Officials hungry to replace Bistro

Administators want an Italian restaurant to take the space at 3401 Walnut. A new Italian restaurant is the University's "first choice" to fill the vacant Italian Bistro space in the 3401 Walnut Street shopping complex, according to Executive Vice President John Fry. The Italian Bistro space has remained empty since the restaurant closed in July 1994 due to financial difficulties. Fry said he hopes a new occupant will open for business by late 1997. "It's ridiculous for that location to be vacant," Fry said. "We're looking for a popular, accessible, price-friendly restaurant to fill the space." In a University survey on local retail taken last year, students listed an Italian restaurant near campus as their top priority. The University is working with the consulting firm William Jackson Ewing to secure a contract with a restaurant and to redevelop the 3401 Walnut complex as part of a complete overhaul of local retail. "We've been working hard to develop the best mix of tenants in the area," University Treasurer Scott Lederman said. "We are excited for the restaurant to return." Neighboring retailers said they look forward to seeing a new establishment move into the Italian Bistro space. "It's about time," said William Schuler, manager of Foot Locker at 34th and Walnut streets. He added that customers who see the Italian Bistro sign that still hangs on Walnut Street often ask him where to find the restaurant. And Becky Wright, who owns the Saturn Club at 3426 Sansom Street, said she hopes the new restaurant will "keep the entire area alive." "There is a need for a different type of restaurant around here," said Wright, whose establishment opens up onto the Italian Bistro space on Moravian Street. "Personally, I would like the new restaurant to feature cute waiters who sing opera," she added. Managers of neighboring restaurants said they don't fear added competition from another establishment opening up. "We serve different varieties of food here," said John Santos, the assistant manager of Cosimo's Pizza in the Food Court. "We don't think it's going to hurt business -- the new restaurant would be up the street, and we're down here." As part of the retail overhaul initiatives, the University acquired full leasing responsibilities for the 3401 Walnut shopping complex last December and assumed managerial responsibility for the Food Court and stores on 34th and Walnut streets. Kravco, a Philadelphia-based leasing company, had previously managed the space. "The buyout gives us the ability to rent the space out as we want to," Lederman explained. "We couldn't do anything until we had control of that property." The University will continue to investigate adding new retail shops and restaurants to "liven up" the area, Fry said. The plans to revitalize retail in the area received praise from neighboring merchants, who said they are eager to see the community "get a boost." "This area could really use a good kick in the butt," said West Philadelphia resident Alfred Hamaday, a manager at the LeBus restaurant on 3402 Sansom St. "It would be nice to see some kind of revamping around here to get people back into the area." The new restaurant in the bistro space will join the La Terrace restaurant as the area's second new eatery. La Terrace will re-open at 34th and Sansom streets late this spring, according to Fry. The upscale restaurant has been closed since 1988. And University officials expect Sansom Commons -- the retail district to be designed around the new Barnes & Noble bookstore at 36th and Walnut streets -- to add new retailers, though the project is still in "planning stages," according to Lederman. He added that the University will consider several retailers for the Sansom Street area over the next several months.