1300 Frankford Area -What's it like for business?

**sunshiner** · 02-11-2012, 08:54 PM

Hi, my friend is thinking about opening a business around 1330-1350's on Frankford. Is this an up and coming neighborhood? What's it like? crime? good retail space?

**John Goodman** · 02-11-2012, 08:58 PM

great! tell him to do it!

**FishtownLawyer** · 02-12-2012, 10:14 AM

I think we'd need a bit more information to give you an informed opinion. Can you give us an idea of what the plans are?

**sunshiner** · 02-12-2012, 11:46 AM

He and his wife would like to open a small spa? Area looks desolate to me though.

**FishtownLawyer** · 02-12-2012, 03:35 PM

Desolate? Hardly! Though I'd do some research into competition. I think we have a few similar businesses in the area along Girard Ave.

Are you/they living in the city now?

**sunshiner** · 02-12-2012, 06:23 PM

Thanks. They are moving here and I'm helping research. Are there a lot of boutiques or clothing stores around? I haven't been to Fishtown that often. Are there any nail salons or places to go for massage?

**bonzombiekitty** · 02-13-2012, 07:53 AM

There's a few nail salons along Girard ave, just a few blocks away from the block of Frankford you are talking about. As for massages, there is a yoga studio that offers massages at the corner of Frankford and Girard.

Frankford ave is a little desolate in terms of businesses, but it is quickly improving. I've lived in the Fishtown/NoLibs/S Kensington area for 4 years, and there's been a noticeable improvement. There's some cool plans for stuff that might come in, like a hotel, an indoor farmers market (supposed to be like a scaled down version of reading terminal), and custom motorcyle shop. Whether or not those plans come to fruition (iirc, the motorcycle shop is being presented for zoning soon) remains to be seen.

**sunshiner** · 02-13-2012, 10:01 AM

Thanks. Are there many retail stores for shopping? How about safety at night time -are there a lot of people about? Would customers feel safe? I looked on the Fishtown Neighbors website but didn't find anything out about a farmers market or hotel - do you know when they are planning this?

**seanmhair** · 02-13-2012, 10:02 AM

Also massage available at the Urban Roots Wellness Center on Girard Avenue, along with acupuncture and other things.

**sunshiner** · 02-13-2012, 11:29 AM

Cool. Is this area safe at night for customers?

**seanmhair** · 02-13-2012, 11:47 AM

Don't ask me, I'm a local...I'm part of the problem, not part of the cure.
By that I mean that things that upset some people may not necessarily have that effect of me.

**bonzombiekitty** · 02-13-2012, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by sunshiner

Thanks. Are there many retail stores for shopping?

There's not much in terms of retail along that stretch. There's a couple stores, but that seems to be changing.

I looked on the Fishtown Neighbors website but didn't find anything out about a farmers market or hotel - do you know when they are planning this?

Check out this article:
Frankford Avenue Drawing More Than A Dozen New Projects | Hidden City Philadelphia

**sunshiner** · 02-23-2012, 03:41 PM

So, I just visited the area and its seems desolate during the day. Do you think the slated development (ice cream parlour, farmer's market, etc) will happen this year? Does this area get ANY walk by traffic? Seems like there's plenty of opportunity but doesn't seem like a busy strip right now.

**lighterthief** · 02-24-2012, 10:20 AM

the intersection of Frankford and Girard is increasingly becoming a busy dining/entertainment area lots of destination nightlife and more in-line for the near future. The Frankford Ave corridor is developing gradually. There is foot and bike traffic but not sustained like you would get on a busy established corridor say Passyunk Ave or Main St Manyunk. NKCDC has actively been working to manage and encourage development along Frankford if your friends are looking to open a business there a call to them would be a good idea. They will be able to provide a good picture of present and future potential for business in the area.

**sunshiner** · 02-24-2012, 11:53 AM

Do you think the farmer's market and other retail proposals will be developed along Frankford. My main concerns are foot traffic during the day and that customers would feel safe coming at night.

**FishtownLawyer** · 02-24-2012, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by sunshiner

Do you think the farmer's market and other retail proposals will be developed along Frankford. My main concerns are foot traffic during the day and that customers would feel safe coming at night.

Why don't you and your friends come down here to get a feel for it, instead of asking an assortment of internet strangers on a message board?

And you're crazy if you think it gets no foot traffic. During the day, many people are at work and therefore not free to walk Frankford Ave. There are tons of people there in the morning on the way to the El to get to work, and many more in the evening on the way home.

When did you come by that you think it's "desolate"?

**sunshiner** · 02-25-2012, 07:59 PM

We did visit. There wasn't much walkers-by, that's why I'm asking. I read about new development taking place but it seems a while away. Just asking general opinion. Thanks.

**GStanza** · 02-26-2012, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by sunshiner

Hi, my friend is thinking about opening a business around 1330-1350's on Frankford. Is this an up and coming neighborhood? What's it like? crime? good retail space?

GHETTO. Thats what it is.

Look the housing BUBBLE has come and GONE -- opening up a business in the hood of fishtown in 2012 is like buying .com stocks in 2001, in other words your a bit too late!

Let it go, find another way to 'get rich quick'...

..or...learn the hard way

lolololololoolololoollooloooooooooooo oo o o o

**GStanza** · 02-26-2012, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by sunshiner

He and his wife would like to open a small spa? Area looks desolate to me though.

jesus tap-dancing-christ...

Spa Le Fishtowne'?

Imagine opening up a spa in a tailer-park, thats what I think of your idea...

not hating

just givin you the TRUTH. Try a different area.. center city perhaps...

**GStanza** · 02-26-2012, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by sunshiner

Thanks. Are there many retail stores for shopping? How about safety at night time -are there a lot of people about? Would customers feel safe? I looked on the Fishtown Neighbors website but didn't find anything out about a farmers market or hotel - do you know when they are planning this?

OMG! You goddam transplants crack me up to no end! LOL "IS IT SAAAAAFE?"

ITS NORF FILLY!!!!! Its a CITY! Its not suburbia its not disneyland -- to those born and raised here its kensington! THE HOOD! A place that since 2005 has had alot of housing bubbletards try to gentrify it and now those people are STUCK there with no hope to sell to get out with their houses 'underwater'...

do yourself a favor and VISIT fishtown for yourself!

You cant polish a turd. I love fishtown, but not in a pretentious way...

the bubbletards that will be your target for your 'spa' are on their way OUT as they property 'values' are severely underwater... so think about that before you pull the trigger...

Better to open a dollar-store or a liquor & sammich mart that accepts WIC and SNAP and EBT and foodstamps...

oh.. and sells SEPTA tokens too...