Most of the stories that took off this year started the same way: someone noticed something odd, frustrating, or out of place and asked, do you know what’s going on here?

That question is the backbone of The Fitler Focus. We follow the paper trail, talk to city officials and business owners, and give neighbors clear answers about the places they pass every day.

Here are the ten stories Fitler Square read most in 2025, ranked from least to most views.

10. River Trail Extension Links Fitler Square to Grays Ferry

A long-anticipated trail connection finally stitched Fitler Square more cleanly into Grays Ferry, making car-free commuting to South Philly and beyond just a bit smoother.

9. Idling Trains Block Trail Access in Fitler Square

Freight trains continued to idle at the 25th & Locust crossing, cutting off access to the Schuylkill River Trail and testing the patience of runners and cyclists.

8. Long-Quiet Corner Reawakens With a Health-Forward Café

A sleepy corner near the river finally found its footing with Vita Sana, a wellness-minded café betting on juices, smoothies, and vibes.

7. A New Leash on Life: Schuylkill River Dog Park Completes Six-Figure Transformation

After years of worn-down turf, the Schuylkill River dog park got a six-figure glow-up that made both dogs and owners noticeably happier.

6. Greenfield School’s $880K Playground Makeover Reimagines Community Space

Greenfield Elementary unveiled plans for a nearly $1 million playground overhaul, aiming to create a safer and more inclusive space for students.

5. Meet the Man Behind Fitler’s Famous Corner

The cheerful corner at 24th and Manning, with its hand-painted birdhouses, little free library, and ever-changing seasonal displays, has become one of Fitler Square’s shining stars.

4. Grace Tavern Reborn Under New Ownership

After closing its doors, Grace Tavern is back with new ownership promising familiarity rather than reinvention.

3. Med Spa/Café Hybrid to Replace Long-Vacant 7-Eleven

After sitting dark for five years, the former 7-Eleven at 22nd and Lombard reopened as The J Spot, a boutique medical spa tucked behind a small juice and coffee café.

2. Who’s Projecting Samsung Ads on This Fitler Square High Rise?

Residents were startled to see massive Samsung phone ads suddenly projected onto a neighborhood skyscraper, courtesy of a mysterious van parked nearby.

1. Flooding at Schuylkill River Park Persists, Blocking Trail Access

Chronic flooding near a key Schuylkill River Park entrance turned rainstorms into obstacle courses, sometimes making trail access impossible.

Update on this story: On September 26, city crews excavated the site to fix what they said was “a broken pipe.” A source with direct knowledge of the work, who wished to remain anonymous, ballparked the cost of repair at $15,000 - $30,000. Since this work completed, the area no longer floods after rainstorms.

What’s on Your Mind?

These stories all started the same way: someone noticed something and asked a question. If you have one for 2026, about a blocked sidewalk, a confusing permit, a shuttered storefront, or a change that doesn’t quite add up, we want to hear it. The best Fitler Focus reporting begins with neighbors paying attention, and we’ll be right here, following up.

A quick reminder that we’re gathering this Saturday at 10am at the Schuylkill River Park picnic tables for our Fitler Focus Reader Meetup.

I’d love to see you there! It’s a great chance to meet fellow neighbors, share which stories you think The Fitler Focus should cover, and learn how to get involved behind the scenes.

If you’re planning to join, please RSVP here.

Looking forward to seeing you in person!

This is an off week for us, but we wanted to mention two upcoming community events that might be of interest to you.

Community Meeting on Train Issues

A coalition of neighborhood groups is holding a public meeting to discuss “the issue of noise and pollution from CSX idling trains,” according to a press release.

CSX is the company that owns the railway that runs on the western edge of Fitler Square, along the Schuylkill River.

Residents have long complained about noisy nighttime trains, and of trash-hauling rail cars that foul the surrounding air.

Representatives from the Center City Residents Association will be there, and government officials have also been invited.

The meeting will be held on April 30 at 7:30 PM, at the Ethical Society building at 1906 Rittenhouse Square.

Readers can email ryah438@gmail.com with any questions.

An Afternoon of Fitler Fun

Join your neighbors at Fitler Square Park on Saturday, May 4 from 3-6pm. Details below. Learn more at the Friends of Fitler Square’s Instagram page.

We’re taking a breather this week! You can read more on that just below. During this break, let’s revisit some of our biggest stories of the year.

• We exclusively reported that the February shooting in Schuylkill River Park unfolded just a few hundred feet from a children’s Valentine’s Day event.

• Readers were delighted to learn about the hum of wildlife that exists beneath our feet in Fitler Square.

• Are you a fan of the Schuylkill River Park dog park? Learn how volunteers keep it running without any assistance from the city.

• We detailed the challenges, and opportunities, that confront Fitler Square’s only public pool. We’re Going Biweekly!

We’re Going Biweekly

Next week we’ll have a new story for you (about the legendary Doobie’s Bar), and then after that, we’ll bring you new Fitler Square stories biweekly.

This updated publication schedule will help us smooth out the editorial calendar.

Event Announcement

Aurora Classical is an arts organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is dedicated to keeping classical music alive. Their mission is to provide classical music without all the perceived pretense that can get in the way of its enjoyment.

The organization is hosting a Classical Open Mic Matinee on April 20th featuring Martin Hargrove, Bass. Find out more at auroraclassical.org.

Today, we’re finishing our countdown of this year’s most impactful stories. (If you missed part 1, you can read that here.)

Thank you, reader, for being a critical part of this project. We’re looking forward to bringing you more great stories in 2024.

Did you know?

The Fitler Focus pays local journalists and photographers to produce our high-quality, hyper-local stories. Producing these stories involves real costs, and that's where our valued subscribers play a crucial role.

Our commitment to keeping our content free for everyone is only possible with the support of our paid subscribers.

Please join us today and become a champion for local journalism. Your support makes all the difference.

Subscribe now

#5: A Toast to 30 Years of Bonner’s Irish Pub

Bonner’s, our neighborhood Irish pub, celebrated its milestone 30th year in November. Our reporter takes you inside the beloved bar, revealing its history and its unique cast of regulars.

#4: Exclusive Photos: Ambrosia Plans Expansion Into Adjoining Townhome

We’ve all seen restaurant expansions before, though perhaps not like this. Mega-popular Ambrosia restaurant is expanding into the townhome directly next to it, and we’ve got exclusive renderings of what the space will look like.

#3: Café Lutecia at (almost) 35: Mom, Pop and Daughter Shop

We brought you inside this beloved neighborhood French cafe, introducing you to the family who runs it. Come, have an omelette, and hear the tale of this charming Fitler Square small business.

#2: Meet the Family Behind Fitler Square’s Iconic “Birdhouse” Home

Ever since I moved into the neighborhood several years ago, I’ve wondered how there came to be so many birdhouses on this otherwise-typical row home. Discover the history behind this Fitler favorite in one of our first articles from this past year.

#1: Neighborhood Opposition Halts Return of Jezabel's Cafe to Fitler Square

This story hit a nerve with our readers. Jezabel Careaga, who operated Jezabel’s Cafe in Fitler Square until 2019, was planning to return to the neighborhood with her signature Argentine offerings. But a coalition of residents blocked the zoning variance she would have needed to open her cafe at the proposed site, 2101 Lombard.

Thank you for helping make 2023 a year to remember. We’ll be back in 2024 with more great stories that matter to our neighborhood. Happy New Year!

It's been a remarkable month for us with an influx of new subscribers, and I'm thrilled to welcome each of you. As we approach the year's end, it seems fitting to revisit our most impactful stories from the past year.

So, without further delay, let's dive into the first installment of our year-end roundup, featuring the top stories that captured your attention.

Keep an eye out for the concluding part of this series next week, where we'll unveil the final five.

Did you know?

The Fitler Focus pays local journalists and photographers to produce our high-quality, hyper-local stories. Producing these stories involves real costs, and that's where our valued subscribers play a crucial role.

Our commitment to keeping our content free for everyone is only possible with the support of our paid subscribers.

Please join us today and become a champion for local journalism. Your support makes all the difference.

Subscribe now

#10: Fitler Groups Push for Taney Street Rename; City Council Hesitates

We covered the ongoing battle to change the name of Taney Street, which community groups say is named after Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney. Taney gave the majority opinion in the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford case, ruling that African Americans were not considered US citizens.

The comments on this one were enlightening. While the Fitler Square Neighborhood Association continues to push for the rename, commenters pointed out that there’s no hard evidence linking the street’s original naming to, specifically, Supreme Court Justice Taney.

#9: Local Producers Local Producers Report Encouraging Sales in Farmers Market Debut

This was the first year of the Schuylkill River Park Farmers market. We spoke with vendors to find out what worked well for them this year, and what they might want to change at next year’s market. We also highlighted the hyperlocal products on offer.

#8: A Heart-to-Heart with Longtime Fitler Realtor Pam Rosser-Thistle

We dove into what makes Fitler real estate unique in this profile of agent Pam Rosser-Thistle. Her personal connection to the neighborhood over many decades illustrates how our community has changed over the past 30 years.

#7: Fitler Square Finds a Champion in Ben Keys

Fitler Square has the rare distinction of being part of not just one, but two Registered Community Organizations (RCOs). These RCOs wield significant influence in the city, especially through their impactful recommendations on zoning matters.

We profiled Ben Keys, who serves as the president of our local Registered Community Organization, the Fitler Square Neighborhood Association.

#6: Proposal to Reverse 24th St Sparks Debate

A contentious plan to alter the direction of traffic on several blocks of 24th Street has sparked debate among neighbors.

Residents of Grays Ferry advocate for this change, believing it to be a crucial solution to alleviate traffic congestion. But some Fitler Square residents raised concerns about the reliability of the traffic studies cited in support of the proposal. They also questioned whether proponents have the appropriate jurisdiction to enact such a significant change.

While you wait for the final top 5 to be unveiled next week, here are some other stories you we think you might find interesting:

Greenfield Parents Plead for Traffic Solutions on 24th Street

We reported on a dangerous street crossing that many Fitler families have to make twice a day. Several weeks after we published our story, the City installed a stop sign at this dicey intersection.

Norman Rockwell's Son Shapes Fitler Square With Playful Monster Fountain

When you think of famed American artist Norman Rockwell, Fitler Square might not come to mind. But his son, a prominent sculptor in his own right, has left a mark on our neighborhood.