Good things happening...

**loveisnoise** · 04-19-2012, 05:42 PM

Looks like some good moves are occurring.

Divan Mediterranean Grill is opening on 6th between south and bainbridge. The place looks great.

Baklava Cafe opened up on the north side of south between 6th and 7th. Surprise! They sell baklava. And espresso, and other good stuff.

European Republic has opened next to the old McDonalds and their food rocks. Great vegetarian selections, wraps, and of course frites.

**SouthStMan** · 04-19-2012, 05:50 PM

There's a few other fun things coming ... some are waiting for various papers, so I need to sit tight. But me thinks - once they arrive - you'll be pleased.

**scotchrocks** · 04-19-2012, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by southstman

there's a few other fun things coming ... Some are waiting for various papers, so i need to sit tight. But me thinks - once they arrive - you'll be pleased.

more irish food

**loveisnoise** · 04-19-2012, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by SouthStMan

There's a few other fun things coming ... some are waiting for various papers, so I need to sit tight. But me thinks - once they arrive - you'll be pleased.

It will be interesting to see what else is coming.

Well, I'm actually happy about 7-11 coming. People may not like chains, but I think they show a healthy retail. 7-11 is quickly becoming the new convenience store since wawa has shown that it doesn't care about Philadelphia. I love the guys at 8-12, but the place has gone straight to hell since it changed hands.

**gren** · 04-19-2012, 08:19 PM

I got some of the baklava and other assorted Levantine pastries at Baklava Cafe and enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to stopping in there now that they're just about fully opened and getting a coffee and sitting.

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Well, I'm actually happy about 7-11 coming. People may not like chains, but I think they show a healthy retail. 7-11 is quickly becoming the new convenience store since wawa has shown that it doesn't care about Philadelphia. I love the guys at 8-12, but the place has gone straight to hell since it changed hands.

When is their ZBA date? SSHD opposed the take out variance so I'll be curious if they get it. Lots of people don't seem to like the idea of 24/7.

**loveisnoise** · 04-19-2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by gren

When is their ZBA date? SSHD opposed the take out variance so I'll be curious if they get it. Lots of people don't seem to like the idea of 24/7.

Wait... what?!?! Are you ****ing serious?! I really hope this isn't true or I'll be going ape **** very soon.

7-11's lawyers have to get their **** together. No takeout variance should be needed for a corner store, and I'd fight the district into bankruptcy. Hell, if they did oppose it then why aren't they getting that ****ing piece of **** boardwalk fries hellhole shut down for takeout they shouldn't have?

**QVM** · 04-20-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Wait... what?!?! Are you ****ing serious?! I really hope this isn't true or I'll be going ape **** very soon.

7-11's lawyers have to get their **** together. No takeout variance should be needed for a corner store, and I'd fight the district into bankruptcy. Hell, if they did oppose it then why aren't they getting that ****ing piece of **** boardwalk fries hellhole shut down for takeout they shouldn't have?

Rules are for people who follow them.

**loveisnoise** · 04-20-2012, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by QVM

Rules are for people who follow them.

Yeah, apparently. This really better not be true. I've complained about several places opening and doing take out without any variances or approvals and the district just shrugs their shoulders and says, 'well, people like the business so we'll turn a blind eye'. Meanwhile, they put other businesses through the ringer. ****ing bull ****.

**gren** · 04-25-2012, 05:02 PM

If NakedPhilly is to be believed then 7-11 withdrew their request for the variance.

**loveisnoise** · 04-25-2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by gren

If NakedPhilly is to be believed then 7-11 withdrew their request for the variance.

They did the same thing when moving into Fishtown. My guess is that they smartened up and will reorganize before going to the ZBA, where they won't need a variance.

**Eames** · 04-27-2012, 05:37 AM

This is good news. Divan was great at its old location. Really glad they moved down here. I never liked the old location. Can't wait to go back.

**Jayfar** · 04-27-2012, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Eames

This is good news. Divan was great at its old location. Really glad they moved down here. I never liked the old location. Can't wait to go back.

They didn't move. This one is unrelated.

New Divan has nothing to do with old Divan | Philadelphia City Paper | 04/04/2012

New Divan Not Connected to Old Divan; Bull Riding - EaterWire - Eater Philly

**bartphilliy** · 04-27-2012, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

They didn't move. This one is unrelated.

New Divan has nothing to do with old Divan | Philadelphia City Paper | 04/04/2012

New Divan Not Connected to Old Divan; Bull Riding - EaterWire - Eater Philly

Except that when you go in to pick up a take-out menu, they give you one from the old Divan, tell the you slight differences, and that this prices are little less than indicated. Also, the woman I spoke with referred to old Divan as their old place. I think one of the articles mentioned that one of the owners/chefs/investors was the same. Anyway, none of this matters so long as the food is awesome.

**Jayfar** · 04-27-2012, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by bartphilliy

Except that when you go in to pick up a take-out menu, they give you one from the old Divan, tell the you slight differences, and that this prices are little less than indicated. Also, the woman I spoke with referred to old Divan as their old place. I think one of the articles mentioned that one of the owners/chefs/investors was the same. Anyway, none of this matters so long as the food is awesome.

Hmm...

Divining Divan

The logos look identical, so are they related? Yes and no.
Not by ownership. Ilker Ugur, who owned the now-closed Divan, told me he has nothing to do with the new one.
The common link - I can tell you - is Sadi Cetiner, who was chef at 22d and Carpenter and is a co-owner at Sixth and Bainbridge.

**cygnus2112** · 04-27-2012, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

They didn't move. This one is unrelated.

New Divan has nothing to do with old Divan | Philadelphia City Paper | 04/04/2012

New Divan Not Connected to Old Divan; Bull Riding - EaterWire - Eater Philly

Not exactly true. While the owner of the old Divan is not involved. The chef from the old Divan IS involved. I know that for a fact because I asked the people there when I checked it out last week.