PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

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Pandemic

Philadelphia restaurateurs dish on a COVID-crusted 2020

Image | Jamie Giambrone

Veteran journalist Stu Bykofsky weighs in on why he rejects systemic racism. | Page 10

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FROM THE EDITOR

ANOTHER BAD BILL Support

TARGETS THE PPD great

A

nyone else notice City Council has tangibly, break-down racial barriers.” a bad habit of introducing bills for “As a young Black man, [Thomas] fits the the sake of looking busy? profile, but since being elected to office, it’s I have, and I’ve covered this leg- changed that…We saw the year that we had islative body for a while now. and he’s been an advocate for police reform Freshman Democratic Council- in a number of ways. This is very personal to man Isaiah Thomas recently put him,” said Weisman.

“A tinted window is still a motor vehicle forth his Driving Equality Bill in response to code violation. We’re just saying that instead the issue of “Driving While Black.” According to a press release, 43 percent of Philly resi- of being pulled over, they could just send a cidents are Black and Black people make up 72 tation in the mail the same as you would receive a parking ticket…We see this as one tiny percent of the drivers pulled over for alleged motor vehicle code violations. After a traffic solution to a big problem.”

So the police would issue a ticket for these stop, Black drivers are twice as likely to be searched but 35 percent less likely to be found minor infractions rather than pulling someone over. No one likes getting pulled with contraband. over. I have been pulled over countSo Thomas introduced the Drivless times. It sucks. It can ruin your ing Equality Bill, which will proday, your next 10 years, or your lifehibit police officers from stopping time. But many times, a traffic stop anyone for minor traffic violations, results in police finding a lot more such as tinted windows, broken than they expected, and that is good headlights and taillights, blowing for public safety, at large, if what a stop sign, expired tags, and who they find takes something dangerknows what else, exactly. He and ous off the streets. his co-sponsors – Councilmembers Vehicles that are unregistered, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, unlicensed, uninsured or otherwise Maria Quiñones-Sanchez, Kendra illegal, should be off the road. They Brooks, Kenyatta Johnson, Bobby could be hazardous and cause acciHenon, Jamie Gauthier, Helen Gym dents. I know, because I once drove and Cherelle Parker – claim that the one for way too long and the powbill will promote public safety. @ RUFFTUFFDH er steering failed, the timing belt “I’ve been pulled over more times snapped, and I was lucky enough than I can count and it never felt like it was keeping me or my community saf- to manhandle it onto the shoulder of I-676 before my 1990 Toyota Celica broke down and er,” Thomas said in a news release.

“We need to improve police-community re- blocked traffic.

Police who are doing a good job should not lations and, at a time of economic crisis, enbe told they can’t continue their work because sure that we are not wasting a single dollar of of a few – yes, a few – bad actors. Police are taxpayers’ money.”

But here’s the thing. We already have a Mo- trained to protect and serve – not to target intor Vehicle Code that deals with headlights, dividuals based on race. If they are doing that, they should be fired. rear lights, turn signals, if your license plate Racial profiling exists, is a problem in our is falling off, tinted windows, if your bumper police department and has caused trauma for is busted, and a litany of other problems that may be wrong with your car. In any number many Philadelphians. There’s been plenty of debate whether police need better training, of cases, you could be pulled over.

The newly proposed modifications to the new criteria for hiring, or sweeping reform City Traffic Code are so long and convoluted altogether.

I don’t know the answer, but shouldn’t solvthey remind me of a chart I once saw of someone trying to make sense of a Brexit flow- ing the problem and coming up with a solution fall in the hands of the police commischart. sioner or the mayor to whom she serves? This Thomas’ Chief of Staff, Max Weisman, told me that Council, on its own, doesn’t have the is not a City Council issue.

The bottom line is this: Why create a new power to change the state vehicle code but that’s not what they’re trying to do anyway. law that allows people to violate an existing one? If you’re worried you have police doing He said what Council does have the power illegal, targeted traffic stops, you don’t need a to do is change how Philly police enact it. He said that his boss is merely trying to “really, new law. You need better police.

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STATE OF OUR CITY

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STATE Your own private igloo It seems like forever ago that the posher of the city’s populace were sipping craft cocktails and throwing back beers at Vesper Day Club – formerly known as North Shore Beach Club – formerly known as Monarch – formerly known as Arrow Swim Club. It’s been reimagined once again as Germantown Garden Grill (or GG Grill, for short.) The restaurant pivoted from adults-only pool to high-end, open-air steakhouse to save its skin in the midst of the pandemic, and it furnished its outside space with individual private-dining igloos. Each can be cleaned thoroughly between seatings.

OF OUR

CITY

OH, THAT SWEET NECTAR It turns out those spotted lanternflies – as annoying as they are – do actually help produce something people want – honey.

Bees are able to make honey from the nectar the lanternflies produce. And thus, “Doom Bloom” was born from the makers at the Philadelphia Bee Co. It’s currently only sold at the Christmas Village in Love Park and can be purchased for $14 a jar.

Contradiction in terms Conrad Benner, more popularly known as the blogger and podcaster @StreetsDept, recently penned a post for the Inquirer titled, “Safer at Home vs. Christmas Village: A tale of two City Halls.” In it, he points out that right after Mayor Jim Kenney laid out his new set of COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, he then opened up the Christmas Village at Dilworth Park and Love Park for food, shopping, ice skating, carousel riding and activities for the whole family. Benner asked in his article: “How can the city tell us we’re safer at home then invite us to come gather at City Hall?” That’s a good question, we think.

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STATE OF OUR CITY

THAT’S SAUCY!

ARE YOU READING THIS? GOOD. SO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS.

Not since 2017 did McDonald’s meat lovers get to taste the tangy, barbecue-sauce drenched goodness of the McRib sandwich. So get your napkins ready because it’s back in Philly now, but for a limited time. The cult classic – craved by some while detested by others – is also available to order through Uber Eats.

$22,000

That’s how much money in building materials Philly Reclaim gave out to anyone who claimed them as a community giveback during the first round of COVID-19 lockdowns.

The brick and mortar architectural salvage storefront is part of the deconstruction nonprofit Philadelphia Community Corps. They recently announced – once again – they’re going to offer an unlimited number of e-Coupons to anyone who claims them as a community giveback. It’s all in an effort to help people through this second economic shutdown.

Are your customers under 40? Engaged in the city? Chances are they read PW, and we want to help you get more of them. Our marketing team will help you build a multi-channel campaign that delivers REAL RESULTS, and new customers in the door.

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PERSONAL CARE AT SIMPSON HOUSE

Feel the Connection …WITH OUR COMMUNITY

Random things said in passing:

“At any point of time there’s about 23.7 billion chickens that live on the planet.”

At Simpson House, you’ll feel at home. You’ll find an exceptionally diverse and close-knit community with a neighborhood feel. And in stressful times like these, you’ll appreciate the way our experienced and friendly staff keeps you engaged, connected and healthy. We have an experienced team with proven practices in infection control, offer imaginative wellness programs, and have a geriatrician on-site.

We invite you to take a closer look at our newly updated residences. Schedule a private tour by calling 215-774-6668 or visit SimpsonHouse.org.

6abc photographer Yuri Gershman said to Action News reporter Maggie Kent while out reporting Monday afternoon.

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COVID CONVERSIONS How the virus forced local restaurateurs to change everything

L ‘Looking at COVID and this environment, while this is extremely challenging and truly tough for our industry, there is light – there will be another day,’ says renowned chef Jose Garces. Image | Olivia Garces

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

ast week, restaurateur is nice, and Marquis expressed hope that having a seat at the taNicole Marquis, foundble when it came time to making er of the Save Philly Restaurants coalition hard or arbitrary decisions on the representing 250-plus ecology and the economy of her business would be forthcoming area like-minded individuals, told me of her as an essential means of going forward into an uncertain future, meeting with Philadelphia City one that will surely stay Council. The topic of their pandemic-ly doomed until Zoom meeting was Mayor after January.

Kenney’s newest, harshest

BY A.D. “No. Neither Mayor restrictions on her indus- AMOROSI Kenney nor Health Comtry, ones thwarting restaumissioner Farley were rant trade and earning power, such as no indoor dining part of the Zoom meeting,” said until January (after much mon- Marquis quietly when asked, restraining either disdain, sadness, ey was spent by restaurateurs for safely distanced dining), few- resignation and-or some unholy combination of those emotions. er diners at outdoor tables, and Before you cry foul with, sudden moves – on what could’ve been the busiest, money-making “Aw, neither one of those men night of the season – such as shut- would’ve been part of said Counting off the spigot of alcohol sales cil session,” I say, “Hang on. And go fuck yourself.” at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve. If Mayor Kenney can stick his Talking is good, and talking

S

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PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY nose in people’s lives and Chef Walter Staib is moving on from City Tavern shift their business’ fortunes and onto the internet. Image | Phil Gajari at a moment’s notice, he can duck his head into a Zoom meeting. Kenney and Farley were also both invited to take part in the Zoom meeting and refrained.

Neither the mayor nor the health commissioner can help you now.

With these most recent city and state decisions wounding and killing off its share of small and big restaurateurs (Stephen Starr closed The Continental for the sake of refurbishing, but wouldn’t have, I’m guessing, if COVID didn’t kill off business), chefs and restaurant owners have had to rethink their business models or close shop.

In my previous PW cover on C-19’s culinary season, “Hunger Games,” I wrote early on about how this city’s fine dining entrepreneurs – like their brothers and sisters in taquerias, pizzerias, cheesesteak salons and Chinese dining spots – had shifted their models to include curbside pickup, take-out and delivery on their own or through third party apps. However, times have changed. The pandemic has now raged into its ninth month as of this story’s publication, and restaurateurs with big nuts to pay off will either have to find do,” he said. additional pivot points – or die.

Garces has directed and produced this This story, then, is about four local video line and is even curating their musical food-makers, chefs and restaurant owners selections that he’ll immediately put up with who have pivoted, by force or by design, and – their own original Spotify soundtracks.

“I’m highlighting mostly one-pot meals. at times – made the pandemic work for them, quite literally squeezing bittersweet lemonade Great for home cooks, but with a professionout of rotting lemons. In several cases, this al twinge to it. And the whole thing is focused pandemic timeframe has changed their busi- on what it is to be present and enjoying your surroundings. Being focused on the food, the ness models, even the ways they cook, forever. family and the friends you have sharing these Building a brand: Jose Garces’ new webmeals.” sites and multimedia options The ChefGarces dot com – his decidedly On the day after Thanksgiving, Jose Garces is doing his best to rest after having sold out personal and hands-on brand portal featuring hundreds of eight-course, turkey-based meals live cooking demonstrations, consulting serthrough his renewed Garces Trading Compa- vices, menu planning and such – is radically ny dot com. But, there is a soccer match he different from the Garces Trading Company site. The site will become a full inventory of must take his kids to, “actually a day worth of matches,” he said, laughing, about heading e-commerce for an upcoming line of Garces rubs and sauces, as well as a central hub for into the championships with his children. ordering take-out and culinary goods specific There is another episode of his upcoming “Cooking Space,” a soon-to-drop series of vid- to all of his restaurants. Some might expect eo shorts on his soon-to-launch ChefGarces. something from Tinto’s Basque menu and its newly-created Tinto Spanish wine shop, or com to wrap.

“They’re going to be six- to- eight-minute overstuffed burgers from that of its next door neighbor, Village Whiskey. Or his socially-disfood and music videos that are as much about cooking and eating good food as they are being tanced brand new re-do of Old City’s The Olde mindful, active and present in everything we Bar and its refreshed, reinvigorated all new

seafood menu. Or his West Philly Mexican eatery, Distrito, which not only recently became a pandemic-timed eaterie with outdoor patio dining and a window for take-out (only), but the hub of its own website, La Bodega (www. distritophilly.com/shop) where diners can shop for prepared and packaged foods, including fresh masa and huaraches, mole spice and truffle mushrooms, as well as Garces Meal Boxes, which feature full, pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step Mexican recipes.

Though Garces is sprucing up his storefronts – be it for eventual indoor dining or outdoor eating for four, or take out – it is the virtual, online world where Garces is making his mark in 2020, 2021 and going forward.

“I didn’t want to just jump into take-out and curbside and outdoor dining as soon as the city said I could in the first place. I took my time with all of this,” he said of physical dining, indoors and outdoors, in a post-March 2020, post-C-19 setting.

“I wanted to evolve our menus and our concepts as we’d do every few months. That’s how we have always run things, always persevered, no matter what else has happened. I mean, Amada has a 15th anniversary coming up. In restaurant terms, that’s unbelievable. That

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doesn’t happen unless you know when to roll with the changes, or how to keep on keeping on.”

While the city’s newest regulations make it so that all of his indoor renovations must wait (“I assumed we would go down this path for winter; it’s not shocking,” he says) and public safety is of utmost concern, the virtual world of positive messages and music video-filled websites, online sales and recipe tips is a fresh form of futurist branding, one that makes Garces the Elon Musk of the Philly culinary planet.

Hey, the guy is a Food Network Iron Chef. He’s already halfway there. “‘Cooking Spaces’ is a real bucket list thing for me, and to have it connected to mindfulness and being present – where I’m at now – just means the world to me. But, starting with the online La Bodega store in October, I saw the web as a way to hedge my bets – as who knew what would happen with restaurants and dining through this pandemic? People have to eat.

“How do we get them to eat good food in a safe way? We have a company in New Jersey [which] mills fresh corn masa for tortillas and huaraches. You can buy a 32-ounce bag of masa for tortillas. We’ll sell you the enchiladas filling and you can roll your own. Or Adobo chicken in bulk to make tortillas for a few days. The garlic, the lard, the pork shoulder – our gorditas and our recipe.

What could be better than having it be fresh and explained to you?”

Pandemics are lousy, fucked up things. No doubt. But Garces has been through some shit in his life – a 2018 bankruptcy with a rainbow at the end, a deal for his Garces Group to get relief from Ballard Brands and local investor David Maser to the tune of $8 million – and is pragmatic about getting through yet another season in hell.

“I would say that yes, that’s a fair assumption. But that is true and fair with life. I have had my chips down throughout my career and life. But the journey has been about looking past adversity and figuring how to train myself how to overcome that through positivity.

The last battle was certainly tough, and I was humbled by it and was appreciative of the fact that I could continue doing what I love to do. Looking at COVID and this environment, while this is extremely challenging and truly tough for our industry, there is light. There SEE RESTAURANTS, PAGE 8

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

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Partnerships are the key for Charisse McGill’s success, including the launch of French Toast Bites Ale. Image | Kory Aversa

RESTAURANTS, FROM PAGE 7 will be another day.”

Building partnerships: Charisse McGill’s French Toast Bites and beyond Philly’s Charisse McGill had only just developed and marketed a product that people loved – fresh, hot, beautifully homemade spiced French Toast Bites – before the troubles of COVID-19. Launching successfully outdoors at City Hall’s Christmas Village in 2018, McGill’s entire business model was based on the open air market and its economy.

“We made a name for ourselves at outdoor festivals such as The Roots Picnic at the Mann, Made in America at the Parkway and Christmas Village,” said McGill about staking her future on the great outdoors; 180-plus days’ worth of events and semi-permanent outdoor retail locations such as Northern Liberties’ Piazza Pod Park.

“You start applying for these things in January,” she said.

“We take off from January to March outside. But inside, I plan, schedule, get permits.

From April 1 to Dec. 31, we work nearly every day, somewhere outdoors in the city.”

In March, McGill’s Lokal Artisan Foods – French Toast Bites, Vegan French Toast Bites, Bacon on-a-stick! and her “Only French Toast Seasoning You’ll Ever Need” – was planning to take their show on the road for 2020, doubling their days’ output and expanding into food

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

halls and events across the eastern seaboard.

Until COVID. “Once they made the announcement of no events with no people, it hit me: I have no business,” she said.

“My whole business model is based on events and people. Not holding back here. I panicked.”

After talking to her friends at Better Box Twisted Egg Rolls with its locations in Fairmount, Northeast Philly and Southwest, they invited McGill to use their kitchens to make French Toast Bites and make them available for pickup at their newly-installed take-out windows, and for delivery on a third party app.

“I had never used DoorDash or Uber Eats, but I learned the ways of the third-party delivery system quickly,” said McGill.

“I’m used to made-to-order, right in front of you food and heavy customer engagement.

That was a learning curve.”

During this three-month partnership with Better Box, McGill was able to operate at 50 percent of her usual sales, while retaining her staff – two phenomenal feats that led to her next partnership, one with DoorDash selecting her to be on its national restaurant advisory council.

“What makes my situation unique is that I am the only mobile business and the only Black woman-owned business on the council, so my perspective is different from some of

the storefront owners,” said McGill.

“Storefronts have issues with commission fees. I don’t have issues with commission fees because my product is only one price. Want French toast? $7. Add bacon, it’s $10. Giving someone 30 percent for doing little more than just putting it up on your platform? I’m OK with that.”

McGill’s impact on DoorDash’s inaugural mainsheet conference and its initial discussion of putting (“and maintaining a presence”) Black-owned restaurants at the top of the site, led her to her next partnership – with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation asking her if she wanted an available shipping container for outdoor sales in late spring and summer.

“I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. That got me outside and back with the people where I belong.”

That also made McGill the first Black female food business owner-operator at Spruce Street Harbor Park in its six-year existence, and the receiver of enough publicity to put her in front of her next two partners.

First came Doylestown Brewing Company, which reached out to McGill to sample her French Toast Bites’ flavor profile for a new craft beer of their devising.

“I told him ‘yes,’ but that I also wanted to be a part of the process, from the mash to the canning.”

McGill’s 5.5% ABV brew, French Toast Bites

Ale and its sweet, smooth and toasted dessert taste came out in four-packs of 16-ounce cans on Oct. 30. Before the beer’s release, Philly’s billion-dollar owners of goPuff and its goBooze division were already looking for ways to work with McGill. Not only did goPuff partner with her and the Doylestown brewery to become French Toast Bites Ale’s first customer (goPuff bought out half of the first batch) to sell out the beer in its first 10 days, together they are working on ways to make McGill’s French Toast wares into pantry essentials.

Along with making a flash fried and dry version of “Bacon on a Stick!” available by Christmas (“We’re finishing up the nutritional aspects of the labeling now,” she says), McGill and her new suitors are working on frozen French Toast Bites for delivery and store sales.

“Plus, my spice sales are up like 100 percent more in 2020 than they were in 2019. People are home and in the kitchen now,” she said.

A local bourbon distiller, a Philly ice cream maker and an area coffee brand are all in the offing to become McGill’s next partners, at a time when McGill is just getting back to her roots this week: At the open air Christmas Village at Dilworth and Love parks.

Partnerships, then, are the key for McGill’s success and what she advises others in the food business to try.

“How I navigated 2020 was through strategic partnerships and responding to a changing marketplace while maintaining brand identity and relevance,” she said.

“I had something somebody wanted. They have something I wanted. Together, we could do and build something unique. Partnerships – combining resources. I don’t have a million-dollar brewery or a billion-dollar delivery set up. But I have this really cool product and I’m going to hit the pavement and sell it. That is what I have to offer – energy. Energy is the new currency. Just be agile enough to switch directions quickly and get out of your own way. Do what you have to keep your lights on.”

Building upon your talents: Walter Staib is moving on from City Tavern and onto the page As of the first week of November, Chef Walter Staib is no longer keeping the lights on at his historically accurate, decidedly tasty City Tavern, the Old City location he has operated (the building is owned by the Department of the Interior) since 1994.

“It was a bittersweet decision to leave,” said Staib on a Thanksgiving week morning, with his stalwart crew pulling up the valuables.

“And it’s not as if we didn’t try.”

Like so many other restaurateurs in a pandemic setting, Staib made a real, and pricey, go of getting around C-19.

The chef was in the midst of filming the next season of his Emmy-winning PBS show, “A Taste of History,” in the Galapagos Islands in February, isolated from television and newspapers, when he ran into a group of German tourists who told him about a terrible pandemic raging across Europe.

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ed dessert “We were talking to the minister of tourism unce cansthere about staying longer, perhaps moving toe, Philly’sward the Amazons, but decided to get back to nd its go-the U.S. early,” said Staib. g for ways No sooner than he landed and hit his City oPuff part-Tavern office, the chef found that the restaurewery torant was getting cancellations, left and right, st custom-from tour operators booking Staib’s usual retrst batch)inue of corporate and private diners from Jas, togetherpan, Italy, Germany and beyond. e McGill’s “Weddings, graduations, American Revontials. lutionary War History Museum visitors too; d and dry[parties and tourism] is our biggest trade. ailable byAnalyzing such a loss, by March 15, I told nutrition-the superintendent of parks to see if I could says), Mc-get permission to halt operations...We closed ng on fro-down, donated all of our perishables to God and storeand country, and waited.”

When Mayor Kenney said that outdoor 00 percentdining was permissible, Staib had the large 19. Peoplegarden. When Kenney said that indoor dining he said. was permissible at a certain percentage, Staib ice creamhad the room – a 300-person space for which all in thehe bought and built up the requisite socially ners, at adistancing Plexiglas walls and spacing markack to herers with as much historically accurate detail stmas Vil-as possible for City Tavern’s Colonial theme.

“I’m an optimist, so we made a beautiful r McGill’sgarden and we spent the money making evers in theerything safe, and the reaction we got was spectacular,” said Staib. gh strate- “We didn’t slouch, didn’t do burgers and changingwraps. We didn’t make you eat on a street. We nd identitydid our full menu. We baked our own bread daily. We never deviated from our usual qualnted. Theyity or quantity. And, the diners loved it. There we couldjust weren’t enough of them on the street. It rtnershipswasn’t just our place. I sat on City Tavern’s ve a mil-front porch, nightly, and there was no one ar deliverywalking around Old City. Lamberti’s across oduct andthe street had some action, which is good. But ell it. Thatyou could shoot a cannon through our garden ergy is theand our restaurant.“ to switch He’s got them too. your own Once Staib made the decision – before the lights on.”city did – to shutter for Thanksgiving, his : Walterbiggest day, the chef knew that things would vern andcome to an end for City Tavern.

“Again, it’s bittersweet for me to close, Chef Wal-but I saw no relief and no other way. There’s ghts on atno traffic out there. The tents that so many tasty Cityrestaurateurs want to put up: Can they guars operatedantee safety for the winter? They may be even rtment of more dangerous than indoor dining – ceilings are low. Air circulation isn’t happening. That’s eave,” saidimpossible to sustain a return.” ning, with What Staib is pivoting toward is his othuables. er enterprises. While he can’t hold his usual food-filled “Taste of History” events, he can s in a pan-maintain an active gift shop and website (giftnd pricey,shop.citytavern.com/) that not only sells his DVDs of his PBS program and new videos lming thesuch as “Superfoods with Chef Walter Staib” PBS show,– his new obsession geared toward heart apagos Is-health and good tastes – there’s more. Staib televisiondesigned 18th century-like ceramic tableware, a group of glassware geared for old(e) inns, and lead-free a terriblepewter items. There’s also his four best-selling cookbooks. And he’s working on anoth-

er, sales of which keep him busier than the restaurant did.

“Where the business comes is from the website. Mail order is flourishing. People buy books from all over the world, said Staib.

“The shows are running and people are home. They want to learn to cook how we do.

I’m packing them and taking everything to the post office every day. At least 65 items a day – books, mementos, videos. I’m glad we stayed and tried, but my biggest mistake was re-opening in the first place. People were afraid to come out. I could see it the minute the pandemic happened.”

Building out a boutique: Bibou’s Charlotte and Pierre Calmels At the beginning of the pandemic, I used to tease in Icepack how chef Pierre Calmels and GM Charlotte Calmels – the marrieds behind the Italian Market’s Bibou BYOB – were offering opulently rich and decadent French meals for amazing prices. As in author Evelyn Waugh’s “Vile Bodies,” if the world was going to end, one might as well gorge elegantly from Bibou’s curbside pickup meals, which sold out 200-plus three-course dinners a week.

The same is true of their newly-minted Bibou Boutique of French food items boutiquebibou.com/), to go with Pierre’s charcuterie, pate and cheese plates – all of which can be ordered starting 12:30 p.m. every Monday and picked up by the weekend (only). Pierre is still doing three-course dinners – just not 200 of them per week.

“It is true,” said Charlotte when asked.

“Some during this pandemic have found themselves more successful than they could have ever imagined.”

And that is uplifting. Even if it wasn’t an easy climb or an easy decision.

In March, not long after Charlotte had left her post at D’Artagnan French food sales, the pandemic hit. A small BYOB with a longtime family-like staff, Bibou and its crew huddled together when the restaurant closed, with Pierre feeding staff, family and roommates for the first six months.

“The difficulty wasn’t in cancelling reservations – they cancelled themselves,” said Charlotte.

“It was us feeding each other and making a living. Bibou is all that we do.”

Their opulent take-out menus were the couple and their three children in “survival mode,” she said. “To put cash on hand.”

At first they started doing 50 meals a week at $40 a head – a bargain at three times the price.

“It was not a lot of money to sustain a restaurant space and a family, but we made it work,” she said.

“You can’t take the artist out of the chef, or the chef out of the artist, and both were at work overtime here.”

Word of mouth and social media hit, and at late spring and summer’s peak, Bibou did 200 meals a week.

“We had our three girls working, really working, during summer vacation,” said

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Chef Pierre Calmels and wife Charlotte Calmels won’t be reopening Bibou – at least not as a restaurant. Image | Mike Prince Charlotte with a laugh.

It was, however, upon taking a break in September, that Pierre realized something marvelous. Not only were they making money, the family’s quality of life had blossomed.

“I was suddenly able to have dinner with my family every night and Sunday off,” said Pierre.

“I realized how much quality of life meant to me beyond running around and just running a restaurant 24/7. This is better – the experience of the last six months – than anything that has happened to me in the past 25 years.

Some days, now, I’m home at 5 p.m. Some at 8 p.m. I cook at home and eat with my family.

Before this, I was lucky if we ate together one night a week and I was exhausted. This was a different, better approach and organization to life and business.”

Over a snack of wine and marshmallows in September, the Calmels decided to strip Bibou BYOB of its tables and chairs and turn it into Bibou Boutique.

They made it a place where Charlotte could sell French food goods and Pierre could still cook 12 to 15 items for the store, to say nothing of meals they put up on social media at will.

At present, Bibou Boutique is not a walk-

in store, but one with curbside pickup and mail outs.

“We can’t keep the mustard in stock,” said Charlotte.

“I don’t know why we even take it out of the box...Charcuterie and dry goods. We wouldn’t be able to do both if we were in-person more often than just Friday and Saturday due to prep time and such.”

Which brings up an interesting point – successful and comfortable with life and money, why would they ever go back to Bibou BYOB once the pandemic is over?

They won’t.

“For me, Bibou, as a restaurant, is done,” said Charlotte.

While she expected the chef to have a different reaction, Pierre was mostly in agreement.

“Based on this experience, there is no reason to go back to being a restaurant. It is a shame and sad that the pandemic happened to make this discovery. I’m not getting younger.

What we did at Bibou over the last 10 years worked for us, but I still had to work hard.

Maybe we can do a Bibou restaurant some other time or place. But to go back to 15 to 20 hour days? I don’t think we’ll ever go back there.”

@ADAMOROSI PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

10

OPINION

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

WHY I REJECT

‘SYSTEMIC RACISM’ T

he moment of my real race awakening came in 1955 with the murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi for supposedly flirting with a white woman.

He was a 14-year-old Black boy from Chicago. I was a 14-year-old white boy from The Bronx. Maybe I felt some kind of teenage, Big City kinship with him. More than murdered, he was viciously tortured and the story splashed over the front pages of New York’s seven daily newspapers. You read that right – seven daily newspapers.

Emmett Till opened my eyes. Well, sure I knew the south was backward and bigoted, but I soon learned lynchings continued into the Jim Crow era, and African-Americans were routinely denied voting rights across the South. That I learned from my parents, who were unionists and socialists and devoted to the cause of equality.

When the civil rights movement blossomed, I was paying attention.

Across the South, but elsewhere, too, Blacks were not welcome in many hotels, and were forced into segregated seating on public transportation and in restaurants – when they were admitted at all – including at Woolworth lunch counters, the American icon.

There were occupations Blacks could not enter, communities where they could not live, schools they could not attend. I remember, with pride, when President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957 sent the 101st Airborne to Little Rock, Ark., to enforce the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 desegregation order. As the Allied hero of World War II, it anguished Ike to send U.S. troops to face U.S. citizens. But the law is the law, a lesson that seems to be slipping away today.

One notion that seems to be gaining is that the U.S. suffers from “systemic racism.” Even

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

itary, and diplomacy. This is not to say there is President-elect Joe Biden uses the term, deno discrimination, but remember what Barack spite having served a Black president, and Obama said when campaigning for president: standing next to the first Black/Asian wom“In no other country on Earth is an to be a heartbeat away from my story even possible.” the presidency. That would not Perhaps an exaggeration, but be possible in a “systemic racist” true nevertheless. Certainly not country. possible in a “systemic racist” When television came along, country, but possible in an egaliBlacks (and other minorities) tarian nation that still struggles were almost invisible. Today, with the remnants of racism. they star in their own shows.

No one blinks at Black network Many movie superstars are AfriTV anchors like NBC’s Lester can-American, who also dominate Holt and CNN’s Don Lemon. I much of the music business. remember when Trudy Haynes You can’t watch TV commerbecame the first Black on Philly cials without seeing Blacks as TV, on KYW Channel 3 in 1965, doctors, judges, engineers, parfollowed the next year by Edie ents. This is not trivial. AdverHuggins on NBC10. Each was a tisers select actors who will help friend. them sell their products and this @STUBYKOFSKY Because I have lived through normalizes them as everyday Emmett Till and segreAmericans, and not the “othgation and lynchings and er.” Don’t underestimate the Freedom Rides in which ability of television to create civil rights activists were new realities and to shape assaulted or murdered – public perceptions. where dogs and fire hoses Speaking of perceptions, were tools of “justice,” there are seven Black bilwhere Americans seeking lionaires in America. Would their just place were beat“systemic racism” allow that en and jailed – when I hear to happen? about microaggressions toThe National Basketball day, I can barely take them Association once was as seriously. white as the National HockAre you triggered if ey League is today. Today, someone asks a Black perno one even notices when son where he is from? Do an NFL team hires a Black quarterback. Almost every major American you believe that it’s “racist” to say the best person should be hired for a job? Or the term city has had a Black mayor, and Black mayors are scattered like dandelions across the “legal votes” is racist?

Here is my idea of racism: One great pleaonce-segregated South. Sheriffs, too. sure of my career was interviewing two Black African-Americans are increasingly promimen who were pilots with the famed Red Tails nent in the arts and in the sciences, in the mil-

STU BYKOFSKY

“The laws of the ‘system’ prohibit racism, so where it exists – and it does – it is a violation of the system, not a part of it.”

fighter squadron in World War II. The government was ambivalent about Black pilots, and their training at the Tuskegee Institute was brutal – 65 percent of the men washed out.

That meant those who got their wings were the best pilots America ever put in the air.

But neither of the two I interviewed could get a job as a pilot when the war ended. That was racism.

Angered, but not crushed, each turned to a different career path, and each was successful. That was America then.

It is not America today. I know idealistic young people are looking for a cause. It might be the environment, or unequal income distribution, or health care, or racial justice. Good on them.

That things aren’t what they should be does not mean they are not a million miles from what they once were.

The progress has been transformative, as we experienced a peaceful revolution, the growth and flowering of minorities in our midst.

This progress disproves that America is plagued by “systemic racism,” which means the system is racist. It is not.

Some point to police shootings of Blacks as proof of “systemic racism.” It is not. Those tragic shootings represent a microscopic fraction of Black interactions with police, and twice as many white people are shot by police.

The laws of the “system” prohibit racism, so where it exists – and it does – it is a violation of the system, not a part of it. But to see this clearly, you have to step back several decades for perspective. That’s where I stand and I welcome you to stand with me.

Stu Bykofsky served the Philadelphia Daily News as an editor, reporter and columnist for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2019. He now publishes at the centrist stubykofsky.com.

CRIME BEAT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE FEDS’ TAKEDOWN OF THE SOUTH PHILLY MOB O n Nov. 23, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment of 15 defendants accused of being members and associates of the South Philadelphia and South Jersey Cosa Nostra crime family.

The U.S. Attorney, William M. McSwain, announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment, which lays out a litany of crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and drug trafficking.

The indictment claims the South Philly organized crime group sought to use its reputation and influence to take control over criminal rackets, such as bookmaking and loansharking in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, particularly Atlantic City.

“During a period beginning in August 2015, 10 of the defendants allegedly conspired to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia LCN through both a pattern of racketeering activity and through the collection of unlawful debts,” the indictment read.

“The remaining five defendants are charged with allegedly committing a variety of other offenses, including conducting an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to make extortionate extensions of credit, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in partner-

on the corners with them as a teenager, and as ship with other members and associates of the a young man, I drank in bars and clubs with Philadelphia LCN.” them.

I read the 40 pages of the superAs a writer, I’ve covered the mob seding indictment. The defendants for many years. I’ve interviewed are accused of distributing heroin, Cosa Nostra boss Ralph Natale, who cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetbecame a cooperating witness. I also amine and oxycodone pills, illegal interviewed Phil Leonetti, the forgambling, loansharking, as well as mer Cosa Nostra underboss under an alleged conspiracy to kidnap or Nicodemo Scarfo. Leonetti became murder a drug dealer who sold mob a cooperating witness and testified members fake drugs. I’ve been told against Scarfo, his uncle, and oththat the FBI and the Philadelphia ers. police have been investigating at I asked Leonetti if he missed his least three suspected mob murders, former life and he replied, “No, but they are not mentioned in the it’s too cutthroat. Nobody is your indictment. friend. I don’t miss anything about “Thanks to the dedicated and that life. courageous efforts of federal law PAULDAVISONCRIME.COM “From when I was little, my uncle enforcement over the past several would tell me we don’t talk about decades, the Philadelphia mob isn’t our life to anybody,” Leonetti explained. what it used to be, and thank God for that,” “We don’t live by the same rules that everysaid McSwain. body else does. Like the laws they have in this “But it is still a problem and is still allegedcountry. If somebody bothers us, we’ll kill the ly committing serious federal crimes, which guy ourselves. We don’t go rat to the police. is why we at the Department of Justice are foThis is the environment I grew up in.” cused on stamping it out. We will not rest until When I interviewed Joe Pistone, the legthe mob is nothing but a bad memory.” endary FBI agent who went undercover with Being half-Italian and having grown up in a predominately Italian neighborhood in South the Bonanno crime family in New York for Philly – the hub and breeding ground of the six years using the cover of Donnie Brasco, a jewel thief, he said that people look at the mob Philadelphia Cosa Nostra – I know the culture. and see glamor in the criminal lifestyle.

I went to school with future wiseguys, hung

PAUL DAVIS

11

“You see the cars, the nice clothes and the guys don’t work, but what you don’t see is the inner-workings of mob life, the killings and stuff,” Pistone told me.

Pistone, who was a Naval Investigative Service special agent who served at the naval base in South Philly prior to becoming an FBI special agent, said that it was a stressful life.

“Every day is spent scamming, scheming and wondering how they are going to make money,” Pistone explained.

“The two things these guys worry about are going to jail and getting killed.”

The late Richard Zappile, a South Philadelphia Italian American who rose from a patrolman to become the Philadelphia Police Department’s First Deputy Commissioner, told me that the broad perception that everybody in South Philly was part of the mob truly bothered him.

“We can never destroy organized crime because the tentacles reach out too far, but I think right now in South Philadelphia, they are such a small element,” Zappile said to me back in 1994.

And it is still true today.

Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week. He is a Philadelphia writer who has written extensively about organized crime, cybercrime, street crime, white-collar crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

12

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

Costly projects won’t be missed Because of distance learning, teachers can’t assign extravagant and costly physical projects, and I, for one, am glad. I did not learn a thing from any of them. Not from the elaborate diorama of a biome, the three-dimensional depiction of a cell made from cake, nor from the life-sized medieval shield that I had to create. The same is true for many of my peers. So why, pre-pandemic, were we assigned them?

I asked some of my teachers that question, and often they’d justify those assignments by emphasizing a need for creativity. And that seemed to be a fair explanation.

That is until I considered what class we were talking about. When a need for creativity was offered as justification, it was for every class but art. So, what else could’ve been the reason?

In each of the aforementioned instances (though, there are many more) of physical projects being assigned, student understanding could’ve been demonstrated in other ways. Ways that did not require the creation of something costly and time-consuming. And given their use of some of the alternatives, like quizzes, essays, and oral presentations, teachers know – and knew – that there are other ways.

This means that they were choosing to assign physical projects in the face of resource-sparing alternatives, knowing that it

will cost students and their parents.

In all fairness, some schools mandate project assignments; not all teachers had a choice.

But for the teachers that did or who favor project assignments, why? For free wall décor? I have a lot of respect for teachers, and that is the last thing I’d want to believe.

But when you’ve had multiple teachers that have prefaced their pronouncement of an upcoming project with, “my walls are bare,” you are given no choice but to believe that was true.

Deeper in the abyss of wrong is that students were forced to do it using their own materials.

Teachers rarely provided what was needed.

For five days of every week, we woke up early in the morning, got dressed, and chased after our bus or train to get to school.

We spent eight hours in school, and even after we left, we were still doing school-related work. Then we went to sleep, woke up, and repeated. One would hope that everything done in that mundane, school-induced cycle was to the benefit of the student. That was not the case.

Time was wasted regularly, and among the most flagrant wastes of time was the assignment of physical projects that did not represent data.

The silver-lining of distance-learning has been the absence of that waste.

Jemille Q. Duncan | Philadelphia

Thanksgiving eve booze ban definitely made sense Editor’s note: This is in response to PW editor Jenny DeHuff’s Nov. 26 column: “State booze ban on Thanksgiving Eve a real bummer” Did you ever think that when people are

buzzed they are not as vigilant? I don’t think this is a stupid restriction at all, people could have stocked up in advance. The more restrictions, the better – my husband almost died from COVID. Your commentary is cavalier.

Fran Pollock | Philadelphia

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SHOUT OUT

Image | David von Diemar

In Voices this week, former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Reeve Swainston writes about how dangerous the city has become.

Your turn: Do you feel safe in Philadelphia?

If not, who’s to blame?

Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

VOICES OF OUR CITY

A letter to my beloved Philadelphia Dear Philadelphia, I was an assistant district attorney in Philly in the 1990s. Over the past two decades, I have prosecuted countless violent offenders, insidious Mexican cartels, hostile gangs, and much more as a federal prosecutor in New Mexico. I am now retired.

I write to express my sadness for a once great city. Over the past two years, I have traveled to Philly numerous times for medical procedures at Jefferson Hospital. You are fortunate to have some of the best hospitals and doctors in the country. During a recent visit, I left knowing I would never return. Philadelphia has simply become too dangerous. It broke my heart to realize that the risks to my family and I are just not worth the upside to securing high-quality medical care in a city I truly love.

As a federal prosecutor, I know firsthand that effective prosecutions of dangerous and violent offenders will unquestionably result in safer communities. It is often recidivists who commit the vast majority of crimes, thus the effective strategy of prosecuting and imprisoning the “worst of the worst” by itself can have a dramatic impact for even the most vulnerable communities.

During my visits, I met with some of your exhausted police officers, criminal defense attorneys (some of whom I worked with many years ago), and regular citizens who are innocent victims of your crime epidemic. What I learned from these discussions is that Philadelphia has become a lawless city where violent, repeat offenders know that their cases are unlikely to be prosecuted. Should your useless district attorney, Larry Krasner, actually decide to prosecute a particular case, those arrested know full well that they will likely be released within hours of their arrest, able to offend again. Perhaps worse, even if they are actually prosecuted and convicted, these offenders also know their sentences will likely be so lenient that even they come away surprised by their good fortune. I was told that many of the cases referred to the district attorney for prosecution end up being dismissed

for non-prosecution, an utterly disgraceful way for any criminal case to end.

As I walked around the city, I saw private security officers everywhere. You are so overrun with crime that even Wawa has security, something I found quite staggering. Some of the defense attorneys I know personally told me they are effectively useless since those arrested for even violent offenses know that Krasner is the only lawyer they really need – his formula for prosecution being non-prosecution. I have a feeling criminal defense attorneys have had to either reduce their fees or pursue other kinds of cases since Krasner took office. Why even bother getting a lawyer if your case is likely to be dismissed anyway? Just show up to court – nothing will happen.

The officers I talked to were utterly distraught by what’s happening in the communities they serve.

They explained how they see the same offenders they’ve previously arrested over and over again. As long as drug cases, robberies, property crime, and crimes of violence go unprosecuted (like the recent, appalling assault on an innocent woman at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul), and such offenders are treated like victims instead of criminals, Philadelphia has no hope to dig its way out of this chaos. By the way, do not believe Krasner and others who use the term “non-violent drug offender,” which is often used as an excuse not to prosecute or under-prosecute drug criminals. I assure you, from years of experience, that there is no such thing. One of the lessons I learned from prosecuting the cartels is that all drug offenders belong to an inherently violent occupation, and all must be prosecuted aggressively to make a difference.

I am praying for you, Philadelphia. I love you and hope that you can find your way out of this madness. But sadly, until you rid yourself of your crime-friendly radical representatives in your city government, including Krasner and your equally apathetic mayor, Philadelphia will continue to drown in this maddening wave of crime and violence.

Reeve Swainston is a former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney under Lynn Abraham, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico, and a former U.S. Marine machine-gunner. This article was originally published at Broad + Liberty. Follow them on Twitter @BroadAndLiberty

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GOSSIP

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ICEPACK

14

TOKING

TAKE

Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in Philadelphia

O

Image | Ahmed Zayan

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

f course I’d say this, that Phila- caine, heroin, meth, ecstasy, LSD, psilocybin, delphia police and city officials methadone and oxycodone on me and get a should follow Oregon’s lead ticket or face a $100 fine for less money than from the weekend and adopt a trash violation is a tasty proposition. I may the Beaver State’s newjust get some (some what? Name it) to est laws decriminalizing keep with me, like a rabbit’s foot or a the possession of small four leaf clover.

BY A.D. amounts of drugs that AMOROSI Another success will take effect Feb. 1, 2021, (the law, not If this week’s PW cover is all about the drugs. Hell, the drugs are kicking local restaurateurs making lemonade in right … about … now). And, like Oregon’s from lemons, South Philly’s Bitar’s MediterHealth Authority, substance abuse programs ranean / Middle Eastern Grocery and Takestatewide that get funding should get it from Out fits the bill. I didn’t realize it as I was monies that the state receives from any marigetting my cover together, but the 10th and juana sales tax revenue.

Federal corner shop is running game for eight For those who keep discussing the merits of separate brand menus in a successful ghost defunding the police – of which I am not fond: kitchen for Future Foods, the home and purI didn’t buy a house in South Philly so that I veyor for virtual restaurant brands such as COULDN’T have loud disputes with my neighSaint Pita, Beverly Hills Platters, Hummus bor or shoo away drunks from my steps or yell Hero, Bob’s Kabobs, Mediterranea Rice Bowls, at a vendor on Ninth Street because my beard Fabulous Falafel and Pangea Banquet. got singed from the flames from an industrial Brian Walker project waste can, burning year-round, and all withLike Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes say, if you out the benefit of official intervention – such don’t know Philly’s Brian Walker by now, you radical decriminalization is a positive boon. may never ever, never ever knowwwwwwwIf Philly would adopt the Oregon law, area ww himmmm. But, here is your chance. Long cops could save that valuable time for better considered a lovely and communal musician/ things, such as attending loud union meetcomposer for his ongoing “A Day Without ings and making fun of the police commish’s Love” project, his new collaborative epic, handsomely decorated nail polish. Plus, not “Mega Jawn,” finds him paired – at his urging that I’m holding anything now, but that fact and through “A Day Without Love” – with 15 that I could keep a teensy tiny amount of codiverse artists from Philadelphia, Los Ange-

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY les, Washington, D.C., Chicago and parts of New Jersey. Pulling from each of their sonic brands and co-compositional skills (a portion of the “Mega Jawn” compilation’s co-songwriters include Philly’s Alexandra Kay March, Marcelyn, Jake Detwiler and more), the fruit of their labor is released Dec. 4.

Real estate moves The hotel and tourism business in Philly, like every other business here, is sliding down the tubes. So, while you were sleeping, something huge happened: The gihugic and monumentally historic Neo-Classicist Family Court Building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, intended for purchase to the Peebles Corporation – the hoteliers behind famed D.C. spaces such as 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel – has found itself on the market again as both parties terminated the agreement of sale for the potentially boutique-oriented property. Is this a case of changing finances and cash figures at a time when the travel economy is loopy? No matter. 1801 Vine is up for grabs.

Masked Philly: Thomas Bauer In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during C-19’s Image | Courtesy Thomas Bauer pandemic, I reached out this week to Thomas Bauer, the president of the just-opened Christmas Village in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park.

Before you start thinking, “Now, there’s a guy who only works for two months a season,” yerrrrrrrrr wrong. Dead wrong. Bauer is on the job 365 days a year. Like everyone else, COVID-19 has made working for home de rigeur with his downtime spent fashioning a new health regimen.

“My first thought was that I’d spent more time jogging and running, as I had more time

on my hands with less meetings and less work scheduled. So I usually got out in the early morning, way before work, and was able to step up my distances so that I could easily do a half marathon. Overall, I feel healthier now.”

Being healthier, personally, also pushed him to gather the nuts of knowledge about health in his industry. “Working in the event industry, I obviously also learned a lot about hygiene and mitigation protocols to stop the virus from spreading. I was impressed to read that all the simple mitigation measures might have a role in reducing transmission in future influenza seasons and other diseases, too.”

The mask he wears comes from a local designer purchased during the pandemic downtime, when Thomas was spending time with his family back in Germany. “This face mask reminds me of time spent with my family and how much that means to me,” he said. “The colorful and pleasant patterns make me aware that an intense and joyful time with the family is priceless. I will, however, definitively shop more cool facemasks at Christmas Village. I saw a couple of Phillythemed musthaves.”

When he takes off the mask at the new socially distanced and seated Christmas Village, Bauer will enjoy a Kölsch lager beer that Brewery Techne at Bar Hygge on Fairmount Avenue brewed exclusively for the Village. “Obviously I cannot wait for masks to go forever to bring back more events and customers to all the craft market regular small businesses suffering these days. For now, I’m excited to still have a socially distant version of the holiday festivities. This may remind us: it’s not about superlatives, but to make the best of a situation.”

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MUSIC

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

CATCHING UP WITH CHRISTINNA O Philly-based artist melds R&B and poetry

Philly’s Christinna O recently released a new single, ‘Braided,’ a clear-eyed manifesto on self-love and how love for others and reverence of those who came before help in actualizing it.

Image | Kenya Naomi

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

A

rare queer voice in R&B, 20-yearold Philly-based Christinna O is also a rising spoken-word poet who’s competed in the NAACP’s national slam poetry competition and led Temple University’s poetry collective Babel, a tight-knit group of poets, rappers and musicians. She found her way to music and poetry in her early teens while being homeschooled in Miami to avoid bullying she’d faced in school. At home, Christinna figured out how to use Pro Tools; pulling beats from YouTube, making melodies on her dad’s Yamaha keyboard, and topping it with her self-produced and self-engineered vocals. She developed a small but devoted following on SoundCloud with her self-released mixtape, “The Violet Tape,” (made at age 14), EP, “Abide,” (released as a senior in high school), and standout single, “Milk Carton.”

Her inventive, thoughtful melding of R&B and poetry found its way to a few Christinna O found her way to music and poetry in her music industry tastemaker early teens while being homeschooled in Miami to avoid ears, leading her to conbullying she'd faced in school. Image | Kenya Naomi nect with Rogét Chahayed (“Sicko Mode,” “Sky Walklong time, I kept the two quite separate. I was er,” “Broccoli”) and Wes Singerman (Rich who came before help in actualizing it.

Brian, Tyus, L Devine) who produced her dePW recently caught up with Christinna to not used to blending spoken word poetry with my music creations. I kept the creative protalk about her music and poetry. but single, “Shelter,” released in winter 2018.

PW: You found your way to music and cess of poetry and music separate for a very Christinna quickly followed up the release long time up until the past two years. I was with a second single, “Lay It Down,” a song poetry in your early teens while being howritten about finding validation in vulnera- meschooled in Miami to avoid bullying constantly writing poems and trying to perform them wherever I could, and then often bility and which garnered praise from NPR you’d faced in school. How did music and I would go home to my studio in the (Slingshot 10 must-hear songs from Philadel- poetry help you get through this hallway and make music, then post phia), The Line of Best Fit, KCRW, Milk Me- time? that on SoundCloud, but I never realCO: During that time, my musidia, Elevator Mag, The Wild Honey Pie, and

BY EUGENE ly paired the identities together. cal and poetic expression replaced more.

ZENYATTA It was truly my loved ones, includIn 2019, Christinna released her debut EP, the feeling of being heard. I was exing my manager, who really encourtremely isolated, especially from my “Girl In Passing.” The nine-track collection aged me to explore the melding of the peer group and all the while trying to rides the pop-funk bounce wave, punctuated by three interludes that showcase her poetic navigate a journey of finding my identity. Also two mediums. I usually feel like I am in two different roles as a poet and a singer-songwritwhile channeling my feelings, my thoughts, abilities and innermost thoughts. my confusion, my findings through art, I er. I don’t write poems the way I write songs “‘Girl In Passing’ speaks of lessons learned so much about myself. I may have and vice versa. But now, as I meld the two, I learned,” Christinna says of the EP. “In this life that we are all passing through, learned more about myself than the average look at both of them to illustrate a different that is always turning anew, this is my ac- teen because I had so much time looking in- aspect of feeling in a record. It allows me to address all the details of an experience. It count of current times and conscience. ‘Girl in ward without much noise. gives the music a necessary depth, I believe.

PW: You’ve been successful melding muPassing’ is art and soundscapes of the times, PW: What inspires your poetry? and of the feelings we know so well that pres- sic and poetry. How did you come up with CO: Often what inspires my poetry are the that combination? Why are you drawn to ent themselves differently every time.” experiences that constantly feel indescribable. this approach?

She recently released a new single, “BraidIndescribable in pain or joy. I find there’s a CO: Music and writing have been my pased,” a clear-eyed manifesto on self-love and challenge to find the words to describe this sions for as long as I can remember, but for a how love for others and reverence of those

MUSIC

17

experience of being alive sometimes. Language suddenly comes up short. So, I am always challenging myself on how well I am able to tap into the life that I’m living and make words touch the feeling. It’s hard.

I only have so many words but a lifetime of new experiences.

PW: Talk a little about “Braided.” How did it come together? What’s the message behind it?

CO: “Braided” is a really, really special track because it’s the first track of mine that I’ve produced and written. Since quarantine started, I have been dedicating a lot of my time to teaching myself production. I was in the living room one evening and I had my laptop and MIDI controller. I did some simple chops on this guitar sample I found. I then found some gritty stomps and kicks. Shortly after nailing a loop, I memo’d the hook and everything else followed.

“Braided” is a new expression of my love for the ones that have come before me, to make me who I am.

A new expression of my love to the ones closest to me today. To say “we’re braided” is to acknowledge the depth and uniqueness of our love, our magnetism, and our protection in it.

PW: What’s next for you? Where do you see yourself and your career in five years?

CO: I wish I knew what was next for me, but I have an idea of what the next five years could look like. I see myself pushing out thoughtful music and connecting with the world as much as I can through the music.

I also see myself songwriting for some of our favorite artists today. I have quite a long list of artists that I feel like I could paint pictures for...I also want to say I’ll be surrounded by some of the best producers and top-liners that this industry has. I see myself creating bridges within the music industry – finding new ways to bring people together through music.

PW: How can your fans stay up-to-date with you and hear your work?

CO: Everyone can connect with me best on Instagram and Twitter and every music platform! I’ll have a YouTube with more creative insight to my work soon. Looking forward to sharing more.

IG: @StinnaO Twitter: Shutupstinna

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

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MUSIC

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400 BEARS Paul Wilkinson’s solo project drops its debut LP

4

son singing lead vocals and playing 00 Bears, the folk, Ameriguitar. cana and blues solo projOf his bandmates, Wilkinson says, ect of guitarist and songwriter Paul Wilkinson, “They both are high-level cats that recently released its de- can take their talents in any direction to serve the tune. We’ve got a great but, self-titled LP. Nine of the 10 tracks were written groove going.”

The acoustic lineup features Pat

by Wilkinson and influenced by the Hughes (formerly of Mason subtlety of Mississippi John Porter) on drums, Brad HinHurt, the charisma of Taj ton (Wilkinson’s frequent Mahal and the omnipresence

BY EUGENE duo partner) on dobro, and of Bob Dylan in the songCharlie Muench (Joe Hillwriter’s life. The 10th song ZENYATTA man Band, The Stray Birds) is the traditional “Take This on bass guitar. For the past Hammer,” and was recorded 15 years, Wilkinson has been in quarantine with each of a member of the Philadelphia roots the players recording their individrock mainstay Mason Porter and has ual parts at home culminating in a performed with Katherine Rondeau, nine-minute musical adventure.

According to Wilkinson, “[it’s] The Rolling Thunder Blues Revue and It’s About The People! proof that maybe dreams do come Wilkinson is (mostly) a self-taught true. It wound up being a perfect way guitarist and bassist who’s been to close out the record.” playing since the age of 12. Raised 400 Bears was produced by the Grammy-nominated Glenn Ferracone in a musical family in North Central and recorded live at The Music Centre Pennsylvania, Wilkinson left his fulltime day job in 2015 to pursue music in Chester Springs. The album features a mix of electric and acoustic professionally. In addition to his 15year involvement with Mason Porter, arrangements and two specific sets of players for each style that enhance he plays solo shows, duo shows with and buoy Wilkinson’s songwriting. a rotating cast of talented musicians The electric trio began performing and has performed at the Philadelphia Folk Fest with several different regularly in 2019 and consists of organist Scott Coulter, drummer Josh outfits, including Mason Porter, The Wallace Brothers Band and Brad Steingard (Mason Porter) and Wilkin-

400 Bears, Paul Wilkinson’s solo project, recently released its debut LP. It is available on most streaming platforms now. Image | Ron Adelberg Photography

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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MUSIC

spiring musician friends: Brad Hinton, Scott Hinton’s Band.

With Mason Porter, Wilkinson has opened Coulter, Charlie Muench, Josh Steingard, Pat Hughes, and Luke Ferracone) to make the vifor the likes of Ralph Stanley, Charlie Daniels, sion a reality. It feels really great to have the Greensky Bluegrass, New Riders of the Purple Stage, Cabinet, Melvin Seals & JGB and record done and hearing from people who has performed on stages, including Ardmore they are enjoying it and what they enjoy about it. The album, “400 Bears,” is available on Music Hall, The Colonial Theater, The Kesmost streaming platforms now – Spotify, Apwick Theater, World Cafe Live and WXPN’s ple Music, etc. CDs Free at Noon. The and digital downband also hosts the loads are available Midnight Mountain at 400bears.bandMusic Festival ancamp.com. nually in Blakeslee.

You wrote nine During the coroof the 10 tracks on navirus pandemic, the album. Where Wilkinson taught do you find your himself how to play inspiration for the pedal steel on your songs? loan from his uncle.

I need to provide 400 Bears will be space for inspiraperforming live in tion. A drive, time support of its debut practicing, reading, as soon as humanly writing. You just possible. PW recentdon’t know when ly caught up with something that Wilkinson to talk works will arrive about the new music but something will and his career. hopefully pop up Let’s go back after putting in the to the beginning. time/work.

This When did you first record, a lot of the become interestsongs were inspired ed in music? Who by one particular were some of your line that I had and early influences? then fleshed out the Growing up the song around it. youngest of four You’ve been a with lots of music part of the Philly in the house. The music scene for floodgates were more than a deopened once I startPaul Wilkinson has performed at the Philadelphia cade – as a member ed getting into the Folk Fest with several different outfits, including of Mason Porter, Grateful Dead and Mason Porter, The Wallace Brothers Band and Brad performing at the Bob Dylan. What a Hinton’s Band. Image | Ron Adelberg Photography Philadelphia Folk conduit to American Fest, etc. What’s roots music. There’s the Philadelphia music scene like these a mystery and magic to those early blues/folk days? Are there any local artists you espefield recordings that is inspiring.

Where did the name 400 Bears come cially like listening to or performing with?

It has been great to see what musicians from?

Sometimes naming a band can be fun and have done to adapt. Muscle Tough did a series sometimes impossible. The thought of 400 of “Tough Transmissions” that were really Bears excites me. It felt right and provides cool! Collaborations from home recordings room creatively for wherever the music will and videos have been great creative outlets.

The Groove Merchants just crushed a live want to go.

Under 400 Bears, you recently released stream from the Sellersville Theatre.

What are your plans after the pandemyour debut, self-titled LP. How did it come together? What’s been the response from ic passes and some of the restrictions are your fans, and what are the best ways that eased? Live performances? More new music?

Get out and play when it’s possible. Hit the they can hear the album?

After Mason Porter’s last album in 2016, we road a bit. Keep writing and recording. Just to sort of slowed down a bit. I had recently left keep on keepin’ on.

Find 400 Bears Online: my full-time day job to pursue music as a career. Hammering down locally mostly for the Official: www.400bears.com Facebook: facebook.com/400bears past four years (214 gigs in 2019), it was time to make a record. Glenn Ferracone started Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chanthe ball rolling and encouraged me to come to nel/UCTfr5iMTzPLdYn7lejEyyAQ his studio and get to work. I called on my in- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/400bears

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THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

How we’re getting into the holiday spirit

Even though COVID and all of the restrictions that come with it have put a damper on holiday happenings, we managed to round up a few things that – at least at the time of publication – were still happening, either online or in-person.

Virtual Historic Holidays Tree Lighting Historic Holidays in Old City continues online this year with the fourth annual Historic Holidays Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6:15-6:30pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tree lighting will be streamed live via Old City District’s Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/OldCityDistrict from the Betsy Ross House. The holiday tree is designed by Old City’s Petit Jardin en Ville, a Parisian florist and garden designer. Please note, the tree lighting is not open to the public.

DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Menorah Lighting Ceremony

On the first night of Hanukkah, the Old City Jewish Arts Center hosts the Menorah Lighting at the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Menorah Lighting will be streamed live via Old City District’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ OldCityDistrict at 4:30pm on Dec. 10.

Holiday Art Show

The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, distinguished as the oldest outdoor art show in the U.S., and deemed the nation’s No. 1 fine art show in 2020, will be offering a virtual holiday pop-up gallery through Dec. 15. The 93-year old tradition of annually sharing fine art in Rittenhouse Square of Center City Philadelphia in June and September was transformed to an online art exhibition in 2020. This virtual format allows the RSFAS to now offer original fine art for holiday season gift-giving. This holiday pop-up gallery will feature the work of 53 jury-selected professional artists from all over the U.S. and Canada. All artwork will be available for purchase through Dec. 15 on the RSFAS website’s online gallery at www.rittenhousesquareart.com.

Old City Window Decorating Contest

Historic Holidays in Old City kicked-off on Nov. 28 with the return of a charming new holiday tradition, Old City’s Window Decorating Contest. Wander the historic streets of Old City and view the delightful displays designed by local shops, restaurants, galleries, salons, spas, and more. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite design, while practicing all safety guidelines and protocols. The contest will end on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 5pm. Visit oldcitydistrict.org for information on how to vote and complete contest rules.

The window designs will be on display through the New Year. https://www.oldcitydistrict.org/holidays

Snow Queen Brunch

Germantown Garden Grill (1029 Germantown Ave.) and Glu Hospitality will host A Dash of Magic Events for the first-ever Enchanted in Northern Liberties: Snow Queen Brunch at the Igloos. Families are invited to get frozen at the Igloos at one of Philadelphia’s largest outdoor restaurants on the deck of the former Vesper Day Club and Pool. This special open-air dining experience is perfect for kids of all ages who love Elsa and Disney. It happens Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are on sale now at www.germantowngarden.com.

THE RUNDOWN

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21

Black Violin

Black Violin, with nearly 20 million views on YouTube, will be the special guest at Musicopia’s and Dancing Classrooms Philly’s annual High Note High Step Event on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3:30pm. Usually an in-person breakfast, this year’s High Note High Step has been reimagined as a virtual event using Remo: a unique, interactive, and immersive online platform. The event is free, but registration is required. The High Note High Step will be an uplifting way to end the weekend, with guests experiencing how Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly are using the arts to impact the lives of children throughout the Philadelphia region.

Register and get more info at givelively.org.

COVID means you have to look a little harder for things to do these days. So, we did just that and came up with these upcoming events.

Image courtesy: Kimmel Center

Films, stories and more around the town PFS Drive-In at the Navy Yard

The Philadelphia Film Society announced, after a very successful four-month run, that the PFS Drive-In at the Navy Yard, presented

by Wavelength Productions and the John L. and James S. Knight Foundation, will remain open through the end of 2020. In addition to holiday movies, the season’s offerings will also include “The Prom” from director Ryan Murphy and starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kerry Washington; “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” from director George C. Wolfe and starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman; the dual Christmas Day releases of the highly anticipated “Wonder Woman 1984” from director Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, and “News of the World” from director Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks. For tickets and showtimes, visit Filmadelphia.org/ NowShowing

Virtual StorySlam: Now What?

What better time than the end of the year to sit back and ask ourselves, “Now what?” At some point, we all find ourselves at a crossroads or an impasse with no directions to guide us, and everyone has a story about whether they found the answer from within or from without. Whether you come with a story, or an ear to hear one, chart a new course and the question begs to be answered: “Now what?” First Person Arts. Zoom. Dec. 15, 7:30 8:30pm. Visit firstpersonarts.org for details.

D-Pad from Theatre Exile

D-Pad explores the world of independent gaming through the lens of wunderkind developer Alex as she creates something beyond entertainment. Written with humor, thoughtfulness, and humanity, D-Pad follows Alex as she finds herself in a nightmare of production delays, self-doubt, and a rabid fan base. Interactions with real and virtual characters lead Alex into self-isolation as she struggles with family and in her male-dominated industry.

Through Dec. 13. Visit theatrephiladelphia.org for all of the details.

DIY Cocktail Kits

Art in the Age, Old City’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply and bottle shop, is crossing off imbibers on every holiday shopping list this year with the addition of its new gift packages, featuring all-inclusive DIY cocktail kits ranging from Beginner Bartender to Martini – available now through the holidays for purchase online and via curbside pick-up. Check out three allinclusive cocktail kits containing every element needed to craft the perfect libation; from whiskey to bitters and mixing glasses to bar spoons – plus, an ultimate Art in the Age fan package, including a branded glass, flask, tote, mug and more. All four gift packages are available for purchase now for $120 each. www. artintheage.com

Book Review: Women of Color In Tech

Join Venture Café Philadelphia online as they review “Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators” with guest readers and technology leaders in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Thursday, Dec. 10, 4–5pm. Free. eventbrite.com

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

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AM I BI OR

LESBIAN? Timaree answers your questions

Q: How do I know if I’m straight, bisexual sometimes makes it clear who is and is not or gay? safe.

For most of my life, I assumed I The downside of labels is that was straight. Then I started to rethey strip away nuance and can alize the way I looked at other girls make us feel limited by the expecwasn’t the same way that my othtations and stereotypes associater female friends did and realized ed with the words. When it comes I might be bi. I started hooking up to sexuality – which very often with and dating women, soon met changes over a lifetime – a label my girlfriend and pretty quickly can even be a hindrance to growth. found myself in the best relationI asked a few people how they ship of my life. So, I figured I must came to their current labels and actually be a lesbian. heard some interesting stories.

I came out to my family and Here is a sampling: they were supportive, which was “I like queer as an umbrella. It nice. Years later, I’m not so sure sounds cool and for me it creates anymore. I still find myself attractsolidarity amongst me, my fellow ed to men and occasionally think I b’s and the l’s the g’s and the t’s. I @TIMAREE_LEIGH might miss sex with them. Is there also use bisexual because it is its a way to measure yourself on the own sexuality. I’m not gay. I’m not Kinsey scale and determine the right label? straight.” – Jessica A: What a whirlwind. Frankly, it sounds “When I first came out, I decided it was like you’re killing safer to say I was a it, so kudos to you, lesbian than to be your girlfriend and honest about being your supportive bisexual. It was family.

1998 and the biphoPerhaps the most bia was deep at the important question time! After far too is what the purpose many really sad of the label is to years of that not you. What do you really working out, want it to do? Is it I finally stopped important that it caring what other be a settled issue or people thought and are you OK with peproudly came out riodic updates? again as pansexuA label is shortal.“ – Feenyx hand that helps you “I still don’t find your people fucking know. But and convenientnow I don’t feel ly convey facets like I have to. I use of your identity. gay and queer beShared language makes it easier to locate each cause they’re umbrella enough to cover, well, other and when it comes to LGBTQ identities, anything I’d count myself as.” – Faust

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Real Men. Real Community.

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“We are (hopefully) always growing and changing as people, and as we get the opportunity to do more data collection (*insert squeaking bed noises*), we find out what we like and don’t.”

R

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“Through middle school and high school [I] had moments where I was unsure of where I might fall on the spectrum...But after having conversations with close friends and even experimenting, (I hate the word experimenting but my brain cannot currently give me a better word) realized that I rest more on the side of being a heterosexual.” – Jeff “I didn’t realize I was bi until I figured out I was also asexual. And that one didn’t click for me until I immersed myself in sex-positive narratives and really the and is notunderstood meaning of pleaels is thatsure and ENTHUe and canSIASTIC consent. the expec-I fluctuate a lot unassociat-der the umbrellas n it comesof these identities ery often(sometimes on a – a labeldaily basis) and to growth. carry around plenhow theyty of imposter synabels anddrome about both, g stories.so I would often just use queer as a label mbrella. Itin spaces where I it createsdon’t feel safe or my fellowable to express nud the t’s. Iances. I also like usse it is itsing queer to remind ay. I’m notmyself that sexuality is fluid and I ed it wasdon’t have to have ay I was aall the answers all han to bethe time.” – Jenny bout being Clearly, you’re It wasfar from alone in the bipho-having a fun time eep at thenavigating which er far tooteam’s flag to fly, eally sadand not the only that notperson who shifts rking out,over time. stopped Our orientations hat otherare a mix of genetic ought andpredisposition and came outlife experience. We pansexu-are (hopefully) alnyx ways growing and ill don’tchanging as people, know. Butand as we get the don’t feelopportunity to do e to. I usemore data collection (*insert squeaking bed queer be-noises*), we find out what we like and don’t. over, well, On top of that, our behaviors are dramatist cally impacted by our circumstances: Wheth-

?

SEX WITH TIMAREE er you live in a place that is accepting of sexual diversity and expression, if you are socially free to date whomever you please, and even if you have the free time to get in all the fucking that you want.

You mention the Kinsey scale, which was how biologist Alfred Kinsey charted survey data about people’s sexual behavior – or at least the gender of their partners.

But looking over one’s past loves and hookups is a limited lens. There are very few people who have had sex with every single person they ever found attractive, and plenty of people who have had sex with partners that they were only – meh – about. Hardly anyone would contend that you can’t call yourself heterosexual unless you’re currently sexually active with a person of a different gender, but sometimes people think lesbian, gay and bisexual people have to pass some kind of threshold to get to self-identify.

Behavior is only one facet of how you can choose to identify yourself, sexually. You can pick a label that captures the maximum scope of your interests or decide on one that operates as a sorting device to keep away the people you’re definitely not interested in. I suggest you go with literally whatever feels right and good to you.

Have a question for Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly. com.

“Our behaviors are dramatically impacted by our circumstances: Whether you live in a place that is accepting of sexual diversity and expression, if you are socially free to date whomever you please, and even if you have the free time to get in all the fucking that you want.”

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THE

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Riding high!

Seemingly not sweatin’ the stressors of the day, this kid popped a wheelie on his bike and flashed our photographer friend HughE Dillon a big smile on Nov. 21 in Center City. Thanks for the capture, HughE! We want to host your pics in an upcoming issue. Send them our way via mail@philadelphiaweekly.com or tag us on social media using the hashtag #PWBigPic.

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REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY                                                                       

                                                                    

                                                                   

                                                                

                                                                                                 

                                                                                           

“QUARANTINE IS KILLING ME! I CAN’T STAND THE INSIDE OF THIS APARTMENT ANYMORE!” -Literally Every Young Person in Philly Philadelphians have been trapped in their house for months. Work from home, eat at home, live at home. They’re craving a change of scenery.

Don’t wait for them to start searching online.

Give PW readers a reason to move today.

Contact sales@philadelphiaweekly.com today to get your property listed.

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DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Looking to Move Up?

600 Addison St 19147 Two Bedroom, two bath from $2,100 A premium location in Society Hill for spectacular, new construction rentals in this boutique building. Full size elevator service to all floors. Site finished, hardwood floors; Samsung appliances; stone counters; custom window treatments; glass shower doors; soaking tubs; washer/dryer in each unit. Walkscore calls this location Paradise with a score of 99. The perfect location to enjoy all that Center City has to offer.

Tony DeCicci REALTOR NM-00446891

484-902-8880 office 610-724-3088 cell

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REAL ESTATE

REGGIE Close to highways

$2,000 / 3br - 1566ft2 - Gorgeous Condo Unit for Rent in Center City. 1121 Hamilton St. Gorgeous 3 bedrooms, 2 &1/2 baths Bi- bevel-condo unit in the burgeoning Spring Arts Point neighborhood. Beautiful granite and stainless custom kitchen opens to the spacious living/dining area. Awesome countertop and cabinet. Stainless steel appliances. 9’ ceilings and large, plentiful windows, Hardwood floor throughout with one large bedroom, two nice sized bedrooms and two full baths.

Lovely Spring Arts Point condominium community. Less than 5 minutes to all major highways and so many premier restaurants and nightlife around the complex to choose from, as well as shopping, public transportation, access to Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, the PA Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market. Please contact Kin: 267-912-7888.

Fully furnished

$1,600 / 1br - 1172ft2 - FULLY-FURNISHED, CENTER CITY, LARGE 1BR / AVAILABLE NOW TIL MAY. Spruce Street near 10th Street. Large, fully-furnished, 1 BR apartment in Center City Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood.

Combines classic architecture with modern amenities. On 2nd floor of 1840’s-era walk-up building. Nearly 1200 sq ft, 12 1/2 ft ceilings, hardwood floors with partial rug coverage, 3 large windows facing Spruce Street, office area in corner of living room; long, wide hallway from front door to living room and working fireplace. Comcast/Xfinity internet/wifi/cable TV with Performance Pro. 52” Samsung flat screen LCD TV. Large, carpeted bedroom with walk-in closet, wall-length mirror and queen bed with extra-firm mattress/box spring. 1 1/2 baths with large glass-paneled walk-in shower with 2 shower heads (1 hand-held) and built-in bench. Towels and linens.

Kitchen with granite counter top, mosaic tile backsplash, black appliances, gas stove, china, silverware and glassware.

Coin-operated washer & dryer in basement of building.

Larger laundry room in adjacent building. Rear courtyard with ample outdoor/garden space. City views from roof of adjacent building. No parking. Available now til May. $1600 per month, includes everything except parking & laundry.

Very close to Jefferson & Pennsylvania Hospitals, Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) and Washington Square. Good option for: 1. Remote employee who wants to experience Center City Phila, 2. Relocated employee who needs short-term, fully-furnished housing in Center City or 3. Patient at Jefferson or Pennsylvania Hospitals or family member of patient. Call 786-276-2079. No texts.

Windows on the water

$2,024 / 1br - 1315ft2 - Floor to Ceiling Windows On the Water! 4601 Flat Rock Road. If you’re looking for a modern and hip space to call home, then look no further than Apex Manayunk. Located in Philadelphia, we feature modern 1, 2, and 3-bedroom loft style apartments and townhomes, many with dens. Our 2 and 3-bedroom townhomes have a fun and industrial feel. That’s because Apex Manayunk expertly blends three brand-new buildings with four historic textile mill structures to create one of the region’s most exciting luxury apartment communities. Jogging trail right outside your door. Bark park. Marble master baths, some with deep linen storage. Online Payments Available. Upgraded One, Two and Three Bedroom Loft Style Apartment Homes and Townhomes, many with dens. Huge walk-in closets with ample storage.

Upgraded Hardwood Floors in all Foyers, Kitchens, Dining and Living Rooms. Vivint Smart Home Features in all Apartments.

Upgraded Gourmet Kitchens with Stainless Steel Appliances, Granite Countertops and Breakfast Bar Seating. Pet-friendly living. Call: (844) 876-7619.

Want to list your apartment with Real Estate Reggie?

For only $75, you get 100 words to describe your place. For only $125, you get 100 words, plus a photo. Need something more or different?

Reggie can make it happen. happen Deadline is every Monday at 10 am for Thursday’s issue. Email him at REReggie@philadelphiaweekly.com for details.

Management special

$910 Center City...Great Location, Entertainment, Dining, Fun! 206 S. 13th Street. Sunny, Studio AND One Bedroom Apartments available for rent!! Apartments feature upgraded kitchens and baths. Studios range $910 to $1,080 based on availability. One Bedrooms range $1,265 to $1,455 based on availability. Apartments feature large windows and 9 ft. ceilings. Ask about our Management Special! NO SECURITY DEPOSIT program!! Cats are welcome (add’l fee)! All apartments are rented unfurnished. Chancellor Apartments is a convenient high rise apartment community in an amazing location in Center City. We are close to most major schools and universities, public transportation, historical attractions, shopping, restaurants and theaters. Center City at its best!

Rent includes: heat, hot/cold water, 24-hour front desk attendant, free bike storage room, package acceptance service, 24-hour emergency maintenance service, on-site smart card laundry plus card access system and BuildingLink resident services portal access for all residents. The Chancellor boasts several different studio and one bedroom floor plans. Apartments feature high ceilings, large bright windows, ceiling fans in most units, hardwood floors and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline and Delaware River. Many apartments have large walk-in closets, too! We have partnered with Optimal Sport Health Club to offer a generous discounted gym membership (we pay your initiation fee!). There are several off street parking lots and garages in the area, too! 215-735-8404.

Museum District

$1,350 / 500ft2 - Amazing location in Center City! Winter Rental - Rent Free till 2021! 17th Street near Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Great studio apartments in the Museum District are available for rent now! All apartments feature a spacious floor plan that includes views of the city! Your fully equipped and upgraded kitchen comes with stainless steel appliances - including a gas stove, garbage disposal , microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher - along with new cabinetry and granite counter-tops. Your newly remodeled bath is beautifully appointed with large ceramic tiles, stainless steel fixtures, and a pedestal sink with convenient storage cabinet. Your large linen closet is located just off of the bathroom for easy and accessible storage. And don’t forget about the generous 6x6 walk-in closet! It has plenty of room for all of your storage needs and can even accommodate furniture! Access to all of our on-site amenities are included in your monthly rental fee. Our 24-hour front desk offers round the clock concierge services; our seasonal rooftop pool offers great outdoor space to relax; and our 24-hour fitness studio offers easy access to all of your fitness needs. The 2 on-site restaurants - Asia on the Parkway and Con Murphy’s Pub - will even provide room service! There’s much more to see, so contact us to schedule your tour today! Your new apartment in Center City is available now! The Windsor Apartments. 215-981-5682.

Heart of Center City

27

$1,600 / 2br - 930ft2 - Brand New 2 Bedroom Condo for Rent in Center City. 211 N Camac Street. Brand-New 2 bedroom condominium with 1 full bath in the heart of Center City. Gorgeous custom-kitchen with granite countertop and stainless appliances, opens to the spacious living/dining area, premium hardwood floors throughout . Additional features include private laundry room and individual heating and air conditioner units. This building is conveniently located in the Center City district, just across from PA Convention with plenty of restaurants and nightlife to choose from, walking distance to shopping mall, Greyhound Bus Station, Jefferson Train Station and still bustling Reading Terminal Market. Please call Kin 267-912-7888.

Balcony for plants

$975 / 2br - 900ft2 - 2BR/1BATH renovated near Center City & City Line Ave! 3921 Lankenau Ave is a 2BR/1BATH apartment located on the 2nd floor of a duplex (with a small balcony for plants). It has been updated recently and is located near City Line Ave. This is a very convenient location for those who work near City Line Ave, Saint Joe’s University, or PCOM. This unit is also located 20 minutes away from Center City. Plenty of parking and very close to Fairmount Park, ShopRite, and Fresh Grocer! Very easily accessible to SEPTA and major roads! ALSO INCLUDED IS GARAGE, Storage space in the basement, and laundry hookup! REDBLOCK Realty Inc. | (267) 219-5949.

Amazing apartment

$895 / 1br - 900ft2 - **Amazing Apt w/Hardwood Floors, Gas Heat, Dishwasher, NoPets. S. 4th St near Ritner St. This bright and spacious apartment is newly renovated and features gas h/w heat, all new vinyl double-pane insulated windows and beautiful hardwood floors with mahogany inlay border throughout! It offers lots of amenities and a great South Philly location near the intersection of S. 4th St and Ritner St...very convenient for parking, shopping and transportation. It has a fully equipped kitchen with plenty of cabinets, full size fridge, dishwasher, disposal, gas cooking and over the cabinet accent lighting. There is a spacious living room with two big windows and a ceiling fan. The white ceramic ‘subway tile’ bath has a 5’ tub and pedestal sink. There is a spacious bedroom with hardwood floors and closet plus an additional den/office bonus room. It has a linen closet in the hall area and all new vinyl windows throughout. Convenient for Center City, I-95 on and off ramps, Delaware Ave/Columbus Blvd, 676/76, Philly PHL Airport, Benjamin Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges.

The Whitman neighborhood is south of Pennsport and Queen Village. Easy access to Society Hill, Bella Vista, Italian Market, Rittenhouse Square and Olde City neighborhoods. SEPTA Route 57 runs north/south to Old City/Market Street, Center City, etc and conveniently stops footsteps from the apartment on S. 4th St at Ritner St! Also, short distance to access east/ west bus routes G and 7 on Oregon Ave and east/west route 79 on Snyder Ave. Convenient parking - no permits required!

This location has a WalkScore of 92 “Walker’s Paradise” and a BikeScore of 85 “Very Bikeable”. The Whitman Plaza shopping center is 2 blocks south featuring Ross, Burlington Coat, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Citizens, Shop Rite, and dozens more stores. Snyder Plaza shopping center and Columbus Commons Mall featuring Target, Ikea, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Target, Best Buy, Acme, Staples, Long Horn Restaurant, South Bowl etc. are 4 blocks east.

(215) 271-7299.

Frankford Lofts

$1,795 / 1br - 1200ft2 - FRANKFORD LOFTS ONE BEDROOM - PARKING AVAILABLE! 1045 Frankford Ave. Spacious floor plan available at Frankford Lofts, between Delaware and Girard. Located on a lively street close to several dining and entertainment options throughout Northern Liberties and Fishtown. Within walking distance to Barcade, The Fillmore, Garage, Johnny Brendas, Frankford Hall, La Colombe and much more! Modern kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances, high ceilings and hardwood floors. Large open space w/ exposed brick and great natural sunlight throughout. Corner Unit. Washer/dryer IN-UNIT. Access to parking for additional $125/month and on-site fitness center. Pet friendly! Available 11/1. Call now to schedule your tour! Ask for Jamie 215-9200200.

Renovated kitchen

$2,085 / 2br - Free Month Special! Dining Rm, New Kit, W/D, Parking, Garage. 280 Haverford Avenue. Spacious 1st floor apartment home with new kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and tastefully accented wall, trim, new flooring and beautiful views of the shops of Narberth! Renovated Kitchen. Quartz Countertops. Stainless Steel Appliances. Spacious Floor Plan w/ Greenhouse. Fireplace in Living Room. Formal Dining Area.

Washer/Dryer In-Unit. Dishwasher/ Microwave. Refrigerator with Ice Maker. Air Conditioning. Window Treatments.

Upgraded Bathroom. New Floors. Plush Wall-to-Wall Carpeting in BRs. Garage Parking Available. Off-Street Parking. Online Service Requests & Resident Portal. 610-616-4029.

Fall special

$1,699 / 2br - *FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF MOVE IN! W/D, New Kit, Hd Wd Fl, Train, Trails. 118 Montgomery Avenue near Bryn Mawr Avenue. Reduced pricing on select one and two bedroom apartment homes. Special is valid for new residents only and can be withdrawn at any time without prior written notice. Qualified applicants only. Visit your new apartment home by taking a self-guided tour with Andrea today! We also are offering virtual tours. Please call us at 610-625-2502 or email today to set up your personalized tour through our outstanding community. We are open and available to meet your needs. The Leasing Office is open Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm. Need to request another time for your personalized visit? No problem! We look forward to arranging your visit to view your new apartment home. Apartment Features: Air Conditioning. Kitchen Island. Walk-In Closet.

Microwave, Dishwasher. Gas Range. Refrigerator w/Ice Maker.

Washer/Dryer. Quartz Countertop. Tile Backsplash. Hardwood Floors. Ceiling Fans. Tiled Bath. Stainless Steel Appliances.

Storage Available. Accent Walls Available. PET FRIENDLY. Community Features: Off Street Parking. Garage Parking Available. BBQ Area. Private Courtyard. Walk to Train. Walk to Restaurants. Jogging Trail. Convenient Shopping. 24 Hour Maintenance Service. Online Payments. Onsite Management.

Granite/stainless kitchen

$1,450 / 1br - 800ft2 - Beautiful Apartment for Rent in Center City. 1223 Wood Street. Beautiful 1 bedroom apartment, 1 full baths. Gorgeous granite and stainless custom kitchen opens to spacious living/dining area. Marble and Premium hardwood floors throughout the entire unit. Additional features include private laundry room and individual heating and air conditioner . This building is conveniently located in the Center City district with plenty of restaurants and nightlife to choose from. Also, shopping, public transportation, and access to Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, the PA Convention Center and the still bustling Reading Terminal Market. Please contact Kin 267-912-7888.

Business Center

$1,350 / 1br - 610ft2 - Community Kitchen, GOChat Business Center, Dry Cleaning. 5450 Wissahickon Ave. The Avenue at East Falls brings vibrant luxury living to the city’s historic East Falls neighborhood. Steps from Fairmount Park and overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, our iconic 1950s-era residence is newly renovated, complete with a new swimming pool, our GOFit Fitness Center, and updated apartment interiors. Easy access to public transportation and minutes from Center City, the best of Philly is yours to enjoy. Property Amenities: Private Study Room. Outdoor Kitchen. Swimming Pool. Community Kitchen. Car Charging Station. Dry Cleaning.

Game Room. 24/7 Go Fit Center Complimentary Classes.

Parking Available. Resident Concierge. GOChat Business Center. Fire Pit. Call Us Today! 215-709-6923.

Private deck

$1,200 / 1br - 1Br.Apt.Sunny Private Deck Great location across from Park. 1112 Pine Street. 1Br.Apt.Sunny Private Deck Great location across from Park. (A non-smoking Apt. and building.) Walking distance to the train Jefferson Hospital Wills eye Hospital Reading Terminal Market bus on the corner. Call and text 267-249-0491 and 215-317-5300.

Pet friendly

$1,030 / 470ft2 - $500 MI Cred, Onsite/Virt Tours, Elvtr, Cntrl Heat, Wlk In Clst, Pet Frndly (2746 Belmont Avenue). 2746 Belmont Avenue. The Metropolitan Bala offers apartments in a convenient Philadelphia location near City Ave. Our pet-friendly West Philadelphia apartments feature studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartment homes for rent in a mid-rise elevator building. If you’re searching for Bala apartments for rent, contact us today to schedule a personalized tour. Meet your perfect home! Spacious studio apartment on the 4th floor!!

Full kitchen and great closet space! special Studio-Reduced to $1,030. $500 MOVE IN CREDIT! Call for details. Restrictions apply. Balconies Available. Professional On-Site Management.

Off-Street Parking. Refrigerators with Ice Maker. Spacious Floor Plans. Dishwashers / Microwaves / Garbage Disposals.

Barbecue / Picnic Area. Elevator Building. Controlled Access Building with Intercom System. Wall to Wall Carpeting. Free WiFi in Lobby. Walk to PCOM! Starting at $1030. Call: (215) 515-5578. For more information, visit us at: yourmetropolitan. com/rent-bala.

Historical building

$1,500 / 2br - Awesome 2 Bedroom. Come check this 2 bedroom apt! This beautiful 3rd floor apt is located in a very well maintained historical building at 1711 Spring Garden St. Completely renovated. Offers cherry hardwood floors t/o, high ceilings w/ceiling fans, high efficiency AC/heat, modern kitchen with granite countertops, intercom system, all stainless steel appliances, the two large bedrooms have plenty of closet space, spacious fully tiled bathroom and much more. Close to transportation, all universities, Whole Foods, CVS, Starbucks, AT&T, banks, Art Museum, Kelly Drive, Center City,Retro fitness, restaurants & bars. Call to schedule an appointment and you won’t be disappointed! 215-990-7668 Avail now.

Custom cabinetry

$1,575 / 399ft2 - Custom Cabinetry, In-Unit Laundry, Walk-In Shower. Located in Philadelphia’s historic Center City neighborhood, One City offers modern elegance with timeless grandeur. With views of Philadelphia’s City Hall, and just steps away from Philly locations such as the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market and Love Park, One City offers the most discerning residents the ultimate living experience. Inside this historic building, located at 1401 Arch Street, each apartment residence holds unique original features coupled with contemporary sophistication.

Thoughtful design details include custom built-in storage, stainless steel appliances, and modern connectivity offering luxury and convenience to a range of lifestyles. Control is always at your fingertips with your app based smart home features including keyless entry. With community spaces for every activity One City offers multiple lounges and entertainment experiences. Our tech-connected fitness center, lobby lounge, and rooftop sky lounge with demo kitchen enhances your city life. Immerse yourself in the historical architecture, modern convenience and innovative charms that One City has to offer. Be one with the city.

Amenities Include: Keyless Entry. Penthouse Hideaway. Pet Friendly. Kitchen Island. Views. Custom Built-In & Historic Detailing. Microwave. Yoga Studio. Dog Park. Close to Schools.

Close to Shopping. Rooftop Grilling Stations. (844) 204-7536.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | DECEMBER 3 - 10, 2020

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