Tag: Northeast Philly

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COVID-19: a Year Later!

Just about a year ago I remember reading about an outbreak of COVID-19 in Seattle, overwhelming their hospitals. With so little information about the disease they struggled with how to handle it. The president had cutoff travel with much of Asia and Europe and now the dreaded illness had reached our shores. What seems obvious in hindsight then happened: it spread across the country. In fairly swift fashion governors and mayors began to lock down, mandating masks and closing places of large public congregation: stadiums, restaurants, schools, and such. Working from home became the norm for many, and those on the front lines got recognized as heroes.

As bloggers we wanted to help those places most heavily hit by the virus. Lock downs and stay at home orders meant that many previously thriving businesses would immediately face a drop in income. We offered to advertise any local business, free of charge, on our website, instagram, and facebook pages. Did it help? Truthfully, I don’t know. But I do consider it a win if even one person acted on even one advertisement.

Now, with three approved vaccines, the end to the pandemic seems within reach. Though with lives lost and many businesses shuttered, this virus has been devastating. I will miss places like the Grey Lodge Pub, where one could sit and drink a pint of beer while enjoying good food and fun company. Soul Rebel Cucina, with their gigantic burritos and fresh guacamole; and China Bowl with their laid back atmosphere and fresh food–all will be missed.

One business owner put it to me this way: a hurricane may topple many trees, but after it passes need seedlings sprout up and grow in their place. We have already started to see this. In place of the former Puddin’s Bakery opened a new bakery: Awesome Little Cupcakes. Replacing the closed Pizza Hut on Frankford Avenue in Mayfair is El Azteca. And in a long empty storefront on Welsh Road is Scoop Waffles Ice Cream Parlor.

I will miss those longstanding giant trees, but I look forward to the seedlings growing in their absence!

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COVID-19

We have two people here at TheNortheastLife, each of us having full time jobs. As many of you already know, we created this site as a way of serving our often overlooked communities that make up the Northeast. When COVID reached not just the shores of the United States, but struck the greater Northeast with its epicenter in neighboring Montgomery County, we knew that we had to help out. Working in healthcare, we already had ourselves on the front lines. But with our website and social media pages we knew we could do more.

Therefore, back when Governor Wolf and Mayor Kenney closed down most businesses and put the region on lockdown, we reached out to local establishments that remained open for take out and delivery. We wanted to help them: to list them as open. We wanted to have one clean site where people could go to find out who is open. Others have done similar, and no doubt more will come. But we see this as our part in helping our greater community. From places like the Grey Lodge Pub to Gallo’s Seafood to Stella’s Pizza, many places remain open. Sure, hours often have changed as have processes for pick up, but we can support these places.

In posting places, we do ask that someone from the establishment reach out. In these uncertain times we do not want to list a place as open when it may in fact have other plans, such as reduced hours or even a temporary closure. We can and will all get through this together! Stay well, and thanks for following!