🏢 Philly’s empty offices could hurt our economy

🏢 Less Property Tax, Less for School District

The pandemic forced many Philly employees to work from home, resulting in Center City’s office towers emptying out. Despite return-to-work mandates bringing employees back into the office, some employees are still working remotely or are hybrid. With these empty buildings dropping in value, the city’s fiscal health may pay the price. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

• Related: Some office buildings are being converted into apartments. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

💰 Philly Could Have a ‘Cash Flow Problem’ This Winter

Speaking of the city’s financial health, the federal government shutdown combined with the ongoing state budget impasse could spell trouble for local governments if left unresolved. Delayed state payments have already forced the school district to take out loans, and a program for mental health services could be impacted by the federal spending freeze. [🔒 The Inquirer]

🏀 Women’s Pro Basketball Makes Stop in Philly

Next year is already a big year for sports in Philly, and it just got even better. Unrivaled Basketball, a 3-on-3 professional women’s league, will tour next year and stop first in Philly on Jan. 30. New York Liberty guard and Delco native Natasha Cloud will play in Philly for the first time since attending St. Joseph’s University. [WHYY]

• Related: Women’s sports is having a moment in Philly, with a new WNBA team and a new queer women’s sports bar. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🐶 Who Gets To Keep the Dog?

That’s a question that might soon get an answer. The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that would require judges to consider the welfare of pets during divorce proceedings. This would result in a new category to classify pets so they’re not lumped in with property like furniture. The bill now moves to the Senate. [WFMJ]

If you have celiac disease or you’re just gluten intolerant, deciding where to eat may require some extra planning. Thankfully Philly’s food scene has expanded its gluten-free offerings through the years, especially with cuisines from certain regions around the world that are inherently gluten-free.

Here’s where you can eat gluten-free. If cross-contamination is a concern, please note that some of these establishments are completely gluten-free while others have gluten-free substitutions and options on their menus.

P.S. & Co.

📍1706 Locust St.

P.S. & Co. prides itself on its 100% gluten-free, organic, plant-rich menu. If you’re stopping in during the workweek, you can order treats to-go from banana bread to tahini chocolate chip cookies to chickpea salad sandwiches. During the weekend, you can sit down and grab a bite from its brunch menu.

Sparrow’s Snacks

📍1136 Arch St.

The Sparrow family has been making snack food for three generations, specializing in all-natural, gluten-free, peanut-free snacks. Stop over at their stand at the Reading Terminal Market (if you spot a model-train set above you, you’re there) and pick up gluten-free soft pretzels, toaster tarts, and other goods. If you’re reading this from New Jersey, they have an establishment in Haddonfield, too.

Flakely

📍220 Krams Ave.

Rated among the best gluten-free bakeries in the nation by USA Today, Flakely has been making a name for itself in Manayunk. Founder Lila Colello was diagnosed with celiac disease not long after graduating from the French Culinary Institute, so she made it her mission to turn pastries like croissants and apple cheesecake gluten-free.

If you can’t make it to Manayunk, the bakery has “pastry ATMs” in South Philly, Ambler, Ardmore, and Collingswood.

Doro Bet

📍4533 Baltimore Ave.

West Philly has a good selection of African cuisine, and Doro Bet is no exception. Its staple menu item is its gluten-free and halal fried chicken. The restaurant uses teff flour, a naturally gluten-free flour native to Ethiopia and Eritrea. Try the lemon turmeric chicken, available as mild or spicy. You can order sauces on the side, but it tastes great on its own.