Chinatown’s ‘mini-Reading Terminal’ | Morning Newsletter
🏠 And keeping West Philly homes affordable.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
It’s Friday, Philly, with periods of rain expected.
An entrepreneur wants to turn a Chinatown food court into a Black-owned “mini-Reading Terminal.” The project is about more than food.
And can City Hall keep 925 West Philadelphia homes affordable? As local leaders race again to find a subsidized housing solution, United Way thinks it has the answer.
Plus, Philly’s school board passed a $4.7 billion budget, and more news of the day.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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In a previously desolate double storefront in Chinatown, entrepreneur Levell “Garci” Peterkin has set out to build a food court where smaller entrepreneurs have a chance at success.
Vendors at the Square Food Court on Race Street so far include a dessert shop, soul food and seafood purveyors, and Peterkin’s own Carter’s Steaks by Garci. (Think: halal rib-eye cheesesteaks topped with shrimp.)
The North Philadelphia-born entrepreneur found the current tenants through social media and hopes to bring in two more. He also hopes the project can inspires others to pursue entrepreneurship as a path to success.
In his own words: “My whole goal was to try to find someone, give someone a chance, and try to build them up,” he told The Inquirer.
Restaurant reporter Michael Klein has the story on Peterkin’s lifelong road to Square Food Court.
More food news: Liberty Kitchen is leaving Two Locals Brewing Co. in University City, and the team from Corio is moving in with new food ideas.
Another 925 units of affordable housing in Philadelphia are in danger of disappearing because of expiring federal housing subsidies.
🏠 Their developer owner wants to sell them. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, whose district includes many of the West Philly properties, wants to quickly intercede and “help fund” the purchase of the units, which are 94% occupied.
🏠 Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has made preserving housing affordability a tenet of her first term. Officials said during a budget hearing this week that they would work with Gauthier on a solution, but the scale of the portfolio is a challenge.
🏠 Meanwhile, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is raising $100 million to set up a permanent answer to the issue of expiring affordability.
Real estate reporter Jake Blumgart explains how the program would work.
In other City Council news: Philly’s longstanding resign-to-run rule for elected officials will likely remain in place after a City Council member on Thursday moved to repeal legislation that lawmakers passed just one month ago.
What you should know today
Two days after President Donald Trump deployed armed immigration agents to security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport, Transportation Security Agency union leaders and the city’s top lawmakers sent a message: “Get them out.” Also on Thursday, Trump said he would sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents as Congress struggles to reach a funding deal.
Two Lower Merion police officers were justified in shooting a former Delaware County police officer while attempting to arrest him last month, officials said.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order this week requiring NJ Transit to put together a plan to improve services. Plus, restaurant owners want people to stop selling their reservations. The practice could soon be banned in New Jersey.
The Philly school board passed a $4.6 billion budget — with some big cuts.
The head of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit came under fire at a board meeting this week amid news that she and another official used public funds for a safari and other overseas travel.
During the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s stepped-up enforcement program, tickets for parking on sidewalks rose 150%.
Thomas Eakins is considered one of the most important American artists. Another Philly artist is protesting his legacy.
Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.
This week, we’re resurfacing an explainer from 2018 on what some city neighborhoods are called by the people who live there, and why — because there’s nothing that gets Philadelphians going like neighborhood definitions.
Why is Swampoodle named Swampoodle, according to one lifelong resident? The answer is simple: “That’s what it’s always been called.” We also heard from those living in Nicetown, Devil’s Pocket, Olde Richmond, East Oak Lane, Washington Square West, Overbrook Park, and West Passyunk. Here’s the full story.
Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.
🧠 Trivia time
Where was the Guinness World Record for the longest line of cheesesteaks set this week?
A) PHL
B) Citizens Bank Park
C) The Italian Market
D) Reading Terminal Market
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
⛔ Not driving on: MLK Drive starting this weekend.
🦃 Mourning: Fred, Deptford’s unofficial turkey mascot, and Khumbie, the Philadelphia Zoo’s red panda.
⚾ Learning: How robot umpires works, and how the Phillies will use the pitch challenge system.
🚧 Planning: How to get around this Sunday’s Philadelphia Love Run.
🏥 Considering: How the war in Iran may impact cancer patients.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Multinational technology company
TEAM
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Stephen Fitzmartin, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Cory Booker. The U.S. senator from New Jersey spoke to The Inquirer about caffeine pills, Trump, and “a better tomorrow” ahead of a Philly book tour visit this week.
Photo of the day
🌭 One last celebratory thing: From tailgating to Schwarbombs, see the fan highlights from the Phillies’ sunny opening day at Citizens Bank Park.
Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Have a great weekend.
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