South Philly Review

Francis Hogan said that every time he would walk through the charming East Passyunk area, he would envision a Mediterranean-style wine bistro there.

"I thought it would bring a sense of community and spark life into the neighborhood," said the 23-year-old Hogan.

Fresh out of Drexel University with a degree in hospitality management, he and business partner Claude d'Hermillon found what they thought would be the perfect spot for their venture -- the former 10 Spot tavern at 1601 S. 10th St., at the corner of Tasker.

"South Philly, particularly in that area, was just right for growth, and it needed the type of establishment we were wanting to do," said Hogan, who lives on the 1000 block of Winton Street.

But, fearing the negative history of the former 10 Spot would repeat itself, a group of area residents and merchants has tried to defeat the renewal of the site's liquor license.

The concern, according to the opposition, is that the new venue will serve up misdeeds and mayhem instead of bruschetta and Beaujolais.

Named 1601 after its address, the bistro would feature flavors of Italy, Spain, France and Greece, Hogan said. The menu would consist of smaller, tapas-style dishes like bruschetta, mussels and thin-crust gourmet pizza, along with daily and seasonal specials.

"The wines will complement the regional foods we will be serving," said Hogan. "Because of the wine, the foods will be at a very reasonable cost."

Yet, despite the proposed menu and extensive wine list, some residents and merchants contend that 1601 wouldn't be a bistro at all.

"It's a bar. And the proposed owners have told us they have to move a certain volume of alcohol to make the money they need," said Sue Montella, president of the Passyunk Square Civic Association, which is representing neighbors who oppose the new venture.

A bar would do nothing to enhance the area's quality of life, Montella argued, adding the neighborhood already hosts 15 taverns, many of which are close to churches and schools.

In addition, she said, the former 10 Spot's troublesome legacy still haunts nearby residents.

For years, neighbors fought to shut down the bar that was the source of several crimes, including a rape that occurred outside its doors.

"The previous owners were nuisance-bar owners," said state Rep. Bill Keller, who represents the East Passyunk constituency. "The neighborhood really had enough. There were some violent crimes that happened in there and [the owners] just would not cooperate with the neighbors."

The bar finally closed last summer.

According to Keller, neighbors want assurance from Hogan and his partner that 1601 will not be a repeat performance of the 10 Spot.

The bistro's hours of operation have been addressed at various community meetings, as well as at a Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board hearing. In hopes of securing a lunch crowd, Hogan plans to open daily at 11 a.m. The kitchen will close at 1 a.m. and the bistro at 2 a.m.

"This has been known. There hasn't been any vagueness in this area," Hogan maintained.