UPDATE: Point Breeze pop-up garden has been allowed to reopen after shutdown

UPDATE: A judge has ruled that the Point Breeze Popup can reopen, and they’re planning to be back in business on Saturday.

More from Billy Penn:

After being shut down earlier this week, the Point Breeze Pop-Up beer garden is back in business.

Immediately after receiving the July 8 cease and desist order the Department of Licenses and Inspections, owner John Longacre filed suit in municipal court, asking for an emergency injunction hearing.

The case went to court on Friday, and Longacre emerged victorious

EARLIER:

The days of drinking and enjoying the outdoors at the Point Breeze pop-up garden could be over.

The pop-up garden at 1622 Point Breeze Ave. has been shut down by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

This beer garden, run by John Longacre of South Philly Taproom and American Sardine Bar, is operated on a property which is zoned as RM-1. Because of a temporary catering license through the the Liquor Control Board, the pop-up garden should be able to operate on the property without a zoning permit since the garden is not a permanent fixture.

Despite the temporary catering license, the pop-up garden was issued a cease and desist order from the Department of Licenses and Inspections because the property “is not zoned for use.” That being said, Longacre says he has now applied for a temporary zoning permit.

Since the garden opened in May, Longacre says it “had been running brilliantly, there had been no issues.” But about a month into operations, State Representative Jordan Harris, gathered the community for a public meeting in protest of the pop-up garden. Many who came out in opposition of the garden feared the impact it would have on the community, especially in regards to gentrification in Point Breeze. We have reached out to Representative Harris’s office for comment on the pop-up garden being shut down.

An emergency injunction hearing is planned for today. We’ll keep you posted once we know more about the future of the garden. 

The pop-up garden plays host to various community event, including the Local Food Guide Launch Party that was planned for this evening. The event has been moved to American Sardine Bar at 1800 Federal St.