Fishtown neighbors enjoyed the grand opening of Pizza Brain, a pizza shop and museum, just one of the businesses that opened in the River Wards in 2012. STAR FILE PHOTO
New businesses popped up all across the River Wards in 2012, and we’ve rounded up the finer points of just a few. Whether you’ve checked them out before, or have yet to venture in, make your resolution to throw a little cash at the newest places neighborhoods have to offer.
Editor’s note: if you’d like us to feature your new-in-2012 River Wards business in this story, please email editor Mikala Jamison at mjamison@bsmphilly.com; we’ll keep updating this online version of the article.
The Head & The Hand Press publishing house:
After self-publishing his book, “Seeds of Discent [sic]” last year, Nic Esposito used Kickstarter.com to raise $5,000 for his startup craft publishing company, The Head & The Hand Press. The publishing house opened at 2031 Frankford Ave. late in 2012. There, local writers co-write from 6 to 8 p.m., and then hang out until 10 p.m. Check out the theheadandthehand.com, or call 267–702–6744 for more information. ••
Catch & Release Merchants boutique:
Ryan Kozar and Mellisa Colosi moved in above the storefront at 1832 Frankford Ave. in 2005, and then opened shop Nov. 30. The store offers only American-made products, and a clothing line created specifically for the store. Visit the shop online at www.catchandreleasemerchants.com, or call 267–319–1844. ••
Eatalia BYOB restaurant:
Restaurateur Frank Crocetto runs Eatalia, a South Italian BYOB at 2723 E. Cumberland St., previously Bistro Juliana. The cash-only joint opened in late-November, and boasts stellar reviews on Yelp.com, with one patron writing that Crocetto at one point said, “Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.” Call them at 215–423–6911. ••
Lloyd whiskey bar and restaurant:
Formerly Hot Potato Café, this whiskey-centric spot opened in late October, and was named for owners Scott and Taylor Coudriet’s father, Llyod, a retired Penn Treaty Middle School science teacher. Lloyd carries over 70 varieties of the brown liquor and a diverse menu. Stop in at 529 E. Girard; call 215–425–4600. ••
Bottle Bar East take-out beer and gastropub:
Bottle Bar East, which opened up shop in October at 1308 Frankford Ave., offers takeout beer — and a staff of self-described “beer geeks” — as well as a spot to have a full-service meal or play darts or foosball. It also boasts a full cocktail bar. Call 267–909–8867; visit the shop online at bottlebareast.com. ••
Bubba’s Texas BBQ restaurant:
Bringing a taste of the lone star state to Philly, Bubba’s opened at 19 W. Girard Ave. in October. Bubba’s menu offers Texas dry-rub barbecue, and platters are served with all the traditional Texas sides. Call them at 257–324–3530. ••
Fette Sau BBQ restaurant:
Just around the corner from Bubba’s, Fette Sau — German for “fat pig” — Stephen Starr’s Brooklyn-based BBQ joint also opened in October, beginning the battle of the barbecue in Fishtown. It offers local brews, whiskeys, meats by the pound and simple sides. Visit at 1208 Frankford Ave., call 215–391–4888. ••
Keys to Attic vintage and resale boutique:
Also in October, Fishtown’s Catherine Jennings opened her shop, Keys to the Attic, at 314 E. Giard Ave. She had ditched “corporate America” for her passion for vintage and repurposed home goods. Jennings, who said she considers “Ikea” and “plastic” to be bad words, sells pieces in-store for 90 days, with markdowns every month. Check keystotheattic.com or call 267–324–3681 for more information. ••
Breathing Room yoga studio:
In early November, Port Richmond’s Roe Pietropaula opened shop at 3168 Richmond St. “I want this to be for people like me, who aren’t ‘yogis.’ I want to bring it to everyday people,” she said. A walk-in yoga class at Breathing Room is $10, and a package of five class passes is $40. Visit Breathing Room online at www.facebook.com/breathingroomrichmond; call 215–370–5362. ••
Mumzie’s Boutique:
Marge Werynski opened Mumzie’s Nov. 1 at 3112 Richmond St. Named for the term of endearment Werynski’s grandmother gave her, the boutique offers men’s and women’s fashions and jewelry. Asked if she had tapped into her passion in opening Mumzie’s, Werynski said she absolutely has. “Now, I’m happy doing it,” she said of her everyday work. Call 215–360–9865 for more information. ••
Peg and Awl handcrafted goods:
In its own words, Peg and Awl offers up “treasures found and recovered from misfortune and neglect, relics of the unusual…wearable curiosities, keepsakes and longlasting treasures.” Peg and Awl’s owners Margaux and Walter Kent moved out of their home and into an old factory in Port Richmond at 3211 Cedar St. in November. Check out pegandawlbuilt.com. ••
Pizza Brain pizza museum and Little Baby’s Ice Cream shop:
Pizza Brain and Little Baby’s are next-door neighbors connected by an open walkway, so venturing into Little Baby’s for takeout ice cream while you wait for your pizza pie is a no-brainer. Pizza Brain, with its vast pizza memorabilia and unique pies, opened to nationwide acclaim in early September, following Little Baby’s opening a month prior. Visit 2311 and 2313 Frankford Ave. Also check out pizzabrain.org and littlebabysicecream.com. ••
Starboard Side Art Supply and gallery:
In the spring, Starboard Side Art Supply began working toward its goal of a community art space and supply store on the ground floor of the Portside Arts Center, at 2531 E. Lehigh Ave. Starboard Side sells high quality art supplies at low cost, and runs off of community demand — simply let the store know what you need. It sells painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture materials, and also does custom orders. Visit starboardside.org/art-supply-store.html for ordering information. ••
Star Managing Editor Mikala Jamison can be reached at 215–354–3113 or mjamison@bsmphilly.com.
