You fishtowners are in trouble...the most recent Philadelphia Magazine had a big writup on it...yuppies are coming.

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What's it say, Wil? I haven't gotten this issue yet in the mail.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

I bought it at lunch today. Quotes the ubiquitous Bob Murphy extensively. It hits all the familiar topics: Fishtown was down-and-out for decades but came roaring back in the past two years when it was discovered by what Murphy calls the "creative class" (i.e, artists). Mentions JB's and Sulimay's. Mentions that Frank Furness "mansion" that sold for $469,000. Not much on the culture clash stuff but it does mention that some of the locals don't appreciate the influx of hipsters. Pound for pound, the Philadelphia Weekly article did a much better job.

"hipsters" :rolling_:

always cracks me up. what is this 1968?!?!?!

For a married man with two kids, this Bob Murphy sure knows a lot about what the young kids are doing. ;-) He does know a lot about Fishtown, but being a realtor dealing with solely Fishtown and No. Libs, this sounds like basically a mouthpiece for his business.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Bob Murphy is a bit of a schmoozer (hope he doesn't read this) :oops: but he's a good guy. He sold us our house in '93 so he's been working here for a long time. ...and he has done a lot to help inject life into the neighborhood. you may see him tonight!

L

Yeah, he's all over the article, but not always in a good way. The author calls him "chubby" and allows Bob to weigh in with this bit of scintillating design advice for Sulimay's: "She should lose the country sh*t and make it more, like, '70s. Not Steve Starr over-the-top '70s but like... Milan airport '70s." Hey Bob, stick to real estate, buddy. And she zings him nicely in this appraisal of his appearance: "In his tassled loafers, mock turtleneck and rumpled Adolfo suit, with what looks to be a dab of toothpaste on his shoulder, Murphy dresses like what might pass for an arbiter of taste from the old Fishtown." Despite those zingers, he comes off as the Man Who Saved Fishtown by promoting it when no one else would. Which, errr, seems partly justified.

have to say here that these last two articles about Fishtown were extremely one sided and didn't do much in terms of getting to the roots of "True Fishtown". It makes me sad to think that people are forming the basis of their opinions about this neighborhood from them, but in light of some recent, not very flattering publicity about our neighborhood I am not so sure what is the lesser of the two evils.
And let me just say this, I don't know Bob Murtphy, but he has far from "SAVED FISHTOWN"
There were people and organizations here long before gentrification came our way. We had/have the Friends of Fishtown, the Fishtown Neighbors Association, Had the Fishtown Civic Association, Block cleanups, our own recycling program before it became city wide and mandatory. Fishtown AC, and so many other neigborhood activities!!
We have turned tragedy into hope with the Freddy Adams Sports Tournament, and we will continue to progress in the name of family and neighborhood.

I am happy to see so much change in the area, but we were far from floundering by the wayside, and I think that one thing people moving into the area need to understand is that fishtown is Generational, and it is not prejudice sometimes as much as it is fear of change. Talk to us, say hi, I know it is not that popular of an idea, but talk to your neighbors find out who your block captain is, don't have one, become your black captain!

This message board is great, but you could find out much better info if you talked to us! Maybe opinions are formed because we are not use to people who don't stop and say hi in the diner, or who walk past without a smile.
The article in Phila. Weekly bothered me mostly by the line, "Can Northern Liberties Happen Here?"
Fact is, we didn;t ask it to happen here, some are cashing in on it, selling and moving, but most Fishtowners love it here and will stay through it all.

We didn't need saving!

People are realizing we have/Had affordable housing stock, were close to the city, and were actually a neighborhood! What a concept knowing who your neighbors are.
Northern Liberties happened and happened so fast because there was not much of a neighborhood culture class, at least not compared to Fishtown.
It will take longer here, but bottom line, we will never be Northern Liberties, and that is o-k, we will have our own vision and become eventually.

It is not an us against them thing going on here, unless you come here with that mentality.
I know we are a bit inclusive, and tend to keep to ourselves, but it is because we have generations upon generations living here, and some people are worried because their children may not be able to afford to live here. Call us crazy we are bothered that a house we rented for $400.00 a month two years ago goes for $950.00 now, but we will get over it. We need time, it is an adjustment for everyone!
It isn't anyone's fault, it is just progress.
If anyone can figure out a way to promote gentrification without displacement I'd love to hear their theories!

:rolling_:

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I don't know if anyone can remember back in early '93 that the then magazine in The Inquirer did a whole article on the history and life in Fishtown. I saved it for eons then it went from drawer to drawer and wound up getting ditched. Anyone remember that??

Murph! :what_is_:

I actually still have it, Can phot copy if anyone is interested
Probably the last "positive" review Fishtown has received

:rolling_:

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"Exceptional human beings must be given exceptional educational treatment."
Hans Asperger, 1944