Philly Plain Dealer

When you think of South Street, what comes to mind? “For Rent” signs, overdevelopment and outpricing? Or is it still freaks, DIY music venues, after hours clubs, late night cheesesteaks and crustpunks? South Street veterans have some insight into the changes that have taken place over the last few decades, as well as what has remained.

South Street (east of Broad) has a reputation for being a home to many longstanding attractions, subculture, and nightlife. Once upon a time you could spend the day perusing niche art stores, having a Wawa hoagie, making your way to the TLA for a show, and still somehow still having a whole night ahead of you. Whether the night consisted of bar hopping, buying second hand records, having dinner, or simply people-watching, South Street used to be totally alive at all hours of the day and night. 

Tattooed Mom is a neighborhood gem of a bar that’s been at 530 South Street since 1997. As an establishment that’s accommodating to a vegan diet, offers affordable drinks and free art walls, it’s clear to see why Tattooed Mom has become a tourist destination. “There used to be two bars on every corner…people come [to South Street] to come here. Before, people came here because whatever was here was here. When we opened, it was just a neighborhood bar. I was barely 21 and I could afford to live in this neighborhood as a bartender, and there’s no way I could do that now. First there’s shows, then there’s a cool coffee shop. Then it’s all out the window,” says their well-known bartender who goes by Chubb Rock.

Other service industry staff had similar sentiments. Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams who has been a patron and bartender on South Street for decades said “In the seventies, eighties, nineties in Philly, this was IT. This strip. First punk rockers I ever saw in my life, in ‘82, ‘83, you know with mohawks and shit, were here. It was still poppin. All these businesses are in the portfolio of NYC businesses who buy stuff up and then close it. Then it’s just vacant.”

His words speak volumes to the community along South, as to multiple other areas of our city. Those “Keep New York Out of Philly” stickers aren’t on light posts just to look pretty; it’s a message that rich developers from NYC are actively tarnishing and outpricing districts that hold indispensable roles in Philadelphia by offering loads of cash for buildings in already evolved areas, thus pushing out businesses that have relied heavily on their community to thrive. According to Zillow’s data, Philadelphia was the most searched location by New Yorkers in 2024. 

Not only that, but folks will move to the areas surrounding the strip such as Society Hill, Queen Village or Bella Vista and then complain about the bustle. Signs posted by the South Street Headhouse District can be seen less than a block both North and South that read “Please be respectful of our neighbors. Refrain from loud noise, disturbances, and littering” but there are no signs like this in Center City and both are historically commercial areas.

It’s important to keep in mind that there are groups of individuals who have loved South Street for decades and always will. Their loyalty to the cultures found here will not be affected by gentrification and transplants. Mingo Reynolds just celebrated her 30th year of living around South Street “When I first moved here, I lived at 17th and Bainbridge but I worked at 4th and Bainbridge. I would walk along South Street every day…two of my friends and I bought a house in the summer of ‘95 on the 300 block of Kater Street. It was $74,000. I remember when Tattooed Mom opened. I was dating my now wife and she called me from a pay phone saying ‘Guess where I am!’ but what I’ve noticed over these thirty years is that South Street is always changing. It’s always been eclectic. The anchors are still here; Bridget Foy’s is great, I went to Bob and Barbara’s first drag show…I was so excited when Milkboy opened. I always really loved the spirit of Milkboy and these are the places where we have conversations like this. I’ve met wonderful people here and we all really believe in kindness and standing up for people who need to be stood up for right now. That part of South Street is still here, you just have to look a little harder.”

As it stands, South Street remains one of Philly’s must-see destinations for tourists and a hub for the city’s residents. There are bars where you can play Dungeons and Dragons, venues where you can see shows, bars ripe for hopping, and arguably too many smoke and sex shops. However every year that costs rise and wages do not, the price of originality rises too.