New retail will open by end of October

A number of new stores and restaurants around University City are preparing for their grand openings, some as soon as the end of the month.

Naked Chocolate Cafe opens later this month near 34th and Walnut streets, with Capogiro Gelato Artisans, Jimmy John's sandwich shop, CVS pharmacy and Chipotle Mexican Grill scheduled to open soon after.

With the exception of Naked Chocolate Cafe, all are part of the retail component in the Radian apartments on 39th and Walnut streets.

Naked Chocolate Cafe's founding owner Tom Block said the store is tentatively scheduled to open on Oct. 27. The store was originally scheduled to open Oct. 15.

"You never get finished when you think you'll be finished," Block said.

He said it hasn't been easy to prepare his space for food service because it was not originally built for that purpose. University Jewelers had previously occupied the space.

Officials have been tight-lipped on the opening of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop. Spokesman Ali Goldner said the company does not give out information about store openings, but he did say the restaurant would be open in about two months.

Chris Arnold, spokesman for Chipotle Mexican Grill, said the restaurant's opening was too far off to give an exact date, but said the restaurant would open later this year.

"Things seem to be going according to schedule, and we are looking forward to opening at Penn," he said.

Capogiro Gelato Artisans owners Stephanie and John Reitano said they have not experienced any delays with their opening, although construction has not yet begun on the restaurant.

"We are busy finalizing plans and construction bids and we are eager to begin," Stephanie Reitano said. She added that Capogiro is scheduled to open in the early spring.

CVS Pharmacy will open at the Radian on Nov. 17, according to company spokeswoman Joanne Dwyer.

*This article was corrected at 4:58 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008.

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