Taylor Chip Exits Philadelphia Market, Shuttering Fishtown Location After Less Than Two Years
Taylor Chip, the Lancaster-based bakery known for its massive, dense cookies and premium ice cream, has officially closed its Philadelphia storefront. The location on Frankford Avenue in the trendy Fishtown neighborhood has ceased operations, marking a swift retreat from the city just 17 months after its highly anticipated opening.
The closure represents a significant pivot for the brand, which was founded by Doug and Sara Taylor in 2018. Originally built on a reputation for “perfect” cookies developed in Pennsylvania Dutch country, Taylor Chip rapidly expanded from farmer’s markets to brick-and-mortar locations in Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg. The move to Philadelphia was positioned as a flagship expansion into a major metropolitan market, leveraging substantial social media hype and a loyal regional following.
However, the reality of the Philadelphia market proved challenging. While the brand maintained a strong digital presence, the economics of a single-product luxury dessert shop in a high-rent corridor like Fishtown faced scrutiny. Market analysts note that the “gourmet cookie” sector has become increasingly saturated, with national competitors like Crumbl and Insomnia Cookies, as well as beloved local bakeries, fighting for consumer dollars. The novelty of oversized, premium-priced cookies often faces a drop-off in foot traffic once the initial excitement fades, particularly when inflation impacts discretionary spending on high-cost treats.
Despite the Philadelphia closure, Taylor Chip continues to operate its locations in Central Pennsylvania and maintains a robust nationwide shipping business. The departure from Frankford Avenue serves as a case study in the difficulties regional favorites face when attempting to translate rural and suburban success into competitive urban centers.
