New Convenience Store - 20th and Carpenter?

[drewkal]

I was walking up 20th from Carpenter to Christian and noticed they have been doing some work on the commercial space on the corner of 20th and Carpenter. There were a few guys putting up the metal work around the doors and windows, I presume for the metal gates to protect the doors/windows at night. Anyway I asked one of the guys what was going in and he didn't speak great english but mentioned a grocery store.

anyone have any details?

[Lolly]

Yeah it's going to be a new "corner store" according to the owner of the building. I also ran into the new tenants the other day, and conversed through their "interpreter" (actually their sign designer) who said it will carry "everything you need to make a meal" as well as other basics like laundry detergent and diapers. They'll also be cooking and selling prepared hot foods, but I didn't get menu details.

I also asked about fresh fruits and veggies and they said, "sure okay" - basically indicating they'd carry whatever the neighborhood wants.

[drewkal]

Did you get a Palm Tree/Food & Friends type vibe or a bodega type vibe?

[Lolly]

Definitely more of a bodega vibe.

[Lolly]

Well can't say I'm pleased to be making this update, but...

Has anyone else gotten a glimpse of what's coming soon at this corner yet? The hefty steel security gates were dissappointing enough to see appear, but all the shiny new bullet-proof plexi inside really makes my skin crawl.

I hope neighbors will quickly convince the store's operators that all that stuff needs to go away quickly if they want to appeal to the right neighbors around here and win our support.

[BrianL]

Well can't say I'm pleased to be making this update, but...

Has anyone else gotten a glimpse of what's coming soon at this corner yet? The hefty steel security gates were dissappointing enough to see appear, but all the shiny new bullet-proof plexi inside really makes my skin crawl.

I hope neighbors will quickly convince the store's operators that all that stuff needs to go away quickly if they want to appeal to the right neighbors around here and win our support.

Got to love it - tell them to go talk to Kim Van

[Citigirl]

now if the fine pub kitchen folks would have set their sights on a commercial property at 20 & carpenter, or even the bar for sale at 20 & bainbridge, instead of a residential property at 20 & kater, they could of have been setting up shop by now, and saved a ton of money and agita. We aren't the neighborhood of no, we are the neighborhood of people doing stuff the wrong way.

[Malloy]

Well can't say I'm pleased to be making this update, but...

Has anyone else gotten a glimpse of what's coming soon at this corner yet? The hefty steel security gates were dissappointing enough to see appear, but all the shiny new bullet-proof plexi inside really makes my skin crawl.

I hope neighbors will quickly convince the store's operators that all that stuff needs to go away quickly if they want to appeal to the right neighbors around here and win our support.

Where are these people from?

[Lolly]

Where are these people from?

I'm told they're Dominican, and have a chain of stores around Philly. Not sure exactly where else though.

[Lolly]

Time to take action, neighbors:

multiple violations at new corner store - Schuylkill Southwest, Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia - Issue #196072 - SeeClickFix

"This new store getting ready to open on the NW corner of 20th & Carpenter Streets is a disgrace. First, they breached the party wall through the back into the neighboring property. Next, they installed an air conditioner unit right out on the sidewalk (Carpenter St side). And today they have installed very ugly & DEFINITELY ILLEGAL awnings. They have no permission, variances or anything else that would be required to allow them to do these things. Neighbors unite against this blight!!"

Installation today:


A/C unit on public sidewalk:


Two doors, a vent and an electrical (phone?) box on the back side wall breaching onto neighboring property:

[Malloy]

Never knew detergent was that big of a seller at the local bodega.

[Lolly]

Never knew detergent was that big of a seller at the local bodega.

Ha, right!? Little did I know that the interpreter/sign-designer was taking me so literally when she asked what neighbors would like to see sold there. As I recall, I did mention laundry detergent.

[Gladys]

haven't we grown past bodegas?

[Gladys]

now if the fine pub kitchen folks would have set their sights on a commercial property at 20 & carpenter, or even the bar for sale at 20 & bainbridge, instead of a residential property at 20 & kater, they could of have been setting up shop by now, and saved a ton of money and agita. We aren't the neighborhood of no, we are the neighborhood of people doing stuff the wrong way.

Accept the "fine pub kitchen folks" did it the right way, crossed their i's dotted their t's was all above board and open in their actions and discussions regarding the property used for commercial purposes for years at 20th and Kater. Everything was by the book. It was the NIMBY couple who were underhanded and that's why it's not there. No compromise was allowed. I guess in that instance we would have been the neighborhood of an underhanded nimby couple.

Enjoy your bodega because this is one reason why this type of businessperson get's away with doing business here, the honest ones often get shat upon.

[OffenseTaken]

now if the fine pub kitchen folks would have set their sights on a commercial property at 20 & carpenter, or even the bar for sale at 20 & bainbridge, instead of a residential property at 20 & kater, they could of have been setting up shop by now, and saved a ton of money and agita. We aren't the neighborhood of no, we are the neighborhood of people doing stuff the wrong way.

I'm pretty sure the Twi-Lite is off the market.

[20kim]

The sign is so awful that I just registered with this website just to comment on it! The photo above doesn't capture it, but I'm hesitant to try their "sadwiches."

(And yet, we're closing schools!)

[schuylkillraide]

since you seem to think that you are the right neighbor, you speak to them

Well can't say I'm pleased to be making this update, but...

Has anyone else gotten a glimpse of what's coming soon at this corner yet? The hefty steel security gates were dissappointing enough to see appear, but all the shiny new bullet-proof plexi inside really makes my skin crawl.

I hope neighbors will quickly convince the store's operators that all that stuff needs to go away quickly if they want to appeal to the right neighbors around here and win our support.

[ofeibush]

I'm pretty sure the Twi-Lite is off the market.

Very different use.

[schuylkillraide]

call south philly homes put them on it thery will take care of all illegal signs

Time to take action, neighbors:

multiple violations at new corner store - Schuylkill Southwest, Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia - Issue #196072 - SeeClickFix

"This new store getting ready to open on the NW corner of 20th & Carpenter Streets is a disgrace. First, they breached the party wall through the back into the neighboring property. Next, they installed an air conditioner unit right out on the sidewalk (Carpenter St side). And today they have installed very ugly & DEFINITELY ILLEGAL awnings. They have no permission, variances or anything else that would be required to allow them to do these things. Neighbors unite against this blight!!"

Installation today:


A/C unit on public sidewalk:


Two doors, a vent and an electrical (phone?) box on the back side wall breaching onto neighboring property:

[Gladys]

The sign is so awful that I just registered with this website just to comment on it! The photo above doesn't capture it, but I'm hesitant to try their "sadwiches."

(And yet, we're closing schools!)

i can't see the spelling on the sign... really???? sadwiches??? that's an endorsement.