South Street Bridge Reopening Celebration

Submitted by superadmin on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 17:46
in

The South Street West Business Association (SSWBA), along with the South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA), the Center City Residents Association (CCRA), and the Grays Ferry Triangles group, is planning a series of festivities to follow the City of Philadelphia’s official reopening of the South Street Bridge on November 6, 2010.

The celebration will take place at the Grays Ferry Triangles at 23rd and South Streets from 4 to 7pm, immediately following the bridge re-opening.

2:00 pm Pedestrians and Bicyclists allowed on the bridge in advance of the ribbon cutting.
3:00 pm Opening ceremony with Mayor Michael Nutter, Governor Rendell, and State Representative Babette Josephs on the west side of the bridge.
3:45 - 4:00 pm Procession across the new bridge.
4:00 - 7:00pm Neighborhood Celebration at the Grays Ferry Triangles (Grays Ferry between South and 23rd Streets)

Ceremony

Representatives from SSWBA, SOSNA, CCRA, and the Grays Ferry Triangles Group will be present to cut the ribbon with Mayor Michael Nutter and Governor Ed Rendell at 3pm on the western side of the bridge. Participants will then walk down South Street to the Triangles at 23rd for refreshments, live music, and celebration.

“We are overjoyed that the bridge is finally re-opening,” states Jessie Frisby, President of the SSWBA and a business owner at 1537 South Street for over 40 years. The bridge closure has affected the viability of many businesses along the South Street corridor West of Broad Street, compounding the difficulties many faced in light of the struggling economy.

Dollar Day on South Street

SSWBA has coordinated a “dollar day” event with local businesses who will be offering a variety of items and services for $1 on Saturday, November 6th. They include items such as $1 fudge at Betty’s Speakeasy, $1 egg rolls at MyThai, among others. “We want the community to get re-acquainted with existing businesses and see the great new restaurants, shops, and professional offices that have opened since the bridge closed,” says Matt Levinson, a South Street West Business member who is preparing to open The Quick Fixx, a gourmet takeout restaurant in January of this year.

Dollar Day Deals

Ants Pants Cafe, 2212 South Street
$1 Hot Chocoloate and $1 Apple Cider

All That Jazz, 617 South Street
$1 Key Chains, plus 10% off all store items

Anastasio Law Firm, 2208 South Street
Complementary baked goods and legal information

Balkan Restaurant, 2237 Grays Ferry
$1 Desserts

Betty's Speakeasy, 2241 Grays Ferry
$1 Packs of Fudge

Bicycle Therapy, 2211 South Street
$1 Puncture Repair Kit

Callahan's Grille, 2615 South Street
$1 Hot Dogs and $2.50 Draughts

Deluxe Hair Salon, 2209 South Street
Product sample giveaway and $5 coupon

Dollar General, 520 S. 23rd Street
$.45 canned vegetables

Fuzhou House, 2202 South Street
$1 Egg roll

Girl.Bike.Dog, 625 S. 23rd Street
50% off all $10 and under items

Grace Tavern, 2229 Grays Ferry
$1 Hand cut french fries

L2, 2201 South Street
$1 Selected Appetizers

My Thai, 2200 South Street
$1 Spicy Pumpkin Soup, $3 Pad Thai, $9.99 3-course prix fix

Old Towne & Sanna's Restaurant, 2301 Grays Ferry
$1 Slice of Pizza

Omega Pizza, 2145 South Street
$1 Slice of Pizza

Phoebe's Bar B-Q, 2214 South Street
$1 Pulled Pork Sandwich with cornbread

Rim's One-Hour Cleaner, 2203 South Street
$1 Collar Stays

Sophisticated Seconds, 2204 South Street
Complimentary Goodies, plus 10% off all store items

South Square Paint & Hardware, 23rd and Kater Streets
$1 Duplicate House Keys

South Square Market, 2221 South Street
$1 Gatorade, $1 Turkey Hill Iced Tea, $1 Gold Medal Flour

Tastebud's Market & Catering, 2400 Lombard
10% off all store items

The Phily Pack Pet Shop, 2315 Grays Ferry
Treat and toy giveaways for dogs and cats
 

Venture Off-Center Campaign Launch

To help call attention to the development that has occurred since the bridge closed, SSWBA is also launching a corridor marketing campaign with the bridge reopening.

The slogan, “Venture Off-Center,” reinforces the notion that South Street has always been a little different, with a mix of businesses as diverse as the owners themselves. It’s also meant to remind Center City residents that a short wander southward will lead them to find hidden gems all along South Street west of Broad.

Banners, advertising campaigns, and other activities will help to communicate the message, crafted by Message Agency, a South Street communications and web development firm.