About Philadelphia's Northern Liberties

"This will be an anchor for the neighborhood," Bart Blatstein announced this morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Superfresh at the Shops at Schmidts in Northern Liberties. "A neighborhood is not complete without a supermarket."

The 51,000 square foot market on the second level at 180 West Girard Avenue opened in full force this morning with welcoming staff sourced from the neighborhood, Mayor Nutter, and Bart Blatstein. And of course, long-waiting customers who were excited to finally have access to fresh produce, a vast selection of items, and a pharmacy.

Get on over there and fill up a cart! We are so proud to welcome Superfresh to the neighborhood as one of the many conveniences and highlights of living in Northern Liberties.

The fitness scene here in Philadelphia offers something for literally every body. Here in Northern Liberties alone, there are yoga studios, boxing gyms, martial arts centers, full service gyms, and pilates-inspired classes. You might see people hula hooping in the Piazza. If you're in the mood to try rock climbing, well, there's a spot for that, too.

Yes, we're a fit neighborhood, and we're always ready to welcome a new movement center into the mix.

We're feeling hot right now for Ploome in Liberties Walk, a movement arts boutique for birds of a different feather: Twisted Pilates, Burning Man Prep School, Fan Dancing, and Channeling Jane Fonda Barre are just a few of the classes on the action-packed schedule. On Sundays, fruit and champagne are served and costumes are encouraged for discounted classes. So whether you want a serious workout, a fun outside-of-the-box release, or the right balance of both, Ploome will get you going.

Founder Christina Stoltz showed us around and gave Stephanie a run-through on the pilates machines at her cool new studio.

"I hate exercising but Pilates seems to be my calling. Christina at Ploome really knows her stuff. She is patient, knowledgeable and passionate," says Stephanie.

Check out the schedule here and we hope to see you in a class!

What are you doing on Tuesday, August 23rd? If you've got time in between 1 and 7pm and happen to live or be in Northern Liberties, we urge you to donate blood at the American Red Cross Community Blood Drive hosted by The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (Concilio) and Hyperion Bank.

“The Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and needs your help. During the summer months the need for donations is especially acute”, stated Jeanna Savage / Account Executive, Donor Recruitment American Red Cross. “We are especially in need of Type “O”.”

The host site will be at Concilio, 705-09 N. Franklin Street at the corner of 7th & N. Franklin Streets. You must be at least 16 years of age (with parental consent) 17 and up (without consent), 110 pounds or more and in generally good health. Those wishing to register for an appointment are asked to go to the American Red Cross web site at: www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: 14451. The secure site will ask a few simple questions and donors can actually schedule a specific time to come it to donate blood. Walk-ins are also welcome where schedule permits. All donors will receive a coupon from Edible Arrangements for a free box of Chocolate Dipped Fruit and be automatically entered in a drawing for a $250 Gift Card.If you would like more information please contact Suzanne Mooney at 215-789-4198 at Hyperion Bank, or Joanna Otero-Cruz at 215-627-3100 at Concilio or phone the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

[image via Hyperion Bank]

8 stories of Luxury Apartments and a ground floor for Commercial and Retail space is just what the doctor ordered at Front and Brown Streets in Northern Liberties.

We're talking about the site of the old night club The Eighth Floor and former Liberties Self Storage, which is getting a major face lift. Going from from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, this 126 unit building with amazing window views of the city and river also has 3 commercial spaces on the ground level and 2 levels of parking, one in the basement and on on the 3rd floor. The construction has been quietly going on for about a year now but it is no secret that this luxurious building is going to be a sight for sore eyes.

Related:

Fresh Address: 919 N Front Street B

Give the Poor Pawn Shop a Chance? Hell No!

Today we read a great post by JoAnn Greco at PlanPhilly about something exciting going on near Bodine High School at George and Orianna St in Northern Liberties. This school is right next to the Orianna Street New Construction Project and it's about to be the location of a little more eye candy...One of the biggest mural projects is officially under way at Bodine, reports PlanPhilly.

It took a lot of work, permits, and red tape to get this project going. We especially love that everything is re-used and nothing that is taken from the site ever leaves the site. The murals should be completed by mid-September and we hope to have some photos of it by then!

We have other smaller projects at work getting less press but still worth mentioning. Visit Hancock Beautification Project to see the latest efforts on the 800 block of Hancock Street, a block that took matters into their own hands and are doing their own murals. No city red tape or permits required!

Northern Liberties is certainly becoming the neighborhood of murals - we spot new ones every week! What do you think of murals?

If you are interested in organizing a block beautification committee and need some help, please contact us.