By: Samantha Costa
Photography by JPG Photo & Video
Whether you’ve thumbed through the records at Main Street Music, wandered down Umbria for a warm pepperoni bread from Marchiano’s, or popped into The Eyeglass Works for designer eyewear, you recognize the Manayunk mainstays in our little nook of Northwest Philadelphia–and they’re celebrating a momentous milestone this year.
“Manayunk” turns 200 this year, but Main Street wasn’t always the bustling business district we know today. We’ve all heard bits and pieces of its history–a little mill town with roots that trace back centuries to the indigenous Lenape people.
The waterways and expansive acreage are said to have attracted the Lenape. The industrial boom proved bountiful for cotton, wool, and textile mills. But what made Manayunk a great place to open up shop and stay put for generations? I asked some of Manayunk’s long standing business owners to get their perspectives. Here’s what they had to say.
Made in Manayunk
You’ve seen their logos as you’ve walked down Main or Cresson Street with your pup or friends. It’s impossible to miss the buildings that have housed these Manayunk manufacturers for more than a century combined. RichardsApex, Inc. creates lubricants, protective coatings, and cleaning compounds for the non ferrous and ferrous metal industries. Loring Building Products, Co. offer contractors gutter and roofing materials, vinyl siding, skylights, windows, and more.
RichardsApex, Inc., 120 years
David F. Richards, COO
Q: Why did your family decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: Maybe Manayunk chose us. One could speculate that the industrial nature of our business was a good fit for early Manayunk.
Realistically, the family resided in the Philadelphia area, and Manayunk became the home of G. Whitfield Richards Company and Apex Alkali Products.
Over time, these two businesses were merged into one, now known as RichardsApex, Inc. During those early years, we purchased some old mill buildings that once housed the Schofield and Imperial Textile Mill businesses.
Others have speculated that the Richards clan picked Manayunk because of the historical translation of the Lenape word for the Schuylkill River, “manaiung,” which translates to a “place to drink.”
But, I would argue that the robust community and geographic location has more to do with our 100-plus years of history in Manayunk. An occasional celebration in some of the favorite Manayunk establishments has been part of the family and business culture over the years. Several family members have supported the various local boards and community-driven programs that still help define Manayunk as a desirable place to work, live, dine, and play.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since your family first opened your business?
A: Looking at our long history in Manayunk, change has been the one major constant during our tenure. The area has certainly transitioned from its industrial and textile roots into the thriving and robust residential community it is known as today.
RichardsApex employees not only work in Manayunk, but they also live, dine, and are active socially and recreationally in the community. So, our employees enjoy the rich history of manufacturing in Manayunk coupled with experiencing the improved streetscape in the neighborhood with access to the activities, businesses, and natural beauty in and around the canal and Schuylkill River areas.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: There are so many reasons to highlight Manayunk as a great place to own a business. Depending on one’s business model, business owners find more upsides than downsides to being in Manayunk.
One would suggest that being a part of this exciting and vibrant community culture is rewarding enough, but owning a business here adds to the long history of successful businesses in Manayunk. Highlighted by the diversity of the early manufacturing days in Manayunk, business owners and customers find the historical flair mixes well with the diversity and attractiveness of the current restaurant, retail, and recreational businesses that thrive here today on the same streets we call home.
Devoted leadership in the Manayunk community ensures that the community will continue to thrive and be an attractive place for residents, businesses, and recreation seekers alike.
Loring Building Products, Co., 45+ years
Terri Loring, Co-Owner
Q: Why did your family decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: When we first opened, we were in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia. My father rented space not too far from City Ave. at or around 54th and Lancaster Ave., but we were quickly outgrowing it. At this time, I was still in high school in the late 1960s.
We moved to Manayunk mostly because the space was available and part of the Albert M. Greenfield personal estate. So, my father and my first cousin, who is also my business partner, found this spot and bought it. That was around 1969 or 1970.
We’ve been here ever since. We’re one of the few buildings that have entrances on Main and Cresson Streets. There were even a couple of old houses we did a swap with so we were able to build an addition in the back.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since your family first opened your business?
A: Everything is a sign of the times. Kay Sykora was one of the people responsible for Manayunk reinventing itself in the late 80s and early 90s. It’s amazing what she did. She paved the way to get government funding. She knew how to do that. So, she made it a very exciting place. We worked to get the first ovarian cancer mural by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
My tombstone is going to say “consummate consumer” because I love to shop. There have been some unusual boutiques and the restaurants were wonderful. In the 2000s, we had the dot-com boom and then the crash in 2008. Things really fell apart with real estate. I don’t really shop much now. Change is to be expected. People pass away and retire, and I like seeing the area get refreshed. I hope it continues. Like any community, it has its issues but it’s a nice street and I’ve known a lot of people and business people.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: It’s convenient. I still think there’s still excitement about going to Main Street with a girlfriend, going shopping, getting lunch, and having a good time. I hope Manayunk keeps that up–to have a good variety of different kinds of stores at all price points. We get every kind of person here. I’d like to see it grow and prosper. People have invested, and it filters back into the neighborhood. I don’t think brick-and-mortar will ever be dead.
Hindsight is 20/20
When Jack and Jane opened The Eyeglass Works in Manayunk more than 40 years ago, they could only dream of their impact on the community. Their luxury brands and unique styles are hand-picked by Jack and Jane, with special attention to each person’s individual needs when they walk through the door.
The Eye Glass Works, 40+ years
Jack Goldberg, Owner
Q: Why did you first decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: In 1983, I was approached by a guy who had properties on Main Street and he knew me because I had a large company (For Eyes) and I sold it. I also had a factory on Tower Street where I made lenses. He’d come in and talked to me about coming down here and opening a retail shop because there was absolutely nothing here. There was one restaurant called the Canal View Inn at Main and Grape Street.
We opened a little shop. It wasn’t a big splash or anything, but people knew of my reputation and I made connections. Back then, we put fliers on cars and did different things because the internet was nothing at that point.
My connections led to a few people coming in to buy glasses. It was an organic kind of thing where they told their friends, and they told their friends, and before we knew it, we had people coming from the Main Line, Chestnut Hill, and downtown. We didn’t advertise that we were in Manayunk. We used Roxborough to promote business because Manayunk wasn’t a destination like it is now. And at that time, there was plenty of parking. Gradually, Manayunk started to become an area people wanted to visit.
Jane and I wanted to put a good product out, and we took care of everybody. We are still focused on providing quality service and keeping our reputation for having premier products.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: It’s changed in about 20 different iterations. There was nothing here until suddenly there were a few people who started recognizing Manayunk as we already did.
Everything was kind of ahead of its time when Main Street got hot. We had stores that had cool retro clothing. I once bought a tuxedo jacket with tails. It was great.
Gradually there were restaurants. On Saturdays, all of the big shots would go to the U.S. Hotel Bar & Grill. Then, Bruce Cooper opened, and there was a place called Jamie’s where Blondie’s is now, and Sonoma where Mia Rigazza is now. Before you knew it, there were four or five different restaurants that were really good.
Manayunk became the place to go for innovative shops and great restaurants. It got a bad wrap for a little while, but it was never not safe. It’s all cyclical.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: The proximity to the expressway. It’s safe here as opposed to downtown. You have a nice element of people young and older, and diversity is good here.
We’re all close with our storefront neighbors. It has a small-town feel. It’s a nice feeling and the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) has done a nice job on the streetscape project.
We have a reputation for quality and service. We don’t just sell any brand. Our products are great because Jane picks independent lines from Belgium, France, Italy, and all over the world. We know what’s hot and what’s not.
In other words, you can’t go to any place and get what we have. We don’t try to compete with low-end stuff. We get people from downtown and we have longtime customers all over the area that keep coming to us. We stand by our products.
Order up!
Whether you’re interested in taking a wine class while snacking on a meat and cheese board, dining on Mediterranean cuisine, or picking up pepperoni bread before the game, Manayunk’s food and drink scene has it all.
Jake’s and Cooper’s Wine Bar, 37 years
Bruce Cooper, Owner
Q: Why did you decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: I had never been to Manayunk until I thought about opening here. I was looking at buying other restaurants, but everyone’s opinion of what their restaurant was worth was much more than I wanted to spend. Then, I took a class on location, location, location, and it said, “If you can do as good as the person down the street, go for it.” And that’s what I did. We opened on Black Monday in 1987.
We did it with very modest expectations and it worked. At the time, the majority of my customers came from the Main Line. Now, the majority of my customers are from Manayunk and Roxborough.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: It was much different. There were only a couple of restaurants. Walnut Street wasn’t even what it is today. Old City was just an old part of the city. There was nothing there yet. I didn’t know the city well enough to go into to start looking for a location, so it was easier to start my own business here.
I saw places like the U.S. Hotel Bar & Grill and Jamie’s flourishing, so I thought, “OK, I think I can do this here.” People were coming from the Main Line and Chestnut Hill. I would walk around and look at the people around the neighborhood. We didn’t have analytics back then. I did it by hand. That’s how we decided to move forward, and a lot of it has changed.
Manayunk saw a big surge, but it slowed down in retail. There was a five-year moratorium on liquor licenses. Everyone who lived here hated it. It was quite the clash. A lot of places were switching over to bars and it became a bar scene. Something that may have helped drag that out was the real estate. It changed our client base. There are still college students in the area, but not as many as we used to have.
We’ve also had to switch from our original plan several times. We used to have French linens on these tables, people wore ties, and the servers wore ties, vests, and long aprons. It was a different vibe then and it’s more casual now. If you don’t go with the flow, you’ll be lost. We were able to buy the building next door because of the 2008 crash. It all worked out.
It’s also 30-plus years later, so people who are coming in are much older, and we’re serving their children now.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: It’s the neighborhood, especially today. A lot of people aren’t working in offices anymore. COVID changed everything. We shortened our hours and did better because things changed. There was a time when this was a shopping district for women’s clothing.
I like that customers are coming in who aren’t interested in a showy event on a Saturday. It’s more fun. It’s more of a neighborhood. It’s a different environment than what we started with but it’s a lot more fun. I own both buildings and that makes all the difference. That’s really the key to a long-term restaurant, I think. We have more neighborhood people here than we ever had in 36 years.
Marchiano’s Bakery, 40 years
Daneen Marchiano, General Manager
Q: Why did your family decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: That’s where my grandmother, Nunziata, settled. My grandmother and grandfather immigrated here from Italy. There were a lot of Italian neighbors in the neighborhood back then. St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church was right up the street.
Marchiano’s started in my grandmother’s home. There was an option to relocate and my dad, Frank, did open several different businesses in different places. My dad always said, “You can take the man out of Philly, but you can’t take Philly out of the man.” It’s that way with Manayunk.
A long time ago, it was a really big thorofare. With City Avenue so close, having all the television stations, we used to get a lot of celebrities. There was a lot of talk about our place. You’d be surprised how many prominent people still come in here on a weekly basis. We want to stay here because this is our home. I spend more hours here than my house.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since your family first opened your business?
A: Manayunk was a blue collar family town. Obviously, the whole world changed. You could count on one car per household at that time. When I was little, Manayunk was full of boarded up old buildings. Ridge Avenue used to be where all the shoes and school clothes stores were.
My grandmother (not the one who started the bakery) was always proud of Manayunk. There used to be something called the Manayunk Stroll that, as kids, we’d stroll up and down Main.
I remember when Manayunk took a turn. In the 90s, the night club was the River Deck at the time. There was a place called Derek’s where celebrities would go eat, and we had this infiltration of college students. It changed the dynamic. The old Manayunkers were unhappy with the new Manayunkers.
But, my dad took everything in stride because he saw it as they were here and they’re welcome; they’re making it better. It was hard. My dad helped get a lot of the neighbors on board at the time. Then COVID hit and changed the whole town.
My grandmother passed away in 2022. She was the block captain and they all looked to her. She loved when the new kids came into Manayunk.
After the pandemic, we had an influx of New Yorkers. They bought homes, and with all the change, I wondered if we’d still feel safe like it’s always felt safe. There’s so much potential on our end out this way. Now it’s starting to be developed.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: I think Manayunk is a wonderful place to own a business because I’m partial to it. I grew up here. There’s not as much foot traffic as in Center City, but I think that’s the charm of it. People move here hoping it’s a little more removed from the city but close enough to walk to Main Street, and close enough to get downtown.
Most people my age and older have wanted to move out of Manayunk. There are so many amazing Manayunk businesses. The newer Manayunk businesses could be more successful if the older ones worked together and vice versa. We have to change the way we do things. I know that the newer generation still wants to come to us because we’re older.
I’ve seen so many families bring their children and grandchildren here. I think it’s so neat they bring them back. I think that’s what makes Manayunk great.
Zesty’s, 31 years
Tom Konidaris, Owner
Q: Why did you decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: Because at the time, it was the number one destination. Manayunk was the place to be at the time. People used to dress up and come with their families. I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me. It’s been a good investment. I made the right choices at the right time.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: Manayunk has changed a lot. In the 90s, it was a very vibrant place where people used to come. There were male and ladies boutiques. There were many restaurants they could go to. After the crash in 2008, Manayunk changed a lot. At one point, there were 20 storefronts for rent. It’s coming back now. I love what I do. I’m going to be here until the day I cannot do it anymore.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: That’s a tough question. After 31 years, if you want to come here, great. I do whatever pleases me and I want to offer my customers the best they can get for their money and everything else.
Bayou Bar & Grill, 31 years
Joe Abruzzo, Owner
Q: Why did you decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: My friend Joe Jowett and I came down to Manayunk in 1990. We were managers at Pitcher’s Pub. After we were there a couple of years, our lease had expired and we decided to buy our own place on the street. We were kind of like pioneers. There was nothing here. The only thing that was here was the River Deck and U.S. Hotel Bar & Grill.
We’re both from Fairmount, so we knew everybody up here because high school used to be territorial. We saw how well the neighborhood was coming along and decided to plant some roots here. We were only 23 years old.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: When we got here in 1990, half the buildings were boarded up. I believe that Manayunk has had its ups and downs but not many downs. In the early 2000s, Manayunk lost a lot of traction to Center City, because in the 90s, nobody went downtown. Other areas of the city started to revitalize the way Manayunk did. I think that a lot of smaller neighborhoods saw what Manayunk did and copied the model a little bit.
But Manayunk is more unique than anywhere else because it’s still in the city but has that small town charm. Now that Manayunk has reestablished itself after COVID, it’s probably doing better than it’s ever done.
Dan Neducsin had a vision for the area and followed through on it. He was the guy who started the arts festival. He got people to come here.
The events that the MDC are doing are top notch. But people don’t understand Manayunk always had top notch events. In the late 90s and early 2000s, the bike race was a weeklong affair.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: The way synergy is going, especially the balance between commercial and residential, right now it’s at a perfect balance. There’s enough really good places down here and it’s busy enough for everybody. There are great restaurants down here and you can walk around. And the best part about Manayunk that I always say is it’s safe and it’s a community.
Platinum and Gold Retailers
Some jewelry stores have come and gone, but Gary and Norma Mann have brought a bit of sparkle to Main Street for more than 35 years. On the other side of our neighborhood, Main Street Music offers a variety of CDs, vinyl, and in-store concerts. You might say these two retailers have reached platinum status for shoppers looking to find a diamond in the rough.
Gary Mann Jewelers, 36 years
Norma Mann, Co-Owner
Q: Why did you decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: We explored different neighborhoods to open our startup custom jewelry store. Gary worked in the trade for several years and comes from a long line of jewelers, appraisers, goldsmiths and silversmiths. But this was to be a brick-and-mortar retail store.
We really were looking for a business community that instinctively felt like the best fit. One that could support our efforts to get a new business off the ground, and bring a good return to our investment, in a district with like-minded entrepreneurial creatives.
Main Street Manayunk was booming with investment, excitement, inspiration, shared customer bases and many new imaginative, and supportive business owner neighbors. Many of our business neighbors were similarly minded. Our shared customers knew us on Main Street, both as small business owners and true “Moms and Pops” that so many of us were. The corridor was developing and continued to develop, as it still is. Literally, when we would come in each day, there was always something new and different in the best way.
We are so proud of all the “blood, sweat, and tears” we and all the business owners, the true pioneers of Main Street, contributed to build the district at that time and going forward, to this day, to build the best business corridor in the city.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you family first opened your business?
A: Manayunk has gone through many cycles, as has our city, the world, and of course conducting business in general. But dedication, creativity, customer service, and the love of what we do has not changed. Manayunk, as a neighborhood, has grown tremendously. The residential community development has skyrocketed and the community loyally supports our businesses and our street, probably more than ever. Manayunk has stayed strong and stable, with continued upward growth and development and is a good solid place to start and grow and continue your business, as it has always been.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: Manayunk is a fabulous place to own a business! Business is strong, the community is supportive, our buildings are unique, historic, interesting and beautiful. Customers like coming to see us, like coming to Main Street, like getting to know us all as small business owners and people too!
There is continued investment in infrastructure and development, which make the district strong and stable. The MDC and Manayunk Special Services District’s mission is to support continued growth, and provide an attractive place for customers to come and visit our businesses.
Manayunk is the best neighborhood in the city to live and work and visit and welcomes new businesses that contribute to the spirit of what we have been building for decades.
Main Street Music, 32 years
Pat Feeney, Owner
Q: Why did you decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: A friend of mine recommended Manayunk because he said it was up and coming. I live in Bucks County, but he used to come down here to have drinks at Pitcher’s Pub and saw restaurants popping up. I had a good feeling about it and got in at the right time in October 1991, and it started growing immediately.
Better to be lucky than good, I guess. I hated the drive but it felt like a good location, just up the Schuylkill and not far from Center City. I just felt like it had real possibilities as opposed to Bucks County.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: It’s changed a lot, but it’s been on the upswing. We moved down here to our current location in 1997. We were originally to the left of Taqueria Amor. There’s still a restroom there with band stickers on the door. We were there from 1991 to 1997.
When I first opened, Sonoma opened and started doing good business. A year later, a friend of mine opened a lingerie store where Taqueria is now. We’d be open late because the wives would shop on Main Street and the husbands would come in after drinking. I’d be selling CDs at 11 p.m.
It used to be a real destination–from 92 or 93 to at least 2002 or 2003–then it started slipping. One reason I think is because people didn’t want to open without a liquor license. It stagnated the whole street.
And then we had our own problems because people were downloading, burning, and streaming music. We were slipping because of our industry. We were saved by the resurgence of vinyl.
For so many years we’ve counted on allegiance which many others who are niche like we are would say. We count on our regular customers above anything else. Since vinyl, I haven’t worried.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: There’s a lot of nice people. I haven’t walked away even though I’m old enough. It’s because of my social circle. People who come here have so much in common. Whether it’s music or even sports and even politics. Our customers are into the arts and they’re music lovers. I know which customers have the same music taste as me.
I have good relationships with other store owners, too. I don’t see them all the time because I don’t leave the store that much. Some of the people I used to know aren’t here anymore. It’s so good to still see Winnie and other places do well. I don’t think that’s ever waivered either. It’s gotten better, younger, and people seem to embrace it more. It was more transient years ago.
I can’t believe we’re still here.
Keeping Things Legal
You don’t have to look far for legal advice or tax preparation services in Manayunk. And while they may not serve your favorite slice of pizza or offer designer eyewear, they’re a vital amenity in our neighborhood.
Manayunk Law Office, 39 years
William J. O’Brien, II, Owner
Q: Why did you first decide to open a business in Manayunk?
A: In early 1985, I was a single, 30-year old attorney living and working in Center City. My employer, a boutique law firm, made an offer for my third year that was disappointing, but also an opportunity. If I was to survive on a meager wage, I might as well hang my shingle. Prior to law school, I had been employed in a state-wide political campaign and then as a Staff Assistant to Senator H. John Heinz III. That experience had sparked an interest in public service, so I focused on finding, not a Center City office, but rather a commercial property in a Philadelphia neighborhood.
A year earlier, I took a scuba diving course through Aqua Hut at 4325 Main Street. Helen Link, the owner of Aqua Hut, introduced me to Hilde Sponheimer who had a ceramics studio across the street. On a sunny June morning, I left my Rittenhouse Square apartment and endured numerous unexpected detours (due to the first CoreStates U.S. Pro Cycling Championship) on my way to tour Hilde’s building. My purchase offer was accepted and 4322 Main Street became my home and office.
Q: How has Manayunk changed since you first opened your business?
A: There has been a longstanding tradition of many business and property owners who generously volunteer their time and energy for the good of the community. The introduction of the Arts Festival and the Special Services District, together with the assembly and management of five parking lots, have provided the resources to support an incredible team of community managers at the MDC.
The coordinated effort of those volunteers and MDC staff makes for a well-respected and effective advocate that helps to achieves remarkable, tangible results: elimination of utility poles, painting the Cresson Elevated rail, Canal stabilization, Venice Island Performing Arts Center, restoration of the Manayunk Bridge Arches, Green Lane Bridge lighting, Towpath improvements, Manayunk Bridge Trail and Main Street pedestrian lighting.
Q: What makes Manayunk a great place to own a business?
A: For over 150 years, Manayunk has been an incredible place to work in all kinds of businesses – retail, office, restaurant, service and industrial. In 1973, Main Street, Manayunk was recognized as a National Historic District. Since that time, the business district has attracted substantial investment from individual entrepreneurs, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
As a result, the business district is now a thriving and diverse mix of retail, service and restaurant uses. The Main Street district is served by reliable public transit and enjoys convenient access to extraordinary recreation, including the Schuylkill River Trail and Wissahickon Park. Most important, however, is our open and welcoming atmosphere that not only attracts thousands of visitors each week, but also encourages entrepreneurs to invest in Manayunk.