New York things: sorry, but you can't all be popular in Philly. It didn't really "work out" between Philly and Brooklyn Flea. Brooklyn Flea Philly, an offshoot of the successful New York City flea market, folded its many tables for the last time on Sunday October 27th and bid its Northern Liberties location a final goodbye. The flea's demise got us wondering what NYC-exported businesses have flourished or flopped after making the jump to Philly.
? Brooklyn Flea Philly: Some say it was a poor choice of naming, that Philly's "anti-New York attitude" killed Brooklyn Flea Philly. Has anyone mentioned the fact that Philly already has great flea markets and thrift shops? Whatever the cause, Brooklyn Flea only lasted one season at the Piazza in Northern Liberties.
? 3rd Ward Philly The now-defunct artist/co-working organization – whose original location was in Bushwick, Brooklyn – opened a South Kensington space in April 2013, only to shutter its doors 7 months later, amid a firestorm of controversy. It has been reported that 3rd Ward's expansion into Philadelphia proved more costly than anticipated and forced the company to cease doing business altogether. Reportedly, mismanagement – more than a move to Philly – was responsible for 3rd Ward's undoing.
? The Ritz Carlton Technically, this isn't a NYC-to-Philly move —the first Ritz-Carlton was in Europe— but the hotel's history makes it worth the mention. The Ritz's earliest North American location opened in New York in June 1911, followed by a Philadelphia location a year later. The Great Depression shuttered the original 201 South Broad Street Ritz-Carlton, but the 5 star hotel returned, in the year 2000, with the opening of its current incarnation at the former Girard Trust Building.
Shake Shack When the burger and milkshake chain opened its Center City location, in June 2012, the line stretched around the block. Last month, Shake Shack opened a UCity location at 3200 Chestnut Street aka Chestnut Square, as well as a shack in King of Prussia. The restaurant's 3.5/5 Yelp rating may indicate that Philly has little beef with the chain's arrival.
? Barcade The Brooklyn bar-meets-arcade made its 2011 Philly debut at 1114 Frankford Ave in Fishtown. "We tried to pick a location that was not right in the middle of a residential block," says founder Paul Kermizian. "Our focus on craft beer meant we were going to support local breweries and we have." On the experience in Philly, so far, Kermizian adds, "It's been great. For the most part we've felt very welcome." The friendly staff, inviting decor, plus games and craft beer make Barcade an excellent addition to the city's bar scene.
? Fette Sau Brooklyn-based founder Joe Campbell joined forces with Philly's own restaurateur-extraordinaire Stephen Starr to open the Fishtown outpost of Fette Sau, the popular BBQ and spirits joint. A year in, the brisket is still selling by the pound.
Crumbs Bake Shop, Joe coffee, the start-up DailyWorth (founded by Mount Airy resident Amanda Steinberg), and the law firm Helbraun, Levey & O'Donoghue are now operating in Philly. Does the new business mean Philadelphia has finally arrived? Or, is it just another sign that people are finally noticing what the city has long had to offer? Sarah, a longtime resident of Fishtown, thinks it's a little bit of both. "Philly has had a growing entrepreneur scene long before NYC showed up...Its been wild to watch these once desolate and commercial corridors, like Frankford Ave or N. 2nd Street, come back to life."
To all the entrepreneurs hoping to cash in on Philly's growth she offers this word of advice, "We've got lots of choices begging for our business. They've all got different appeal, but they're going to have to continue to get more creative, if they're gonna keep us coming back."
—Tishon Woolcock
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