Real Estate: Will Cavanaugh's Purchase Katmandu in Philadelphia?

Journalist A.D. Amorosi and Mayor Michael Nutter at an event in 2013

By A.D. AMOROSI

When Mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia developer Michael Samschick announce, on April 16, the development of a new 3,000 capacity Live Nation concert hall – the 2,500 person Fillmore and its 500-person artist development Foundry – at Frankford and N. Delaware Avenue, that won't be the only juicy news on the block. There's some great gossip going on just down the street from the Samschick/Live Nation workplace at the old Ajax Metal Company on Delaware Avenue: the rumored sale of the legendary Katmandu at Pier 25 to the folks behind the Cavanaugh's family of clubs.

Legendary Sugar Mom's Bar Closes Suddenly in Philadelphia

The Predator at Sugar Mom's in Philadelphia, PA

By A.D. AMOROSI

Sugar Mom's in Philadelphia has long been an institution, a subterranean saloon opened by Kathy Hughes at the start of this city's restaurant renaissance which served old punk rock heads, artists, and people new to the then-burgeoning Old City neighborhood. Sadly, the 225 Church St, bar (renamed Sugar’s) closed, quietly and quickly last weekend, according to neighbors, regulars, and the property’s operators, Brandywine Realtors.

Real Estate Roundup: Changes in Philadelphia’s Italian Market Area

L to R: Mama Yolanda's original space, and new awnings across 8th street

By A.D. AMOROSI

This week, in Philadelphia’s Italian Market, two iconic restaurant spaces – the New Golden Palace at 801 Washington Avenue, and Mama Yolanda’s at 746 S. 8th  – are undergoing massive changes. A third space, Zoey’s Yogurt Bar at 1207 S. 9th Street, along Cheesesteak Row, is shooting to open on Tuesday, September 24.

Predella Restaurant and Zoey's Yogurt Bar Move Into South Philadelphia

Predella Restaurant opened on August 1st in South Philadelphia

By GLAMOROSI and A.D. AMOROSI

It’s out with the old and in with the new in the Italian Market area this week, as several hot spots are getting ready to debut. Predella Restaurant opened today (August 1) at 32 S 10th Street, Zoey's Yogurt bar is moving into Underdog's old location on S. 9th Street next to Geno's, the St. Jude Shop closed their East Passyunk Avenue location, and Golosa Chocolate and Dessert Bar packed up last week.

IndustryXIX and Emmaline Exit 1904 Chestnut, Mac’s Tavern Moves Forward

The "Cease Operations" sign on the door at the IndustryXIX nightclub

By A.D. AMOROSI

Two weeks ago, we broke news that trouble was brewing in Philadelphia at 1904 Chestnut, the address that housed two nightclubs – IndustryXIX upstairs and the intimate Emmaline downstairs – as well as an incoming tenant, Mac’s Tavern, looking to open another location (their first is in Philly's Old City area). Since then, The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) slapped a "cease operations" sticker on IndustryXIX for its lack of a special assembly license and their crew, and Emmaline’s, left the building on Monday, June 3.

Changes Underway for Real Estate in Philly’s Famous South Street Area

Sexploratorium and Philadelphia Record Exchange are moving off S. 5th

By A.D. AMOROSI

Philadelphia’s South Street gets all the press, acclaim and songs written about it, but lately it’s the real estate immediately surrounding the thoroughfare that is seeing the most movement. This month, it’s a strip of S 5th Street directly off South where changes are underway to turn that block into upscale apartments, small-scale retail, and possibly a boutique hotel.

Basketball’s Julius Erving Joins Mural Arts Program at Wall Ball

Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Jane Golden, Exec. Dir, Mural Arts program

By A.D. AMOROSI

Right before the Memorial Day weekend, basketball legend and one-time Philadelphia 76er Julius “Dr. J” Erving showed his support for Philly’s Mural Arts Program by joining with the organization at its annual fundraising celebration, the Wall Ball. The colorful party and dinner was hosted by Fox29’s Mike Jerrick at Vie (600 N. Broad Street), with an after party next door at Chef Marc Vetri’s Alla Spina.

Owner Disputes 'Always Sunny' Deal for Mac’s 2 is off on Chestnut in Philadelphia

Brendan Bring'Em working on Emmaline on Chestnut street in Phila.

By A.D. AMOROSI

Brendan Bring’Em is an industrious guy, a DJ-turned-interior designer who, in January 2013, turned the un-used first floor of 1904 Chestnut in Philadelphia into a bar and disco named Emmaline for lovers of esoteric, funk, soul and house music. Emmaline almost found itself out of business as soon as its doors opened when the property’s owners began entertaining offers from the TV show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) folk, who already own and operate Mac’s Tavern (in Old City), and wanted the space for a Mac’s 2. Bring'Em now says the “Always Sunny” deal fell through, but Mac's co-owner Ben Haney strongly disputes that claim, stating that the license transfers were moving along, but slowly.