New age shop at 1507 E. Passyunk is becoming Pooka’s Hookah & BYOB Lounge
We were scratching our heads a few weeks ago after we spotted the wooden letters BYOB in the window at the purple-fronted Eclectic Expressionism gift shop and gallery.
Turns out, shop owner Nicola Vittoria says she is converting the space, which started selling glass pipes and other paraphernalia in November, into a Pooka’s Hookah & BYOB lounge. An opening party with wine and snacks is tonight, Friday, July 27 starting at 6:30.
Vittoria says she’ll be selling “all things related to hookahs, cigarettes, tobaccos, pipes, beverages and snacks.” You bring the booze, and she’ll sell you the mixers (juice, sodas, tonic, etc.).
Find a few more details and pictures on the Facebook page.
Better than the “vape” shop, but i hope this isn’t a trend to turn Passyunk Ave into South St. If we start seeing “Irish Food” shops opening, I’m putting my house up for sale.
beat me to it!
I’m not sure it’s better…
I agree acer… I’m also wary of the apparent “south-street-ization” trend going on… I think we need to stop settling for just accepting the let downs…
When we see articles about “Old warehouse up for sale! Tons of potential!!! Lots of open space for 1st floor retail!!! Great location!!! Spectacular views on the upper floors!!!” And then we all talk about what might be there.. We throw ideas out there like: “A Stogie Joes or Stateside type place.. Or a trendy cafe as an alternative to Starbucks..” Or talk of “open air seating and bay windows or garage bar type openings… A nail salon with a bar… A whole foods type grocery store..” And then we get shouted down when we are angry that it ended up becoming a: tattoo parlor, vape shop, or a piss yellow beer distributor, or a dirty pizza joint that is really a front for selling other illegal items… That is the type of stuff that causes the trend we’re talking about…
Just settling for something to open up and generate revenue quickly, instead of taking the time to get a quality tenant with a business idea that compliments or uplifts a neighborhood. Thats a problem…
WTF? From bad to worse. Totally agree with Acer. This kind of crap has got to stop.
The reality is that Pyunk and the surrounding blocks in the neighborhood still have plenty of opportunities for “low rent” or ” nuisance” uses/stores. Seeing the trends and knowing what new development/redevelopment projects have already been approved, I myself am not worried at all about more of a south st feel.
If you decide to put that house up for sale let me know:).
I don’t know much about zoning…but can this business just make this type of change without any warning or zoning update? Sounds like the previous store was selling eclectic art/crafts….now it is a hookah lounge and they are selling non-alcoholic beverages.
Thanks in advance for clarifying this for me.
-squishimichi
@squishimichi- not sure about the zoning, though there was definitely not any notices posted in the window, but this kind of shop does require a special permit from the city.
Also thought is was not permitted to display pot-pipes in the window? Other head-shops don’t seem to display them that way.