Brick and Mortar in Callowhill Just Closed

Brick and Mortar on North 12th Street is closed after two years. The restaurant’s location, a bit out of the way on a quiet stretch at 12th and Wood streets, seems like it could have been a factor in the shutter. It’s set north of Chinatown in the Callowhill/Eraserhood/Loft District neighborhood (depending on who you talk to). But when co-owner Mike Welsh confirmed the closure to Philly.com, he didn’t give any details as to what precipitated the move.

Previously, Welsh was managing partner at the speakeasy-style Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. in Rittenhouse, now named the Franklin Bar.

The restaurant was on street level in the Goldtex apartment building, which has an industrial vibe and 110 years of history. But Brick and Mortar was a thoroughly modern gastropub with its whimsically named (and pretty great) cocktails and weekend brunch.

Goldtex was at one point a shoe factory, but by the time Post Brothers bought it the massive building had been vacant and graffiti-covered for a decade. It was gutted but the developers retained some of the colorful tags. Goldtex opened for occupancy in 2014; Brick and Mortar opened the following year.