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Tag: philadelphia

Start Your Home Search for the New Year

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Get a head start on finding the home of your dreams in the New Year! January and February are the ideal months to research the market, define your priorities, set a budget, and be ready to spring into action when availability blossoms in the Spring. We want to share insider tips on navigating Philly’s real estate market.

Timing is everything. It’s no surprise that housing prices tend to be lowest in January, as well as inventory availability. Both are at their highest come April. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until Spring to begin researching prices, locations, and availability.

If you are a first-time buyer, you want to focus on your ability to secure a mortgage first. Without that first step, going to open houses is like asking to see the menu in restaurants where you can’t afford the tab! Another reason to line up a mortgage first? You want to know how much house you can afford before you start to look.

According to Realtor.com, the median sale price of a Philly home was $260K and the median listing price was $270K in November 2024. However, Zillow reports that the average home value in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area stands at $343,102. When you think about price, think of location. While there are row houses in an affordable price range in Pennsport, Greys Ferry, and West Philly, prices are higher closer to Center City and in trendy neighborhoods such as Fishtown, Kensington, and East Passyunk. If you work remotely, the best values are just outside Center City where you can get more houses (and yards) for your money such as Lansdowne, East Falls, Germantown, Roxborough, etc. For instance, a BelLa Vista 3 bed, 3.5 bath home with a roof deck and yard is asking $739,900 while the median purchase price in Roxborough is $249,267.

A Philly home in the winter. Image: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.
A Philly home in the spring. Image: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.

Once you know how much house you can afford, cast a wide net to start. Look at listings in various neighborhoods. If you are unfamiliar with an area, go there during the day, at night, and also on weekends to get a feel for the community. Is it quiet, noisy, well-lit, or dark? Engage homeowners in conversation. 

On the other hand, if you are currently renting in a neighborhood you love and are ready to buy, you’ve saved a lot of time. In Philly, the cost of renting is higher than the cost of buying a home (and building equity). 

Knowing what kind of community you prefer is key. Condo owner Stephen Tenner moved here from Brooklyn. “I made my way specifically to West Mt. Airy. It has a progressive, liberal feel just like Park Slope where I lived. I love the old houses, Weavers Way Coop, and that it’s interracial and inclusive. Wissahickon Park is nearby and I walk miles every day.” When he doesn’t want to walk, a SEPTA train station is around the corner.

Howard Silver, on the other hand, has no regrets about his two-bedroom condo at William Penn House. “Everything I want is here. Di Bruno’s is across the street. Rittenhouse Square is a block away. I walk to the Kimmel, Wilma, and Suzanne Roberts. What’s not to like?”

Before you talk to a realtor, make a list of your priorities. What are some musts and what are some things that would be a nice-to-have?

  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Garage or off-street parking
  • Roof Deck
  • Energy-efficient appliances or sustainability features
  • Yard
  • Access to Public Transportation
  • Walkability
  • Closeness to dog parks, schools, eateries, cafes, etc.
  • A fixer-upper or in perfect condition?

Remember, not every house will be “staged” like a reality TV show!  Unless you are looking only at newly renovated, unfurnished homes, be prepared for furnishings, rugs, and light fixtures that may not be your style. Or a bathroom that reminds you of your grandmother. The ability to re-imagine the house with the changes you require (and their cost) will save you money and time.

The City of Philadelphia’s Philly First Home Program offers a grant of up to $10,000 (or 6% of home price) to help first-time, home buyers with down payments and closing costs. You may also ask your lender about state grant programs.

Rather than chatting with mortgage lenders or Nerd Wallet on your cellphone, start with a financial institution with which you have a relationship. That could be your credit union or bank. They will walk you through your options, including conventional mortgages, VA mortgages,  FHA Home Loans, and USDA Mortgages. They will also introduce you to mortgage calculators.
For instance, current mortgage rates in Philadelphia, PA are 6.692% for a 30-year fixed, 5.785% for a 15-year fixed, and 7.164% for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). 

Finally, working with a qualified real estate agent – one who knows the neighborhoods that interest you –  will make the process of buying your first or second home easier. Reach out to one our agents to get started!

Mortgage rates are falling. Should you consider refinancing?

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

It’s Fall and interest rates are dropping with the autumn leaves. So, does this mean you should refinance your mortgage? That depends on several factors. Let’s take a look at them and see how they add up for your particular situation.

Forbes says if your mortgage rate is 7% or above, refinancing makes sense, but if your current rate is 6.5% or lower you should hold on until 2025 when rates are expected to drop even lower. However, the change in interest rate shouldn’t be the only factor to consider, the cost of refinancing includes the following:

  • Government recording costs.
  • Appraisal fees
  • Credit report fees.
  • Lender origination fees.
  • Title services.
  • Tax service fees.
  • Survey fees.
  • Attorney fees.
  • Underwriting fees.

Because of all these costs and fees, many mortgage experts say refinancing only makes sense if you can get a rate that’s at least 1% lower than your current rate. Not just half a percent. A recent article in the Washington Post agrees. “In most cases, it doesn’t make sense to refinance a mortgage until the rate has dropped a full percentage point below your current rate. Once that happens, you can compare the amount your mortgage payment will drop against the closing costs you’ll have to pay to refinance.” 

Here are some steps you can take to lower your refinance rate:

  • Get rate quote estimates from three to five lenders
  • Ask lenders about waiving or reducing closing costs
  • Negotiate with your lender to match the best deal
  • Take steps to strengthen your credit score
  • Save for a larger down payment
  • Choose a shorter-term loan

However, if you got your mortgage during the pandemic when rates dropped to a historic low of 2.65% in 2021, consider yourself lucky and stay put. But if your current rate is over 6%, you need to consider how much time it will take for your savings to outweigh the refinancing costs. If your monthly payments cover those costs for two years or less, it’s probably worth it. On the other hand,  if you’re thinking about moving in a year or two, it might not be worth it. 

Another consideration is the increase in home values. For example, if your home’s value increases, you may qualify for a better rate.  If your credit score has improved since your original mortgage, you might qualify for more favorable terms. Even a small boost in your score could translate to big savings over your loan’s lifetime. 

“If rates continue to come down there could be a lot of additional buyer competition in the market, which could drive up prices,” said Solo agent, Alejandro Franqui. “That suggests that there is a sweet spot where rates are now more manageable, but prices haven’t started to accelerate yet.”

Headshot of Solo agent Alejandro Franqui
Solo agent Alejandro Franqui suggests it could be a good time to refinance while mortgage rates are down and before home prices increase. Image: Happy Hour Headshot.

No one has a crystal ball, but economic forecasters predict we’re in the early stages of a rate-dropping cycle. The Federal Reserve could continue to drop rates for the next 12 months or longer. On the other hand, waiting comes with risks. If you bought at peak rates and have a sizable loan, refinancing now could start saving you money. Waiting may lead to better rates — but future market conditions are uncertain so we recommend weighing your options to make an informed decision based on what makes sense for you now. 

Cultural Histories: The Puerto Rican Diaspora and Latinx Heritage Month in Philadelphia

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Philadelphia has long been home to a strong and vibrant Latin American population. With Latinx Heritage Month on the horizon, starting Sunday, September 15, 2024, and ending on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, now is the perfect time to consider how deeply intertwined the history of Philadelphia and the history of Latin Americans in Philadelphia are, as well as considering how you might celebrate that history and thriving contemporary communities by engaging with some of the many events celebrating both over the coming weeks. 

Many people in Philadelphia come from various parts of Latin America. However, the largest community with the oldest association in the city is the Puerto Rican community.. Puerto Ricans began to settle in Philadelphia in the 1800s, coming to work as merchants, cigar makers, laborers, students, professionals, and even for political reasons as Revolutionaries supporting the Puerto Rican Independence movement. By 1900, there were an estimated 1,500-2,000 Latin Americans in Philadelphia, many of which were Puerto Rican, and the majority of them settled around Spring Garden, Northern Liberties, and Southwark because it allowed dockworkers, cigar factory workers, and employees at the Baldwin Locomotive Works, located at Broad and Spring Garden at the time, easy access to their places of employment. 

The first massive influx of Puerto Ricans to Philadelphia, and the United States as a whole, came after the passing of the 1917 Jones-Shafrod Act, which declared all Puerto Ricans United States citizens. The ease of migration, coupled with recruiters who visited Puerto Rico encouraging migration to supply US labor needs, caused significant population growth in Philadelphia. Puerto Rican migrants settled in joining family members and friends in the existing Puerto Rican neighborhoods and nearby in Camden, NJ. By the 1950s, Philadelphia had the third largest Puerto Rican population in the United States, many of whom worked in Philadelphia’s once-thriving garment industry, settling around Spring Garden to access the dockyards and the Campbell’s Soup Factory in Camden, or moving up 5th Street towards the garment factories and mills in Kensington and North Philadelphia.

Centro Musical is a neighborhood staple and music store located in El Bloque de Oro. Image: Stephanie Aviles.
Streets in the ‘The Golden Block’ or ‘El Bloque de Oro’ are painted a yellow/gold color. Image: Stephanie Aviles.

It is from this Northward movement that El Bloque de Oro was first born. Beginning as a concentration of Puerto Rican-owned businesses at 5th and Lehigh, the block became a center of Puerto Rican community and culture, and by 1963 Philadelphia had established its own Puerto Rican Day Parade, just five years after the very first Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. But life was not always easy for this community, which faced friction with non-Puerto Rican residents, economic and social discrimination, and violence and police brutality. Organizations like El Concilio, or The Council of Spanish Speaking Associations, Taller Puertorriqueño, and Aspira, and the Norris Square Neighborhood Project, among many others, have served as community advocacy organizations and centers of culture as Philadelphia’s garment and dockyard industries faded and Puerto Rican Philadelphians sought other opportunities and industries. Despite economic instability and countless challenges, Puerto Rican Philadelphians remain the most visible and populous Latin American community in Philadelphia. Joined by growing numbers of Mexican, Dominican, Central, and South American communities, Latin American Philadelphians make up a culturally rich demographic, without which Philadelphia, would be infinitely poorer. Moreover, the physical neighborhoods of Fairhill, Spring Garden, and Northern Liberties would be drastically different without these historic residents. 

Mural Arts project titled: “Semilla de Patria” by Betsy Z. Casañas. Image: Stephanie Aviles
Mural located in South Kensington to highlihgt the Puerto Rican local community. Image: Stephanie Aviles

In celebration of the Puerto Rican community of Philadelphia, Taller Puertorriqueño currently has an exhibit specifically focused on the Fairhill neighborhood this Latinx Heritage Month, entitled Estamos Aqui, a collaboration between The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and José Ortiz Pagán documenting the intersection of community and geography in Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Taller Puertorriqueño and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, an exhibit is opening this month at the Historical Society revisiting Batiendo La Olla, an oral history project produced by Taller Puertorriqueño in the 1970s. 

Outside of these educational opportunities, there are countless chances to celebrate the many facets and communities honored through Latinx Heritage Month in the coming days and weeks. 

Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Events in Philadelphia

On the 15th of September, join Philadelphia’s growing Mexican population, among many others, celebrating Mexican Independence Day down at the Delaware River Waterfront. Then, for the rest of the month, dine out at local Latin American restaurants during Dine Latino Restaurant week (September 15, 2024-September 21, 2024) exploring these rich culinary traditions one dish at a time. 

On the 16th of September, enjoy El Mercado Cultural, the last of a series of events sponsored by Fleisher at the Cherry Street Pier, a family-friendly event celebrating art and Latin American arts and crafts.

Then, on the 29th of September, head down to the Parkway to attend or witness the Puerto Rican Day Parade, a joyous explosion of dance, music, and celebration. 

There are many reasons to visit Taller Puertorriqueño this month, but consider attending a poetry workshop they are hosting with the Free Library: Echoes of Heritage: Unveiling the Latin American Poetic Voice in Philadelphia. This workshop exploring Latin American poetry in Philadelphia will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N 5th St.

All through the month, check out events in honor of this month of celebration at The Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is running programming honoring Latinx Artists throughout Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Featured Business: Shane Confectionery

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

This is the season when Shane Confectionery, America’s oldest continuously operating candy shop, offers scrumptious holiday treats made with 100-year-old recipes in vintage molds, using local and traceable ingredients. Take a journey back in time with us as we visit this historic Philadelphia candy shop.

Stepping through the front door of Shane’s at 110 Market is a form of time travel. In 2011, the exterior and interior were restored by the current owners, the Berley brothers, to replicate the shop’s original Victorian appearance. This not only earned Shane an award by Preservation Alliance; it also attracted a new generation of customers who were charmed by, not just the confectionery’s Back-to-the-Future appearance, but by its commitment to combining vintage recipes with ethically sourced ingredients.

Holiday chocolates in gift box. Images: Shane Confectionery

Shane’s prides itself in using cocoa beans imported by Uncommon Cacao. They then sort, roast, and grind the cocoa beans into chocolate used for all their products, including historical drinking chocolates and homemade ice cream served in their Chocolate Cafe.

Other commitments to the environment and sustainability include Shane’s partnership with The Philadelphia Bee Co., providing locally produced bee products including honey, wax, and pollen all gathered from hives within city limits. How local? Beehives were installed on the Confectionery’s rooftop! Jars of honey are also available for sale in the shop. They also source locally whenever possible. Their maple syrup is from PA and distributed by Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-Op and their large hand-twisted pretzels are from Shuey’s Pretzel Factory. a family-owned business based in Lebanon, PA since 1927.

Winter Candies. Image: Shane Confectionery

Nowhere else will you find a large selection of handmade chocolates and candies using ingredients, molds, and techniques that have been passed down for generations. This includes hand-pulled candy canes, nonpareils, jelly fruit slices, historic clear candy toys, and a mouth-watering selection of chocolate bonbons, cordials, and buttercreams. All gifts are boxed and wrapped elegantly in Victorian perfection.

Eric and Ryan Berley. Image: Shane Confectionery

History

When the confectionary first opened at 110 Market Street in 1863, it was owned by the Herring family who ran it as a wholesale business. At the time, Philadelphia was already the most active port in the country with ships delivering cocoa, sugarcane, fruits, and spices at the Delaware waterfront. All the prominent names in American chocolate and candy – Goldenberg’s of Peanut Chew fame, Wilbur Buds, Hershey, and Whitman Chocolates – had their first shops in Philadelphia which were synonymous with its high quality.

The shop passed through several owners, before acquiring the Shane name in 1910. That is when the Baltimore firm of Reinle & Salmon, the finest drugstore cabinetmaker of their day, installed the shop’s charming Victorian decor with curved glass showcases, marble countertops, and beautiful cabinetry which continues to draw visitors today. 

The neighborhood changed throughout the sixties and seventies, and fewer people frequented the store. Yet year after year, customers would line up at Christmastime and Easter. However, in 1983, the grandson of the original Shane owner, took over the business for the next 25 years, refusing to implement modern production techniques and insisting on the old-fashioned handmade methods that had created the confectionery’s reputation. 

In 2010, Shane’s was sold to the Berley brothers, owners of The Franklin Fountain, a Victorian-style ice cream parlor at 116 Market that also sources ethical and fair trade ingredients. They were in sync with the confectionery’s historic chocolate and candy-making traditions and reintroduced Shane’s to a new generation. 

Find your inner Willy Wonka

Candy making process. Image: Shane Confectionery

Shane Confectionery hosts public programs, tours, tastings, and private parties. They offer two varieties of tastings, Traditional Craft Chocolate Tasting and Chocolate Taste & Paint Workshop. Every Friday Shane welcomes the public into their 150-year-old building to sample chocolate and confections while exploring their historic shop, kitchens, and production spaces. Learn about the antique equipment and recipes still in use today, while admiring the building’s architecture, decorative arts, and businesses, and immersing yourself in early chocolate and candy-making culture. For more information, contact Laurel@FranklinFountain.com

Fall Foliage: Leaf Peeping in Philly

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Philly is at its best in the Fall. From parks within the City limits to scenic destinations in adjacent counties, trees are ablaze with color, along with hiking, biking, and dining options. Peak foliage runs from mid-October through early November, but if you want to hit the sweet spot, we recommend hitting the foliage trail on the third week in October.

Where to See Fall Colors in Philadelphia

Photo by Cory J Popp. Philly Fall
Center City fall foliage. Image: Cory J Popp.

Center City

Make it a point to have lunch in Rittenhouse Square when the Maple, Elm, and Oak trees will be in their full glory turning hues of red and orange before they start fluttering down. Pick up a picnic lunch at Di Bruno’s or dine at one of the Square’s sidewalk restaurants while admiring the fall colors. In nearby Washington Square, the leaves on Poplar, Black Locust, Maple, Redwood, and Birch trees are just starting to change color. For a nice stroll in the area, we recommend grabbing a tasty wrap or salad at  Talula’s Daily and visiting the breathtaking Maxfield Parrish class mosaic “Dream Garden” in the Curtis Building at 6th and Walnut.

Bikers and hikers can take to the Schuylkill River Trail, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and go down Kelly Drive for a veritable kaleidoscope of Fall color. Pack a lunch and make a day of it to enjoy the scenery and cool weather.

fallen leaves in philadelphia rowhome
Golden yellow fall leaves on Philadelphia’s streets. Image: Cory J Popp.

South Philly

Another great place for leaf-peeping in the city is South Philly, where you can visit FDR Park‘s 40 acres of kayaking, fishing, and canoeing. Take a leisurely hike in the South Philly Meadow Trails and bring a camera to capture the landscape.

Southwest Philadelphia

Bartram’s Garden, part of the Schuylkill River Trail in southwest Philly is yet another local foliage paradise within the City limits. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is hosting free biking days through November!

Also, in southwest Philly, you’ll find The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum with 10 miles of trails and binoculars and fishing rods available for loan, free of charge. The refuge supports a diversity of habitats, including freshwater tidal marsh, open waters, mudflats, and woodlands that hundreds of species call home. 

On Saturday, October 21st Laurel Hill Cemetery East is hosting a Fall Fun Day from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. This family-friendly day of outdoor autumn festivities includes crafts, live children’s music performances, games, prizes, story times, mini cemetery tours, and more. Pre-Halloween costumes are encouraged. RSVP to attend this free event. Or take a ticketed Fall Foliage Tour of the cemetery led by its arboretum manager on Sunday, October 22, 10 am-12 pm.

Northwest Philadelphia

If you want to experience New England foliage without leaving town, head to the 1,800 wooded acres of Wissahickon Trail in the Northwest section of Fairmount Park. There, you will find 40,000 miles of trails for all levels of biking, hiking, dog walking (on leash only) or simply strolling along a pathway under a lush canopy of trees. Popular with artists and photographers, you can stroll through covered bridges, fish in Wissahickon Creek, and enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner at Valley Green Inn or the more casual Cedars House. Nearby attractions include Morris Arboretum and Woodmere Museum. 

Hit the Road: Bucks County, Kennett Square, Media, and More

A short drive from Philadelphia is New Hope in Bucks County, a charming town on the Delaware River filled with shops, art galleries, and cafes. Experience an autumn journey by hopping on a historic train at the New Hope Railroad or walking across the river to Lambertville, an equally alluring little town lined with antique shops. On the way home, drive along Route 32 from New Hope to Washington Crossing for magnificent fall foliage. Or make it a weekend and stay in one of the area’s historic BnBs such as the Inn at Bowman’s Hill. For a scenic view of the county’s fall colors, climb to the top of Bowman’s Hill Tower.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is one of the best places in the region to view fall foliage with over 1,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, and formal gardens. Nearby is the Brandywine River Museum, containing works by local artist Andrew Wyeth. Birdwatchers will want to head to the John James Audubon Center in Audubon, PA for nature walks and a visit to their museum.

Just 16 miles from Center City, Ridley Creek State Park in Media offers over 2,000 acres of lawn and forest including several formal gardens, horse stables, and trails, plus the historic 1789 Hunting Hill Mansion. Tyler State Park, located 33 miles from Center City in Newtown, PA offers nature fans hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Just a forty-minute drive from Philly, Valley Forge State Park provides 3,500 acres of rolling hills steeped in American history. 

As we head into the fall season, it’s the perfect time of year to check out our stories on how to be more sustainable this fall and Fall in Love with Philadelphia. If like us you’re also getting ready to prepare your home or urban garden for the winter ahead, we also have some Philly fall gardening tips for you.

Time to plant: True Love Seeds

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

There are many ways to explore your ancestral roots. You can take a DNA test, search a genealogical website, or plant heirloom seeds that represent your cultural heritage. That is the mission of True Love Seeds, a Philadelphia farm-based seed company dedicated to sustainable agriculture and returning pesticide-free, non-GMO seeds to their communities of origin. Before you plant your home or community garden this Spring, consider the rewards of using heirloom seeds that reflect your family’s history.

Seeds as Cultural Preservation

Have you ever wondered if recipes, passed down for generations in your family, actually taste
the same as when they were made fifty or one hundred years ago when people only ate produce in season? If you’ve ever bought tomatoes in February, chances are they are a far cry from the ones your Nana used to make her famous lasagna. But suppose you could plant seeds that would grow the very same San Marzano Tomatoes your grandmother used?

This is at the heart of True Love Seed’s mission. “Our farmers are recent immigrants, piecing together a fracture culinary history,” said Owen Taylor, co-founder of True Love Seeds.“It’s been a powerful journey to piece it back together and help them grow an ancestral food garden.” Their motto is, “Keeping seeds is an act of true love for our ancestors and our collective future!”

“Heirlooms are often the tastiest produce because seed varieties that didn’t taste great just weren’t saved. They are those lovely varieties that were bred by small farmers around the world before they had to worry about choosing varieties that kept for weeks and weeks or shipped well,” said Taylor.

Since 2017, Truelove Seeds has worked with 70 farms from around the country with the goal of returning ancestral seeds back to communities who have lost them through removal from their land or other traumatic events such as slavery, war, and genocide. “We grow a lot of our seeds in Delaware County and we work with Bartram’s Garden, Pentridge Children’s Garden in West Philly, and Novick Urban Farm in South Philly,” said Taylor. “The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society buys seeds in bulk from us and distributes them to community gardens.”

Besides produce and herb seeds, True Love Seeds also sells heirloom flower seeds, such as Passionflower, Echinacea, Mountain Mint, Common Flax, and Fever Few among others.

Heirloom Seed Collections

The collections below represent just part of the many herbs, produce, and flower seeds available from True Love Seeds online or at Riverwards Produce in Fishtown and Woodland Building Supply in West Philadelphia. Each collection tells the story of one of the many cultures that comprise our City:

The Philadelphia Collection honors the original people of our area, the Lenni-Lenape, the
Pennsylvania Dutch and the seeds were started by John Bartram in the 1700s. “We send many seed
varieties to Lenape groups and individuals each year,” said Taylor.

The African Diaspora Collection includes many crops that either originated in Africa or that
became important staples in the new world. Sankofa Farm at Bartram’s Garden produces sorghum, flowering sesame, okra, cotton, black-eyed peas, climbing gourds, and luffa. This collection was co-curated by Chris Bolden-Newsome, co-founder of True Love Seeds.

Seeds in the African Diaspora collection. Image: True Love Seeds
Seeds in the African Diaspora collection. Image: True Love Seeds

The Italian Collection offers Italian Frying Peppers, Wild Arugula, Broccoli Rabe, Winter
Squash, Rossa di Milano Onions, White Sicilian Eggplant, Fagiolina, Canestrino Di Lucca
Tomato and more.

In The Syrian Collection, you will find Palestinian Kusa Squash, Spotted Alepo Lettuce, Syrian
Cucumber, Syrian Red Bush Beans, Homs Tomato, and Syrian Pea. The Winter Collection
contains White Russian Kale, Vertissimo Chervil, Brown Winter Lettuce, Winter Spinach and
others.

Seed Swaps & Community Education

Since 2015, True Love Seeds has organized and hosted several Seed Swaps per year with
the Free Library of Philadelphia as the Philadelphia Seed Exchange. At these swaps, gardeners and farmers from the region bring their extra seed harvests and half-used seed packets to trade with each other. “Throughout the year, we offer seed-keeping workshops on and off our farm to groups such as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture, and Swarthmore College,” said Taylor. “For example, at the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, we co-lead an African Diaspora centered seed keeping workshop each year for their community and also bring an intergenerational seed cleaning station to their annual harvest festival.” Mark your calendar – Taylor will be speaking at Wyck Historic House & Garden in Germantown on April 15th from 11 am-4 pm.

Even if your garden is just your kitchen window box, you can support True Love Seeds by purchasing their seeds or by donating to their fundraising efforts to grow their business. True Love Seeds is currently raising funds to purchase farmland that will serve as a permanent farm for preserving ancestral seeds and offer community education programs. Learn more about this initiative and support their gofundme here.

Ray’s Reusables Brings Sustainable Shopping to Northern Liberties

Posted on by Solo Team

In March, Ray Daly opened her first brick and mortar store, Ray’s Reusables, at 935 N. 2nd St in Northern Liberties after running her business on the road as Philadelphia’s first mobile refill shop.

“In 2020, I turned a cargo van into a traveling eco-store, bringing reusable, low-waste products to farmers’ markets in East Falls and Fairmount,” said Daly. In her white van, decorated with Ginko leaves, Ray’s Reusables was well received.

“With the flexibility and mobility of the van, I was able to go into different neighborhoods around the city, making sustainable shopping easier for eco-conscious Philadelphians,” she said. 

“But there were neighborhoods I could not reach due to many farmers’ markets limiting vendors to producers and also the narrowness of streets in certain sections of the City,” she said. Meanwhile, residents of Northern Liberties and Fishtown sought her out via Instagram. 

Refill station at Ray’s Reusables in Northern Liberties

“As soon as I opened the shop in Northern Liberties, they came,” said Daly. “Among the most popular products are UNpaper towels made out of cotton flannel in fun patterns,” she said. “The other products that are in demand are refills: organic hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and body wash.” Other products include a cast iron conditioner, beeswax wrap, rosewater face cream, bamboo cutlery and brushes, natural toothpaste, and an all-purpose cleaner.

Ray's Reusables

Why sustainability?

“Plastic production has increased dramatically since it first came on the scene. Between 1950 and 2019, approximately, 8.3 billion pounds of plastic were created. Only 9% of that total has been recycled. 79% is in landfills and, worse yet, in our oceans and other ecosystems,” said Daly. “I believe that as consumers we have the power to effect change. By investing in quality reusable and refillable solutions we also invest in the health of the environment.”

How it all started

A self-described “Air Force brat” who grew up in Maryland, Daly has traveled all over the world but, before moving to Philly in 2018, she had never lived in a large American city. 

“I came here with my husband whose family lives across the bridge in Jersey,” she said. “I had been teaching high school English in Maryland and working at Whole Foods when I decided to go in another direction.“

Ray’s Reusables Van – Image: Ray’s Reusables

“I started by turning the pockets from my old jeans into something useful and beautiful – cutlery holders! But as I watched the pandemic unfold and saw the waste that was being created as a result, I realized I wanted to do even more to support the sustainable community. That’s why I decided to open up Philadelphia’s first mobile refill shop.”

Daly seized the moment, realizing that during the pandemic people preferred to shop outdoors rather than entering a shop. Farmers’ markets created the perfect opportunity. “My mission was to make plastic-free options accessible and affordable to people regardless of where they live in the City.”

“Now that I have a storefront, it gives me a lot more flexibility in what I can carry. I just expanded to face care refills and curly hair gel,” said Daly. Besides basing her business in Northern Liberties, Daly is looking forward to becoming a neighborhood resident in the near future.

The new brick-and-mortar location shop allows Ray to stock a wider array of products, and reach a new audience but on Saturdays and First Fridays, Daly will continue to take the shop on the road. Her goal? To make sustainable options more accessible for all.

Stop by 935 N. 2nd St to support this sustainable small business during their store hours Mon, Wed, Fri: 11am – 7pm; Saturday: 3pm – 6pm; and Sunday: 10am – 4 pm, or check out their calendar to see where the van will pop up next.

Featured Tenant: Dope Botanicals

Posted on by Solo Team

Solo Real Estate welcomes our new tenant, wellness warriors, Dope Botanicals at 257 S. 20th. Here you will find herbal lattes, teas, tonics, smoothies, and elixirs that will put you on the road to plant-based wellness.

Catch the vibe

“We are curating a vibe here,” said Nakia Stith who launched Dope Botanicals in Rittenhouse Square with her sister Taahirah. “When you walk in, we want you to have a good experience. You can grab a drink and browse our hand-blended herbal products.”

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

Unlike national herbal and vitamin chains that cater to people seeking weight loss or muscle-building products, Dope Botanicals takes a holistic approach. “We want to help people use herbs for everyday nutrition, in addition to medicinal needs,” said Nakia. 

“We have created an intimate store that is more welcoming than the usual health shop and less intimidating than a Chinatown apothecary which customers often find confusing and overwhelming. Sometimes the staff in those stores are not well versed in identifying what you need,” she said.

“Everything we stock comes from organic farms and wild-crafters who forage for herbs in the woods,” said Nakia who believes that the number one health issue these days is stress. “It comes from everywhere. What you see on social media or TV. From juggling work and parenting. From the pace of City life. From the economy and the pandemic.” 

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

All in the family

While herbal medicine is currently enjoying a resurgence, it is not new to the Stith sisters. “We grew up in a family where plant-based remedies were valued. I was encouraged to read about herbal medicine by my father from the time I was ten years old,” she said. As a result, people were always asking the sisters how to use herbs to cure their health issues. 

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

For Nakia and Taahirah, turning their healthy lifestyle into a business was a logical progression. “People were always asking us for health advice,” said Nakia who also runs her family’s security and protection agency. Previously, Taahirah was a Montessori teacher who taught plant-based cooking for children. She also taught healthy cooking classes at the Free Library.

“We have both single herbs and herbal formulas that we blend and handcraft to address insomnia, stress, fatigue, and many common issues,” said Nakia. “For insomnia, we have herbs like California poppy, catnip (it’s not just for cats), and more. We also have a blend called Ease that incorporates hops and passionflower. The blend is very relaxing, and many people have had great success with it.”

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

“For folks who are used to caffeine and want to feel physically energized quickly, we have caffeinated herbs like Guayusa, Yerba Mate, and Matcha all of which have caffeine without the crash.,” she said. “We have a great energizing blend called “3M” that incorporates Matcha, Moringa, and Maca, it is both nutritious and energizing.”

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

Herbal Medicine History

Herbal medicine has been a respected and trusted tradition for thousands of years. In fact, it is the precursor of the modern-day pharmaceutical industry. The American medicinal herb industry started in 1799 when the Shakers gathered and cultivated 248 varieties of herbs and sold them to physicians worldwide. In 1821, the first pharmacy school in the nation, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, opened here.

If you had entered a Philadelphia pharmacy in the 1950s and asked for something for stomach pain, you would not be handed Tums. The pharmacist would have ground up anise in a mortar and pestle. Now, a renewed interest in alternative medicine, including herbal remedies, is sparking interest again.

Personalized Service

Confused by the variety of herbs? Both Nakia and Taahirah are certified health coaches who offer one-on-one advice. “People who are new to herbal medicine can get to know us and our products while enjoying a healthy smoothie,” said Taahirah. This isn’t the kale and strawberry smoothie found all over. It is blended to address your specific health issues.

One of the intriguing drinks, you’ll find on Dope Botanical’s menus is Dark Magic. “It’s a blend of organic cacao and seven mushrooms to enhance memory,” said Nakia.

Image: Cory J. Popp for Solo Real Estate.

Besides herbal brews, Dope Botanicals will offer consultations on herbal health, small group classes in plant-based health, and videos.

“We offer a more holistic approach to better health,” said Nakia. 

Dope Botanicals is one of many commercial tenants we are proud to work with and have in our community.  If you are seeking office or studio space, reach out to us to see how we can support your business goals.

The Secret Life of Buildings: Philadelphia’s Last Surviving Theatres

Posted on by Solo Team

Theaters are a measure of a City’s vitality. They are also weather vanes of constantly shifting cultural trends. In both regards, Philadelphia theaters have withstood the test of time. Here are a few that are noteworthy for both their architecture and their role in shaping our City’s history.

Walnut Theatre, 1821. Image courtesy of the PA State Archives

Walnut Street Theatre

The oldest theatre in America, Walnut Street Theatre opened in 1809 as a circus with equestrian acts. Just two years later, out go the horses; in come the actors.  Redesigned for theatrical performances by acclaimed architect William Strickland, the theatre featured the top actors of their day. Audience members included President Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. 

Walnut Street Theatre (1938). This image shows the 1920s interior design by architect William Lee. Photograph courtesy of Athenaeum Philadelphia

The biggest change came in the 1940s when the Theatre was purchased by the Shubert Organization. At the time, Philly was a “try-out” town where shows worked out their kinks before opening on Broadway. Other Center City theatres presenting Broadway previews included: the Shubert (now the Merriam); the Erlanger at 21st and Market (demolished in 1978), and the Locust Theatre, 1407 Locust (now Estia restaurant). 

As a result, Philly audiences could see the original casts of shows for a fraction of the Broadway price. Pre-theatre restaurants like Lew Tendler’s at Broad and Locust displayed hundreds of autographed photos of famed actors who had dined there. The Walnut Theatre’s stage had featured luminaries of stage and screen, including Lauren Becall, Woody Allen, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Hackman, Henry Fonda, and Sidney Portier. 

Actress Fanny Davenport at the Walnut Theatre, 1884. Image courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia

The Walnut, a National Historic Landmark, became a self-producing, non-profit regional theatre in 1982, founding the Walnut Street Theatre Company. With nearly 50,000 subscribers annually, today the Walnut Street Theatre is the most subscribed theatre company in the world.

Metropolitan Opera House

When it opened in 1908, seating 4,000, the Metropolitan Opera House, 858 N. Broad Street, was the largest theater of its kind in the world. Designed by architect William H. McElfatrick, known as “the father of American theatre architecture,” it was originally called the Philadelphia Opera House and was owned by New York’s Metropolitan Opera which performed there until 1920.

Today, North Broad Street might seem an unlikely location for opera lovers, but at the dawn of the 20th Century, it was an affluent part of the City, lined with the mansions of wealthy industrialists. By the late 20th Century, North Broad Street was in decline and the Metropolitan Opera House became inactive as a music venue. 

In 2018, after a $56 million restoration, the 113-year-old opera house reopened as the MET Philadelphia, featuring a performance by Bob Dylan to a sold-out audience. The new space has art deco elements and marks the revitalization of North Broad Street. Upcoming performances include Sting, Ringo Starr, and Alicia Keys. 

The Tower Theater 

Built in 1927 in Upper Darby, just outside the City limits, the Tower Theater thrived in its early years as a vaudeville venue and movie theater. 

By the 1970s, the Tower had fallen on hard times, reflecting changes in the neighborhood. In 1972, the theater was refurbished following a severe fire and converted into a rock concert venue.  

The Tower presented rock legends: David Bowie, Genesis with Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen Lou Reed and Jerry Garcia. In 2018, the Tower Theater was named one of the 10 best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone Magazine. Currently, the Tower Theatre is the site of the Van Gogh Immersive Event through February 2022.

Forrest Theatre

Originally located at Broad and Sansom Street, the Forrest Theatre was built at its current location, 1114 Walnut Street, in 1927. Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, the theatre was named after the 19th century Philadelphia actor Edwin Forrest and is one of the architect’s most intricate designs. Owned by the Shubert Organization, the Forrest Theatre offered previews of Broadway plays and musicals from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Forrest Theater Interior. Image: The Shubert Organization

The Grand Foyer was redone in the early 1990s by famous theatrical scenic designer Oliver Smith. In 2017, an extensive redecoration to the Auditorium and Mezzanine Lounge was completed.

Forrest Theater Balcony. Image: The Shubert Organization

Starting in 2007, the Forrest Theatre joined with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts offering Broadway touring productions. Recently, that included sold-out performances of Hamilton.

Sedgewick Theater

Built in 1928 and designed by architect William Harold Lee, the Sedgewick in Mt. Airy is one of the twenty remaining theaters designed by Lee, including the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and the Hiway Theater in Jenkintown. This Art Deco movie palace was built just as silent films gave way to “talkies” and was in operation until 1966.

When it closed, it became a warehouse and significant damage had been done. It became the Sedgewick Cultural Center in 1995. However, by 2006 the overall condition of the theater had not improved. In 2010, the Quintessence Theatre Group rented the Sedgewick for a classical repertory troupe. They have since secured a twenty-year lease on the theatre and they continue to present performances at the site.

The next time you are in one of Philly’s historic theaters, don’t just take in the show. Take in the magnificent architecture and craftsmanship of a bygone era that has thrilled audiences for over a century.

This article is part of a series titled “The Secret Life of Buildings” where we cover the history and architecture behind Philadelphia’s storied buildings. We’ve written about row house styles, alleys, courtyards, and star bolts, among other topics. What else would you like to learn about? Follow us and DM us on Facebook or Instagram to let us know!