2018’s Notable Philly Restaurant Shutters

From bankruptcies to evictions or retirements, this page is where Eater Philly will keep track of every notable restaurant closure in the city for 2018 (and probably a few bar and cafe shutters, too). Seen any papered-over windows or abandoned patios in your neighborhood? Tell us about it. Feeling nostalgic about last year’s restaurant closings? Those are here.

— Capogiro, the beloved gelato shop with locations on 13th and Sansom and 20th and Sansom, and sister spot Capofitto, serving gelato and pizza in Old City, are all closed. The first Capogiro opened 16 years ago. Owner Stephanie Reitano cited the February fire in Old City that damaged Capofitto and then slowed business by detouring pedestrians away from the pizzeria as a culprit in the shutters. Capogiro’s University City location closed in fall 2017.

— Jezabel Careaga is closing Jezabel’s Cafe, her snug Argentine eatery in Fitler Square, after more than eight years. It will stay open through the end of the month, and wrap up its tenure with a farewell cocktail party on New Year’s Eve. Careaga also owns Jezabel’s Studio — a combined eatery, class space, and retail shop — on 45th and Walnut. She recently took over the space next door to the studio and plans to reopen Jezabel’s Cafe in that location on January 5, 2019.

Jezabel’s [official photo]

— Tierce, the daytime spot from the team behind Helm serving breakfast and brunch in Fishtown, is closed after a year, reports Billy Penn. Owners Kevin D’Egidio and Mike Griffiths shut it down to focus on their other restaurants: the original Helm in Kensington and the new Helm in Rittenhouse.

— In Bala Cynwyd, The Dairy Cafe on Montgomery Avenue is closed. Owner David Magerman, along with Zavino’s Greg Dodge, plan to open a kosher pizzeria called Zagafen across the street. “Zavino” combines pizza (za) and wine (vino). “Gafen” (or “gefen”) means grapevine in Hebrew.

— Bruncherie Rose Petals Cafe in Germantown is closing after five years, with the owners telling Philly Mag they’re looking for a new location in the neighborhood. The last day is Christmas Eve, when the eatery will host a pay-what-you-can breakfast buffet. A second Rose Petals Cafe opened in Elkins Park this year.

— Talk on 21st and Walnut is closed after just five months. The Art Deco-styled eatery was from Andrew Kochan and Tim Lanza, known for West Philly’s Marigold Kitchen. Influential Philly.com critic Craig LaBan gave it one bell in October.

— On 3rd and South streets, Jon’s Bar & Grille is closed after 37 years serving the neighborhood beer and burgers from the birthplace of the Three Stooges’ Larry Fine.

— Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller of South Philly Barbacoa fame have closed sister spot El Compadre, not long after South Philly Barbacoa relocated to 1140 S. 9th Street.

— In Reading Terminal Market, 12th Street Cantina is shuttered after 36 years, with owner Michele Leff telling Philly.com she wants to devote more time to her catering business.

— Coffee shop mega-chain Starbucks just closed two Philly stores, reports Philly.com. The 4th and South location and the one at 4415 Main Street in Manayunk both shut their doors December 2.

— It’s last call for Magpie, Holly Ricciardi’s pie shop on 16th and South streets. Ricciardi opened Magpie in September 2012. The final day is December 23.

Magpie / Facebook

October 31

— Top Chef alum Jason Cichonski is turning off the lights at Ela in Queen Village after seven years. He plans to spend more time on his pasta company, Little Noodle, and his management company, which runs the new rooftop restaurant Attico. Ela is offering a four-course “farewell tasting menu” for $55 now through its last day, November 3.

— Gin & Pop, the restaurant that was dubbed part of the revitalization of Francisville, closed on October 7, exactly one year after it opened. The owners announced the closure on Instagram, noting “unforeseen circumstances” and indicating that they weren’t stoked about the sudden shutter: “Yea, we don’t like it either.” Owners told Philly.com that the reasons behind the closure were “complicated and a combination of several factors.”

— Fiorella’s Sausage, a South Philly staple opened in the 1890s, closed earlier this year, but there’s something afoot at the Italian Market spot: Marc Vetri just bought it.

September 30

— In Lansdowne, Jewish-Italian eatery The Avenue Delicatessen, one of Eater Philly’s must-try Jewish delis, is no more. In a goodbye message on Facebook, owner Brian Flounders said: “We thank you all for welcoming us into your neighborhood, into your lives, and most importantly into your stomachs. You allowed us to do what we love doing for so long -- comforting you with delicious food.” Flounders opened the deli in 2013 with chef Laura Frangiosa, who left last summer.

— After more than 40 years, More Than Just Ice Cream at 1119 Locust Street is now closed. True to its name, the restaurant served sandwiches, burgers, breakfast fare, pies, and, yes, ice cream. Joncarl Lachman of Noord is taking over part of the space for Winkel, a breakfast and lunch spot.

More Than Just Ice Cream [official photo]

— Over in Old City, Ann and Tom Jamavan posted a note on their Thai restaurant, Jasmine Rice at 224 Market, that reads: “Due to staffing issues, this Old City location is temporarily closed.” The Jamavans encourage passersby to dine at their original Jasmine Rice, in Rittenhouse at 306 S. 16th Street.

— McFadden’s at Citizens Bank Park is getting ready to close after 15 seasons, NBC Sports reports. The last day for the sports bar will be October 7. According to Philly.com, part of the space will be taken over by burger-and-fries powerhouse Shake Shack.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

September 4

— Green Soul in Chestnut Hill (8229 Germantown Avenue) from the Bynum brothers — who also have South and Warmdaddy’s — is closed after five years. The restaurant, which serves a health-conscious Southern menu, will reopen just off North Broad. Look for it in the coming weeks at 1410 Mt. Vernon Street, right next to South in what was the Marc Vetri-turned-Urban Outfitters restaurant Alla Spina.

— Long-running Polish deli Krakus Market in Port Richmond (3150 Richmond Street) has shut its doors following the owners’ decision to retire.

— Venezuelan eatery TartAreperia 18.64 at 1204 N. Front Street is shuttered — but it may reopen in a new location.

— Queen Village Lebanese restaurant Cedars (616 S. 2nd Street), from the family that owns Byblos and Vango in Rittenhouse, has closed its doors after 32 years. A sushi spot is planned for the space.

July 26

— South Helm, the Pennsport offshoot of Kensington’s acclaimed farm-to-table BYOB Helm, is south no longer. The 100 Morris Street location is closed in anticipation of an imminent move to 1901 Chestnut Street, in the former Aldine.

— Ippolito’s, the long-running fish market and eatery at 13th and Dickinson, is closed, for now. The owners plan to renovate and reopen sometime this fall.

— Jose Garces’ restaurant group was bought and two properties closed right away. In Washington Square West, Garces Trading Company at 1111 Locust is done, as is 24 over at 2401 Walnut. Amada, Tinto, Village Whiskey, the Olde Bar, JG Domestic, and Volvér remain open.

— Michael O’Halloran’s Dos Rosas, which replaced his Bistro 7 at 7 N. Third Street, is closed, with the chef citing a rent increase as the culprit.

— Brewerytown Taproom is closed and selling off its furniture, dishware, and other items. But 1363 N. 31st Street won’t be empty for long. Highland Hospitality Group is moving in with another bar, Hops.

— After 35 years in Queen Village, Japanese eatery Hikaru (607 S. 2nd Street) is shuttered following owner Takashi Yoshida’s decision to retire.

— Long-running ice cream shop Scoop DeVille, originally in Rittenhouse and relocated to Midtown Village/the Gayborhood, has closed its Juniper and Walnut address. But Scoop’s elaborate ice cream-and-mix-ins concoctions haven’t left town: The shop is now at 1109 Walnut Street.

— Is the rolled ice cream trend over? At least if it comes from New York? 10 Below at 42 S. 17th Street is closed after less than a year.

Whitney Casal

June 26

— All the Blue Ducks toppled over, with Ugly Duckling (212 S. 11th Street) closing at the end of last year, and now, back to back, the other two following suit. First, Blue Duck on Broad (220 S. Broad Street) closed. And just a couple weeks later, the original Blue Duck — the BYOB in Northeast Philly — shut its doors too.

— Iron Chef Jose Garces, facing financial woes, shuttered the Moorestown Mall outpost of Mexican eatery Distrito to prep for a bankruptcy auction. Separately, three Garces restaurants, Amada, another Distrito, and Pit Boss BBQ & Beers, are opening in the new Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City.

— In Midtown Village/the Gayborhood, Jake’s Sandwich Board at 122 S. 12th Street is replaced with a fried chicken spot from the same owners. Hatch & Coop serves chicken sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and an ice cream sandwich that is literally a sandwich: vanilla ice cream coated in cinnamon cereal on a toasted, buttered, sugared bun.

— The last day for Whetstone Tavern at 5th and Bainbridge — from the owners of Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street — is July 1. Chef Eric Leveillee left Whetstone for West Philly’s Marigold Kitchen in May. Whetstone’s original chef, Jeremy Nolen (of both Whetstone and Brauhaus Schmitz) left Philly last year.

— Smoke’s Poutinerie on South Street, part of a chain, only lasted about a year: It’s now closed.

— That’s not the only poutine shop to shutter. Shoo Fry in Rittenhouse (132 S. 17th Street) is gone too.

— Danlu, the stylish Taiwanese restaurant at 36th and Market in University City that opened at the end of last year, is already closed. The owners, who also have Nectar in Berwyn, plan to revamp and reopen at the end of the summer.

— Just off Washington Square, Six Feet Under, the subterranean gastropub at 727 Walnut, closed to make way for a different concept from the same owners. Sedition, which will forgo the pub grub and underground vibe for lighter fare and a lighter look, should open very soon.

— Old City sushi spot Zento, at 132 Chestnut Street, has sliced its last fish.

May 30

— After four years in business, Pierre and Charlotte Calmels closed down their Rittenhouse Square French restaurant Le Cheri at the end of May. However, the duo’s South Philadelphia restaurant Bibou is still very much open and going strong.

— Fishtown brunch spot Girard Bruncherie (or just Girard) closed down this spring to make way for something new: chef-owner of East Passyunk’s Perla, Lou Boquila, is set to open a BYOB in the location. Named Sarvida, it’ll be on the casual side, and should open in summer.

April 25

— “Buy local” pioneer Fair Food is closing its Reading Terminal Market shop. The Fair Food Farmstand has been selling locally sourced produce, eggs, cheese, meat, and more at the market for 15 years. Per John Rhoads, Fair Food’s interim executive director: “Local food is much more broadly available now in the retail marketplace than when the farmstand began, which has proved a double-edged sword. From Fair Food’s non-profit perspective, growing competition is proof our overall mission has been successful, but it does not guarantee continued profitable operation of the farmstand.”

— The Fair Food Farmstand isn’t the only closure for Reading Terminal Market. Philly.com reports that Wursthaus Schmitz, from the crew behind South Street’s Brauhaus Schmitz and Queen Village’s Whetstone, will stop serving schnitzel, bratwurst, and sauerkraut as of April 29.

— Jennifer Conley Sabatino was forced to close Aldine at 1901 Chestnut Street over tax violations, Philadelphia magazine reports. The shutter happened just a few months after Conley Sabatino’s ex, Aldine chef/co-owner George Sabatino, left the restaurant (he popped back up at Rooster Soup Co.).

— University City beer hall William Street Common at 39th and Chestnut streets is closed for good. But owner Avram Hornik still has plenty on his plate: Hornik’s FCM Hospitality also has Morgan’s Pier, Dolphin Tavern, Concourse Dance Bar, the roving Parks on Tap beer garden, and the upcoming Craft Hall. That last one is going into the former Yards Brewing building on Delaware Ave.

March 30

— Pizzeria Beddia closes its doors for good on March 31, after five years making pizza — and gaining national attention — at 115 E. Girard Avenue. But Joe Beddia will be back. He has a restaurant, complete with liquor license, in the works nearby.

— The original location of Blackbird Pizzeria at 507 S. 6th Street is closed, for now. The building that houses the popular vegan eatery dates back to the 1800s and needs some TLC, as the restaurant writes on its website: “Due to mandatory building maintenance, our South Street location is temporarily closed. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but please visit us at our other location in Northern Liberties at 614 N. 2nd Street.” The Northern Liberties shop opened last summer.

— Khmer Kitchen at 1700 S. 6th Street is shuttered, reports Philly Mag. The much-loved Cambodian restaurant stood at the corner of 6th and Morris for six years.

— The King of Prussia outpost of Jose Garces’ taco shop Buena Onda is closed after just a few months in business, reports Norristown Patch. The original location in the Granary apartment building at 19th and Callowhill remains open. Garces is also shuttering his New York City location of Amada. Last day there is March 31.

— Kanella South, Konstantinos Pitsillides’ Cypriot restaurant at 757 S. Front Street, is closed. Philly.com reports the issue was a city tax bill. Those craving Kanella’s grilled meats can find them at Kanella Grill, the smaller, simpler, BYOB version of the restaurant at 10th and Spruce.

— Goldie, from Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook, fries its last falafel April 1. Kidding! They announced the closure on Instagram as an early April Fools’ Day prank, with this message from Cook: “I’m surprised it lasted this long. It was originally just supposed to be a money-laundering scheme.” The note added that they’ll be using the space for an “artisanal Matzo” shop called Matzeria, with a quote from chef Caitlin McMillan: “It’s vegan and is totally in tune with the growing unleavened lifestyle. And there’s nothing you can put on matzo that doesn’t make it taste better.” So true.

February 27

— The original location of Indian restaurant Indeblue closed its doors at the end of last week after 10 years in Collingswood, New Jersey. The owners cited issues with the building as the reason — it required prohibitively expensive repairs, the Courier-Post reported. Fans of Indeblue’s modern Indian fare can still find it at the Philly outpost, at 205 S. 13th Street.

— Long-running neighborhood tavern Bridgid’s is closed in Fairmount (726 N. 24th Street). Owner Chris Ryan sold it to investors, who might reopen it in the future, according to Philly.com.

— Quick-serve Mediterranean spot Agno Grill at 2104 Chestnut Street has served its last falafel wrap. But the space won’t be vacant for long: El Merkury, serving Central American street food, will take its place sometime in the coming months.

January 30

— After calling and walking by, Eater confirms that chicken sandwich professionals Samwich by Suppa have closed up shop in Bella Vista. The casual eatery from the owners of NoLibs’ Suppa stuck around just off East Passyunk for two years.

— Marc Vetri and Urban Outfitters coproduction Alla Spina departed North Broad Street at the end of the month. Vetri sold it to the clothing retailer in 2015 but stuck around until the end of 2017, so the Italian spot really didn’t stick around for long without him.

— Per Philly.com, Center City Indian BYOB mainstay Minar Palace closed after the owners faced a substantial rent hike (the closure was in December, but details surfaced this month). The family behind the Walnut Street spot haven’t ruled out finding a new location.

— The Ugly Duckling, the Center City sibling to Northeast Philly BYOB Blue Duck, closed for good at the start of 2018, with an owner noting “sometimes you have to cut your losses”.

— Retro burger chain Johnny Rockets left its Fifth and South location at the start of January after 20 years on the corner — Philly.com’s Michael Klein reports that the building owner and franchisee were at odds over a new lease.