In both real estate and the restaurant business, it seems like delays are the name of the game. So when a new restaurant relies on a new building to get built, it should come as no surprise when things move a little more slowly than anyone would like. After all, development plans take time. Permitting is complicated. Financing is a real challenge. And let's not even get started on how tough it's become to demolish something in this town.
All of this, of course, is an extended means of compensating for our misguided post from almost an entire year ago titled 'Look for the Old Artisan Boulanger Building to Come Down Soon.' If by soon we meant eleven months later, we were totally on point. Yes folks, the former croissant shop at 1646-48 S. 12th St. is finally getting demolished.
In case you've forgotten in the past year, this building will house a new restaurant from Chris Scarduzio. We first told you about this over two years ago, wow. At one point, the expectation was for a relatively affordable restaurant with a mix of Italian, French, and Asian cuisines. Plans for the building, designed by Pomegranate Architects, called for a kitchen in the basement, a fifty-seat restaurant on the first floor, and three apartments above. It's quite possible the restaurant concept has evolved and the look of the building has changed, but we hope not.
Across the street, another new restaurant is in the works at the former home of El Zarape. Remember, they left their old digs earlier this year due to rising rent.
Coming soon to this location will be a new concept from the guys behind Cheu Noodle Bar, a Center City spot that people can't get enough of. It won't be a Cheu clone, according to Passyunk Post, but if history is any indication this new place will be a very welcome addition to the mix on Passyunk Avenue. We do kind of wish this building was also getting demolished and replaced, though beggars can't be choosers.
So it should be an interesting stretch coming up for this mildly confusing six-point intersection. If you want to watch the progress in person, we recommend pulling up a chair at the Cantina patio.
Just be warned, you'll be getting tortilla chips instead of popcorn.