So now that is a total of 3 places that has closed down on Market Street between 11th and 13th (Washington: lease, restaurants)

[selhars]

Originally Posted by PHILLYUPTOWN

I was down there tonight, same as it ever was to me at least. Generally, SS tries to be all things to all people….

South As for Black ppl, it's one of the only places black ppl feel comfortable and welcome congregating in downtown and it's apart of (our) culture....so that's tricky, does saving South Street mean pushing young black ppl away?

Oh please let’s not do the “black culture” thing.

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

Wawa is closing their Headhouse Square location at 2nd & South due to crime in the area. They had just gutted and totally remodeled it within the last 5 years or so.

Seriously?? THAT Wawa is closing? I know there was a late night murder at Front and South the other night. The wife and I pretty much stopped going to South Street after we saw how Krasner's policies were working out. Although, the trouble on South Street has always been because of certain types of youth ... and it can't be denied, I witnessed it enough in my many years of hanging around South Street. Just don't want to deal with it anymore.

[Pennsport]

Originally Posted by Redddog

It seems like Wawa has decided to pull out of Philly altogether.

The only one I can think of that is still around is that huge one next to Indy Hall. When that one closes, that'll be the death knell for Philly. That place was opened to huge fanfare as the largest ever urban Wawa. Headhouse was an FU by Wawa, from what I heard. The Society Hill association demanded that they increase their security after they just did. They complained about the homeless and wanted that "taken care of." Wawa announced the closure shortly after that.

The good thing is that there are guards at Indy hall round the clock so they shouldn't have issues with crime.

Well, this shouldn't be surprising to anyone really. For some reason city Wawas were the meeting/hangout places of choice for pretty much all the riff-raff - hundreds of roving teens up to no good, ATV crews, homeless and the mentally unstable. They all seemed to gravitate to Wawas, producing the perfect storm of theft, violence, loitering, filth, and general intimidation of workers and random non-scum customers. I can't believe many of those retail locations held off this long to be honest. Their newish and highly successful business model seems to be Super Wawas in the burbs (and spreading out geographically). If I was in their risk mitigation/Legal department (or actually any department, as I'm sure staffing was also a nightmare, stocking, procurement and quality control probably almost impossible) I would be hard pushing for a full evac from the city.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

Well, this shouldn't be surprising to anyone really. For some reason city Wawas were the meeting/hangout places of choice for pretty much all the riff-raff - hundreds of roving teens up to no good, ATV crews, homeless and the mentally unstable. They all seemed to gravitate to Wawas, producing the perfect storm of theft, violence, loitering, filth, and general intimidation of workers and random non-scum customers. I can't believe many of those retail locations held off this long to be honest. Their newish and highly successful business model seems to be Super Wawas in the burbs (and spreading out geographically). If I was in their risk mitigation/Legal department (or actually any department, as I'm sure staffing was also a nightmare, stocking, procurement and quality control probably almost impossible) I would be hard pushing for a full evac from the city.

For what it's worth, Wawa closed 2 Washington DC locations. One location in 2020 and another last summer. The details are sparse, but likely due to the same issues.

While Wawa has done a mediocre job addressing big city issues, it's clear their concept in 2023 is meant for the burbs and sprawl centers (Florida, Georgia, etc.).

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by cpomp

For what it's worth, Wawa closed 2 Washington DC locations. One location in 2020 and another last summer. The details are sparse, but likely due to the same issues.

While Wawa has done a mediocre job addressing big city issues, it's clear their concept in 2023 is meant for the burbs and sprawl centers (Florida, Georgia, etc.).

I don't blame them. They don't owe Philly (or any other city) $hite.

[PHILLYUPTOWN]

Originally Posted by selhars

Oh please let’s not do the “black culture” thing.

U misunderstand me. Anyone that checked my posts know that im not a progressive apologist. I’m saying that South Street has always been a destination for young black kids my whole life. The black verson of American Graffiti…a cruise strip. When I was growing up that was one of the first things I wanted to experience cuz all of the olders talked about it. Although I’m very pro center city growth, as anyone would know; I am a bit wary of whitewashing center city entirely…think about all the chain restaurants that black people would congregate at (because they’re not comfortable in the Steven Starr/upscale crowd)…olive garden, Fridays, Applebees…all gone….old gallery food court…gone. I’m saying can both things coexist; a vibrant nightlife strip and a destination for youth; I’m making no political statement but just hoping they can find a way to make it work.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by PHILLYUPTOWN

U misunderstand me. Anyone that checked my posts know that im not a progressive apologist. I’m saying that South Street has always been a destination for young black kids my whole life. The black verson of American Graffiti…a cruise strip. When I was growing up that was one of the first things I wanted to experience cuz all of the olders talked about it. I’m saying can both things coexist; a vibrant nightlife strip and a destination for youth.

And I was not a fan of South Street in my early 20's because it was too crowded on the sidewalks.

[PHILLYUPTOWN]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

And I was not a fan of South Street in my early 20's because it was too crowded on the sidewalks.

That was the appeal always tho, see and be seen.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by PHILLYUPTOWN

That was the appeal always tho, see and be seen.

I remember saying at the time when a girl approached me....."I dont want no girl's number who likes to go to South Street" lol

[Hermit12]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

And I was not a fan of South Street in my early 20's because it was too crowded on the sidewalks.

All the white people would be in the bars and restaurants spending money while the black people where getting their drink on in their 'hood then coming to South Street to mill about.