Superfresh in Northern Liberties is Now Open!
"This will be an anchor for the neighborhood," Bart Blatstein announced this morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Superfresh at the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties. "A neighborhood is not complete without a supermarket."
The 51,000 square foot market on the second level at 180 West Girard Avenue opened in full force this morning with welcoming staff sourced from the neighborhood, Mayor Nutter, and Bart Blatstein. And of course, long-waiting customers who were excited to finally have access to fresh produce, a vast selection of items, and a pharmacy.
Get on over there and fill up a cart! We are so proud to welcome Superfresh to the neighborhood as one of the many conveniences and highlights of living in Northern Liberties.
Blatstein Broadens His Horizons
The new owner of 400 N. Broad Street, home to Philadelphia Media Network (Philly.com, Daily News, the Inquirer)? The newsiest address in town? Well, according to Philly.com...
Mr. Bart Blatstein of Tower Investments.
The price for the 18-story building has not been disclosed, but we're already thinking of what Blatstein's dreaming up for the place.
Offices? Another luxury condo? A boutique hotel, perhaps? With the Convention Center expansion, that would make the most sense.
No word yet on where the HQ of Philly's biggest newsroom will move. What do you think of the sale?
Northern Liberties Supermarket Update: Super Fresh?
The neighborhood of Northern Liberties certainly has many small, independent shops, gourmet delis and cafes, and there always seems to be plenty of spots for those looking to grab a unique bite. One thing it is missing, if you ask any resident, is a full supermarket to serve the rapidly growing community.
For the past few years, the neighborhood was promised a Pathmark next to the Piazza, which we've covered before. And then there were some issues with parent company A&P filing for bankruptcy last year...
Now we're hearing that the Pathmark could instead be a Super Fresh, from the latest at Philadelphia Business Journal.
We'd just like to see the 52,000-square-foot store open as soon as possible. Whatever store that happens to be, it will be the missing ingredient for this neighborhood. We have so many good things to say about Northern Liberties, this will give us one more!
We'll confirm as the details roll in.
UPDATE: Super Fresh is aiming for a late summer opening and is currently hiring.
Would you support a Super Fresh in your neighborhood?
Related:
Market Watch: Who Wants a Wegmans in Northern Liberties?
Topping Off at the Shops at Schmidts
Update on the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
The Shops at Schmidts: Two Months In
Sunday OUT and Erection Up! The Tower on Second Street.
Only at the Piazza! "Every day is an adventure," Bart Blatstein said to us last night as we watched the engineer weld the last piece of steel on the base of the Tower that now stands on North 2nd Street in Northern Liberties.
"This was just a thought in my head a few weeks ago."
With a creative mind and seemingly endless resources, Blatstein managed to salvage a 15,000 pound steel structure that once peered over the Piazza from the roof top of one of Tower Investment's properties on Hancock Street. "This will be a great meeting place for people," Blatstein explained to us. "Meet you at the Tower!" he said, with a sense of knowing that, that is exactly what people will do and say. "This is going to be an organic type of installation, ever changing, perhaps we'll add some greenery, a solar powered wind mill..."
I could see the sparkle in Bart's eyes as the possibilities for this Steel Tower began to reel though his mind. "I think it is important to salvage things. It is a reminder of the past. I think that is important. People should remember." We listened intently trying to gain some insight from Mr. Blatstein. Sadly, we were interrupted by a call on Blatstein's cell and we headed home. Today the Tower stands strong much like those folks who are attending this Sunday Out!
What do you think? Got any fun nicknames for the Tower?
Market Watch: Who Wants a Wegmans in Northern Liberties?
Wegmans. Whole Foods. Trader Joe's.
Now that it appears that Pathmark is out for Bart Blatstein's long-awaited supermarket/shopping center novella, the Shops at Schmidts.
Let's just say that the neighborhood was not surprised after A&P, Pathmark's parent company, filed for bankruptcy late last year. After Pathmark began to close stores, many of us got to wondering: Would the Northern Liberties opening fall through?
According to Philly.com, Blatstein is moving on to Plan B, which means fulfilling his goal of having a supermarket chain in the space, whether it's Pathmark or something else. We're voting for Wegmans, because there's no Philadelphia location yet, and this space looks to be big enough for the boutique grocery mecca. It'd be something different, and would suit the tastes of the Top Chef-obsessed, organic-buying-inclined Northern Liberties homeowners.
But we'll take anything...we just want a supermarket. We'll keep you posted!
What do you think?
Related:
Topping Off at the Shops at Schmidts
Update on the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
The Shops at Schmidts: Two Months In
It’s Party Season: Tower Investments Holiday Party at Tendenza
A Shout out and Happy Holiday to Tower Investments, who hosted a fantastic party at Tendenza this week. We had a great time in this gorgeous new venue.
Special thanks to Bart Blatstein for another successful and exciting year of growth and development in Northern Liberties.
We are excited for a fantastic 2011!
Opportunity Knocks for Exciting New Developments in Philadelphia
[Inquirer: Developer stands to reap millions from state capital budget]
Before you get too riled up that yet another bigwig is going to get money when the rest of us are scraping to make ends meet, we challenge you to think of the potential good that will come on the coattails of folks who can make things happen.
If Pennsylvania's $4 billion capital budget proposal goes through, the neighborhoods of Philadelphia can expect some major development action as a benefit.
Tower Investments developer Bart Blatstein would be among the recipients, with about $100 million in funds earmarked for upcoming projects that would include:
- A rehab of the State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden Streets (apartments, shops)
- A 45-room hotel with a banquet facility next to the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
- 86-suite boutique hotel at Second and Poplar Streets in Northern Liberties (with additional parking)
Our only thoughts are: Bring it!
We know that Philadelphia is long overdue in developing so many under-utilized parcels, buildings, and prime Real Estate for the growth and betterment of our city. When we see a developer with a successful track record turning a more or less blighted part of Philly into "The Piazza", we think more of the same should be encouraged.
And though there will always be naysayers and mudslingers, we know so many others will follow in Tower's footsteps spurring new jobs and opening doors to opportunities.
19 New Construction Rentals in Northern Liberties from Tower Investments
19 New Construction Rental Units at 2nd and George Streets
Developer: Bart Blatstein
Tower Investment Group is currently developing 19 New Construction residential single family rental properties that circle the Piazza and Liberties Walk. Two of the 19 structures are completed and rented with rental values of $2,500/mo and up.
Stay tuned later today for a wonderful opportunity to meet the builder and tour this New Construction development in Northern Liberties!
Topping Off at the Shops at Schmidts
We were very excited to hear that the topping off ceremony for the Shops at Schmidts is finally here. After all, we work right next to the construction site and watch the progress happen every day from our office. It's been quite entertaining and we've seen how quickly the Shops have gone up.
On Monday, June 28 at 2:30 pm, Bart Blatstein of Tower Investments will top off the 100,000 square foot retail center at 2nd St. and Girard Avenue, which will add a large Pathmark supermarket, retail outlets, and new residential units to the Northern Liberties neighborhood. Completion and opening is scheduled for December 2010.
As always, we'll keep you posted as we hear about the Shops at Schmidts details. We know how important it is to buyers that they have a variety of shopping and grocery stores when researching an area to move to. A Pathmark that will serve Northern Liberties and Fishtown is another valuable neighborhood feature that will benefit all of us.
Related:
Update on the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties
The Shops at Schmidts: Two Months In
Regional Land Use Program of the Year Goes to…the Piazza at Schmidts
Congrats to the Piazza at Schmidts for being awarded Regional Land Use Program of the Year by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, which celebrated its 9th Annual Celebration of Regional Excellence yesterday. Gloucester City News has a list of the winners.
We view the daily additions and changes that the mixed-use development has brought to the Northern Liberties neighborhood and surrounding areas. What we notice most is the influx of visitors and residents of nearby communities that choose the Piazza for its many events and offerings. It is the location we decided upon for our office, so believe us when we say that every day is an adventure.
Read more of our coverage on the Piazza.
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