malcolmxpark.org

On Saturday, June 6th, Provider to Provider will offer support resources for home-based childcare providers in Malcolm X Park.  If you, or someone you know, could use a little help dealing with the stresses of running a small home-based childcare operation, this seems like a really useful events.  Here’s how Provider to Provider describes its mission:

Though Crispy Sweetie at 52nd and Addison across from Malcolm X Park is still bagging and tagging their signature kettle corn, they’re also rolling out some exciting new–and totally homemade!–offerings that promise to vault it from humble (if slightly exotic) snack shop to legitimate breakfast and lunch destination!

I stopped in the other day for a very rewarding bowl of homemade broccoli and cheese soup ($3.50) with a side of cornbread (.50 with soup purchase).  Word on the street is that the clam chowder and bean are hard to beat as well, though I haven’t yet had the pleasure.   I have, however, sampled a slice of delightful pecan pie ($2.00): 

Also delicious is an apple brownie ($1.25) reportedly popular with the teachers at Huey School, so you’ve gotta get there early to get one before they sell out.  As it happens, I can also vouch for the carrot cake (price forgotten but worth every penny).  

With new hours from 7:00am to 6:00pm, you can now stop in on your way to work or school and stock up on provisions.  You won’t regret it.  

Crispy Sweetie
434 S. 52nd St. (52nd and Addison)
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.472.6065 
www.crispysweetie.com 

Walking home from the El last night, I happened past the site formerly occupied by the Cookie Jar, at 52nd and Chestnut.  In its heyday,  it must have been a grand place for generations of children, showing traces, even in its shabby condition, of a fully operational soda fountain, freezer cases for dozens of flavors of ice cream, and display shelves for an improbable volume of baked goods.  Even until it finally closed its doors, the Cookie Jar offered delicious-looking throwbacks like candied apples and a small variety of cookies.  Well, okay, all they had was the candied apples and the cookies, but they were good cookies.  

Walking by last night, workers were putting the final touches on a total gut job–the charming tile floor, the chrome displays, the soft-serve machine, the period signage.  All were gone.  I’ll keep you posted on what turns up next in the shell of the Cookie Jar.  Of course, for all your confection needs, I can heartily recommend Crispy Sweetie at 52nd and Addison as a worthy successor. (Their new hours are 7am-6pm on weekdays so you can stop in for breakfast!)

If you have any memories of the Cookie Jar, share them in the comments!

I’m not sure how you pack this much green living into just three hours, but here you go:

That URL, by the way, has just two o’s in boost– www.weareboost.org –but I sort of like the enthusiasm of booost!  Also, word on the street is that Dock Street’s switching things up in the brewmaster department.  Might be a good time to stop in and see what’s new.

Back in August, signs sprung up on a couple of store fronts on 52nd Street, and at least one of them is now open for business!  Meet Salaam’s Florals at 212 S. 52nd St:

As of now, they have a small selection of cut flowers and a variety of vases for sale.  It looks like the store is still getting fully equipped, so the variety and volume of the stock may change in the near future.  Check it out on your way to pick up a giant catfish fillet at Mr. Hook.

So cute!

Oops, fixed that link…Thanks Mithras

I think you’ll agree that, based on this description, Crispy Sweetie is pretty much better than anyone could have imagined:

Hi, I just opened Crispy Sweetie. Wow was I surprised to see a listing for my store so soon. I specialize in all sorts of Popcorn. My specialty is Kettle Corn, that addictively sweet and salty treat that is usually only found fresh at fairs and outdoor events. Now you can get it freshly popped whenever you want! I also sell sweet glazed popcorn, grape, cherry, blue raspberry, light caramel, chocolate, and cinnamon as well as regular popcorn and savory popcorn flavors (sour cream, jalapeno, cheese). I have a great assortment of old school candy, Slap Sticks, Rock Candy, Violet Gum, PopRocks, licorice laces, etc…
I do stock a small inventory of Japanese Candy as well. I have chocolate and strawberry Pocky, Meiji Fruit Gummies, Lotte Koala Cream Filled Cookies, and Shrimp Chips. To round out my menu I offer Frozen Cappuccino and a rotating Frozen Fruit Flavor drink, currently Orange Mango. I just added Cheese Nachos and Pretzel Stix with cheese to the menu today. Oh yeah and I make fresh Caramel Apples too!
Sweet Popcorn makes a great party favor or snack. I’m doing bags of pink and purple popcorn as favors for a baby shower and an upcoming child’s birthday party. Please order in advance for parties. My phone number is 215-472-6065. Thanks for listing me! Come by for FREE SAMPLES of popcorn….

Oh yes.

The moment I get my hands on some Crispy Sweetie goodies, and I’ve recovered from the diabetic shock, I’ll report back.

Crispy Sweetie is at the corner of 52nd and Addison Streets, right across the street from Malcolm X Park.  I don’t know the exact weekend hours, but I know it’s open weekdays 10-6 and that it’s closed on Sundays.

With almost no advance warning, occupying the hallowed ground of 52nd Street Flavors, a new little snack shop, Crispy Sweetie sprung up this weekend! It’s as though it had been just a kernel of a business idea, simmering in the hot oil of 52nd Street’s new entrepreneurial spirit and finally bursting forth…

You get the idea.

The sign says:

Crispy Sweetie
Toy Surprise Inside!
Kettle Corn, Flavor Popcorn, and Candy
A Sweet Treet!

I’m not totally sure they’ve even been open yet, but I’ll report back as soon as possible:

Crispy Sweetie
434 S. 52nd (52nd and Addison)
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Formerly a record store, a new salon called Behind the Hijab has a sign up at 52nd and Irving. The metal gate is open, but as you might imagine, the windows are covered, so it’s hard to tell whether they’re open for business or not.

I’m pretty sure that Ashanti’s Bar-B-Que (52nd and Irving) has not been open at any point in the last 5 years, but I’ve always admired the signage. I was tempted to walk off with the plexiglass hand-painted Bar-B-Que sign leaning against the wall in this photo, less so the toilet.