Year in Review: Penn campus sees business, food scene turnover — including return of McDonald's

The area around Penn's campus experienced significant business turnover throughout 2024.

Over a dozen businesses — ranging from clothing stores to restaurants — opened or closed their doors over the past year. More recently, Penn's late night food scene shifted drastically, generating a mixture of approval and criticism from the Penn community.

December 2023: In late 2023, shortly before the new year, the Urban Outfitters at the corner of 36th and Sansom streets closed its doors. 

January 2024: In January, Asad's Hot Chicken opened at 40th and Market streets. Soon after, Amina Ocean Restaurant — which serves Southern cuisine with a West African twist — opened on 41st and Market streets. 

At the same time, Federal Donuts announced plans to close their University City location near 34th and Sansom streets, citing a desire to move somewhere accessible to both Penn and Drexel students. They have yet to announce a new location or a timeline to move. 

On Jan. 31, Two Locals Brewing opened at 37th and Market streets, becoming the first Black-owned brewery in Philadelphia. 

Summer 2024: Over the summer, two new businesses came to Walnut Street near Penn's campus: In June, the Center for Creative Works opened, and Cork and Candles opened in July. 

September 2024: In early September, Penn's late night food scene was drastically altered when Allegro Pizza and Grill eliminated its late-night hours, citing staffing issues. Students expressed discontent and concern at the shift, with one source close to the pizzeria calling it a “disastrous f**king decision, not just for the store, but for the Penn community broadly.”

Later in the month, McDonald’s reopened on 40th and Walnut streets after an extensive renovation. The changes prompted varied reactions from Penn students, with students praising McDonald's' convenience while voicing concern over limited healthy late night food options.

October 2024: Two eateries in Franklin's Table Food Hall — local cheesesteak spot Delco Steaks and hoagie restaurant High Street Hoagies — closed at the end of October.

November 2024: On Nov. 22, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opened months after it had originally been set to do so over the summer.

Gouldsburger’s, a burger joint, also opened at Franklin's Table and took the place of Delco Steaks.

December 2024: Puyero, a Venezuelan street food shop, is set to open on Dec. 13 on Sansom Street between 34th and 36th streets.

Looking ahead: Santucci’s Original Square Pizza is planning to open in West Philadelphia at 38th Street and Powelton Ave.