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From bakeries to brewpubs, all the Philadelphia restaurant and bar openings for July

The Philadelphia area restaurant boom continues into the summer, with newcomers including a neighborhood cocktail bar, bakery/cafes, a suburban brewpub, a $2 million pizzeria, a vegan cafe, a destination dining room, and a fusion sandwich shop.

Chicken roulade with fava beans, gnocchi, and cauliflower at Academy Grill in Fort Washington.Michael Klein / Staff

Academy Grill (424 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington): Fine Line Dining’s next project, an Italian-inspired, white-tablecloth restaurant, will serve seafood, steaks, and pastas in the former Cantina Feliz space near Germantown Academy (hence the name). Chef Jeff Power, formerly of Dettera in Ambler, is leading the kitchen. Owners Mike Sloane and Jay Rosenthal, who also own the casual Fort nearby and Jasper’s Backyard in Conshohocken, plan to open July 7 for dinner, July 9 for lunch, and then operate Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

Banjara Indian Bistro (689 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Sicklerville): Vaneet Chopra, whose family owns Cross Culture in Haddonfield and previously operated Banjara in Chestnut Hill, is behind this Indian restaurant due to open soon in the strip center that also houses Gouldsburger’s, the Breakfast Nook, and Saladworks. Owners told 42Freeway that it was awaiting final inspections.

Bar Cicci is due to open in late July at 1620 Sansom St.Courtesy of Bar Cicci

Bar Cicci (1620 Sansom St.): Ellen Yin and High Street Hospitality Group are behind this Italian cafe-bar next to Uchi near Rittenhouse Square. Pronounced “chee-chee,” it is positioned as an all-day salon for espresso, pastries, panini, cicchetti, wine, and aperitivi. It’s due to open later this month.

Bart’s Bagels’ first shop opened in 2020 in the Powelton section of West Philadelphia.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

Bart’s Bagels (273 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd): Bagelmeister brothers Brett and Kyle Frankel plan a late-July opening of their third shop, at the old Bravo Pizza in Bala, a five-minute walk from their childhood home.

Bluebird Distilling & Dough House is a $2.2 million expansion and renovation of the popular Phoenixville destination.Ed Newton

Bluebird Distilling & Dough House (100 Bridge St., Phoenixville): Bluebird’s $2.2 million expansion, Dough House, arrives July 7. It’s a neo-Neapolitan pizzeria and restaurant inside its downtown Phoenixville distillery, and adds an expanded cocktail bar, a 50-seat dining room, a chef’s counter, and an enlarged retail shop. Executive chef Devon Migeot, formerly of Zahav, Laser Wolf, Rosalie, and Tresini will serve naturally fermented pizzas, house-baked breads, and shareable small plates alongside the distillery’s cocktails.

Cheezy Vegan by Chef Reeky (1216 S. 17th St.): Now in soft-opening mode at 17th and Manton Streets in Point Breeze, this plant-based concept from Tarik “Chef Reeky” Ryant and Erin Mignogna-Dougherty (previously in Woodlyn, Delaware County) serves a full menu — breakfast, lunch, appetizers, coffee drinks, milkshakes, and smoothies — from a counter, with coffee beans roasted on-site. A sidewalk cafe is planned.

The pica pica sandwich at Chibanos, which comes with picadillo, Swiss cheese, mayo, and crispy taro sticks.Aya Iwatan

Chibanos (1127 Pine St.): Opening today at 8 a.m., this casual sandwich shop in Effie’s former Washington Square West building is an ode to owner Evan Jaroff’s multicultural upbringing, blending Chinese and Cuban flavors for a tight fusion menu. Breakfast sandwiches are made on Dodo Bakery bolo baos, there are pressed sandwiches like the pica pica (picadillo, swiss, mayo, crispy taro sticks) and mima frita (Chinese sausage croquetas, Swiss, mayo, cabbage, mojo vinagrette), plus salads, sides, and a robust drink list that offers both colada and black milk tea.

Comedian Meg Goetz entertains at a preview of Claude’s Comedy Club & Bar, 1123 S. Broad St.Reid Benditt

Claude’s Comedy Club & Bar (1123 S. Broad St.): Reid Benditt’s intimate South Philly venue for stand-up, in its opening days, sits alongside a bar serving cocktails, beer, and casual fare from 4 p.m. daily. He’s positioning this as an affordable alternative to larger comedy clubs, with modest ticket prices, no two-drink minimum, and a mix of touring performers and local comics.

Dublin Brewing Co., Brendan FitzGerald’s Irish pub, in Downingtown.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

Dublin Brewing Co. (137 Wallace Ave., Downingtown): Irish-born homebrewer Brendan FitzGerald’s decade-in-the-making brewpub is designed as an authentic Irish pub, with an Irish dry stout, Irish red ale, IPAs, pale ale, Pennsylvania wine and spirits, and bar food. FitzGerald built the pub himself while continuing his day job, borrowing design cues from pubs in Howth and Dublin’s Temple Bar. It’s open for special events (check Instagram) while FitzGerald awaits final permitting.

Home Team Tavern (267 S. Black Horse Pike, Mount Ephraim): The short-lived Mount Ephraim Bar & Grill has been flipped into a compact, sports-minded neighborhood tavern from Greg Carta, who previously managed North Bowl and South Bowl in Philadelphia. He told 42Freeway that he’s aiming for an early July opening with a menu built around tavern pizzas, burgers, starters, and other game-day food.

Lillian’s, 1900 S. 19th St., during a preview on June 25, 2026.Michael Klein / Staff

Lillian’s Bar (1900 S. 19th St.): This week, Point Breeze got a cozy neighborhood cocktail bar at 19th and Mifflin Streets with an evolving kitchen concept from Sam Ahern, a former bar manager at Fabrika who also worked at Cicala at the Divine Lorraine and Fitler Club after hosting backyard supper clubs during the pandemic. Ahern has brought in chef Alejandro Martín Sánchez (Mesona) to set up the concise menu of Mediterranean-leaning bistro fare, including sandwiches, salads, tinned fish, charcuterie, and cheese boards with kitchen operations overseen by Isobella “Izzy” Ioffreda. Guest chefs will take over for weekend or monthlong runs. First will be Miled Filianos of Habibi Supper Club, whose six-course dinners and happy hours are scheduled for July 9-11, 17-18, and 23-25. Cocktail program is led by Fitler Club alum Avdo Babic. Opens at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Luna at the Luxe (1705 N. American St.): Sarah Varisano expects to open her relocated Luna Cafe on Monday in the Luxe apartment complex in Old Kensington. The reboot keeps Luna’s familiar brunch, breakfast, and coffee-to-go identity, while adding a larger bar and beverage program, evening hours, and courtyard seating.

Bakery owner Saif Manna and his wife, Stefaniya Surikova, at their table at Headhouse Farmers Market.Michael Klein / Staff

Manna Bakery (110 W. Berks St.): Baker Saif Manna, shifting from pop-ups to a brick-and-mortar at the former Essen in Kensington, is looking for a late-month soft opening of his 50- to 60-seat bakery/cafe specializing in Levantine and Palestinian wares. It will initially open for daytime service, in addition to his farmer’s market stops. The menu expands to include individual manakish made in the style of Manna’s grandmother, rotating savory buns led by a chicken-sumac version, airy Palestinian-style brioche filled with seasonal fruit and creams, cookies, cakes, and gluten-free desserts such as a flourless chocolate cake and whipped rice pudding created in honor of Manna’s late father. The space also will host baking, cooking, coffee, and arts workshops with visiting chefs, bakers, artists, and baristas, and monthly supper clubs.

Bartender Euclides “Victor” Lopez behind the bar at Mixteca in New York City on June 4.Michael Klein / Staff

Mixteca (2113 E. York St): This agave-focused Mexican cocktail bar from New York’s Jeff Bell and Euclides “Victor” Lopez is taking over the former Martha in East Kensington. The Philly location, expected later in the month, marks the local debut for Mixteca and Apres Cru Hospitality. The plan includes tequila, mezcal, Mexican drinking culture, indoor-outdoor seating, and a reworked layout with an expanded bar and lounge.

Philly Po Boy Co. (102 W. Berks St.): Brothers Chris and Greg Lynch are looking for late month for their New Orleans-inspired sandwich shop under the Berks El stop, with po’boys, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and coffee from Applied Arts Coffee in New Orleans. Chris spent years cooking in New Orleans, while Greg’s Philly resumé includes Starr Restaurants and LMNO.

Sandpiper Cafe (1640 South St.): This all-day breakfast-and-lunch spot is due to soft-open Thursday at 1640 South St. It’s the latest from Gunawan Raharjo, who owns the West Passyunk Indonesian gem Indo Spice (noted in our list of Philly’s 76 most influential restaurants). Sandpiper’s American menu, served from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, will expand upon the menu at Raharjo’s other restaurant, Cafe Olivier in Old City. At Sandpiper, Raharjo is partnered with Deddy Pornomo.

Stella’s Ice Cream (1832 N. Front St.): This Idaho-based chain of ice cream shops planted its first East Coast location on June 27 in Kensington/Fishtown on what reporter Beatrice Forman has dubbed Ice Cream Row, mere blocks from Sweet 45 and 1-900-ICECREAM. Franchisee Shay Marlin had no prior ties to Idaho or the ice cream biz, but was drawn to Stella’s inclusive and family-friendly vibe. The shop offers 24 flavors of ice cream — including eight nondairy options — plus gluten-free waffle and sugar cones, sandwiches made on hulking brownies baked in-house, and yogurt-peanut-butter popsicles for pups.

Thirsty Turtle Tavern (270 White Horse Pike, Barrington): Just days old, this Camden County taproom in the former Chuck Lager/Wild Wing Cafe building near I-295 is the brand’s second, after Whitehall, Pa., and 42Freeway says it features a refreshed dining room, open kitchen, wood-fired pizza oven, sushi station, and patio.

333 Belrose Bar & Grill (333 Belrose Lane, Radnor): A slow-moving top-to-bottom renovation will add a larger bar, expanded kitchen, redesigned dining rooms, upgraded private-event spaces, and refreshed outdoor dining to this Main Line landmark, whose new American menu is overseen by chef Ross Esner.

Staff writer Beatrice Forman contributed to this article.

July 1, 2026
Malvern Prep and Mount St. Joseph capture historic USRowing Youth National Championships

Two boats, two schools, two historic national championship wins.

Malvern Prep and Mount St. Joseph Academy competed in the USRowing Youth National Championships from June 11-14 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla., and brought home first-place trophies.

The regatta featured 235 of the top youth teams from around the nation. Malvern Prep’s youth quadruple sculls, which featured Will Bentley, Rory Coleman, Jack Arbogast, and Brendan Schuck, crossed the finish line in 5 minutes, 48.12 seconds to beat 28 other programs competing in the event.

Mount St. Joseph’s second varsity eight team won gold, with a time of 6:34.7. The championship boat included Kayleigh Costello, Ella Kurek, Addison Marques, Aubrey Sheehan, Megan Bell, Addison Ross, Christian Robinson, Ava Kristel, and Zoe Nguyen.

From Philadelphia to Henley: Drexel men’s rowing takes on the world’s most prestigious regatta

The last time these schools won at nationals was roughly two decades ago: Malvern in 2008, and Mount St. Joseph in 2006.

The two teams supported another from the sidelines. Malvern cheered on the Mount girls from shore, and vice versa when the boys were in the water.

“There’s only so many crews that are coming down from this area,” Mount St. Joseph coach Alanna McCoy said. “We all often are on the same stretch of water, so we took all the boats on one trailer and made it one trip — it was cool to come home with two trophies.”

‘Fueled the fire’

Malvern sent four boats to Nathan Benderson Park.

Beside from the youth quad boat, the youth double sculls, under-17 double sculls, and under-17 quadruple sculls also competed in the regatta.

Malvern’s spring has been filled with wins, including a first-place finish in the quadruple sculls at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America championship in May.

But placing second in a race at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta “unlocked this second gear,” Bentley said.

View this post on Instagram

“That was hard for us,” he added. “This fueled the fire for our training going into nationals, so I think it really helped us.”

First-year head coach James Konopka helped cultivate that determination.

“It was the willingness from the guys to make changes, to do the work, to really push themselves into moments of discomfort,” Konopka said. “At times, I’d argue, we were maybe the hardest-working team on the river. These guys worked so hard for this win.”

Three Friars from the boat will move on to college rowing this fall.

Bentley will row at Holy Cross, Schuck at the University of San Diego, and Arbogast at Wesleyan University. Coleman will return next season as a senior and plans to row in college.

“It’s bittersweet to leave the program you spend so much time pouring hours and hours of effort into,” Schuck said. “But I know we left it in a place better than we found it.”

Malvern Prep sent four boats to Nathan Benderson Park for the USRowing Youth National Championships.Malvern Prep Athletics

‘Doing it for our sisters’

For the Mount, inspiration and drive came from a more unconventional source.

“[Coach] gave us this book, The Little Engine That Could,” Sheehan said. “Before our races, we read it, and it was interesting to go into the unknown with the idea of, ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,’ and that kind of pushed us through the race.”

With that mentality, the varsity eight boat crossed the finish line nearly two seconds ahead of the second-place boat. The group credited its teamwork and training for a successful final race of the season.

“We would come to the boathouse in the morning, row on the water for two hours, go home, and then come back and go again for a few hours, and then do it all again for the whole week,” said Ross, who will row at George Washington next season. “I think that extra training is a really big push, especially for this boat, because we came together so late.”

View this post on Instagram

McCoy said the team shares a “unique bond,” despite nationals being the group’s first race competing together.

“They all spend a ton of time together,” she said. “They’re together at school, they’re together after school, they’re together at the boathouse. They also are very good friends and hang out with each other outside of the boathouse.”

Added Marques: “The main theme for our races is always to think about the legacy of the team. Doing it for the people who cheer us on, doing it for our siblings, doing it for our coaches, but the main thing is doing it for our sisters in the boat.”

July 1, 2026
It’s World Cup knockout time for the U.S. against Bosnia. Our writers weigh in on who wins and why.

Going solely off paper, the U.S. men’s national team has the talent to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina and advance to the FIFA World Cup’s Round of 16. Oddsmakers all over have the United States winning and have even built parlays around the notion.

When the U.S., No. 15 in FIFA world rankings, plays No. 61 Bosnia in San Francisco on Wednesday (8 p.m., Fox29), it will be the U.S. seeking its first win in the knockout stages since 2002. During the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the USMNT lost 3-1 to Netherlands in the round of 16.

This is Bosnia’s first knockout-round appearance and just the second time qualifying for the tournament since its debut at the 2014 edition in Brazil.

With five World Cup games down, and a massive one to go in Philly, did Croatia just snap the Rocky curse?

This feels ripe for the taking. But again, this World Cup might go down as one of the most shocking in recent memory with teams in the knockout stage in their first-ever World Cup (see Cape Verde) and some even needed a playoff game to even make the tournament (see Democratic Republic of Congo). To equate this to casual American fans, this is March Madness, this is Florida Gulf Coast’s Sweet 16 run circa 2013, or tiny Fairleigh Dickinson knocking off No. 1 Purdue in 2023.

It’s been a must-watch because the underdogs are bringing it. What does that mean for the United States, a team that showed dominance through the group stage but is coming off an eye-opening loss to Turkey entering the knockout phase?

Did that loss recenter these players, and they’re ready to show what they learned against a Bosnia team happy to still be in the fight? Or will there be a World Cup-ending theater late on Wednesday night?

Our team of writers take a look at the matchup and the tournament at large to offer where they think this one will end up.

Jonathan Tannenwald

I know it will shock all of you that I’m a cynic by nature, not just profession. The stakes for the U.S. losing this game are almost higher than for winning it, because everything the program has done for the last eight years — not just since 2022 — goes up in smoke if they go out now.

The legacy of this generation of USMNT players rests on this World Cup’s knockout rounds

Meanwhile, Bosnia is on house money, and I can only imagine how many emotions will be in Esmir Bajraktarević’s mind as he plays against the nation he used to represent. But in the end, the U.S. has the better talent and should have another electric home crowd behind it in the Bay Area.

That’s good for one goal, and a first-choice starting lineup (even if the bench isn’t full) is worth another.

Prediction: United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0

Bosnia’s Esmir Bajraktarević (left) was in the U.S. youth system before committing to playing for Bosnia in the World Cup.Stephanie Scarbrough

Kerith Gabriel

How this plays out for me is largely determined by the lineup U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino puts out against a really big, physical Bosnia team that bullied its way to four points against Canada and Qatar after shaking off a 4-1 beat down to Switzerland in its second game of Group B.

There are guys who need to be on the field for the U.S. in the biggest moments. Chris Richards is one of them. Tyler Adams is another, and obviously, a healthy Christian Pulisic and locked-in Matt Freese make the difference.

Plus, moving to the next round on U.S. soil, on the West Coast, where the Americans have already found success, feels natural. Frankly, they should want it more. So if we’re talking about what’s at stake for the U.S. vs. what Bosnia stands to gain, it’s tough to see how this American contingent doesn’t take that into account, play the best 11 of the 26, and move on. But I’ll hedge that it won’t come easy.

Prediction: United States 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 (U.S. wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)

Folarin Balogun (left) is all smiles during the U.S. national team’s practice at Great Park in Irvine, California, this week.Jonathan Tannenwald

Owen Hewitt

Key American players like Adams, Folarin Balogun, and Tim Ream watched from the bench as the U.S. conceded a 98th-minute winner to Turkey in the USMNT’s group stage finale.

But since the Americans had already secured the group and a place in the knockout rounds, the worst the loss could do was produce a temporary sting. Now, a loss could end it all. The U.S. will need to follow up a strong group stage performance with its second-ever win in a knockout game at the World Cup.

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A win in the expanded knockouts wouldn’t quite have the magnitude of the “dos a cero” round of 16 win over Mexico in 2002, but knockouts are knockouts.

The U.S. has played confidently at this World Cup, something it will need to continue to snap a 10-game losing streak against European sides. The Bosnians will be a tough test, but a well-rested American team should overcome its recent form against Europe.

Prediction: United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0

July 1, 2026
Philadelphia Orchestra has a new assistant conductor. She likens the job to a Formula 1 reserve driver.

When Sara Aldana auditioned for the coveted Philadelphia Orchestra assistant conductor spot in April, she tried out in front of the ensemble with Copland and Bartok.

For the third piece, she chose an excerpt from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. The Russian composer is closely associated with the Philadelphians — he once called the orchestra the greatest in the world — and the second symphony, Aldana said, was close to her heart.

“I was like, whatever happens with the audition, I just want that memory of — wow — doing Rachmaninoff Two with Philadelphia for five minutes.”

Now she’ll be spending many more minutes with the Philadelphians. Aldana won the audition, and is the orchestra’s next assistant conductor, the group announced Wednesday.

The position is a junior one, though it has been a steppingstone to bigger opportunities. Aldana follows Naomi Woo, who has already been engaged as a guest conductor next season.

Aldana studied with Philadelphia Orchestra principal guest conductor Marin Alsop and worked as a cover conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As assistant conductor in Philadelphia, she will lead family and special concerts and give pre-concert talks.

One of her biggest responsibilities will be one that the public may never get to see — or that could make her career. She will serve as cover conductor, which means she could be tapped to lead a Philadelphia Orchestra concert at any moment if the scheduled conductor falls ill or is otherwise unable to perform at the last minute.

“I always think it’s like the Formula 1 reserve driver, you know? You might not be driving the car, but you could get a call and you have to get on, driving the car,” she said Aldana.

Conductor Marin Alsop — who has worked with Aldana — leading the Philadelphia Orchestra, May 28, 2026, in Marian Anderson Hall.Joe Lamberti / For The Inquirer

Aldana, 30, was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and earned an undergraduate degree in violin performance at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan, where she studied with Kenneth Kiesler, and did further studies with Alsop and Joseph Young at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.

She has served as assistant conductor of the Reno Chamber Orchestra and is a 2026 mentee with the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship.

Aldana was at Peabody for a year, but left after winning the Philadelphia audition.

That tryout ended with five finalists for the job. Each had a short time conducting the orchestra, dipping into excerpts of various styles — Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Bartok’s Miraculous Mandarin Suite, and the third piece, which the finalists could choose themselves from among three possibilities.

All five chose the last few minutes of the famously emotive third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

Why this piece?

“I’m a violinist by training, and so I absolutely love Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2.”

The audition lasted all of 15 minutes.

“Fifteen minutes is a short amount of time, but you realize with Philadelphia, it’s all you need to get a good idea of who they are as an ensemble and the culture that they have as a group. It just happened to be a beautiful connection.”

Although Aldana started out as a violinist, she long harbored, even as a child, an interest in conducting.

“Your instrument is the orchestra, all these colors, and it’s just getting to play with all of them — how you create sound, balance, getting to discover, you’re continuously learning. That’s something that really appealed to me.”

The double bass section of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing on opening night of the 2025-26 season in Marian Anderson Hall, Sept. 25, 2025.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

Aldana’s official start is Sept. 1. Her first scheduled concert with the orchestra is a Jan. 2 matinee in Marian Anderson Hall of Strauss family waltzes and other works.

Asked what piece she might dream of someday conducting with this orchestra, Aldana said any Tchaikovsky symphony, but especially the Sixth.

“There was an Ormandy recording that I remember listening to a lot. I was obsessed with this piece — obsessed. I remember that lush of the strings in the most heart-wrenching moments.”

Is there a piece she would find too daunting to conduct?

“Daunting. Hmm. I don’t think so.”

Does that mean she’s musically fearless?

“I am a little fearless,” she said, “when you have one of the best orchestras in the world in front of you.”

July 1, 2026
Cherry Hill’s Hindu temple approved for major expansion adding height, classrooms, a gym, and more

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple on the eastern border of Cherry Hill, is preparing for a major facelift.

The Cherry Hill Township Zoning Board approved site plans last week during a 4½-hour meeting for an 18,330-square-foot expansion that would transform BAPS Cherry Hill’s exterior and add a gym, lobby, prayer hall, improved Sunday school rooms, new parking spaces, and more.

More steps will have to be made before construction can begin, but this approval is a major move forward after what zoning officials say took more than a year of planning.

BAPS Inc., an international religious nonprofit, has more than 100 temples across the U.S., including eight in New Jersey. Cherry Hill Township approved a zoning variance back in 2002 to allow a former vacant warehouse building on an 11-acre property at 1 Carnegie Plaza, acquired by a real estate company for $1.9 million and conveyed to BAPS, to become a Hindu temple despite the lot being zoned Industrial Restricted. The temple is run by BAPS Cherry Hill, a limited liability company.

Decades have passed since BAPS Cherry Hill opened, and the mandir, a Hindu place of worship that neighbors King’s Christian School and Remington & Vernick Engineers, still looks like a warehouse.

But the new plans propose a more decorative exterior, including the addition of three shikharas, tall spires on the roof that would reach 58 feet at their highest. Aavart Patel, the project’s architect, said the change matches more traditional styles of Hindu architecture.

The current zoning rules put the building’s maximum height at 35 feet, but BAPS Cherry Hill’s lawyer, Damien Del Duca, sought a variance allowing for the boost.

“Metaphysically, the shikhara represents the spiritual connection between the earthly realm and the divine,” Del Duca wrote in a March letter. “It guides the eyes to move from the earth upwards toward the sky — representing heaven.”

Del Duca and BAPS did not return requests for comment about the projected cost of the expansion, but Del Duca said during the zoning board meeting that the temple had raised the necessary funds for the project.

Riya Patel, a BAPS Cherry Hill volunteer and youth coordinator, testified during the zoning meeting that the temple’s current structure poses a problem for its youth classes and group activities.

“It still serves as this warehouse layout,” Patel said. “So talking about some of our weekly activities, a lot of the space that we have doesn’t have much utility.”

Neel Patel, a lead volunteer and national coordinator for BAPS, has attended BAPS Cherry Hill for the last 22 years. He said the temple has 400 to 500 worshipers on an average Sunday and offers scriptural studies, language learning, music, and sports programming for attendees from kindergarten age to adults.

The new additions would mean educational and sports programs could take place in designated classrooms and a gymnasium rather than in the current dining hall, makeshift spaces, or outside on the warehouse loading dock, which the temple converted into a basketball court. The addition of about two dozen parking spaces will accommodate extra visitors during the high holidays.

Under the current site plans, the building’s footprint would only expand about 3,000 square feet, and the remaining 15,000 square feet of additions come in the form of a second story to accommodate classrooms, offices, and the new gym.

Anand Bhatt with Arna Engineering, the project’s civil engineer, said the project will be completed in one phase, and the mandir will remain open throughout the process since construction will be limited to weekdays. The temple has little foot traffic except on Sunday.

‘A space where I can express my religious freedoms’

The BAPS location in Cherry Hill came to be in 2002 when Rishi Realty acquired the vacant warehouse space from Graphic Controls Corp. for $1.9 million and quickly conveyed ownership to BAPS.

Although the property is zoned industrial and accompanied by surrounding commercial businesses, the temple faces a residential neighborhood, Point of Woods, in Cherry Hill.

Three neighbors attended the zoning board meeting via Zoom last week to voice their concerns, mostly regarding the desire to protect the property’s wetlands and limit lighting at night.

Jody and Jenn DeMarco, who live across from the BAPS parking lot and its wooded area, asked the zoning board to deny the application unless the front facade of the new temple is reoriented to face away from their neighborhood.

“It’s a matter of preference, not a matter of necessity, that they are putting this giant variance that impacts our neighborhood negatively facing our property,” Jenn DeMarco said.

In 2012, BAPS Cherry Hill received violations from the township and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for illegally removing trees in a wetland without proper permits, but BAPS Cherry Hill said in its zoning application that the organization remediated the issue by planting more trees.

BAPS representatives said at the zoning board meeting that they would follow N.J. DEP’s rules and make sure any lighting above the height maximum of 35 feet turns off by 10 p.m. Plus, BAPS Cherry Hill doesn’t anticipate increased visitor volume after the renovations, and they don’t plan to add any additional seating for its Sunday services.

Another Cherry Hill resident, Deepak Chhatwal, said he was excited about the upcoming changes.

“I’m very happy that there’ll be an organization and a space where I can express my religious freedoms, and there will be a better space for myself and my family and other neighbors who are practicing the Hindu faith.”

The six zoning board members who attended the meeting approved the site plans unanimously.

Brian Bauerle, the township’s chief of staff, said Cherry Hill still has to adopt a resolution confirming the decision and its conditions of approval at a future meeting on an undecided date.

As for BAPS Cherry Hill, the nonprofit will have to update its site plans based on the new approvals and satisfy remaining compliance items, which Bauerle said can take weeks to months. Then, the Department of Community Development can issue a zoning permit allowing BAPS to apply for construction permits.

July 1, 2026
Philly’s July 4 concert makes it harder for World Cup fans to see Rocky

As soon as international soccer fans arrived in Philadelphia for the World Cup, they continued a time-honored tradition of gathering en masse at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, thrusting their fists to the sky as Sly Stallone did 50 years ago, and rallying for their team to victory.

From the thousands of Ecuadorian fans draping soccer jerseys on the Rocky statue, inadvertently cursing the Ecuador national team before it lost to Ivory Coast, to Brazilian fans staging security guards to deter fans from doing the same, and Iraqi fans waving their flags at the top of the steps — Rocky and its picturesque views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway have been a staple of Philly’s World Cup.

Temporary fenced walkways were erected for tourists to access the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and Rocky Statue while the One City: Unity Concert for America stage is under construction on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Some World Cup fans and tourists have remarked on its inconvenience, but are enjoying the Parkway anyway.Henry Savage / Staff

However, last week, a stage spanning the width of the steps was erected in front of the Rocky statue, leaving two narrow walkways to access the iconic landmark. Metal fencing ushers tourists through a walkway behind the under-construction stage, which will soon host the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on July 4 — the city’s revamped Fourth of July concert, which had been known as the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert for more than a decade.

“Because of the magnitude of this year’s event, organizers needed to properly position the stage back to where they’ve done large scale events before at the Art Museum,” a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office of Communications said about the placement of the stage.

Additionally, a spokesperson for the Office of Special Events said Croatia was the only fan meetup that was asked to relocate so far, as it planned to transport a 300-foot Croatia flag through the area which would prove difficult in the narrow walkways.

For most, this is a minor inconvenience. For Croatian fans, it forced them to relocate their pre-game rally and march.

“People did want to start the parade at the Rocky steps, and some people were upset by it,” said Croatia supporters organizer Daniel Pedisich. “But some of our fans went to Rocky on their own, and in some ways, maybe we avoided that Rocky curse?”

Croatia fans cheer outside Con Murphy’s Irish pub along Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, June 26, 2026. A plan to gather at the Rocky statue turned out to be logistically impossible.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer

Before the Croatian fan delegation would go on to cheer the checkered-clad team to a win against Ghana on Saturday, Pedisich said the city encouraged them to relocate their parade elsewhere along the Parkway. They settled for Con Murphy’s Irish Pub on 17th Street.

Before the fan parade Friday, Bosko Katic, known to friends as “Coach Bosko,” was sporting red-and-white checkered overalls and a Croatia-themed cowboy hat as he waited for the fan parade to start at the new location. Croatians know how to bring joy to everyone they meet, Katic said, so while the delegation didn’t begin their march with Rocky, they still found ways to make memories — including crashing a wedding photo shoot at City Hall.

Bosko Katic cheers while waving the Croatia national flag outside of Con Murphy’s Irish pub along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, June 26, 2026.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer

“We couldn’t gather at Rocky because there is something happening there, so we changed the parade route,” Katic said. “But it does not matter anyway — we always bring party, happiness, and love to everybody who is around us.”

Later that weekend, as tourists made their way to the Art Museum steps, squeezing by each other in the walkways, El Salvadorian World Cup fan Stephanie Rodriguez took photos of the steps while standing behind the stage. While Rodriguez admits she’s never seen a Rocky film, the site is “one of those things in pop culture that’s so iconic that you have to see it — like you can’t go to Philly and not see the Rocky steps,” she said.

Tourists shuffle by each other in the temporary fenced walkways erected for near the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and Rocky Statue while the One City: Unity Concert for America stage is under construction on Saturday, June 27, 2026.Henry Savage / Staff

While the large stage perplexed her, she said she was able to eke out some great photos with Rocky, as the statue itself was accessible and not blocked from view.

“I mean it was surprising because I wasn’t expecting to see such a big stage in front of the Rocky steps, but I think the photos are coming out great,” Rodriguez said.

The concert will turn the Parkway into a festival on July 4 from 3 p.m. until midnight, when a fireworks finale caps the night. Some of Philadelphia’s most prized musical acts will headline, from The Roots and Jill Scott to Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, plus Meek Mill, Beanie Siegel, and Freeway are scheduled to perform starting at 5 p.m.

July 1, 2026
Letters to the Editor | July 1, 2026

Civics lesson

A civics lesson for those of us who remember our high school class in government. Perhaps ironically, given today’s reality, in my Montgomery County high school, the course was named “Problems of Democracy.” These days, without a doubt, the problems are large and numerous.

I commend everyone for spending a few minutes finding and watching online Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D., Conn.) speech last week, “500 Days of Corruption.” Then contact your favorite Republican elected officials (and Republican candidates) from Pennsylvania, asking him/her to either 1) rebut the facts Murphy outlined (which represented only the tip of the corruption iceberg floating in the Trump swamp), or 2) state precisely what he or she will publicly do in an effort to clean the swamp and preserve our representative democracy.

As you wait forever for your response, as I do in my case from Sen. Dave McCormick, keep in mind the basic precept of our system is that these “officials” represent the interests of the residents of Pennsylvania, not merely the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and his superwealthy family and friends.

Stephen Ulan, Wynnewood

Missed gems

When we saw The Inquirer’s “76 Neighborhood Gems,” the leadership of the Ceiba Collective came to the same conclusion: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Helen Keller’s quote is apropos because the piece missed important parts of Philly.

We understand it was based on a survey of The Inquirer’s readers, but the survey stated that your “own reporting” would ensure the collection was well-rounded.

The piece, however, was vision-impaired. It did not, for example, feature a Latino place in the city.

Highlighting this blind spot is not a complaint about inequity. We find fault with it because Philadelphians were not fully served. They did not get information that recognized the variety of gems in the city. This hurts us all because it misses the opportunity to bring diverse people together to learn more about Latinos: one of the fastest-growing and vibrant populations in Philly.

We know The Inquirer can do better.

We implore it to do so. Today, more than ever, we need to be fully informed and encouraged to connect with all people in all neighborhoods of the city.

Will Gonzalez, executive director, Ceiba, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

July 1, 2026
Horoscopes: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Resilience is one of your superpowers. You have learned how to adapt and bounce back. Every challenge has taught you something useful, and today you handle something so easily, not in spite of those challenges but because of them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Nobody else can bring your exact combination of experiences, interests, obsessions, humor, grief, curiosity and insight to a project. Also, you don’t need everyone to agree with your choices. They don’t have to make sense to anyone but you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Anyone can be kind and competent on a normal Wednesday, but you welcome the heightened circumstances when they come, knowing that it’s grace under fire that forges the good stuff. Heightened circumstances are opportunities for true character to emerge.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re not just hoping things will work out, you make them work. It’s in the details now. Small adjustments create outsized results. The finishing touches are where the magic happens — the glossy varnish turns “good” into “exceptional.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You trust yourself more than you did, for the simple reason that you just keep delivering results you can stand by. You’re gaining experience you need to do quick, dependable work. You’ll make a decision that brings immediate reward.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A gift doesn’t require repayment. If there are strings attached, it’s not a gift, it’s a negotiation. There may be expectations attached to today’s exchange of “generosity.” The real question is: Are those terms acceptable to you?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today, it’s not about being right. It’s about progress, which always involves the whole mechanism. If one gear fits, great. But what does that mean to the next gear and the next? Everything must turn together. Think in terms of systems.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Not every lesson can be taught in advance. Some people need firsthand experience. Caring about someone doesn’t give you the power to spare them every consequence. Though you feel responsible for people, you are not responsible for their choices.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You share your knowledge and lead others with certainty and care. As excellent as you are at educating others, experience remains the more powerful teacher. Consider whether your best move is to step back with love and let them discover for themselves.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Even though you’re extremely observant, don’t assume appearances tell the whole story, either about other people or about yourself. Today, it’s safe to assume there’s much more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Restraint can be mistaken for passivity or weakness — no. Ask any dam: Restraint takes real strength, fortifications, tons of metal or mettle, as the case may be. Today, your restraint will be the move of champions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don’t always play to win, at least not on the small scale of the game. Sure, games are often nice to win, but you’re playing to connect, and therefore you win just by playing.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 1). It’s your Year of the Silver Thread. The connections are uncanny, unmistakable and strong to just people, places and opportunities you need. All you have to do is follow through on the leads. More highlights: You’ll achieve new levels of honesty and togetherness in relationships. A talent developed for pleasure becomes useful work. Family life settles into a rhythm that supports the big dreams you share. Aquarius and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 30, 1, 22 and 16.

July 1, 2026
Dear Abby | Sister has revealed her true colors time and again

DEAR ABBY: When I was 16 and my sister “Daisy” was 18, I found out she was in a sexual relationship with my boyfriend, “Tyler” (also 18). I broke it off. She then asked if I minded her dating him. I’m sure I said I didn’t, but I thought, “Why ask? You were already having sex with him.” (He and I hadn’t.) Tyler and I remained friends through the years. He was my first love.

That episode shaped my dating relationships going forward. It took years for me to learn to trust again. Years later, I asked Daisy why she’d done that, and her response was because she could. We enjoy each other’s company as long as I don’t let the past into my consciousness.

How do I let this go? Saying anything may make things worse — but it really hurts that she betrayed me and never once offered an indication of an apology.

— STILL MATTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR STILL MATTERS: Daisy and Tyler both betrayed you. What they did showed a distinct lack of character on both their parts. But this is who they are. You and your sister may enjoy each other’s company, but do not think that the core of her — her character — has changed. That she hasn’t apologized for hurting you, and her answering you in such a flip manner, should serve as a warning about how selfish and insensitive she is to this day.

** ** **

DEAR ABBY: I don’t live in the same state as my sister, so I used to call her at the same time each week so we could catch up. Her husband, “Dale,” was usually at work on the day I called. Then, Dale got a new job, so he is now home whenever I call.

My problem is that Dale enters the room and talks to her while she is on the phone. She answers him immediately, even if I am in the middle of a sentence. Because this is confusing and annoying, I told her it would probably be better if she called me when she was free to talk. (At no time did I specifically say anything about Dale’s interruptions.) She said, “Fine!” — and that was the last time I heard from her, and it’s been more than five months.

If I reach out to her, I’m sure nothing will change. If I say it’s annoying to allow Dale to interrupt phone calls, she’ll probably get angrier and defend him. I love my sister and miss talking to her. Must I resign myself to never hearing from her again?

— SIS INTERRUPTED

DEAR SIS: Call your sister and apologize for letting the silence go on so long. It doesn’t matter how rude she and Dale have been; you need to start communicating again if you want to fix this.

Then, instead of placing all of the responsibility on your sister, why not show her you’re willing to compromise? Now that Dale’s work schedule is predictable, ask your sister to suggest a time for the weekly call when she knows he won’t be around. If that’s not possible, you’ll have to decide whether Dale’s interruptions are annoying enough to lose a sister over.

July 1, 2026
Dean Wade joining Sixers turns quiet first night of free agency into a Mike Gansey reunion

Mike Gansey’s first free-agency move as the 76ers’ president of basketball operations is adding a player with whom he is quite familiar.

Dean Wade has agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract, a league source confirmed to The Inquirer late Tuesday. The deal comes out of the nontaxpayer mid-level exception, and will hard cap the Sixers at the first apron.

Wade was one of Gansey’s success stories in his previous job as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager. The 29-year-old Wade evolved from undrafted player to rotation forward, and last season averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes across 59 games. His 6-foot-9, 230-pound frame allows for defensive versatility, and he is a career 36.7% three-point shooter.

The Sixers might be better off without Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Wade’s addition makes it less likely that the Sixers will be able to bring back starting forward Kelly Oubre Jr., and sixth man Quentin Grimes, who also entered unrestricted free agency. Yahoo! reported Tuesday night that Oubre planned to meet with at least the Sixers, Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Sixers have between $5 and $6 million remaining of the mid-level exception to use on an outside free agent. They are $16.6 million total under the first apron.

Unsurprisingly, multiple reports surfaced over the weekend that the Sixers were among the teams interested in signing Wade. Yet the offseason transaction cycle began quietly for the Sixers — even as significant NBA moves swirled around them.

In the past nine days, stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant have been traded. Earlier Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors agreed on a deal sending Kawhi Leonard back to the team he led to the 2019 NBA championship.

Dean Wade helps fill a void in the frontcourt for the Sixers. David Dermer

Also on Tuesday, LeBron James, an all-time great who is still an All-Star at age 41, informed the Lakers that he would join another team as a free agent. That potentially held up other business across the league — and indirectly affected the Sixers.

Outsiders naturally linked James to another reunion with his hometown Cavaliers, who are coming off an Eastern Conference finals appearance and also are reportedly working on re-signing former Sixer James Harden to a multiyear deal.

To accomplish all of that, the Cavaliers need to clear cap space. The Stein Line reported that the Cavaliers were exploring options to trade Max Strus and Dennis Schroeder. Yet if a Cleveland pursuit of James does not pan out — or even if it does — one could have viewed using that cap space to re-sign Wade as a potential Plan B before he instead opted to join the Sixers.

NBA free agency news: Sixers add Dean Wade, likely spelling end for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes

Andre Drummond, Trendon Watford, and Kyle Lowry (who is expected to retire) are the other free agents for a Sixers team with limited financial flexibility. All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey ($40.8 million), former MVP Joel Embiid ($57.7 million), and former perennial All-Star Paul George ($54.1 million) all remain on max contracts, accounting for the vast majority of the nearly $165 million salary cap.

That top-heavy roster requires shrewd complementary moves, in addition to hoping Embiid and George can be healthier in 2026-27. Backup center becomes the positional priority as free agency continues. Rebounding and shooting will always be welcomed skills for a team that has struggled in both areas.

Gansey began his first Sixers offseason by drafting Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., in the first round. Monday, he picked up the team options in Dominick Barlow and Dalen Terry’s contracts for the 2026-27 season.

And now, Gansey has begun his first Sixers free agency by adding a player with whom he is quite familiar.

July 1, 2026