This summer University City and West Philadelphia — especially the area around Penn’s campus — are seeing growth in new retail that we find very promising in light of the weakened state of the national economy. In addition to the changes in the Radian, such as City Tap House, which opened in May, we will soon see a new Adolf Biecker salon, expanded food options with Greek Lady and Four Worlds Bakery and additional retail space in the new IRS building. All of these changes not only provide employment opportunities for local residents, but also help make the West Philadelphia and University City communities safer and more vibrant.
It would be impossible to pinpoint the single reason these businesses choose to set up shop west of the Schuylkill, but we know the University does play a large and important role. Many students would be surprised to learn that Penn administrators are partly behind Greek Lady’s expansion, but in fact, Greek Lady would most likely not be in that storefront on 40th Street if not for decisions made by Facilities and Real Estate Services. In addition to the University, programs like University City Dining Days, the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and free concerts (there will be one on Aug. 28 on 40th Street) help attract people from around Philadelphia to the restaurants and retail around Penn.
We are grateful for both these programs and the University’s continued efforts to keep the area around Penn buzzing with activity at a time when storefronts around the city have stayed empty for prolonged periods. We hope to see these new establishments open their doors quickly and to see other new retail fill the few remaining empty spaces around University City.
