A few weeks ago, we spotted a fresh zoning notice on a building on the northeast corner of 7th & Fairmount. We seem to remember a dollar store calling this storefront home once upon a time, but it’s been vacant for at least the last couple of years. According to Google Maps Street View, it was available for lease from Mallin Pancelli back in 2011. These days, nothing remains of the sign that previously hung above the store.

Current view

According to Foobooz, this intersection could be in store for some big changes in the near future. Foobooz tells us that Federal Donuts presented a proposal to open at 701 Fairmount Ave. to the local CDC a couple of days ago. And while there are numerous details yet to be worked out, and though it seems that several hurdles remain for the project, it seems to us that this thing is gonna happen. Which, when you think about it, is really interesting, considering the location.

Don't quite understand where they will open here, but...

We’ve covered the westward sprawl of Northern Liberties several times in the last couple of years, with projects large and small. We’ve wondered whether the development that’s moved north and northwest into Kensington and Fishtown respectively would continue to push westward, toward the burgeoning “Spring Arts” neighborhood. And while residential development has definitely edged along, there hasn’t been much in the way of commercial development. And this could be a really big first step.

We’ll let you know when we hear any more news on this exciting development, at least once we figure out exactly where the new business is planned for (we’re guessing the storefront we profiled at the beginning of the post but who knows?). And assuming it happens as expected, you know we’ll be among the first in line to devour some delicious donuts.