The Changing Face of Fishtown Retail
Starbucks and a dermatology office are coming to Frankford Ave.
“Fishtown” has become tokenized over the last few years, becoming something of a catch-all for anything presumed to be hip in the general area. The boundaries have been expanded for marketing purposes, with decidedly non-Fishtown properties looking to tap into the hipster cache. Even in the heart of the neighborhood, a building at 1351-59 Frankford Ave. is accelerating the pace of change from the area’s grittier past. Previously an empty surface lot, this project is now making major progress as it charges towards completion.
You have likely heard the controversial news that both Shake Shack and sweetgreen are coming to this new building, bringing more national brands to a stretch that is seeing the closure of several local brands. This 61-unit building (including 20 mixed-income units) developed by The Fishtown Collective (ironically) and designed by NORR actually has three commercial spaces, and we at long last have an idea of what’s coming to the final spot.
As for the last space, thanks to an upcoming trip to the Zoning Board of Adjustments, we now know it will be a *drum roll intensifies* Dermatology Specialists office! Nothing says cool like clear skin, right? We should get more details on July 17th when the case for this special exemption is presented to the ZBA. Jinxed, this is not. But if you’re looking for an even more controversial addition to the area, scooting a bit north to the Rose Garden brings us to yet another changing location.
In the 30-unit condo building from Trinity Realty Companies at 1405-21 Frankford Ave., the Penn Treaty Residences will be welcoming a very notable new guest to its ground floor commercial space. After years of community pushback, a Starbucks will soon take up the long-vacant location, and all just a few minutes’ walk from La Colombe. Sigh.
It is safe to say that these new businesses signal a true shift in the neighborhood. After years of hanging on to its local roots, the influx of these national retailers serves as an inflection point for the area. While it was always inevitable that Fishtown was going to change thanks to this development boom, it is bittersweet seeing the character traded out for convenience.
UPDATE (7/2/2024): After publication, we received updates on the medical office and the Starbucks concept (thanks, Will!); the article has since been updated to reflect this.