It’s been years since Philadelphia was referred to as the “Next Borough” in the New York Times, but there’s no doubt that New York based businesses are starting to notice Philadelphia and take it seriously as a location for expansion. The hype for Shake Shack, as we discussed at length, was palpable. Barcade, the Brooklyn-based bar plus arcade (‘natch) has had success in its nearly yearlong run on on a sometimes forgotten stretch of Frankford Avenue. And now, right next door to the wildly successful Frankford Hall, another Brooklyn-based business will soon burst onto the scene.

On the right

Frankford Hall next door

Weeks ago, we noticed a zoning application and a liquor license application at 1204 Frankford Ave., on the commercial space in between Frankford Hall and Amrita Yoga. It wasn’t until recently that we discovered, thanks to Michael Klein, that Fette Sau, a barbecue restaurant located in Brooklyn, will be opening its second location in this space. The concept sounds intriguing and extremely compatible with the beer garden next door; customers order at a counter, pay by weight, and sit at picnic tables. Beers are sold by the pint, quart, half gallon, and gallon. And if you’re tired of the smell of smoked meats, you can always go next door and drink German beer to your heart’s content. And then for detox, the yoga studio is a mere stumble in the other direction.

With 3rd Ward finally arriving in the fall just a few blocks away, and Crumbs and Joe (The Art of Coffee) coming to Center City in the coming months, it seems that a full-on invasion is taking place. And while we’re generally predisposed toward patronizing locally owned establishments, there is a certain pride that we can take in the fact that businesses from other cities are seeing opportunities for success here in Philadelphia. It would seem to indicate that we’re doing something right around here. Or that nobody bothered to tell these people about that pesky Business Privilege Tax.

Either way.