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I love to shop and for years my go-to stomping grounds were the plethora of stores along Walnut Street beginning at 18^th and ending around Broad. Need is rarely a motivation for my used-to-be frequent excursions from one store to another. I say used-to-be because those fun, wonderful stores filled with new things to see, opportunities to play dress-up and squander time just because, are gone. Zara’s was the first major loss on Walnut, and that was before the pandemic and the riots in 2020, which seemed to kick off the beginning of a downward spiral. I still miss you Zara. 

And now, it’s just sad. Walking along Walnut Street today is like being in a canyon of boarded store fronts, and sale, lease and rent signs. Goodbye Free People, Steve Madden, Ann Taylor, Loft, Ultra, Modell’s, Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Monaco and too many more. 

Next time my husband, Ben Zuckerman, is roaming the city taking photos, I hope he’ll find a host of new stores to showcase bringing Walnut Street back to its former shine! 

From a cheese lover’s delight at Di Bruno Bros.’ After Hours events to one of the most difficult (but most definitely worth it) reservations to get in the country at Talula’s Table, the following not-totally-obvious-but-oh-so-awesome spots are worth the effort to seek out.\

15 Hidden Bars & Restaurants in Greater Philadelphia — Visit Philadelphia (visitphilly.com)

Celebrate Black History Month with special performances, exhibitions and more...

Things to Do for Black History Month in Philly for 2022 — Visit Philadelphia (visitphilly.com)

In early January, the Center City District (CCD) distributed a survey to Center City and University City employers to gauge their current stance on in-office and remote work, their plans for the first quarter of 2022, and factors they were weighing in making workplace decisions. The survey was distributed electronically between January 4 and January 21 to members of Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, CCD board member firms and was forwarded by the Building Owners and Managers Association to other downtown office tenants. A total of 250 companies and organizations received the five-minute survey and 114 (45.6%) responded. The respondents represent a broad cross-section of industries and workforce size in Philadelphia; collectively they employ approximately 24,700 workers. Center City and University City companies are continuing to adapt and remain flexible, while strongly valuing the importance of in-office work and a downtown presence.

For a narrative of trends, along with explanatory charts documenting the survey results, download the 6-page report at-  Remote or In-Office Work? January 2022 Survey Results.

The Lunar New Year is the shift into a new year according to the Lunar calendar. The holiday and celebrations take place during the first 15 days of the first month in the calendar, this year kicking off on Tuesday, February 1st. Although the holiday is commonly known as Chinese New Year, it is widely celebrated across Asia in countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Traditions and names vary across the participating countries.

Happy Lunar New Year: 5 Things to Know | Columbia University School of Professional Studies

On Monday, January 24, CCRA sent letters to Council President Darrell Clark, and Councilmembers Kenyatta John and Curtis Jones, supporting the street name change from Taney St. to LeCount St. 

You can read the letter here.  

We would like to hear from our members! Please take this very brief survey and let us know your thoughts, so that we may improve on this popular membership benefit program. Thanks much!

Each year five garden plots (four 10X10 and one 10X15) in the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden (25th and Spruce St) are awarded to non-members of the Center City Residents’ Association (CCRA) for a one-season term. To be eligible, candidates must be bona fide residents of CCRA’s geographic boundaries (Schuylkill River to the West side of Broad St; between the North side of South and the South side of John F. Kennedy Boulevard). Winners pay a one-time fee of $65 for 10X10 and $85 for 10X15 plot. To enter the lottery, please email with your name, address, phone number to:

centercity@centercityresidents.org 

Requests must reach the destination by March 1, 2022. The drawing will take place in early March and winners will be contacted by phone or email. One entry per household.