Latin American restaurant El Meson is expected to open next month.
The Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association last week listened to a proposal to open a restaurant at 6625–27 Castor Ave., in a former PSFS bank.
El Meson would serve Latin American cuisine, and its management brought food to the meeting for people to sample.
The restaurant has been approved for a liquor license. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be no outside dining or takeout drinks.
There are some off-street parking spaces, and customers will be permitted to park in a nearby Wells Fargo lot when the bank is closed.
The restaurant is expected to open next month.
In other news from the May 21 meeting:
• Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, 900 E. Howell St., will present a World Food Fair, Fun Run and Flea Market on Saturday, June 16.
The flea market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors can register by emailing fleamarket@occcda.org
Fun run registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the run at 10.
International food will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The day will also include a bounce house and face painting.
For more information, click here.
In related news, the OCCCDA will open a thrift store in the former Singers Appliance building at Castor Avenue and Hellerman Street.
• The civic association will take part in the city Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet’s Illegal Signs Roundup, June 1–15. Community groups will receive 50 cents per sign. The maximum money that can be earned is $250 (500 signs).
For more information, contact Haley Jordan at 215-MU6–5092 or haley.jordan@phila.gov
• Lt. John Craig and community relations officer Mark Mroz, of the 2nd Police District, provided an update on crime.
The city is reportedly nearing a decision on a new headquarters for the 2nd district.
• Demolition and construction are being proposed at Solis-Cohen Elementary School. If the plans are approved, a new two-story building could be open by 2020.
• Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, June, 18, at 7 p.m. at Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St. ••
