There are a lot of great things about NYC, though lately we’re hearing that every New Yorker dreams about moving to Philadelphia. The southern migration isn’t limited to folks who bought a home in Fishtown after living in a glorified walk-in closet in Manhattan – New York retailers are also eyeing our fair city. Along those lines, Rittenhouse Ramblings has reported that the Williamsburg-born Catbird jewelry company will be opening a Philadelphia location this spring at the southeast corner of 18th & Chestnut.

This is only the latest change for a building that has constantly evolved since it was built as a four story retail warehouse for Mitchell, Fletcher & Co., Inc., a prominent grocer in the early 1900s. With the exception of the addition of two floors, only one of which is even visible from the street, this building probably looks quite similar to how it did decades ago. Over the last century plus, the building has been used for a host of purposes, including a theater production company, a martial arts school, offices, a modeling school, and countless retail tenants on the first floor. This remains true today, even as the upper floors are now used as apartments.

Catbird will be moving to the retail space which was most recently occupied by an Allen Edmonds location. Before the shoe store occupied this prominent corner, cell phone company Clear was a tenant for a number of years. Before Clear, a jewelry store called “Forever Silver” operated out of this space. Given the name, we can only assume that the wares were a bit different than what’ll be available at Catbird. If we may paraphrase Mark Twain, the retail history of Center City doesn’t repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme.

Known for the dainty designs and use of recycled gold, the Catbird brand has become a fixture for Millennials and Gen Z, with fans drawn to the “demi-fine” jewelry. With the company opening up new locations across the country from LA to DC, it’s only fitting for a location to pop up in Philadelphia. And along with the recently opened Mejuri and Gorjana stores nearby, this pocket of Rittenhouse is emerging as an alternative to Jewelers’ Row for younger shoppers with their own tastes looking for a different kind of shopping experience.

Catbird has created city specific charms for each of their new locations, so we’re curious what they come up with for Philadelphia. Maybe a cheesesteak or some water ice? Sure, they already made a soft pretzel charm, but with some gentle reshaping, a Philly soft pretzel charm might just work for their new Rittenhouse location.