Once known for wild concerts, drug-related shootings and PYT’s bro-approved novelty burgers, the 10-year-old Piazza—now called the Schmidt’s Commons—turns over a new leaf. Last year a handful of new businesses opened to draw a more diverse clientele to the open-air shopping and entertainment complex, including Urban Village Brewing Company and Philadelphia’s first WeWork offices. Here are some of the newest (or upcoming) spots to check out this spring.
Chalaco’s Ceviche & Pisco Bar
Projected to open early spring 2018, this eatery is inspired by bars in the Peruvian seaside city of Callao, and serves traditional fare such as ceviche, lomo saltado (stir-fried steak) and charbroiled chicken. A large pisco collection is the star of the bar, where Peruvian brandy goes into pisco sours or chilcanos along with ginger ale and lime.
DGx
Photograph: Courtesy DGX
Dollar General chose the Schmidt’s Commons for its third location (after Raleigh, NC, and Nashville) of this new convenience store for urban millennials. The shelves are stocked with affordable essentials such as frozen food, pet supplies, snacks, cleaning products and health and beauty needs. DGX also has free Wi-Fi, quick checkout lanes, a coffee station and grab-and-go salads and snacks. Wawa better watch its back.
Orangetheory Fitness
Photograph: Courtesy Orangetheory Fitness
Taylor Popple, 28, one of Philly’s youngest female business owners, brings Orangetheory Fitness’s popular total-body workouts to NoLibs and the surrounding ’hoods. The Fishtown resident chose the Schmidt’s Commons because its demographics match Orangetheory’s typical clientele: young health-conscious professionals. The gym’s one-hour, trainer-led programs include suspension training, weights and cardio on treadmills and rowing machines.
Saige Coffee House
Photograph: Courtesy Saige Coffee House
This contemporary café, on track to open in March 2018, moves into an airy 1,400-square-foot space in the Commons with coffee drinks sourced from Red House Roasters—including cold brew on tap and pour-overs—and fruit-infused iced teas, as well as panini and salads. This is the third location of the regional chain, and it promises to bring with it a cozy environment and lineup of events like open-mic nights, poetry readings and exhibits featuring local artists.
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