Piazza Pod Park Opens in Philly’s Northern Liberties, BEBOT Towers Over Fun-for-All Hot Spot
Piazza Pod Park in Northern Liberties is officially open. Robot Bebot looms large.
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
Remember when the now infamous Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty arrived on the scene in late 2018? Gritty, he of the bugged-out eyes and shaggy orange fur recently made room for the new kid on the block-one Bebot, an imposing but welcoming robot from Burning Man that towers over the Post Brothers’ latest creative use of community space (dubbed Piazza Pod Park) in Northern Liberties. The Mod Pod. I remember that television show. Tee.
At 33 feet high and weighing in at 13,000 pounds, Bebot’s jolly wave greeted the public on June 8th’s grand opening and even earlier at a media preview party. It’s where I initially met the cutest roly-poly, copper heart-bearing, hunka-hunka sculpture installation that is drawing Philadelphians en masse to what is essentially a wonderland mash-up of delights designed, in part, to revitalize the neighborhood and to draw together the community. It’s a veritable playground comprised of pretty much everything under the Bebot we humans pursue in the name of fun.
Once checked in, I began my exploration in earnest, surrounded by a mix of vendors (14 at present) and purveyors of all things food, drink, entertainment, art, recreation and more. From a 35,000 square-foot area redolent with eye-catching, form-meets-function contemporary art, accents and décor at every turn, said vendors operate out of colorful pods (read: connected and repurposed shipping containers), dispensing enticing and unique fares sure to please all who visit. There truly is something for everyone from kiddies to grown-ups. Bring the dogs, too!
Check out the snaps below for a fuller picture of what’s in store for visitors. Mind you, it’s a sampling, a mere taster of the lay of the land and not inclusive in terms of all that awaits to tantalize the senses. That part is on you to discover. Additionally, the Post Brothers are by no means finished with Piazza Pod Park. Expect to see and experience more. Vendors? Entertainment options? Time will tell.
For now, let’s all just enjoy the distinctive spot as is … fabulous, fun, spirited, aesthetically pleasing and the IT place to be. Surprise us with the rest, Brothers Post!
For more information, visit piazzapodpark.com.
Can’t miss meet and greet from resident welcoming installation, Bebot … 33-feet and 13,000 pounds of adorbs!
Kory Aversa of Aversa PR holds oversized ribbon choppers, speaks briefly prior to the big cut as some of the vendors and others look on.
From left, Spread Bagelry’s Larry Rosenblum, Post Brothers Principle Randy Hope and Craft Concepts Group’s Teddy Sourias.
From Left, Fox 29’s Alex Holley, Sharon Kozden and Teddy Sourias.
Vendors’ pods surround open space filled with natural landscaping, art installations and more.
Overview of an area of the park shows room to roam a-plenty.
Sharon Kozden between principles with Randy Hope at right.
Take a seat on some sculpture scapes and enjoy the antics at the popular 360-photo spin booth.
This experience was super popular on preview-opening evening. Even the dogs were getting into Snapshop Photobooth’s act.
Real simple: stand on the spot, move your bod while the 360 SPIN tracks you, then enjoy the outcome of you in action!
Find form and function in these beautiful white installations of varying sizes and shapes within the park.
Spot your peeps in the crowd from the roof deck’s double-story dining pod.
Massive white blob structure mirrors a snow bank … or whatever these kiddies’ imaginations deem it.
Gorgeous dog enjoys the VIP preview party because he or she can. This place is man’s BFF-friendly!
Here’s Lokal Artisan Foods with their French toast bites.
Vegan as well!
Whet your whistle with wooder ice on a hot summer day or evening at Mama Maria’s Italian Ice.
Folks + Fun + Frolic = Fab!
The Frose is the libation version of exceptional prose.
Vendors such as Urban Village’s Wine Bar operate out of shipping pods (what’s not a pod in this place?) and make the best neighbors.
Tiki Tako serves up tropical cocktails and more. I fancied myself an island girl in a Tiki-bar world.
The actual brewery is housed across the street but has a “mini me” pod in the park.
The folks who just brought us the amazing newly opened Blume restaurant and bar bloom again with some fab cocktails in pouches.
Sharon Kozden with a party-goer channeling an inner Tupac vibe and look.
Ooh: guacamole and veggies and what appears to be some lush sushi.
The variety of vendors’ unique and creative offerings mean one thing: food-and-drink pods will be people-poppin’
Whoa: now that’s one culinarily tantalizingly ear of roasted sweet corn!
Check out a few samplings of Tiki Tako’s taco choices here and in the snaps just below.
Delectable combo of light fare on a platter, courtesy of Spread Bagelry.
From left, Laura Swartz, Dr. Thanuja Hamilton and Sharon Kozden pose in one splashy mix of sartorial patterns in front of Empanada Box.
Tildie’s Tox Box targets family- and kiddie-fun seekers. Join the interactive and stimulating creative experiences.
Books, toys and more … Tildie’s Toy Box, unlike Pandora’s Box, should be and is open (check out the gender-neutral toy stock).
As billed, there truly is something for everyone here. Get your fitness on at Fit Academy.
DJ Jason Weiss was on hand with the bangin’ chunes. If you catch Bebot dancing, you’ve probably had one too many adult beverages.
