PT Real Estate Capital, acquirer of distressed and undervalued assets, is in the final stages of renovating the northwest corner of 12th & Spruce.  This five story, 12,000 square foot historic building was constructed back in 1907 and housed the national headquarters for the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, a “benevolent fraternity” of do-gooders that was essentially the old school version of a non-profit welfare, trade union, and health care insurer for their members and the community.  It was the first African American Odd Fellows lodge in PA, and only third in the nation at the time (source: Preservation Alliance).  Today, the upper floors house 8 luxury apartments, while the first floor has 2 retail spaces which will house Shanti Yoga Shala studio, as we mentioned a couple of months ago, and Oddfellows Cafe. They will be joining new neighbors NEST, Milkboy, and Blue Bear Tavern up the street.

From 1981

Looks the same, without the awnings. Cleaner, too.

Shanti Yoga Shala was formerly located at 240 N 3rd St., but chose to move for more foot traffic and the “great neighborhood energy;” it will be the only yoga studio in the immediate area, offering both Vinyasa and Ashtanga style yoga classes.  Even more exciting is that co-founder Shiya Mangel is planning to include a small yoga boutique, sort of a local lululemon, that offers yoga apparel, mats, accessories, books, music and the like. Shanti Yoga plans to open the first week of September with a limited class schedule, followed by a full schedule after Labor Day, with its official grand opening on September 16th at 7pm.

Entrance to Shanti Yoga, facing 12th St.

Spruce Street Espresso has plans to open a second, larger location just one block down the street from its spot at 1101 Spruce, fittingly named Oddfellows Cafe. Their plan is to open in November, pouring the same Counter Culture Coffee and rosetta latte art for locals who can’t get in the door at their shoebox-sized location down the street.

Soon to be the Oddfellows Cafe