For over thirty years, the Artful Dodger made its home at the southwest corner of 2nd & Pine, until closing its doors last November. This space, located at the top of Headhouse Square, clearly has plenty of history, apparently serving as barracks for the Continental Marines way back when, according to a commenter on Philly.com. But in more recent years, it was a pub, existing as Head House Tavern going back to at least the 1960s, according to photos we found on Phillyhistory.org.

In 1965

A happy couple in 1968

With the closing of the Artful Dodger, a very desirable retail location has come available, and we confess we’re a little surprised that nobody has jumped on it as of yet. With several other popular spots on the street including Xochitl, Bodhi Coffee, and Stella, not to mention the wildly popular Headhouse Farmer’s Market, this block gets plenty of foot traffic day and night. And with plans for a 73 new condo units at the old New Market site right across the street, there are new residents on the way for the area as well.

Recent shot

Wanna rent it? Call the number.

Eater heard rumblings last month that a cocktail bar was in the works for the space, with involvement from Quaker City Mercantile. But we’re hearing that nothing is written in stone yet, and that it could still see a different concept in the end. Whoever ends up taking over this spot will have a nice, large space to call their own that people have been drinking at since at least the Kennedy administration. With so much history, we like their chances for success.