition for getting things done, which was gratifying,” Kay said. “In the early days, we addressed the Main Street area because it was between the neighborhood and all of the elements along the canal. People needed to have it improved before they could get passed it [to the towpath].”

“The city probably spent anywhere from eight to 10 million dollars on the canal under the Rendell administration,” she added. “He really embraced a lot of the work we were doing. We got a lot of streetscape projects done in 1986, followed by Canal View Park, and then the Cotton Street Bridge in the mid-90s, which connected Venice Island to the rest of the neighborhood.”

As years went by, Main Street became a bustling commercial corridor, but there was still work to be done. Kay, who has always had a love of biking and nature from growing up in the country and studying horticulture, saw the waterfront as the next step to improving the district as a whole.

“I was appalled when I moved here because at that point in time, there wasn’t much green but there was so much opportunity,” she said. “The canal was mostly overgrown and undervalued. The bridges at that time were culverts with macadam thrown on top.”

“I always thought of the canal as an asset this district had that no other district had,” she continued. “But how could I make it be a stronger element?”

After nearly two decades, Kay was looking for a change, both professionally and personally. In the early 2000s, she stepped down from her position as executive director of MDC and founded Destination Schuylkill River (DSR) with funds from the William Penn Foundation.

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“They’re good people who care deeply,” Kay said of the people she has worked with over the years.

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“Everything needed to be addressed,” she continued. “The trail really needed some work. It had been done in the late 70s, of course, it’s totally illegal to fill in the canal now!”

Kay realized how important her greening initiative was to the community. Not only did she see DSR as an opportunity to improve the waterfront, but to partner with the surrounding neighborhoods — East Falls and Lower Merion — by connecting their trails with continuous improvements and programming. Her work on the waterfront made its way uphill as well, and people started pitching in.

Slowly but surely, DSR evolved into a neighborhood beautification initiative, with projects from the Manayunk Bridge pedestrian trail to building a performing arts and recreation center on Venice Island, to the many miles of murals on the towpath — all of which were spearheaded by Kay. Of course, none of it would be possible without the many partnerships along the way, including the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Circuit Coalition (which Kay sits on the steering committee), PennDOT, SEPTA, and Mural Arts of Philadelphia.

“They’re good people who care deeply,” Kay said of the people she has worked with over the years.

She’s also found that when progress is made, people respond — not just Manayunk residents, but residents from the surrounding areas, too.

Every other Tuesday throughout the year, a group of volunteers rotate their efforts to designated clean up spots for two hours. Clean up locations include Manayunk (like the Fountain Street steps), the Roxborough Reservoir, Germany Hill, and the Manayunk Canal. The cleanups always end with drinks at a local watering hole.

“In this process, I’ve found a lot of interesting neighbors who are willing to just do all of this work as volunteers to make this neighborhood

strong,” she said. “I can’t say that they help me. We help each other, and I didn’t necessarily create them.”

DSR continues to evolve, but Kay stays true to her mission of greening, cleaning, and beautifying Manayunk and the surrounding areas.

Her work days are never the same, however. Today, for example, she just came from an impromptu meeting on the Manayunk Bridge with other city organizations to discuss the lighting that is to be installed in the upcoming years. She explained that some senior bike riders happened to be in the area and had suggestions for how to make the trail connector better. On other days, she’ll work from her home office or “from the trail.” She admitted that throughout her 30 years of working in Manayunk, the fact that MDC set the precedent for other community development corporations makes her the most proud. And while Kay starts to think about taking another step back from her work, she first needs to take a step forward and get others to stay engaged.

“I just think we’re blessed to have access to really nice green spaces that are set in an urban environment,” she said. “That is pretty unique.

It’s a good chance for people to be educated without being educated — to see it and experience it. The sense of community and the community piece is the most important part. It’s gratifying.”

Editor’s Note: This November, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education will present Kay with The Henry Meigs Award for Environmental Leadership. The award is given each year for exceptional and visionary environmental leadership. Selected by a committee of staff and trustees, the award is being given to Kay for her decades of hard work and leadership on establishing the multi-use trail through Manayunk while advocating for the completion of The Circuit regionally. She also is awarded for her work focusing Manayunk’s attention on the Schuylkill River, of getting Philadelphians back onto the river, and for her helping establish Roxborough Green.

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SHOP: BUSINESS SAVVY

Saving One Phone At A Time

B

ack in 2012, Matt Gambone’s mom answered a knock at the door of her home. A stranger with a broken cell phone screen stood at her door. Matt had just graduated from Pennsylvania State University and was living at his parent’s farm while searching for a full-time job where he could put his degree in energy, business, and finance to good use. As the job search fell flat, Matt’s side gig of repairing cell phones and computers was picking up.

“One day, my mom sat me down and said, ‘You know, it’s really cool what you’re doing, but we can’t have random strangers knocking on the door at all hours of the day to get their computers and phones fixed,’” Matt laughed. “So, she helped me launch my business, MackTechs, and helped me find my first location in Skippack.”

As a child, Matt was always tinkering. He took apart vacuums, microwaves, and any other appliances he could get his hands on. As a junior in college, he started repairing friends broken computers and cell phones. While he was in college working 12 hour shifts during football weekends as a bar bouncer, Matt’s side business quickly started to grow and he realized he would essentially make the same amount of money fixing phones in just a few hours than he would working at the bar.

That’s when Matt knew he had a business opportunity.

Though he originally started working with PC’s, Matt slowly migrated into the Apple product realm.

“I was unbiased back then just because a lot of electronics are based around software,” he explained. “Back in 2010-2011, Microsoft had a really good product, but as they progressed, they tried to mimic Apple and really tried to be something that they weren’t and they fell apart,” Matt said. “So, I completely dropped all support for Windows-based machines and only work with Apple now.”

In 2012, on the day of Hurricane Sandy, Matt opened his first repair location, Skippack iPhone Repair. While running his business in Skippack,

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Manayunk iPhone Repair is there to save your phone when you need them the most.

By Caitlin Maloney Photography By Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

Matt would often visit friends in Manayunk in his spare time.

“I was coming down here all the time and would look around and realize there were no stores like ours down here, so I knew there was a need for us here,” he said.

In August 2014, Matt opened the doors to his second location, Manayunk iPhone Repair, coincidentally on the same day as another natural disaster, a flood that filled the lower end of Main Street.

Soon after opening the Manayunk shop, Matt moved into the neighborhood with his friend, Rob Gauger. Though Rob had no experience working with phones or electronics, he starting helping Matt get the business going and was learning the ropes of electronic repairs in no time. Rob is now Matt’s right hand man and senior technician.

Besides Rob, Matt’s team of technicians also includes family members.

His younger brother started working with him a few years ago and has since ventured off to start his own repair company, Trooper iPhone Repair, while Matt’s nephew currently works in the Manayunk location.

Since you can’t actually get a degree in iPhone repair, it all comes down to practice and experience, Matt joked.

“Nobody knew anything when they started. It’s just a lot of fine motor skills to be able to pick up small screws and parts,” he explained. “It’s almost like a surgeon — you have to build those muscles up.”

Before being able to actually do major repair jobs, each of Matt’s technicians start by just taking screws out of phones and putting them back in over and over.

“It’s the most mundane and awful experience, but you have to start somewhere,” Matt said.

Matt and his team handle repairs for all Apple products: iPhones, iPods, iPads, and MacBooks. The most common iPhone and iPad repair needs are cracked phone screens, broken cameras and microphones, and hardware or software updates. They also provide hard drive repairs,

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tune-ups and malware removal for Macs.

Matt is clear to explain what service they don’t provide though.

“We don’t do repairs on catastrophic damages like water damage or crush damage. At that point, the phone is too far gone, but what we can do for you is data recovery,” he said.

Matt shared a story of a young mother whose phone got run over in a puddle. She was in tears because she had six months of pictures of her first child on her phone and wasn’t able to retrieve them. They were able to recover every last photo she took and it made her day, Matt recalled.

Besides all of these repairs and services, the shop also offers a full line of accessories meant to protect your devices including cases and screen covers along with long charging cables and portable chargers.

According to Matt, the majority of his clients find him online, by simply searching for “iPhone repair.”

“Because I was interested in tech in college, I learned a lot about SEO and search results, so I was able to put us on the map,” Matt said. “When you type in ‘iPhone repair’ into Google, we show up and that’s why we named the business what we did (Manayunk iPhone Repair), even though on the back end our legal name is really MackTechs.”

“We have such a broad demographic — moms who bring in their seven or eight-year-olds who, for whatever reason, have an iPhone. Then, we have people that are 75-80 years old who know more about iPhone features than I do sometimes,” Matt laughed.

As far as the business’s quick growth goes, Matt said everything just seemed to fall into place.

“When you do something right and you don’t cut corners, it always works out,” he said. “Currently, all the parts we use are manufactured in the United States. We have so few people come back with issues — not cutting corners just makes everything easier.”

Matt and his team just hit their 10,000th screen repair and that doesn’t even include screens they fixed before they had a fully running track-

ing system in place. As for the future, Matt plans to eventually have instructional videos of simple repairs you can do at home.

He also has his eyes on another location further into the city, but for now, they are working on fine tuning what they already do best.

“We want to offer all expedited services, but we don’t want to charge an additional expedited fee,” Matt explained. “We want to have ‘while you wait’ iPhone repair and Mac repair. That’s people’s schedule now — they need things done right away because many people need their computers and phones to get back to work.”

Matt is also getting ready to make some renovations this fall, which will expand the services they can provide in the shop even more.

“What we have to do is make more space for more actual repairs,” he said. “We are looking to bring in more techs and expand our line of refurbished computers and phones.”

When it comes to the biggest tip Matt can give you about your iPhone, he joked and said, “They are not waterproof. I repeat, they are not waterproof.” But, in all actuality, he said the biggest thing is to make sure you’re phone is backed up.

“We have people come in all the time with their phone totally destroyed and sometimes no matter what we do, we just can’t get that information back,” Matt said.

So, what’s the best part of the job? According to Matt, it’s solving an issue he and his team have never seen before.

“We are like a think tank. When we get a unique issue, we have to take everything we know and try to figure it out — it’s all trial and error. It’s like solving a big puzzle,” he said. “Nine times out of 10, when we solve one of these unique issues, we get three or four more of the same case in the same week. You can’t even believe it.”

“At the end of the day if we offer a good service and we are polite and we treat people like humans, our customers are going to have a great experience.”

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DINE: TASTE THIS

A Taste of The Old Country The Marchiano family’s baking legacy continues to thrive in Manayunk.

By Leo Dillinger • Photography by JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com)

D

aneen Marchiano is no stranger to Manayunk. Over the last four decades, her family has provided residents and visitors to the neighborhood with authentic Italian specialty breads and tomato pie.

In the mid-1970s, Daneen’s grandmother, Nunziata, started baking breads in the basement of her row home on Umbria Street with the help of her son, Frank, and his wife, Kathy. Using the recipes from her hometown of Acri, a small village in Southern Italy, the Marchianos sold their breads as a way to make ends meet.

“They basically bootlegged it out of the house,” Daneen said. “They sold it to local bars and people would pull up, knock on the door, and ask to buy whatever was in stock. Eventually, they made enough money and a neighbor gave them a small loan so they could buy this building.”

By 1984, Marchiano’s Bakery officially opened at their current location (right across the street from Nunziata’s house). The family started with a more “deli-style” business model that offered everything from hoagies

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and lunchmeat to candy and soda. As the demand for their specialty breads and tomato pie grew, Daneen’s parents returned to only selling their most popular products and moved tenants out of other parts of the building in order to make room for their day-to-day operations.

Frank and Kathy’s three children (Christina, Daneen, and Frank Jr.) have always been involved with the bakery since they were young.

Daneen recalls sleeping on bags of flour in the back room with her sister while their parents worked and walking down the hill to the bakery every day after school. As soon as they were old enough, Frank put them to work folding boxes, sweeping, and eventually holding down the front counter taking orders. By 2003, Daneen took over the bakery as her father scaled back from the business.

“When we were little, it was just a part of our fabric,” Daneen said. “I hated the family business when I was young, and that’s not something I’m embarrassed to say because it took my dad away from me a lot. He was always working so hard. But as I grew older, I realized more and

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more that he was doing that so he could provide a better life for us.”

Today, “Marchiano’s” is a household name throughout the area. You’ll find lines out the door the morning of every Eagles game and Super Bowl Sunday. Some customers will stock up right before trips down to the shore or up to the mountains. Christmas Eve at Marchiano’s has even become a tradition among many families. Some will either hire babysitters for the night while others bring multiple generations into the bakery for music, drinks, and samples as they wait to pick up their orders.

Over the years, Marchiano’s has also seen its fair share of celebrity clientele. Before the bakery opened, local radio persona Jerry Blavat would bring guests like The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Frank Sinatra to Nunziata’s home to pick up specialty breads on the way to the station. Daneen’s parents would travel to Giordano’s at the Italian market in South Philly to pick up “Long Hots” exclusively for Sinatra’s order.

Behind the bakery’s counter, you’ll see the “Wall of Fame.” Big 5 coaches like Speedy Morris and John Cheney to local news anchors and radio hosts and virtually every Philadelphia mayor that’s held office since they opened has stepped foot inside Marchiano’s. Even former Philadelphia 76er Marc Jackson used to wash dishes for the bakery while attending Roman Catholic High School.

“Our food is made with heart,” Daneen said. “It sounds a little crazy, but the people who work for us are really like family friends who’ve been around for a long time. They’re appreciative of the customers coming in because they wouldn’t be able to work without them. From their perspective, I think it’s also respect for my father that keeps them going.”

Many customers refer to Marchiano’s specialty breads as “calzones” or a “stromboli,” but it surprisingly lies in a category all to its own. The uniquely mixed dough, filled with a blend of cheeses and Italian herbs, 36

comes in 13 varieties including pepperoni, cheesesteak, Buffalo chicken, and spinach, just to name a few. They’ve grown so popular that Daneen’s family opened a wholesale facility right around the corner on Krams Avenue in 2013 to supply local delicatessens, lunch orders, and fundraisers. While their tomato pie and oreganata remain delicious as always, the specialty breads reign supreme.

“Our specialty breads are the bulk of our business,” Daneen said. “I hear the craziest stories. People take them to the beach. They’ll throw them on the grill at tailgates. I’ve heard drunken stories of people pressing the foil with an iron in hotel rooms. It’s neat to hear all the crazy things they do with our breads.”

Being in the neighborhood for multiple generations, the Marchiano family has always put an emphasis on the community. Though Frank is semi-retired splitting his time between Manayunk and Ocean City, NJ, Daneen said her father makes sure the bakery always donates whatever they can to local fundraisers for schools, sports teams, and neighbors who are sick or injured. Longtime residents continue to place the same orders as they have for the last 30 years, while college students who move away return years later with newly formed families to pass the tradition on to their kids. For Daneen, the success of her family’s business wouldn’t be possible without the support of a tight-knit community that her family calls home.

“The building is here and will always be here as long as I have anything to do with it,” Daneen said. “My parents literally built this bakery with their two hands and the help of some people in the neighborhood.

We’ve become more efficient as my sister and I took on a more active role, but what has remained the same is our commitment to the quality of our product, customer service, and our community.”

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DINE: CONVERSATION WITH THE CHEF

The “Cheers” of Manayunk Where Everybody Knows Your — or Your Dog’s — Name

By Ainsley Maloney Photography By Melissa Kelly (melissakellyphotography.com)

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B

ack in the mid-2000s, Joseph Keough and Jeff Bender had been bartending at Bourbon Blue for nearly five years when they began talking about opening a place of their own. Every time they talked about Manayunk’s nightlife, they kept coming to the same conclusion — something was missing.

At the time, it seemed there were only two ways to enjoy a night out in Manayunk. There was the club scene, where college-aged kids stayed out dancing until 2 a.m. Or there were fine-dining restaurants, where a more mature crowd sipped red wine over surf and turf dinners at white-linen tables.

“There really wasn’t anywhere with a good neighborhood feel, where everyone would walk in and feel comfortable — younger, older, blue collar, college aged,” said Joe. “Like the bar you went home to at Christmas time to catch up with your friends — we wanted that bar.

As soon as an Italian BYOB at the corner of 4247 Main St. went up for sale, Joe and Jeff knew they found their perfect place. Shortly after purchasing, renovations took place — a concrete bar and interior woodwork to start. Outside, they installed a blue awning to offer plenty of shade to al fresco diners. In November 2007, the Manayunk Tavern was open for business.

“We wanted the place to feel that it had been there for 30 years, even though it was brand new, so that’s what we were going for with the name,” Joe said.

From the start, Manayunk Tavern was one of the few bars on Main Street to offer craft beers on tap. Back then, most establishments had just three beers to choose from: Coors Light, Yuengling Lager, and Guinness. A “closet homebrewer” himself, Joe had a sense for where the craft beer market was going. Manayunk Tavern opened with six rotating drafts from Victory Brewing Company, Yards Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and Samuel Adams.

“At the time, these were beers you couldn’t get anywhere else. Of course, we thought we were like City Works with 100 beers on tap,”

Joe said with a laugh. “We didn’t want to be a ‘$2 Bud Lights every day’ kind of place. We wanted to be a place where you can expect to have a quiet evening.”

“Our draft beers have always been $5 or $6, and we figured the people who want that will come,” he continued, adding their clientele is mostly the 26-32 and older crowd. “It’s a walkable community, and we benefit from a lot of foot traffic. I think we priced ourselves right.”

Located at the crest of Main Street on the three-way intersection between Bourbon Blue and The Couch Tomato, Manayunk Tavern and its signature blue sign are visible to every passerby who bends right to continue toward Shurs Lane.

“We’re that middle bar in the middle of the road in every sense of the word,” explained Manayunk Tavern’s manager, Adrienne Maitland-Laguda. “We cater to all ages and demographics: college kids with their parents, bicyclists from Center City, Main Liners, locals, and Manayunk business owners.”

“And if we don’t know your name,” Adrienne continued, “we probably know your dog’s name.”

Manayunk Tavern’s menu has always been solid American upscale-casual “comfort food with a kick,” as Joe explained it. “Our signature, crab and asparagus grilled cheese has been on the menu since day one. It’s our perennial best seller.” The popularity of their appetizers, salads, and sandwiches have lead them to eliminate pricy entrées entirely.

For the first six years of business, either Joe or Jeff was at Manayunk Tavern every waking minute — tending bar, serving food, greeting customers, and ensuring quality — whatever it took.

“I think people liked knowing that when they came into the bar, 95 percent of the time, they’d see a friendly face,” Joe said, adding that he put in 12 hour days through the birth of his three kids — now ages 10, 8, and 5 — a sacrifice that was only possible because of his wife’s support and blessing.

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Street to serve food until midnight. Soon, it became the go-to place for servers from neighboring bars to meet and grab a bite after their shifts ended at 10 p.m.

That’s exactly how Adrienne ended up at Manayunk Tavern a decade ago. She’d been a server at a nearby establishment, came to the bar after work nearly every night (“loved the vibe, the food, the people”), and soon, asked if they were hiring.

“The rest is history,” she said. “Before you knew it, servers from other restaurants were hanging out there, working there, and then our regulars were coming into the tavern.”

Adrienne is one of the “last originals” who worked alongside Joe and Jeff shortly after the bar opened. She is now a full-time manager.

“The tavern is like the ‘Cheers’ of Manayunk,” Adrienne said. “Everybody in Manayunk is like six-degrees of separation. It’s a little family.”

Adding to the family feel, Adrienne said her dedication to the restaurant has everything to do with Joe and Jeff. They let her keep an incredibly flexible schedule over the years to accommodate her passion for choreographing and directing musical theatre. When Adrienne and her then fiance, Joe Laguda, were in the process of buying their house, the restaurant where he worked closed for lengthy renovations. At risk of losing their home, the owners offered Joe L. a permanent full-time bartending position in 2015.

“Between what they did for us then and working around my crazy schedule all this time, these guys have solidified our loyalty,” Adrienne said.

Today, the newlyweds are back to managing Manayunk Tavern six days a week. Adrienne opens every morning, Joe L. closes every night.

This works perfectly for owners Joe K. and Jeff, who are busy overseeing their newest venture: the one-year-old Tavern at Valley Forge in Eagleville, Pa. “Every time I get a new server, I ask, ‘What do you love about Manayunk that you can tell everyone about?’” Adrienne explained. “When 42

Ann [Tetreault] opened The Spiral Bookcase, I was telling everyone, ‘You’ve got to check out this cozy little bookstore!’”

“This is the best corner — it’s people watching extraordinaire,” she continued. “I tell my servers, ‘If you know you’re working every Tuesday at this time, go stand outside. You’ll see the same faces walking by.

Give them a little wave!’ It helps form that little sense of community.”

That’s exactly how Ellen Speake, now 28, feels about Manayunk Tavern. She moved to Manayunk right after graduating from Gettysburg College. At the time, she didn’t know anyone in Manayunk besides her roommate. She started coming to Manayunk Tavern once a weekend, which soon turned into multiple times a week.

“I love the vibe — the casual, comfortable atmosphere,” Speake said.

“It’s a great ‘middle place’ if you don’t want to stay in, but you’re not looking to go out out. The servers are super friendly, and they quickly became my friends. I met other regulars, and that created a community for me there.”

Even though Speake moved to Center City last year, Manayunk Tavern keeps pulling her back.

“I tried to find somewhere similar in the city, but there’s nowhere else like it,” she said, then added a big, exaggerated sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to keep coming back!”

Luckily for Speake, Manayunk Tavern will be here. Joe just recently signed another long-term lease. Mentioning all of the new condos popping up along Venice Island, Joe said he can envision Manayunk Tavern remaining a Main Street staple for the next 20 years, at least. He intends to come back full-time to the Manayunk location again very soon.

“Manayunk is where my heart is,” he said. “Our recipe of unique twists on comfort food, an ever-changing mix of familiar and unfamiliar draft beer, our attention to local spirits, and our exceptional staff has been a winning recipe. It’s one I intend to continue for many years to come so I can hopefully welcome the next 10 years of regulars.”

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PLAY: GET PHYSICAL

Ride On A

Cadence Cycling is a ultimate pit stop for city and suburban cyclists alike.

By Noel Bartocci • Photography By Alexa Nahas Photography (alexanahas.com)

s is the case with many Philadelphians, I’ve flirted with the idea of getting a bike. Seeing all the cyclists — urban or otherwise — mastering the navigation of our city and its neighborhoods is both intimidating and attractive. It takes a better man or woman to ignore the appeal of being one of those universally versatile individuals with their transportation. Beyond that initial annoyance if you’re stuck behind a pack of riders in your car, there’s something appealing about that level of passion for fitness and practical mobility. Being a runner is one thing, but being a cyclist adds another layer of pragmatism and opens up the range of geography you can accomplish in a day.

I’ve done research about bikes, asked a myriad of questions to everyone I know that has a bike, built online carts on reputable bike websites, etc. But throughout it all, I was unable to click “Buy Now” without really feeling the bike under me. I need to make sure that we’d function together as a cohesive unit. Yes, I said we — I’ve already begun to humanize an object I’ve yet to purchase. Regardless of interest, I’m understandably skittish about a purchase like this without knowing everything I can first.

Enter my opportunity to interview the co-owner of Cadence Cycling, Brady Gibney. It would become an opportunity I partly use to my benefit in figuring out the bike I should eventually get. I know, it’s super selfish sounding, but I feel like I should articulate to you where my head was at when I sat down with Brady, general manager and owner (along with Mark Davino and Dave King) for our early afternoon chat.

My intentions for the interview were clear from the get-go in contacting Brady. I let him know that I’m not necessarily interested in the procedure of canned question/answer/repeat and calling it a day. I wanted him to take me through the process of selecting a bike, all the while learning about Cadence Cycling; their offerings, goals, place in the community, and plans for the future.

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Cadence Cycling is a premier cycling shop at the edge of Manayunk — where Ridge Avenue and Main Street converge — that sells and repairs all manners of bicycles. They are fully equipped to facilitate the needs of every experience level, from the daily commuters and trail riders to the weekend adventurers and professional cyclists.

It’s been two years since they moved to this location, barely a mile away from their former residence in the Nickels Building at 4323 Main St. Since then, Brady and his team have taken full advantage of their location, serving as a “gateway to all possibilities.” Brady refers to the store as such in reference to it being located at a transitional point for cyclists, between the heart of the city and all the trails that extend further west.

You can legitimately ride from Philadelphia to Valley Forge with minimal to no street riding. The spot Cadence is tucked away in takes advantage of that placement as either a pit stop or turn around point for riders.

As for bikes, there’s one for every kind of rider, which can make the process of starting quite intimidating. Brady agrees and mentions that Cadence’s counter to that kind of cliquey culture is what attracted him to it when he first started there in 2007.

“The culture can be intimidating with all its nomenclature. It’s easy to feel like a fool,” he explained from both perspectives of being inside and outside of that culture.

This very sentiment spoke to my own apprehension of wanting to join in, but harboring a fear of starting with a stumble. “[The industry] is doing a great job of cultivating a more inclusive feel, but that feeling here back then was definitely a draw,” Brady explained.

He went on to clarify that he has no delusions of grandeur about Cadence’s role in shifting the entirety of the cycling world to becoming more inclusive, just a sense of luck that he was able to find this perfect shop for him. Over the years he has been able help maintain and exploit

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that quality of Cadence’s service — inclusion. They want you to enjoy riding as much as they do.

The offerings of Cadence Cycling are more robust than at first blush.

They offer training programs during winter months, host fitness clubs and rides, facilitate biometric screenings for riders, and plan to incorporate a café later this year. They don’t want to just sell bikes, but cultivate clientele.

“Relationships and a community — that’s what keeps us going,” Brady said.

Brady walked me around the showroom starting with the more competitive offerings on their floor — specifically modified and designed bikes that speak to the ingrained and educated cycling culture. I asked a plethora of questions to try and understand the merits of one bike tread or handlebar set up versus another, but it always came down to the same factors — purpose and comfort. Seems simple enough, so simple in fact that it took a professional to really nail it in for me.

He didn’t try to oversell me or impress me with jargon, so much as just talk with me about my needs. His easy demeanor is almost a master class in how to ingratiate a customer — just talk to me, don’t pitch me.

He settled upon a smaller sized 24-speed road bike with straight handlebars in the middle of the show room, a Giant Escape 3. Based on my questions and desired form of use, Brady pulled the bike from its stand and had me stand over it. I shook my head in agreement that the size felt right and he rolled it over to the tech for tuning. I wasn’t completely sure what came next until he handed me a helmet.

“See if this fits,” he said. “Give it a test ride.”

Presumably noticing the uncertainty on my face as I looked out onto Ridge Avenue, he informed me of an empty lot out back where I can ride it around. For the next 15 minutes, I was a 13-year-old kid playing around on a bike. More than once I would round the turn back up into the small parking lot and think, “One more around,” and quickly veer left into another rotation. I was simply having too much fun and didn’t care to stop. I didn’t leave with the bike that day, but I’ll be back.

Cadence Cycling has quietly been building their place in Philadelphia for over a decade now, exponentially so since relocating to the larger space two years ago. Their passion for and knowledge of the community is palpable in what they offer and host with no signs of slowing down. After my morning spent with Brady and the rest of the staff, I didn’t ever feel that discomfort of a showroom, but instead left with a desire to belong to this hobby.

CO-OWNER OF CADENCE CYCLING, BRADY GIBNEY, IS ALWAYS WILLING TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A PERSONAL BIKE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. Fall 2017 | manayunk.com 45

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A Taste of History

Take a bite out of our historic neighborhood with a food tour this fall.

By Megan Douress Photography by JPG Photography (jpgphotography.com)

O

n any given Sunday morning in the fall, you’ll find a crowd of people lining up for tomato pie outside of Marchiano’s Bakery. It’s the snack of choice for football fans residing in Manayunk. But October Sunday mornings have even more of a hustle and bustle to them. A group of foodies stand outside waiting for the start of Chew Philly’s Haunted Food Tour, a haunted twist on the year-round food tour — and a taste of cheesesteak tomato pie.

Chew Philly Food Tours started in 2011 when founder, Elyse Castillo, was looking for a way to work around her new role as “mom.” Elyse previously worked on tours in Chicago and had also been a food and beverage director for dining cruises, but when it came to having her oldest son, she didn’t want to put in the hours required in the tourism industry. Her husband, Jason, came up with the idea to combine what she loved to do with a more flexible, kid-friendly schedule.

Elyse said she found her first love — tourism — through her former job

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at Seadog Speedboat Tours in Chicago.

“Everyone I worked with was so happy,” Elyse said. “I got to be outside all day and meet all kinds of people. Obviously, I had the everyday challenges of tours that you run into, but it was fun to solve those problems. That was a big part of knowing I wanted to do tours and also knowing I wanted to do walking tours.”

Another reason why she wanted to do walking tours? Cost.

“Those boats spend nearly $30,000 a month on fuel. That was when I was like, ‘Definitely going to stay away from having those crazy increases in cost!’” Elyse explained.

Shortly after, Elyse worked with Seadog Speedboat Tour’s sister company, where she became the Food and Beverage Director for dining cruises. She got a true interest in the food industry from getting to know the chefs on the cruises and learning how food can impact a person’s experience. With that said, she credits her love of food to her upbringing

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in Detroit, which she explained has a “hidden food scene,” from Coney Island hot dogs (which are not from Coney Island!), to the Greek neighborhood in the city, and lots of authentic Middle Eastern food.

“I was exposed to a lot of different kinds of foods there. I also lived in Chicago, which has a lot of great cultural foods—the Chicago dog and the deep dish pizza,” Elyse said.

“I guess I’ve just been lucky to keep living in cities that have these awesome cultural foods,” Elyse added. “But I think it’s been something from the time I was young through now — I’ve enjoyed getting to know a specific region’s foods.”

Which brings Elyse to Manayunk. When Elyse moved to Philadelphia, she and Jason searched for the perfect neighborhood to start her new food tour business. Little did they realize one of the best food neighborhoods was right in their own backyard.

“We looked at all of these neighborhoods and Manayunk ended up being our favorite one, which was perfect because we already lived here,” Elyse said. “It just ended up being a really good fit.”

While residents and guests can agree that Manayunk is certainly considered a food destination, Elyse found that it was the long-time food businesses that really drew her in.

“Places like Marchiano’s and Sorrentino’s have been in business for 30 years,” she said. “It doesn’t happen on accident. It’s them doing the same thing well over and over again and staying focused. That’s something that a lot of businesses can learn from—staying true to themselves and being consistent with what their products are.”

On Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., tour guests gather at Marchiano’s for their first taste of Manayunk tradition — tomato pie. Elyse explains how the bakery has had celebrity fans from the start, from Frank Sinatra to current Phillies players. She even gives guests, some of which have traveled as far as Milwaukee, a chance to talk to the owners about how they keep customers coming back for more.

On the authentic food tour, guests are treated to a soft pretzel from Tasty Twisters and some facts about the Manayunk Bridge for their walk to Sorrentino’s Deli. It’s here that guests get a taste of the traditional Philly cheesesteak. Elyse explains the deli used to be a butcher shop in the early 1900s, and even points out the original butcher hooks hanging at the counter.

From there, the group makes their way up the steps at Cresson and Cotton Streets for a brief stop at Pretzel Park. Stopping at the only statue of food in the neighborhood is a given, but it’s the quick history of the park and the surrounding churches that gives guests that extra taste of tradition and history. The tour then goes down Cotton Street to Main Street to stop at one of the mural portraits from the “Look Long & Look Good” project that lines Main Street. Before sitting down for family-style dan dan noodles at Han Dynasty, the small tour stops to look at a man in a Phillies shirt holding a fishing net. The portrait is called “Catfish,” and was inspired by a photograph from the first Canal Day in Manayunk.

At Han Dynasty, one of Elyse’s favorite restaurants in the neighborhood, guests discuss their favorite foods of the tour at this halfway point. They then make their way to a few doors down at Volo Coffeehouse for La Colombe’s cappuccino and macarons from Nutmeg Cake Design. On the haunted tours, guests are treated to spiced cider and hand-painted pumpkin spice caramel chocolates by John and Kira’s Chocolates at this stop.

“They’re really beautiful,” Elyse said of her favorite food of the haunted food tours. “They’re an unexpected part of the tour even though they’re not as substantial as some of the other tastings. I think they Fall 2017 | manayunk.com 49

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make a big impact for being a small, local chocolate company.”

Last but not least is a Manayunk newcomer, Tubby Robot. While the shop is a bit tight for all guests to go inside, the tour stops out front and Elyse goes into detail about how the business was developed, from seeking input from an ice cream expert (and creator of cookies and cream ice cream) to making their own whipped cream.

Guests take their bowls of ice cream and head to Canal View Park for the grand finale, where Elyse asks for everyone’s favorite foods from the tour. Without hesitation, the group decided that the world famous tomato pie takes the cake.

Fans of autumnal foods can expect extra sweet treats this October, with maple pecan macarons from Nutmeg Cake Design and pumpkin ice cream from Tubby Robot.

“Honestly, it’s the perfect time of year for food tours — the leaves are changing, it’s cool outside, the towpath is beautiful,” Elyse explained. “Besides the food being exactly what you want to eat at that time of year — lots of pumpkin, apple, and savory foods — it’s also just a beautiful time to be walking around Manayunk.”

And of course, the haunted food tours aren’t complete without ghost stories. One of the stops has spooked staff members with the sounds of footsteps and flickering lights. We’d tell you which stop it is, but you’ll have to experience it for yourself!

Chew Philly’s Food Tours take place every Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. all year round, but if you’re up for the haunted version, they run from October 13-29.

A portion of every ticket sold goes to the Food Trust’s mission of ensuring everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. Book your tour by visiting phillyfoodtours.com.

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NOW OPEN

By Jessie Walker

JTown Hot Yoga Do you want to experience a new type of yoga that is sure to leave your body feeling stronger and stress-free?

Try out Manayunk’s newest fitness studio, JTown Hot Yoga! Unlike the usual yoga experience, JTown keeps the room heated so your muscles and joints stretch safely.

With a variety of classes that focus on yoga, strength training, and conditioning, there’s something available for everyone. Sign up for your first class and get ready to sweat!

Boostin’ Bowls If you are looking for a healthy way to refresh yourself during these hot months, look no further! Boostin’ Bowls just opened on Levering Street and is serving up smoothies, açaí bowls, and other delicious treats. Everything on the menu is made with fresh and nutritious ingredients, so you definitely don’t have to feel guilty indulging yourself!

Buddha Babe

@Ramen

If you want stylish and safe accessories for your little one, check out Manayunk’s newest design studio, Buddha Babe! Located on the second floor at 4001 Main St., they are committed to thoughtful sourcing for their high quality textiles. Their handmade products are perfect for babies, toddlers, mamas, and the home, and are a must-have for families!

Calling all ramen lovers! @Ramen is the newest Japanese restaurant here in Manayunk and they are offering all different types of noodles to suit your tastes. With one-of-a-kind menu options like kale noodles and unique Japanese decor, there’s nothing like it on Main Street. Stop by to customize your very own bowl of ramen - you won’t be disappointed!

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