Northeast Philadelphia is the home to almost half of Philadelphia’s 1.5 million people. Technically, the “Northeast,” a general term for the area, is made up of a slew miniature towns: Fox Chase, Lawncrest, Rhawnhurst, Tacony, Frankford, Holme Circle, Mayfair, Morrell Park, Bustleton, Torresdale, Parkwood, Somerton, Bridesburg, Burholme, Ryers and others.
Many strides have been taken to improve the area since its 18th century beginnings. Thanks to recent tax advantages, the Northeast was granted new construction within the city limits and has seen the development of residential units on nearly any patch of available land. The Northeast is a highly diversified area where ethnic pride exists in many different forms throughout its boundaries.
Traveling from Center City to the Northeast is as simple as taking the R8 railway to Fox Chase, or driving your car from Broad Street to the Roosevelt Boulevard. Roosevelt is such an important liaison between the area and the city that it is like the glue that holds it together.
One of the Northeast’s main attractions is the endless variety of places to eat. Eating is quite possibly the most popular trend of the area due to the fact that almost everyone will flock to some sort of bar or restaurant at any point during the week.
“I feel like every corner has a pizza parlor,” said recent Temple graduate Lauren Cieplicki and a native of Rhawnhurst. “When you are bored in the Northeast, you eat. It’s that simple.”
Such places as Chicki and Pete’s, who are known for their mouth-watering pork sandwich and crab fries at Phillies games, along with Jim’s Steaks, known for their scrumptious cheesesteaks, are just a taste of what the Northeast has to offer in the food department.
Diners run abound in the Northeast and can satisfy anyone’s late-night cravings. Some include the Dining Car in the Frankford area and the Suburban Diner within the boundaries of the Somerton area.
Shopping has always been a popular activity for Northeasterners, especially with the massive construction and the subsequent rise of several new shopping centers. Visitors to the Northeast all flock to the Franklin Mills Mall. Not only does it hold a huge movie theater, numerous food courts, a gaming facility and bar called Jillian’s, it is also the landmark of discount shopping.
Offering up to 60 percent off designer merchandise, such as Neimen Marcus and Bebe, are just two of the 200 stores found within the center walls.
“You cannot beat the deals you get at Franklin Mills,” said Frankfort resident Georgie Landis, “I go there every weekend and it’s much quicker than riding downtown and not being able to park!”
Another option is the Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor mall in the Rhawnhurst section of the Northeast which offers such stores as Macy’s and Footlocker for its shoppers.
As Center City proudly holds Rittenhouse Square’s beautiful park, the Northeast holds the Pennypack Creek with the same pride. This 1,600 acre woodland area extends directly through the center of the Northeast and is the main attraction for those who wish to enjoy the natural serenity of the outdoors within the city.
“Running in the city can be rough, but having Pennypack right there is just what a runner needs,” said Kristin Malick, a Rhawnhurst resident of 30 years. “I go there with my daughter in the spring and summer and it’s addicting because it’s so unlike the city, but within a city.”
Sophomore Joseph Lawrence, who resides in the Bridesburg area of the Northeast, talks about this section of Philadelphia with high regard.
“I love that everyone is one big family in the Northeast. No matter where you go in the area you are bound to see someone you know and there is always at least one house party that you know, [and] the parents will be playing just as hard as their kids!”
Gia Ippolito can be reached at tua04031@temple.edu.
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