hopefully a revival...

...of the blog and of Queen Village. Just a few words about the activity around me. Two stores that have been vacant since I moved to Queen Village nearly a year ago, are opening with new tenants. One, at 3rd and Christian, boasts a sign that promises a deli and market. It's a handmade sign so I am optimistic for an independent store. Not an unreasonable assumption, right? Another store front at 4th and Catharine - previously a paint store - will become a fabric shop. Hooray for that...since at least 4 closed in the past year.
Could this be a sign that the ecomomy is perhaps beginning to look a little more robust? In addition, two beautiful brick homes, formerly in disrepair, are undergoing some serious renovation across from Mario Lanzo park. I am feeling good about the investments being made in the area.
I will keep you updated on the two new businesses and then it will be up to us to become loyal customers. You can count on me to be there. I hope you will join me.
News on the personal front. I am planning to take an early retirement in June from my long stint as a teacher. I have much to say about the state of education...from the trenches...but I will leave that until after retirement. The safer alternative. In the meantime, I will cheer my students on to be the best they can be, to learn about everything and have integrity. It's the best I can do, but I fear I am fighting a losing battle to..... well, as I said, that can wait.
However, the best part about the retirement is getting back to blogging, walking the city and letting you know who's out there trying to make a go of it, writing, bookbinding, photography, and...oh, lovely...reading again.

best wishes....I fear I write this to an absentee readership...

Robbin (this feels good!)

Awake!

...after a long hiatus. Well, maybe it was just the interruption of winter and the instinct to burrow. But, here are some ideas for summer blogging - Headhouse Square farmers market...just opened with a few vendors, local artists on Etsy (thanks Kristen, great idea!), Bluecoat gin (and the first of the gin and tonics - hooray for that) and an entry on the empty store fronts, a sad reminder of the economy and the reason to shop locally.

Would love to hear your ideas...know a local business? Have one?

See you soon!

Old City Coffee...

…begins with the bean. 100% Arabica and 25 pound batches roasted daily at Reading Terminal Market in an antique cast iron roaster. Their market stand greets visitors with the unmistakable aroma that will whisk you off to Café du Flore in Paris or Café de Rome or perhaps, more aptly for real Philadelphia coffee sipping, to Old City Coffee’s café at 221 Church Street in Old City or their coffee bar at the market.

Either location and you are assured the freshest coffee in the city….urn brewed, ground to order, or in the bean.

On this rainy and gray Sunday, my daughter and I met for our weekly trip to RTM with first on our list to be replenished – coffee. There we met Jack Treatman who along with his wife, Ruth, own Old City Coffee.

Jack considers himself, “Just a coffee buff,” but his extensive knowledge and obvious love of subject make him one of the most enthusiastic "buffs" in the area. Though preparing for a 3:00 "cupping," he took time to answer my questions. It was an education that left me wanting to know more.

Lauren and I each ordered a cup of the day's special, Church Street Blend, and checked out the over two dozen selections, one of which was going home with us.

The blends include espresso and French roasts, the popular Old City Blend, and the organic and fair trade Café Oacamonte among many others from coffee producing countries around the world. Some beans are purchased directly from the farmers such as the Hacienda Ana Luisa from Puerto Rico. This coffee is grown at 1,800 feet on a shade tree coffee farm using principles of sustainable agriculture.

Shade grown coffee contributes to soil quality, reduces the use of fertilizers and due to the optimal growing conditions reduces the need for pesticides. This traditional method of growing the coffee plants is threatened by sun coffee production which exists for the obvious advantage of higher yields. However, the yield cannot be sustained without intensive fertilization and the resulting damage to the ecosystem.

OCC’s concern with chemical free coffee extends to its decaf, as well. Many producers of decaffeinated coffee use either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to remove the caffeine from the beans in a 10 hour process during which the beans are repeatedly rinsed in the solvent. Old City Coffee sells coffee that uses the CO2 method – a chemical free process that makes it possible to decaffeinate the beans without chemical residue, while he aroma and flavor of the bean remain.

In addition to commanding a big piece of the Philadelphia coffee tradition since 1984, the Treatmans are committed to the metro and global communities through their involvement with local entities such as Old City Civic Organization and the global organizations Coffee Kids. They are dedicated to keeping their “mom and pop” business local. “We have two stores, we’ve had two stores, there will be two stores.”

Though other coffee roasters and retailers may hope to sell exotic and expensive blends, Jack’s goal is prepare the freshest and “best tasting coffee we can.” And my daughter and I believe they do.

Socially Responsible Reasons for shopping with
O l d - C i t y - C o f f e e

Deals direct with farmers. Check various selections.
Bring your mug. Shade grown coffee available. Roasting on premises - reduces carbon expenditure. Shop online.
Check various selections.
Local entrepreneur since 1984. Local distributors. Contributes to local economy and organizations.

All photos, except lead photo, taken by
Lauren Matis Photography

Why shop Locally?

When you shop at a locally owned business, your entire community benefits:

The Economy
* Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43.
* Local businesses create higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
* More of your taxes are reinvested in your community--where they belong.

The Environment
* Buying local means less packaging, less transportation, and a smaller carbon footprint.
* Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money to beautify your community.

The Community
* Local retailers are your friends and neighbors—support them and they’ll support you.
* Local businesses donate to charities at more than twice the rate of national chains.
* More independents means more choice, more diversity, and a truly unique community.

Blogging Soon!
on matters of sustaining
a distinctly local Philadelphia culture.
Reviews, interviews, essays, articles,
photographs, miscellany, and conversation.