‘Early spring’ opening for Benna’s West at Broad and Dickinson
It looks like something is finally coming to the long-vacant, aluminum-clad corner of Broad and Dickinson St.
Owner Nancy Trachtenberg tells us that Benna’s West, the third location in the Benna’s family that includes Benna’s and B2, will be opening at 1444 S. Broad St. sometime in early spring 2015. Much like their previous locales, the new shop promises to be good.
The scene will piggyback off of the success and formula of Benna’s at 8th and Wharton St. and B2 at the corner of E. Passyunk Ave. and Dickinson St. — great coffee and food options of all kinds. Along with fresh juices and smoothies, Trachenberg said that the sandwich menu will be the same as the other shops but they’ll be expanding the menu to include salads and hot foods. Fans of the soft serve found at B2 will be glad to know that it will also be available at Benna’s West — both regular and vegan.
Trachtenberg mentioned that the corner is the “perfect space for a coffee shop.” That’s especially due to the attention grabbing aluminum marquee that wraps the shop at the corner of Broad and Dickinson St. The inside of the shop is apparently in great shape as well, boasting 15 foot-high restored tin ceilings. She said that they’re still in the preliminary stages and that the deal for the space came together quickly. “Within a week, we had the lease,” said Trachtenberg.
Noting that coffee shops are made for corners, Trachtenberg realizes that they’re more than a place to grab your morning dose of caffeine, they’re community spaces. “I enjoy being a community hub,” she said while noting that Benna’s is celebrating 10 years on Wharton St. and B2 is already 6 1/2 years old. “We’re really excited to serve the west of Broad community.”
Benna’s West will also be hiring a new crew. So be on the look out for job postings sometime after the New Year in January.
Great…. another hipster coffee shop. Another Starbucks would be a lot better.
starbucks wasn’t interested.
nancy runs good coffee shops. That store front has been vacant for too long, and I welcome the addition.
furthermore….starbucks pastries have taken a dive since they went to national supply from La Boulange. reheated frozen pastries are the worst.
Why would a Starbucks be better than an independent business that is owned and operated by a local resident who has proven to be talented at opening coffee shops?
Very cute…
I DID NOT MAKE THAT POST.
Anthony G… Glad you’re having fun.
Cause provwithout is a clueless fool
Again… I didn’t write that post.. LoL..
I must truly have captivated the minds of all of you though. You’ve resorted to impersonating me…
The greatest form of flattery. Thanks.
Great news! That’s an awesome space, it’s been a shame to see it sit vacant for so long. Love to see the developments starting West of Broad, especially a great cafe like Benna’s.
Hopefully it’s a sign of more to come.
Eh. Nancy is nice enough but I really wish she’d step up her coffee game. I lived around the corner from Benna’s for four years and would walk to Ultimo for a cup of coffee because of the selection (and pour-over). I’m not a fan of the really acidic drip stuff they have at Benna’s/B2. It’s not bad, just sort of middling compared to other places in the area. And now there’s Shot Tower and Grindcore, too…
Yeah, but you can’t beat the $1 byo cup deal.
There’s also a small, independent coffee shop about to open one block away at Broad and Tasker. Seems strange to open so close to a similar business.
What small, independent coffee shop are you talking about? There’s a bank, a bodega, PGW and the dolphin on that corner.
CineMug coffee shop and movie rental store will be opening soon a couple doors down from the PGW on Broad (at Tasker). https://www.facebook.com/cinemug
Hey Alisa,
CineMug is coming to the shop one door south of PGW. We have more info right here: https://passyunkpost.com/2014/10/03/is-a-coffee-shop-for-cinephiles-coming-1607-s-broad-street/
Thanks for reading!
Jim