🥖 Iconic Rittenhouse bakery closes after 33 years

Lobbyists Spent $45,000 To Foil Garbage Ban

A proposed bill to ban the incineration of the city’s trash in neighboring Chester is now on hold since it doesn’t have enough support from City Council or the Parker administration. Watchdog groups say that’s because Reworld’s relentless lobbying at the end of 2025 paid off, at the expense of residents who cannot afford to spend as much to have their voices heard. [🎧 City Cast Philly, WHYY]

Metropolitan Bakery Passes the Torch (and the Whisk) to Fellow Baker

Rittenhouse’s Metropolitan Bakery is closing on March 15 after selling the brand, recipes, and equipment to Germantown’s Merzbacher’s. The new ownership plans to keep up Metropolitan’s wholesale operations and continue selling its baked goods at the Rittenhouse farmers market, while keeping the brands of both bakeries distinct (and just as tasty!). [🔒 The Inquirer]

• Related: Philly’s home to several great bakeries, from the classic Italian bakeries to newbies dominating the dessert scene. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Bourse Scraps Plans for Hotel

With the influx of tourists coming, where will they stay? Not the Bourse. The historic building’s planned hotel on Independence Mall was originally slated to finish in time to welcome tourists before this summer’s festivities, but little progress had been made. The hotel portion will now be converted into apartments. The ground floor of the former food hall remains empty. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal]

📣 Here’s a shoutout from City Cast Philly Neighbor Margaret G.: “People's Budget Office helps Philadelphians understand and participate in our city budget. Fabulous budget 101 online and in person.”