🤩 Several new shops to open along 9th Street 🏥 Rite Aid closures to hurt 💐 Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Thursday, South Philly.

And happy Mother’s Day to all who are celebrating this weekend!

In this week’s Scoop …

• Five pharmacies are set to close as Rite Aid declares bankruptcy again.

• One of South Philly’s nicest homes is on the market. Seriously, just look at this place.

• A number of new businesses are setting up along 9th Street.

🏥 Rite Aid closure will have big impact locally

Rite Aid has declared bankruptcy for the second time in three years, and with it they will eventually close five South Philadelphia pharmacy locations as well as their Navy Yard headquarters. Stores are not closing immediately, and some could be sold to other operators. The AP has a full run down on what customers can expect.

This isn’t really surprising to anybody who has set foot in a Rite Aid over the last couple of years. The shelves have been close to empty at many stores since the company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy a first time in 2023.

The news will have an outsized effect in South Philadelphia, where Rite Aid has five locations. Much of Point Breeze is already a so-called “pharmacy desert”, with lack of access to adequate or plentiful pharmacy services, and fewer overall pharmacies in our neighborhoods are only going to stress the remaining facilities.

Here’s a rundown of the five locations.

• 5th and Fitzwater: This suburban-style location with a lot is ripe for redevelopment, right at the end of Passyunk Avenue in the heart of Queen Village. Some sort of mixed-use building with ground floor retail and residential upstairs seems perfect here.

• 9th and Catherine: Same deal here. This parking lot is out of place in the neighborhood, a block up from the Italian Market. Redevelopment with residential and commercial would be great here.

• 7th and Dickinson: Another lot here that will hopefully be redeveloped.

• Snyder Plaza: This Rite Aid location anchors the portion of this strip mall with a post office, Uncle Oogie’s pizza, Dollar Tree, Avalon Flooring, and a laundromat. Hopefully this won’t be vacant too long.

• Broad and Snyder: This intersection really needs some love. Walgreens across the street closed last year, and the old McDonald’s building is set to be demolished, leaving a gash in the middle of the block. Another empty storefront will only exacerbate the issues.

Remaining pharmacies in South Philadelphia include two within ACME locations (at 10th and Reed and 20th and Oregon), three CVS locations (including one in Target on Mifflin Street), two Walgreens locations (including a pharmacy-only on Bainbridge), and a few other small, locally-owned shops.

There’s a chance these Rite Aids could be bought and operated by another party, but we’ll see what ultimately happens.

🍨 More scoop …

Broad and Snyder recovery center to close: Due in part to the suspension of federal funding, the Wedge Recovery Centers — which provide support to those suffering with mental health, drug, and alcohol abuse issues — will be closing for good. They operate locations near Broad and Snyder, in addition to other locations around the city.

New pizza shop in old Little Italy space: This is technically not in South Philly, but they serve many areas in Bella Vista and Queen Village, so we’ll let it slide. The old Little Italy pizzeria near 9th and South will re-open as Puglia Pizza “sometime in the next two weeks,” per owners. A sign went up last week at the location.

Melmo’s Dog Treats gets storefront: A locally-owned dog, cat, and horse treat shop that started in a South Philly rowhouse is getting a storefront in the Italian Market. They will hold their grand opening at 905 South 9th Street on Saturday at noon.

Final few days for food drive: The South Philly Action Coalition’s food drive to support South Philly Community Fridge started on May 4 and will end on May 11. Bring shelf-stable items to Guzo Cafe, 800 South 12th, through Sunday.

Tacos at 9th and Federal: La Catrachita, which operates a food truck and a location in Southport Plaza (with the car wash and the Wawa on Front Street), is opening a second store on the southern end of the Italian Market. Signs went up on the exterior of the building just a few doors down from Geno’s Steaks, sharing the corner with RIM Cafe and J&J Pizza.

🗓️ This week’s South Philly events calendar

We can’t possibly find all of the cool events in South Philly on our own. Please send your submissions each week to [email protected] or DM us on IG at @south.philly.scoop.

Thursday, May 8

Garces Foundation Benefit
A Latin night market theme featuring dancing, live music, and food tastings.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ $125
📍 Live Casino, 10th and Packer

Jacquees & Dej Loaf: F*** A Friend Zone Tour
Jacquees and Dej Loaf bring sultry R&B energy and magnetic chemistry to the stage.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $87
📍 TLA, 334 South

Bad Advice: Improvised Standup and Open Mic
“Bad Advice is an improvised standup comedy show where comedians answer your questions to give you all the wrong answers.”
⏱️ 8 p.m., open mic at 9:30
🎟️ Free entry, donations encouraged
📍 Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, East Passyunk and Federal

Friday, May 9

Wells Fargo Center End of Season Sale
Get steep discounts on Flyers, Sixers and Wings merch at the annual end of season sale. Some gear is up to 50% off.
⏱️ 10 a.m.
📍 Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia Take Steps 2025
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation hosts a fundraiser.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ Full details at the link
📍 Citizens Bank Park

The Devil Makes Three Tour 2025
The band brings their signature blend of folk, blues, and punk-inspired Americana to South Street.
⏱️ 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ $83 on the resale market
📍 TLA, 334 South

Saturday, May 10

Pause In The Park: Wellbeing Day
An outdoor day festival for all ages that celebrates rejuvenation, creativity and connection.
⏱️ 10 a.m.
🎟️ Free, but tickets required
📍 FDR Park

Free Paper Shredding
Your local state reps are teaming up to help you with that spring cleaning. Shredding is a pain — do it for free!
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🎟️ Free
📍 South Philadelphia HS, Broad and Snyder

Cartesian Brewing Book Fair
Several local book shops will be set up at the Passyunk Avenue brewery, plus beer and a book swap!
⏱️ 1 to 5 p.m.
🎟️ Free, but tickets required
📍 Cartesian Brewing, 1326 East Passyunk

George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum
Country stars take over the Linc.
⏱️ 5:45 p.m.
🎟️ Start at $84.65
📍 Lincoln Financial Field

Philadelphia Surge vs. Los Angeles Astra
The women’s ultimate (frisbee football, basically) club hosts a team from L.A. — and it’s also dollar dog night!
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ $22 for adults
📍 South Philly Supersite, 10th and Bigler

May Dayze Fight Night
An action-packed fight card featuring 10 fighters.
⏱️ 6 p.m.
🎟️ Start at $65
📍 2300 Arena, 2300 South Swanson

Stan Society Presents: Best Song Ever Dance Party
A high-energy night celebrating iconic pop hits and fan-favorite anthems on the dance floor.
⏱️ 9 p.m.
🎟️ $24, 18+ event
📍 TLA, 334 South

Sunday, May 11 — Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Grief Brunch
Join other’s grieving their mother or mother-like figure this year.
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
🎟️ Starts at $35
📍 Rowhouse Grocery, 1713 McKean

One Book One Philadelphia Crafting Program
PMG’s monthly crafting program is inspired by the Free Library of Philadelphia’s “One Book One Philadelphia” selection.
⏱️ 12 p.m.
📍 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South

The Dukes & Boots Mother’s Day Party
Power 99’s DJ RL spins at this Mother’s Day Party featuring complimentary snacks, line dances, and more.
⏱️ 5 to 9 p.m.
🎟️ $30
📍 Xfinity Live!, 11th and Pattison

RIM Cafe’s The Godfather Birthday
Rene at RIM Cafe hosts his annual birthday party featuring many guests.
⏱️ Seems like it’s all day 🤷‍♂️
📍 RIM Cafe, 9th and Federal

Monday, May 12

Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

PBR Bar Nurses Appreciation Night
Show your nurses badge and get a free cocktail, plus other specials.
⏱️ After the Phillies game
📍 Citizens Bank Park

Tuesday, May 13

Mereba: Breeze Grew A Fire Tour
Mereba brings her soulful blend of R&B, hip-hop, and folk to the stage on May 8 as part of her Breeze Grew A Fire Tour.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $38.50
📍 TLA, 334 South

Derek JG Williams Book Release
An award-winning cast of local poets supports publication of an award-winning collection of poems.
⏱️ 8 p.m.
🎟️ $5
📍 Tattooed Mom, 530 South

Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
⏱️ 6:45 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Wednesday, May 14

Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
⏱️ 1:05 p.m. 📍Citizens Bank Park

Philly Loves PAWS Day 2025
About 50 different South Philly businesses are supporting the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society by donating at least 10% of their Wednesday sales to PAWS.
⏱️ All day
📍 See the full map at the link

… and it still has two years on the tax abatement 😂

A recurring South Philly Scoop feature, bringing you an interesting or notable real estate listing from around the neighborhood.

This might just be one of the nicest homes in South Philly.

For a cool $2.195 million, you can have this five-bedroom, four-bath, 4,000-plus square foot home at 12th and Catherine featuring a 700-bottle wine cellar, a rooftop garden, and a separate studio apartment. There’s a mud room that looks more like a fancy gym locker room, all of the smart home features you could ever imagine, and even an indoor swing chair hanging from the living room ceiling.

Those two years remaining on the tax abatement should make this one affordable for most. (Ha!)

We are just going to let some of the photos do the talking on this one. Full listing is here on Redfin.

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See youse next Thursday.