End of an Era: Historic Cherry Street Tavern Hits Market After Half-Century of Family Ownership
A seismic shift is shaking the foundation of Philadelphia’s historic bar scene, as the owners of the iconic Cherry Street Tavern in Logan Square have announced they are placing the business and property up for sale. After 50 years of stewardship under the Loughlin family, brothers Bill and Bob Loughlin have decided to retire, signaling a potential conclusion to one of the longest consistent ownership runs in the city’s hospitality sector.
The Cherry Street Tavern is not merely a watering hole; it is a preserved artifact of early 20th-century Philadelphia. Originally established in 1905, the venue is celebrated for retaining its turn-of-the-century architecture, including a separate entrance originally designed for women, original tile flooring, and a mahogany bar back that survived Prohibition. Under the Loughlin family’s tenure, the tavern cemented its reputation as a “proper” bar—a place devoid of blaring televisions and gimmicks, famous instead for its hot roast beef sandwiches and a diverse clientele ranging from Center City lawyers to neighborhood tradespeople.
While the Loughlins have expressed a desire to find a buyer who respects the tavern’s legacy, the listing has triggered immediate concern and skepticism among local preservationists and long-time regulars. In a real estate market driven by rapid gentrification, the sale of a prime location in Logan Square raises the specter of redevelopment. Objections are already mounting regarding the potential loss of the venue’s “dive” character. There is a palpable fear that new ownership could sterilize the atmosphere, transforming the gritty, authentic institution into a polished gastropub or, in a worst-case scenario, demolishing the structure to make way for luxury condominiums.
The sale includes the three-story building, the liquor license, and the business itself. As the “For Sale” sign goes up, the future of this cultural landmark hangs in the balance, leaving patrons wondering if the next pour at Cherry Street will retain the soul that sustained it for over a century, or if the tavern will become another memory in a rapidly changing city.
