QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents.
Cait Allen
Chris Mullen – VICE PRESIDENT
Matt Atkins – SECRETARY
Philip Holzhauer – TREASURER
Kevin Farrell
DIRECTORS
Andrew Jarrah
Mae Johnson
Patricia Kucker
Michael Hauptman Marian
Meet Your Neighbor Contributors
QVNA sincerely appreciates the time and talent of the volunteers who helped create this issue of the QV Crier
Daniel Lidon has lived in Philadelphia for nearly 20 years, and Queen Village for a decade. He works as a commercial photographer and filmmaker. In his spare time he can be found in Mario Lanza Park with his dog Ziggy.
Nicole Maley moved here in early 2022 so is relatively new to Queen Village, but already considers it home. By day, she works as a director of media for an NYC marketing agency; by night and on the weekends, she’s an avid walker, amateur historian, and diehard 76ers fan.
Jack Galle is a newcomer to Queen Village. He is an architectural historian by trade and can be seen wandering around the Village on his lunch break.
Maxine Mayer has been a QV neighbor since 2004. After retiring from a fulfilling nursing career, Maxine pursued her love of photography volunteering for the Southeastern PA Red Cross and QV Crier. Follow Maxine’s instagram @maxine. mayer.
Emily McDonnell has called Queen Village her home since 2024 after having lived up and down the East Coast. She plans to be a Villager for life. You can find her at the farmers market, picking flowers with her son Damian, practicing holistic
yoga, or enjoying vegan hotdogs at the many no-frills grub spots in the area.
Maureen Brady Weir has been a Queen Village neighbor since 2000 and a member of The Friends of Moyamensing Point since 2008. A communications director by trade, she is also a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist.
Katie Mears is an editor, avid reader, and Queen Village local. When she’s not at Shot Tower, you’ll find her working on story drafts, running around Philadelphia, or playing fetch with her cat, Franklin.
Tony Rojas is a writer, musician, and former college newspaper editor (which is how he met his wife). He moved to Queen Village in 2024 and is excited to learn more about the neighborhood characters.
Linda Pellecchia has lived in Queen Village since 1994. A retired professor of Italian Renaissance art and architectural history from the University of Delaware, she has been the block captain on East Passyunk Ave for nearly 3 decades. She’s a passionate gardener; can be seen scooping up flowers and tomatoes every Sunday at the Headhouse Market; and loves walking around the city photographing trees and historic buildings.
Cait Allen is the President of the Queen Village Neighbors Association (QVNA), moving to Queen Village in 2019. In addition to her leadership at QVNA, Cait serves as Director of Engagement of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority.
Louis Bartholomew is the Executive Director of the Queen Village Neighbors Association (QVNA). An avid urban planning nerd, coffee shop enthusiast, and architecture buff, he loves working with neighbors to make Queen Village an even greater place to live. ■
Letter from the President
MBy Cait Allen, QVNA President
y fellow Villagers, I hope you enjoyed your summer! It’s been a busy few months at QVNA, and I’m excited to share some of what we’ve been up to.
In September, QVNA convened leaders from all across the city to discuss how we can make South Street the most vibrant commercial corridor in Philly.
The audience consisted of elected officials, financiers, small business owners, civic leaders, landlords, artists, developers, and many, many more—all coming together for the first time for this single purpose.
We’re focusing on beautifying the street and creating popup spaces for would-be entrepreneurs to test the waters with a brick-and-mortar home.
In October, we had our first Open Streets pilot modeled off of Center City District’s program that transformed 4th Street into a pedestrian-only plaza on October 11 and 18. We are very thankful for the engagement of our wonderful 4th St businesses and were so happy to see folks enjoying the street!
In July, we kicked off the first-ever Queen Village Restaurant Week, where two dozen of our most delicious eating establishments curated custom menus to introduce their cuisine to newcomers and treat regulars to new creations.
The event was such a success, that not only are we bringing it back next year, we’re brainstorming ideas for a second event this winter.
And in June, we began the process to transition management of our parking lot. As of October 1, the lot is now being managed by EZ Park, a fourth-generation, locally owned company with roots in Queen Village. This shift will not only improve customer service but will also increase revenue by exploring new opportunities like daily parking. As QVNA’s main
And we have some exciting new initiatives that we cannot wait to share soon!
Thank you for choosing to make the Village home. We know we have the best neighborhood, and that’s because of you!
215-389-1513
www.old-swedes.org
Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church
Join us for fall family movie screenings in our historic graveyard at 7pm Sept 13, Sept 26, Oct 10, Oct 25
Jazz & Joe
Free concert from the Jazz Sanctuary.
Coffee/tea served + snacks (BYO welcome) Sep 25 and Oct 23 at 7:30-9pm
Sexton Sideshow Day of the Dead
Outdoor live music & liquid light show.
All ages welcome, food truck & pop-up artists Nov 1, show starts at 5pm
Participate in our beloved Lucia festival! Kids aged 4-18 welcome Rehearsals start Nov 2, 1:30-3:30pm
Help us pack lunches for those in need in Kensington at 11:15am Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 23, Dec 28
More details on our website www.old-swedes.org
It’s a Small World Seafood After All!
By Cait Allen, Photos by Maxine Mayer
Attention pescatarians: Small World Seafood is coming to Queen Village beginning Saturday, October 25! Though Villagers have been patronizing the Washington Square spot for years, they will soon be able to pick up their orders at 4th & Monroe every other Saturday morning starting next month.
Not familiar with this piscine treasure?
Small World Seafood is a citywide community of seafood lovers who purchase fish from a selection that changes week by week to take advantage of the freshest and most interesting things the ocean has to offer. Robert Amar, owner of Small World, has formed relationships with the best suppliers to bring you quality that rivals the top restaurants.
Customers receive an order form the Thursday before pickup and have the day to choose from that week’s selection of anything from fresh sushi grade sea scallops and Faroe Island salmon to cod cheeks and Hamachi. With smoked fish,
seafood stocks, sauces and glazes, you will have all the tools to prepare a worldclass meal using world-class ingredients.
Amar had been a wholesale supplier of seafood to some of Philly’s finest restaurants—until March 2020. As the city’s eating establishments were shuttered by COVID-19, he found himself with a surplus of seafood and no one to eat it. So, he emailed neighbors to see if anyone wanted free fish.
Those who took him up on his offer raved about it, leading Amar to test the waters as to whether anyone wanted to cook seafood at home. The first week’s 11 orders doubled to 20 in week two, and 40 in week three.
Small World Seafood was born.
Five and a half years later, this revolutionary culinary experience now features
a weekly rotating menu with 80+ items, recipes, cooking videos, and Amar’s legendary poem-, humor-, anecdoteinfused email.
“To be able to bring the best and freshest seafood to my community is an absolutely gratifying experience,” said Amar. “While this started out as something to just help my neighbors, I've realized and come to feel that everyone in Philly is kind of my neighbor. We are a unique and loving community, and it is an honor to contribute to making it better.”
More details and pickup information for Queen Village will be coming soon. Visit smallworldseafood.com in the meantime to learn more and to sign up for the weekly email by going to the “How it Works” page. ■
The Haunted History of Queen Village
By Daniel James Lidon
All Hallows Eve is upon our neighborhood. The long, golden days of summer are gone, and the time to reap our harvest is here. The trees have not all lost their leaves, but the squirrels and city mice have begun gathering their walnuts, acorns, and scraps of pizza from nearby trash cans. Only a distant memory of summer remains, like a shadow lurking around the corner, as the vibrant greens, pinks, and reds of our gardens slowly wither away.
Our city has celebrated this ancient Pagan holiday for over 150 years. Known by the Roman Catholic Church as All Saints Day, the church celebrates the souls of those who have departed for heaven and the lost souls who may still be wandering Earth.
The October 31, 1892, edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that nearly every house in Philadelphia will celebrate Halloween, and even more in the suburbs. It should be no surprise to parents that “mischief night” is as much of a tradition now as it was then. While our more brazen youth today may smash pumpkins in the park, the children of the late 19th century preferred cabbages and turnips. The adults of yesteryear also resented this tradition and were mischievous in return, occasionally scaring off children as they tried to smash rotten cabbages on their doors.
Our neighborhood provides the perfect setting to honor those lost souls this Halloween. Much of Queen Village is built
upon old graveyards and former churches; Mario Lanza, Weccacoe, and Shot Tower Playground were previously burial grounds. Historical documents show that most of the bodies located under these playgrounds were removed and interred at other, larger cemeteries of the time, such as Mount Moriah Cemetery. The evidence available implies, though, that some of the bodies remain in their original resting grounds. It is only fitting that many of our Halloween celebrations today take place at these parks, where our children can partake in the festivities side by side with these lost souls.
These souls may not only wander our local parks, but may haunt our homes as well. One of the most noted historical ghost sightings is at 5th and Walnut where a Mr. Bynam killed his wife inside their home. Soon after, he tried gifting
the house to Attorney General Hamilton to acquit him of this gruesome crime. The house stood empty for many years, as it was said to be haunted by Mrs. Bynam’s ghost. Another notable haunted house is known as “The Haunted Mansion,” which once stood at 10th and Bainbridge; it was allegedly haunted for decades. Eventually it even became its own attraction and novelty shop. Another 19th century ghost story describes a girl living at 5th and Carpenter who became possessed. Legend has it that the young girl saw premonitions and would talk to ghosts. On one occasion the girl entered a trance, and it’s said that the dining room table levitated and then completely flipped over, breaking plates and glasses alike. Be sure to leave some extra candy out this year for our long-lost neighbors, you never know when they might come. ■
Queen Village Restaurant Week Recap
Photos by Maxine Mayer
In late July, QVNA worked with many of our area restaurants to organize the first-ever Queen Village Restaurant Week. It was an instant success! Most business owners responded positively to the event, noting that there was a significant increase in customers during what is
usually a slow time of year. (Time down the shore, anyone?).
Thank you so much to our local restaurants for partnering with us on this initiative! Based on participant feedback, Queen Village Restaurant Week will return next summer! And in the
meantime, we’ll be convening to decide if some winter festivities might be in order… Stay tuned!
Check out some amazing photos of our local restaurants and patrons from our tireless and wonderful QVNA volunteer photographer, Maxine Mayer! ■
Gregory J. Damis, CNHS Serving Queen Village for 38 Years!
Our commitment to your happiness is the foundation from which a solid business relationship is built. Simply put, your satisfaction is our greatest reword. Our business hos been built on solid and unwavering foundations, and we look forward to putting our expertise to work for you.
Grades Pre-K-4
Grades 5-12
Tuesday, November 11, at 8:45 a.m.
Grades 5-12
Athletics
The Long View
An Interview with Kathy Sokoloff and William McLaughlin
By Linda Pellecchia
Southwark Plaza Public Housing Towers in Queen Village at 4th and Washington were infamous for crime and dysfunction. They were also perfect examples of the failure of urban design in the 1960s and rampant government neglect of working-class housing. Kathy Sokoloff, former Director of Development for the Settlement Music School, recalled the drug deals she witnessed from her office windows and the bullet holes scarring others. On January 23, 2000, at 8:31 am, two of the three 26-floor towers were imploded. On the day scheduled for the towers’ demise, the Music School welcomed neighbors to celebrate their destruction on a big screen in the School’s library.
For Philadelphia-born Sokoloff and her husband, Bill McLaughlin, the towers’ removal was a significant turning point for the neighborhood, including the 700 block of East Passyunk Ave., where they purchased their house in 1988. “The leveling of the towers changed people’s perception of the area. It immediately felt safer when they were replaced by individual houses filled with families. The tenor of life improved and real estate values rose significantly.”
In the nearly 40 years that the McLaughlins have lived on the 700 block, the street has radically changed, both physically and socially. Today, treelined and dubbed “the Golden Mile,” it
is flanked with handsome townhouses owned by professionals of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, and filled with children. But back in the 1980s, it was a mixed bag. Originally, small houses with ground-floor shops—a common type in the neighborhood—defined the street, but by the early 80s, many were abandoned, some in ruins. Deserted warehouses and remnants of factories could also be seen. “Large commercial trucks were parked in an empty lot,” McLaughlin said. He also heard that “The sites today occupied by Rite Aid and Sweat were empty shells—abandoned build -
ings that had housed a warehouse and perhaps a distillery.”
This ruinous state encouraged contractors to buy and build. Large, purely residential, townhouses, like that on the northern end of the street (737) or at its southern terminus (762), replaced smaller houses and warehouses on these sites. In the mid-to-late 80s a sewing factory was transformed into a house (750). By the late 80s, architectdesigned townhouses were putting their mark on the block. Five houses (749—755) and two large, twin houses (745—747)—each group united by a single façade design— rose up, respectively, in 1986 and 1988, the year the McLaughlins arrived.
Still the “checkered” character of the block was not entirely erased. As late as 1990, an abandoned loading dock/ garage stood empty. In that same year, however, it was, converted into a house (736). The Pom Pom bar, a down-onits-luck establishment with a few lingering regulars, was still open for business. The trajectory of change to the block is visible in the contrast between that old bar and the new upscale Italian restaurant, Adoro, which now occupies its space. “Despite its dilapidated appearance, the Pom Pom was important to the block. Its doors were always open, seemingly 24 hours a day. Its owner kept a vigilant eye on the street.” With a
laugh, Sokoloff continued, “They were the original town watch of Passyunk Ave.” The bar owner was aware of every person who passed by and of the different groups that lived in the area, including the Mafia. Just around the corner, several people connected to the mob lived on 6th Street.
The McLaughlins had one close call with the Mafia. On Halloween night in 1989, they made dinner reservations at Dante and Luigi’s, a local restaurant, for themselves and an out-of-town guest. Luckily their guest wanted to try a different restaurant. On that very night, a guy wearing a Halloween costume walked into Dante and Luigi’s, pulled a machine gun from his trick-or-treat bag, and shot Nicky Scarfo Jr. multiple times.
At the other extreme, the couple singled out Philly AIDS Thrift for unrestrained praise. In McLaughlin’s words,
“It is one of the best additions to East Passyunk Ave. Adam and his group think about the neighborhood. The outside of their store is spotlessly clean, and they are lovely people who foster a sense of community.” Their famous chalkboard, where passersby can vote “yes” or “no” on a variety of issues from the silly to the significant, is typical of their upbeat vibe. No one passes that chalkboard without either voting or smiling at the questions asked.
The South Street of decades gone by is still fresh in their minds. “It was an eclectic street filled with bars and head shops as well as artist studios and crash pads.” But the two biggest attractions for McLaughlin were Tower Classical Records and The Book Trader. “I would spend hours looking at cds at Tower. The Book Trader even provided chairs where you could sit and read for hours.” The couple frequented
the bookstore so often that the owner, Peter, knew them personally. When Sokoloff’s father, Vladimir, a faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music and pianist for the Philadelphia Orchestra, died, “Peter came to the house. He sorted through the book collection and took almost all of it to his store and paying us for every book,” she recalled. “However, if he saw something of significant value, he told us to keep it.”
It is hard to imagine that not so long ago the 700 block of East Passyunk Ave was once characterized by empty and partially ruined factories, garages, and warehouses interspersed with small mixed-use houses. Today its large, elegant houses share the street with new restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses that have added to the upbeat atmosphere of the block and the neighborhood. ■
Explore the history of the Philadelphia region through the lens of the Delaware River.
Beautiful Everyday at The Grand Souk
By Tony Rojas, Photos by Maxine Mayer
The Grand Souk is a place to find beautiful things that people make for everyday life. It begins at the window, where a great splash of artisanmade toy trucks, watering cans, blankets, spices, flower pots, and dinnerware are carefully arranged to create the cozy chaos of a home. There are many things here that you might want, but mother/son duo Elisa Forgey and Raffi Zarzatian try to put the focus on the things that you need. “In Arabic,” said Elisa, “‘souk’ means ‘market.’ This is, first and foremost, a home goods store, and you will find the items that every room of a home requires. They'll just be beautiful.”
Though Elisa and Raffi have dreamed of owning a family business since Raffi was a student at Meredith with a love for the Italian Market, their careers went in very different directions. Raffi stud-
ied printmaking and the Middle Eastern art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, while Elisa was a professor of the Holocaust and genocide. It was through their studies, though, that they indepen-
dently reached the markets of the Middle East. For Raffi, this was through a grant he received to study the similarities and divergences between North African and Middle Eastern art. While in North Africa, he became captivated by the artisan goods he saw. “These were unique items you wouldn't know existed unless you were there,” he explained. “I remember calling my mom and saying how wonderful it would be to work with these people and bring their items into the U.S.”
As part of her academic research, Elisa was brought to the same regions that Raffi visited, albeit through a different lens. “I'd always travel to the Middle East for meetings or conferences related to genocide,” she said, “but I would go to the marketplaces to see how people really lived.” It was seeing the beauty of
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2025
the things people make for daily life that kept her going. She began selling artisan crafts on Etsy under Free Range Kitty as her second job. When she was laid off from her professorship in a time of postcovid budget cuts, she wondered if she could pivot and surround herself with that beauty full time. “It could just be a nice alternative to all of the darkness I had immersed myself in for work” she said, "to surround myself with beauty in a store with my son."
The Grand Souk now houses a very grand collection of items (see above, then add imagination) sourced from the places
Elisa and Raffi have travelled or researched. "We have a couple different ways of sourcing," said Raffi, "in places that we've been to, we know some people who know some people or we know the type of craft that we would like to have and can look around to see if they have artisans that sell online or import things here.” Their main focus for sourcing, though, is fair trade. “Fair Trade can mean many different things,” said Elisa, “and it doesn't have to mean expensive or niche. For us it just means that the people who make these things are paid well.” Their desire for craftsmanship brought them to Fabric Row. “4th street has this
ethos of makers,” said Elisa, “and we want to be a part of its current renaissance.” The pair also sees Fabric Row as resilient, which is something current tariffs are making a necessity for their business. “You need to learn to pivot. When we can't get an item we want, we look for alternatives,” Elisa explained. Sometimes, she said, you can even find an item made in Mexico that has a similar aesthetic to one made in Tunisia because, over the course of many years, the people and ideas from one part of the world have travelled to the other. “These items," she said, "are in conversation with each other.” ■
Appreciating Our Neighborhood Bats
By Maureen Brady Weir
Fall is the time of year when bats flutter into our imaginations. They’re icons of the spooky season shadows darting across the moon, stars of scary stories, and messengers of the night. Yet, the real bats above Queen Village are far more fascinating than frightening. In fact, they’re some of our most important and misunderstood neighbors.
Valued Neighbors, Not Nighttime Menaces
Despite their sometimes-spooky reputation, bats generally want nothing to do with people. They hunt insects at night, roost quietly during the day, and mostly keep to themselves. Many of the fears people have about bats come from myths.
Myth: Bats are out for your blood.
Fact: Only one of the 1,300 bat species worldwide feeds on mammal blood, the common vampire bat, which lives in the tropics of Mexico and Central and South America. Philadelphia bats are far more interested in insects than blood.
Myth: Bats try to fly into your hair.
Fact: Bats might fly toward you when exploring confined spaces like caves, attics, or buildings, but they do not seek out your hair. They are simply trying to escape and may be attracted to insects that hover nearby.
Myth: All bats have rabies.
Fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than 1% of wild bats carry rabies. The slightly higher rates seen in tested bats, 3 to 6%, usually come from sick or injured animals that are easier to catch. Healthy bats rarely interact with humans, and any bat found on the ground should never be handled without professional guidance.
Myth: Bats are blind.
Fact: Bats are not blind. While their eyes are small, many species have good eyesight, and they also navigate using echolocation which are high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects to reveal their surroundings, even detecting something as fine as a single human hair.
Why Bats Matter
Bats may be mysterious to us, but they are actually beneficial members of our urban ecosystem. They help keep the insect populations in check and rarely pose any real threat to people. Think of bats as nature’s nighttime pest patrol; a single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, from mosquitoes to moths. This natural pest control makes outdoor gatherings more pleasant, reduces the need for pesticides in gardens, and even protects crops across Pennsylvania. By helping balance insect populations, bats strengthen the entire ecosystem. Supporting them is not only good for wildlife, but for humans as well.
Our Local Bats
Philadelphia is home to several species of bats. The two most common found in urban neighborhoods like Queen Village are big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Big brown bats are a hardy species that often roost
in buildings and older rooftops, quietly sharing our cityscape. Little brown bats were once abundant in the area, but their numbers have significantly declined due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that grows on bats’ muzzles and wing membranes. The fungus disrupts hibernation, causing bats to wake prematurely, often leading to starvation or death from exposure. Since 2008, white-nose syndrome has devastated bat populations across the Northeast. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, little brown bats in the state have decreased by more than 90%.
If you wander into larger green spaces, you might glimpse other species. At FDR Park or Fairmount Park, the Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) hunts along tree lines and open fields, its reddish fur glowing under streetlights. But here in Queen Village, most of the shadows darting above rooftops at dusk are usually big brown bats.
All of Philadelphia’s bats face challenges from habitat loss, disease, and human activity, making it important for residents to take steps that support their survival.
How Queen Villagers Can Help
The good news is, there are simple ways we can make our neighborhood more bat-friendly.
• Reduce pesticide use: Fewer chemicals mean more insects for bats to eat, and healthier bats overall.
• Keep cats indoors: Outdoor cats are skilled predators and are
a leading cause of bat mortality. Keeping them inside protects both cats and wildlife.
• Install bat boxes: Providing safe roosting spaces helps bats thrive while naturally reducing mosquito populations. You can find building plans and tips through websites for organizations like BatBnB or the Pennsylvania Bat Conservation and Rehabilitation Center, or purchase pre-assembled boxes online.
• Support rehab groups: Nonprofits, such as PA Bat Conservation and Rehabilitation, provide rescue services, public education, and research support.
What to Do if a Bat Gets Inside
Every so often, a bat might accidentally find its way into a house through an open window. Don’t panic and don’t try to catch it yourself. The PA Bat Conservation and Rehabilitation Center website offers step-by-step instructions and can connect you with humane removal experts. In most cases, the bat is simply lost and trying to get back outside.
Best
Places for Bat-Watching
To spot our local bats, keep your eyes open at dusk and look up. On calm early autumn nights, as the streetlights begin to glow, you may catch them tracing quickly across the sky. You’ll often find them wherever insects gather, including tree-lined blocks and parks. Take a walk down the east side of Front Street as the sun sets and see them soar above, where the mix of greenery and open air makes for easy hunting. If you have access to a rooftop, settle in during the evening hours and enjoy the show as they dart gracefully against the fading light. For a more guided experience, look for organized “bat walks” hosted by local groups such as Friends of FDR Park.
Bats are most visible in Philadelphia from late spring through mid-fall, when insects are plentiful. As colder weather arrives, sightings taper off as bats migrate or hunker down into hibernation until the following spring.
So, take a moment to notice the small, quick shadows overhead. They’re not spooky invaders, but hard-working, insect-eating allies, guardians of the night sky, and some of Queen Village’s most remarkable nocturnal neighbors. ■
For more about our local bats, visit PA Bat Conservation & Rehabilitation pabatrehab.org/.
Meet Me on South Street
Lt. Floria Colbert-Rodgers, a 27-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, was assigned to the South Street Mini Station this spring. She brings her unique experiences—both working within a district and in citywide units—combined with her inherent philanthropy and resolve, have already proven an excellent match for the neighborhood.
By Cait Allen, Photo by Maxine Mayer
When The Orlons sang the iconic words, “Come on now, meet me on South Street,” I think they had Lt. Floria Colbert-Rodgers in mind. “I wanted to be a police officer because I love meeting people, and South Street is a great place for that. I like hearing about someone’s problem and figuring out how to fix it.”
The youngest of ten children, it’s not surprising that she loves being around others. Like many big families, her older siblings often looked after the younger ones and showed her firsthand how important helping one another is. She has carried this mentality with her throughout her career.
Previously a sergeant in Traffic, she explained that the Division does so much more than just enforce moving violations. “We respond and assist to major incidents throughout the city. We provide additional security during protests. We provide support anytime the streets need to be opened and closed. We support and assist various districts in enforcement efforts. Traffic is always out there. ”Her new role as a district lieutenant has enabled her to build stronger and recurring bonds with
neighbors and businesses. “My favorite thing about South Street is when you see lots of people out, walking around, and interacting with the officers. Having a good time but knowing that we’re here to help and to keep things safe.”
Part of keeping the neighborhood safe is enforcing quality-of-life issues, a role that she approaches carefully and methodically. “The goal is to get someone to follow the rules if they are breaking them. And CVNs [code violation notices] can be an effective way to do that. But we hope they will comply with
city ordinances before having to issue a CVN, which can be costly.” She hopes to see more restaurants, bars, and entertainment options open on the Street— as long as they follow the City Code. “People tell us that nightlife is more enjoyable, and it feels safer when you see families, couples, and groups of friends walking around. So, it would be great to have more options where they can go.”
What keeps fueling Lt. Rodgers’ tenacity? Her faith. “We’re out here every night. Sometimes doing pretty dangerous things. It’s hard not to think that the Lord is watching over myself and my co-workers.”
When not patrolling South Street, participating in community events, attending church, or volunteering with the Red Cross, Lt. Rodgers enjoys spending time with her husband, also a police lieutenant, and their three kids, especially when she gets a chance to cook. “It calms me. Cooking isn’t just about making something delicious; it’s a reason for everyone to come together.”
So, come meet Lt. Rodgers on South Street or elsewhere around the District to welcome her officially to the neighborhood! ■
Fall at Headhouse Farmers Market
By Maureen Brady Weir, Photos by Maxine Mayer
As the air turns crisp, the leaves change, the sunlight softens, and autumn invites us to slow down and savor the season. There’s no better place to take it all in than the Headhouse Farmers Market.
Alyssa Thayer, Senior Program Manager for the Food Trust, notes that fall brings its own distinct flavor to the market, with vendors offering foods and goods perfect for autumn feasts, game-day spreads, or to simply savor as we slowly ease toward the winter months ahead. With so many seasonal offerings, here are some highlights to help you navigate the market and make shopping for fall flavors easy and enjoyable.
Fresh Flavors
Autumn brings a rich variety of fresh produce to the Headhouse Farmers Market. Vegetables like carrots, beets, parsnips, potatoes, yams, and Brussel sprouts add
warmth and depth to flavorful dishes, while crisp apples, pears, and leafy greens showcase the season’s vibrant colors and flavors. Fall is peak apple season, with multiple varieties picked each week. Market vendor Beechwood Orchards encourages shoppers to try something new, such as Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, or Ginger Gold, and freshly pressed apple cider is also a must try.
Beyond fruits and vegetables, the market offers an array of seasonal offerings to complement fall menus. Seasonal cheese spreads, including Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Spice from Hillacres Pride, pair beautifully with bread or crackers. You’ll also find meats perfect for autumn cooking, including smoked ham hocks and chicken stock for hearty soups, as well as whole chickens, beef and pork roasts, and short ribs for savory slowcooked dishes.
Artisanal Prepared Foods
The market also offers a wide variety of prepared foods perfect for entertaining, tailgating, or a cozy night in, all of which showcase the season’s flavors and bring people together.
Fishtown Pickle Project is rolling out new creations like Bloody Mary pickles and Long & Hot scallion pickles, while Heavy
Market Hours:
May through December: 10am–2pm
January through April: 10am–1pm
The market is closed for two weeks around the winter holidays. The last market of 2025 will be December 21 and the first market of 2026 will be January 4.
Thanksgiving Week:
Wednesday before Thanksgiving 10am-2pm
No Sunday Market that Week
Metal Sausage Co. is bringing back kielbasa, perfect for the grill or paired with pierogies from longtime favorite Mom Mom’s Kitchen. Talula’s Table showcases fall comfort foods, including pumpkin scones and their Kennett Square mushroom soup. Kensington Food Co. features seasonal flavors, such as Maple-Infused Balsamic Vinegar, Pennsylvania Small-Batch Pumpkin Butter, Vegan Onion BBQ Sauce, and Fermented Black Garlic Hot Sauce. Pasta Lab highlights local cheese and produce in its seasonal ravioli, while Primordia Mushroom Farm offers gourmet mushrooms perfect for soups, stews, and stirfries, along with spice blends that elevate everything from popcorn to roasted vegetables.
Fall Libations
As the seasons change, so do our tastes in drinks. Lighter whites and crisp summer wines give way to deeper, richer flavors that suit cooler weather. At the Headhouse Farmers Market, you can find small-batch whiskey from Red Brick Craft Distillery, bold reds from local winemaker Mitchell and Mitchell Wines, the oldest Black-owned winery in Pennsylvania, and hard cider from Ploughman Cider, made with apples grown in Adams County, PA. These seasonal beverages are perfect for sipping by a fire, pairing with a fall meal, or adding a touch of autumn to your next gathering.
Pro Tips for Shopping the Headhouse Farmers Market
• Check the Headhouse Farmer’s Market Website to see which vendors will be at the market each week. Some are only on the schedule once or twice a month, so if you’re looking for something specific, plan ahead so you don’t miss out.
• Don’t be intimidated by specialty items like exotic or gourmet mushrooms. Treat it as a mini culinary adventure. Ask vendors for advice, and they’ll be more than happy to guide you toward the best varieties and ingredients.
• Try two or three new vendors each week. You’ll gradually find your favorites while discovering flavors you didn’t know you were missing.
Seasonal Wellness
While fall is celebrated for its flavors, it’s also the perfect time to strengthen ourselves for the chilly weather and busy holiday season ahead. Market vendors offer plenty of ways to support health and wellness. Earthside Provisions embraces “soup, broth, and tea season” with offerings like Butternut & Acorn Squash Dal and Herbal Chicken Bone
Broth. Native Sun Companies help keep things cozy and strong with immunity teas, elderberry syrup, hot toddy blends, and apple-cider candles, while New Bee Ranch offers raw honeys that are darker and richer thanks to plants that bloom later in the summer and early fall. With these seasonal wellness finds, fall at the market is as nourishing as it is flavorful.
Thanksgiving Prep
From savory appetizers to fresh loaves of bread and the perfect side dishes, the market helps set a festive table for gatherings big and small. Several bakery vendors offer Thanksgiving preorders, making it easy to plan your holiday desserts and seasonal treats. Be sure to follow the vendors on social media for updates and announcements about seasonal offerings so you can make your Thanksgiving extra special. Note: The market will take place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, with no Sunday market the weekend after.
A Celebration of Fall
Headhouse Farmers Market is more than a place to shop; it’s where the season comes alive through food, drink, and offerings that follow the natural rhythms of the year. Fall may only last a few months, but its flavors linger when we take the time to slow down, savor, and share them with friends and family, making every visit to the market a true celebration of the season. ■
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2025
Cracking the [Zoning] Code
By Cait Allen
Zoning is the process that decides how land can be used: how a structure can be built and how it can be used once it’s constructed. These two general buckets are typically referred to as the “base zoning.”
The Philadelphia Zoning Code outlines the base zoning for every location within the city. These guidelines are updated periodically and dictate things like height, density, and parking requirements. Most land parcels are classified as residential, commercial or commercial mixed use, or industrial and are further subdivided into more specific designations.
Each has its own specific rules for what can be built “by right,” meaning that the intended use and construction fall within the base zoning.
Applicants can apply for a variance or special exception if they want to construct something or open a business that does not conform to the base zoning. The process for both is similar, but variances place the burden on the applicant to explain why they should be allowed to bypass the rules, whereas special exceptions place the burden on the near neighbors for why they don’t think the variance is the best fit.
Variances are adjudicated by the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) who can either approve, deny, or continue (i.e., give applicants more time) the request.
By-right projects do not trigger the variance process and lack the community input mechanisms that process provides.
Where do RCOs fit in?
City Hall designates one or more registered community organizations (RCOs) as the spokesperson for near neighbors to streamline input and coordinate with the applicant.
A hearing with the affected RCO(s) occurs after the applicant files for a variance request to give the applicant an opportunity to garner support for their project. Every RCO’s hearing process works a little bit differently as far as how broadly meetings are advertised and what kind of input they seek from attendees, but the City requires at a minimum for the applicant to notify everyone within 250’ of the project.
The RCO(s) will then decide whether to issue a letter of support, opposition, or nonopposition. (Letters of nonopposition are much rarer and effectively take a neutral stance on the request.)
Those letters are then sent to the ZBA for consideration. While the ZBA does not have to follow RCO recommendations, they do side with them more often than not, in deference to those most affected by the request (i.e., those who live closest to it).
Zoning Overlays
Zoning overlays provide a mechanism to tailor rules to a geographical area. They are overseen by City Council who can modify them with an ordinance.
For example, much of Queen Village falls within the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) overlay, which dictates guidelines within the District’s boundaries. Two years ago, QVNA, Bella Vista Neighbors Association, Society Hill Civic Association, and SSHD formally requested that the SSHD overlay be updated to prohibit any more smoking lounges from opening by right. ■
213-219 Fitzwater
Goodman Stable, Bernstein Stable, Bathtub Store, Stable Place Condos
By Jack Galle, Photo by Maxine Mayer
There is a lot of unique architecture in Queen Village. Multicolored bay windows with ornate styling grace many buildings throughout the neighborhood. Colonial rowhouses intermingle with postmodern infill, and religious institutions dot most blocks. There is, perhaps, only one building in the Village with an ornamental horse’s head extending from its second story. This building, since 1985, has been known as Stable Court Apartments, located at 213–219 Fitzwater. The building itself is a two-story colonial revival-style structure with simple ornamentation on the majority of the building. The part of the building located at 213 Fitzwater has contained the offices of each iteration of the property. Above the glass storefront is architecturally the most interesting part of the building. At the center of the gambrel end that makes up the second story of the structure is a metal horse’s head surrounded by a sunburst pattern of red brick with stone accents at each point of the compass. Beneath the horse, the year 1899 is laid out diagonally with black “glazer” brick headers.
Stable Court began its life in 1896 when John Goodman first applied for a building permit. By 1898, Goodman was placing advertisements in Boyd’s Co-Partnership and Residence Directory for his Livery & Boarding Stable with Horses and Carriages for hire. Interestingly, Goodman’s permit was approved in late 1896, the stable began business
in 1898, and the brickwork on the building indicates it was constructed in 1899.
Census data indicate that Goodman was a Russian Jew who immigrated to Philadelphia with his wife, Bessie, in 1880, and by 1900, lived above his business with his four children, a servant, and an elderly boarder. By 1920, Goodman had moved into the house next to his business and had changed the name to Goodman’s Garage, offering parking and used cars in the same location that had sold carriages and saddles just a few years earlier. Business was steady with newspaper advertisements for a variety of limousines, cars, and trucks steadily appearing through the 1940s. The garage was also consistently hiring with postings for “Garagemen,” car washers, and drivers.
When John Goodman passed away in 1951, the property was sold to a realty company, which leased it to Lifetime
Bathtub Enclosures for use as a factory until the early 1980s.
When Lifetime Bathtub Enclosures moved out, the building was quickly remodeled into nine apartment units.
The apartments opened on November 1, 1984, and boasted off-street parking, central air, and private balconies.
According to advertisements, the apartments were designed by a mysterious “world-famous” architect. The world-famous architect decided to retain the horse’s head and, in doing so, allowed the stable to keep one last horse and Queen Village to keep one more distinctive building. ■
On Laundry, Friendship, and Community in Queen Village
By Katie Mears
Afew months ago, my dryer broke. Like all of us, I have a mountain of things to do, errands to run, and chores to complete. And now my laundry, which was one of the relatively simple chores, was about to be a headache. I groaned, messaged my landlord, and texted a neighbor, “Can I come and do a load of laundry at your place?” In no time, I was on her couch folding my laundry, soft and warm from the dryer, as she tidied up around her kitchen. We ate pizza I brought from Square Pie, and conversation ebbed and flowed in the quiet of her apartment. And I had the thought: This isn’t a hassle. In fact, this is lovely
Nothing about it was particularly novel or exciting. It was just easy, comfortable. I was worried I’d be a burden, but we both enjoyed the opportunity to take some time and do something normal and banal together. I was reminded of the Ben Franklin effect: a phenomenon where people like someone more after doing a favor for them. Not receiving a favor, mind you, but doing a favor. Because when we let people help us they often feel closer to us, not less so.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and my dirty laundry was piling up with no response from my landlord and no sign of my dryer being fixed. I needed to do laundry again, and I was curious—if I reached out to a different friend, would the experience be just as lovely?
Yes—yes it would.
In the end, I did laundry at three different friends’ homes before my dryer was repaired. In each case, the hangout was simple and unstructured, combinations of chatting, coworking, doing household chores, and just hanging out while my clothes spun in the background.
When it comes to socializing, I often fall into this trap of thinking that I have to offer something fun in order to spend time with people. It can feel very effortful, bordering on formal. I’ll seek out a cool bar, a new restaurant, a concert or a fun event in town. And half the time (more than half, if I’m honest) I talk myself out of even inviting friends out in the first place. They’re probably busy, I tell myself. I should wait until I have a better reason to see them. But with laundry, there were no expectations to be entertaining (or to be entertained). These people were just doing me a solid. And I didn’t have to dress up or ask good questions or perform being a certain type of person. I was just there. Folding socks. And while this might sound obvious or unremarkable, it’s exactly the kind of neighborly relationship that many of us are missing.
I find myself craving friends that feel more like neighbors. Neighbors are just around. They water your plants when you’re out of town, they lend you their screwdriver, they wave to you from the porch. And, in my case, they let you use their machine when your dryer breaks. And
it’s not a new idea, so much as a forgotten one. It’s not unlike living among family members or roommates—this rhythm of domestic life, witnessed rather than performed. Sometimes I’ll leave happy hour with a friend thinking to myself, Do I really even know that person? And that’s okay, but sometimes I want to see someone in their sweatpants, puttering around their home—no gloss, no performing.
We’ve become more self sufficient, perhaps to a fault. It’s harder to ask someone to bring you food when you can order it right from your phone. When every problem has a digital solution, asking another person for help can feel unnecessary or even indulgent. But remember the Ben Franklin effect—asking for help doesn’t weaken bonds, it strengthens them. And it can be difficult to forge these types of bonds in the first place, especially today. Americans move more, live alone more, and spend less time in community spaces like churches or civic groups. Nearly a third of households are now single person, up from just 13% in 1960. We work longer hours than most other wealthy countries, and as a result, Americans now spend an average of 34 minutes a day socializing—down from 43 minutes a decade ago. Add to that the rising cost of social plans (dinner and drinks can run $100, easily) and it’s no wonder that many adult friendships exist mostly via text and vague promises to catch up soon.
But it isn’t hopeless! According to Pew Research, only 26% of U.S. adults say they know all or most of their neighbors. And yet, the willingness to help remains strikingly high: More than three-quarters of Americans say they’d bring in a neighbor’s mail or water their plants while they’re away, and two-thirds would bring a meal to someone who’s sick. The relationships are lagging behind, but the instinct for community care is there—we just need more excuses to activate it.
Here in Queen Village, we’re lucky. Our neighborhood has built-in opportunities for connection: chatting on stoops, getting to know the regulars at Shot Tower Coffee, bumping into neighbors at Mario Lanza Park or at the farmer’s market. The next time you need to buy groceries or run errands, maybe you bring a friend. Or maybe you’re the friend someone else brings along. Maybe this means sitting at the kitchen table together while you and a friend send emails, or helping someone move a couch or organize their junk drawer. There’s something special about doing chores together, and not in a “Let’s optimize our lives!” way, but in a “Let’s stop pretending our lives don’t have chores in them” way. These aren’t grand gestures. They’re micro-investments in a shared life.
So—where does that leave me and my dirty laundry? Well, my dryer is fixed now. It hums along just fine. I was relieved to see it working again, but I was a bit sad, too. Those weeks without it gave me a reason to ask for help, to show up unpolished, to hang out in the in-between moments. We’re not on this planet to entertain each other, and not all connection needs to happen face-toface across a table. Sometimes, it’s better to stand side-by-side over a sink of dirty dishes. ■
Twice a year, the QVNA Grants Committee receives applications from neighborhood nonprofits, small businesses, and Friends groups (i.e., volunteer groups that fall under QVNA’s 501c3). These applications range from improving and maintaining our beloved green spaces to holding events that build community. QVNA has distributed more than $300,000 in grant funding since the program’s inception.
QVNA is proud to support our amazing community partners as they continue to make Queen Village one of the most vibrant places to live, work, and play. Here is a selection of recently completed projects.
• Meredith School installed two new picnic tables on the school grounds, giving students, teachers, and parents additional space for outdoor classes and activities.
• Friends of Moyamensing Point was able to replace a bench destroyed by an illegally parked truck and has also received over $4,000 for trafficcalming measures in the future that will prevent vehicles from parking illegally on the brick sidewalk.
• Friends of Mario Lanza Park deployed six teak benches throughout the walking paths of the park.
• Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church held their annual Memorial Day Picnic on the church grounds, welcoming the entire community with three live music venues, food
QVNA Grants Giving Back To Queen Village
By Louis Bartholomew
trucks, and other activities. QVNA’s grant paid for the tent, sound equipment, and sound technicians for the day.
• Friends of Jefferson Square Park received funding to prune branches and received additional funding
through a subsequent grant for additional landscaping work.
• The Friends of Bainbridge Green (FOBG) deployed four new green trash cans in the park to keep the space litter free. New rain barrels and plantings are also on their way. ■
Queen Village resident Natalie Pompilio released her latest book, Philadelphia: A Walk Through History, with Reedy Press in September. The “bookzine” offers eight themed walking tours of historic Philadelphia. Pompilio’s tours strive to humanize the city’s historic figures and bring its vibrant history to life.
For example, while the decisions of the Founding Fathers might feel inevitable from today’s vantage point, Pompilio reminds the reader that nothing was certain for them at the time. One delegate described the atmosphere during the signing of the Declaration of Independence as “pensive and awful.”
The July heat was oppressive, and when a window was opened for air, horseflies swarmed the room, leaving the signers with bloodstains on their white knee socks. As Ben Franklin famously warned that day, “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Such anecdotes capture the spirit of Pompilio’s approach, making Philadelphia’s past feel textured, human, and accessible.
This is Pompilio’s fifth Philadelphiacentric book. She and her sister, photographer Tricia Pompilio, co-authored This Used to Be Philadelphia (2021), a look at more than 80 city locales and their transformations over time. The sisters also worked together on Walking Philadelphia: 30 Walking Tours Exploring Art, Architecture, History and Little-Known Gems
New Releases by Queen Village Author
By Natalie Pompilio
(2017), now in its second, post-pandemic edition. Pompilio also collaborated with Jane Golden and Robin Rice on More Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They
Tell (2006). Her self-published children’s book, Philadelphia A to Z, with photographer Jennifer Zdon, is available at Reading Terminal Market. ■
