Urban Jungle’s Pennsport location opens tomorrow, also testing prototype planter

The second location for Urban Jungle is set to open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in preparation for the holiday season.

We caught up with owner Curt Alexander, who told us the shop will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout December selling ” beautiful Fraser Fir Christmas trees, wreaths and garland” for all of your holiday needs. The former scrap metal shop located at 1721 S. Water St. near Target needed a major overhaul to be ready in time to deck the halls, and Alexander explained just what it took to make it all happen. It all starts with 40 tons of debris, noted Alexander:

The process of cleaning up the site included hauling 40 tons of debris out and dropping 40 tons of clean stone into the yard and we poured some concrete pads to allow for storage and a path for the forklift.

During Alexander’s presentation to the Pennsport Civic Association in September, he mentioned he wanted to make the site more attractive. They freshened up the former dingy space by painting the walls a softer green color that cleans up at least part of the industrial atmosphere along the Water St. corridor.

Trees will range in price from $30 to $95 a piece.

Urban Jungle looks to be open for the holiday season through December and will be closed the months of January and February to ramp up for their official opening in “mid March”. Alexander noted, “now all of our manufacturing and fabrication equipment is located in the garage and we are starting to produce our own signature products like the Gabion planter.”  Consultations will also be taken at the new shop for “decks, patios and landscaping in order to get an idea for spring.”

As for the Gabion planter, chances are you might have noticed the prototype at Broad and Snyder, right in front of Walgreens.  Why there? “We’re testing the planter to see how it stands up to one of the busiest corners in the city,” explained Alexander. Here’s what it looks like:

Urban Jungle was also given some love the the Daily News. Here’s an interview with Curt Alexander, who explains the business side of things and shares more info about the Pennsport shop.