Are you our new anchor tenant for 2211-17 Frankford Avenue?
Are you looking for a spot in East Kensington to sell burgers? Dogs? Global flavors? A beverage or two? 2211-17 Frankford Avenue is available this summer! NKCDC is seeking a licensed food vendor to serve as the anchor tenant from July through October 2025 at our 6,000 square-foot greenspace located on Frankford Ave between Susquehanna and Dauphin Street.
In 2024, we facilitated a community engagement process to help determine the use of 2211–17 Frankford Avenue and 1825 Frankford Avenue over a two-year period. Tenants were selected based on their qualifications, capacity to activate the space, ability to contribute to its upkeep, and experience providing opportunities for diverse individuals and partners.
Cantina la Martina hosted its La Placita Fishtown pop-up at 2211-17 Frankford last summer, and Mural City Cellars is welcoming guests to its wine garden at NKCDC’s Garden Center at Frankford and Berks for a second year. Now 2211-17 Frankford is available for a new tenant. We are seeking a partner that can overcome the shortcomings of the space as well as its strengths: there is no water at the site, and the historic trolley, although charming, can’t be used to serve food or beverages.
Could this be you?! We’re seeking an anchor tenant with a food license to activate the space on the following days:
- Thursdays and Fridays from 4PM-8:30PM
- Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM-8:30PM.
Here’s what we’re looking for in a partner:
- Experience and qualifications as a food vendor;
- Quality of food and any proposed programming or partnerships;
- Product pricing that is attractive for all;
- Alignment with community priorities;
- Consistency with NKCDC mission and values;
- Ability to help NKCDC pay the cost of maintaining the space.
All proposals will be evaluated by NKCDC’s economic development and real estate team using a rubric we have developed to help us try to balance these goals in a transparent way.
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Activation of 2211–17 Frankford Avenue (Summer–Fall 2025)
1. Introduction & Background
About NKCDC
New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation that advances social equity & economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live in, and actively shape, their neighborhoods of choice.
Our organization provides a wide range of services—real estate development, housing counseling, small business assistance, corridor cleaning, workforce development, nutrition education, community health resources—to residents and businesses across the Kensington, Port Richmond, and Fishtown neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
Property Overview
2211-17 Frankford Avenue is an open lot, owned by NKCDC for over 20 years, between Susquehanna and Dauphin St. It is approximately 6,000 SF, with 75’ of street frontage. A wooden fence separates the property from the street. There are wooden picnic tables and benches, several trees on the property, gravel ground cover, and a historic trolley. The historic trolley is not accessible or eligible for commercial use, as it lacks commercial kitchen equipment and cannot support such modifications.
Recent Uses
At NKCDC, we believe that residents should play a leading role in shaping their neighborhoods, and that communities are strongest when residents are at the heart of planning and programming.
In spring 2022, NKCDC issued a Request for Proposals and conducted a resident survey, which led to Mural City Cellars opening an outdoor wine garden at 2211–17 Frankford Avenue during the warm seasons of 2022 and 2023.
A follow-up survey conducted by NKCDC in fall 2022 showed strong community support for continued use of the space as an outdoor vendor market, with 70% of respondents favoring its use to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
After Mural City Cellars’ two-season lease ended, NKCDC launched another open Request for Proposals and a community-centered engagement process, which resulted in the selection of Cantina La Martina as the next partner for the space.
In 2024, Cantina La Martina hosted its La Placita Fishtown pop-up at 2211–17 Frankford Avenue, celebrating Caribbean and Latino culture through a menu of Puerto Rican street food, events like the Cemita Festival, produce markets with Liberty Fresh Kitchen, and cultural programming such as Spanish Story Time with Mi Casita and Bomba dance workshops with Los Bomberos de la Calle.
2. Goal for 2025 Summer/Fall Season & Eligible Uses
NKCDC is seeking an anchor tenant to host seasonal programming at 2211-17 Frankford Avenue from July through October 2025. The tenant will activate the space with their own events and coordinate other uses of the space throughout the week. The tenant must be a licensed food vendor in the City of Philadelphia. Proposed programming should incorporate activities that include other local vendors from the Kensington, Fishtown and Port Richmond neighborhoods. All activities must be culturally inclusive, family-friendly, and open to the public. While ticketed events are permitted, private rentals are not allowed. The tenant may be a partnership or collaboration of multiple entities; however, one entity must enter into a license agreement with NKCDC.
3. Site Rules
Hours
Events may take place at 2211-17 Frankford Ave daily from 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM. The selected tenant is not required to operate at all hours within this timeframe; however the space must be active between the hours of 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, and 1:00 PM – 8:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Noise
Amplified music and sound are not allowed between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on weekends. Noise must be kept below 90 dB at all times and will be monitored by a decibel meter. All amplified music and sound must end by 8:30 PM on weeknights and weekends.
Clean-Up and Sanitation
Cleanup is required following every event. Proposals must include a waste management plan and pest control plan. No glass is allowed on the premises.
Food Vending
All food vendors must comply with the City of Philadelphia’s health and safety regulations. All vendors must have an active Commercial Activity License, Food Preparation & Service License and ServSafe Certification.
Alcohol
Alcohol sales require a license from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), and zoning approval may also be necessary. Tenants must provide a Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance, written on an occurrence basis, with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for personal injury, bodily injury, and property damage. NKCDC must be named as an additional insured. A plan for verifying age, including ID checks and the use of wristbands or stamps to identify patrons aged 21 and over, is mandatory.
4. Anchor Tenant Responsibilities
The selected anchor tenant must develop and manage a schedule of events that maintain alignment with NKCDC’s mission and community-driven values , ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. The anchor tenant will be responsible for coordinating all scheduling and space logistics, including setup, cleanup, and security, they will comply with noise limits, scheduling expectations and alcohol policy, and maintain required insurance coverage for hosting events at the space. The anchor tenant must be mindful that this property is located in a densely populated neighborhood and is strongly encouraged to cultivate positive working relationships with the neighbors.
6. Rental Details
Refer to Exhibit A in the appendix of this document for a template License Agreement and Exhibit B for insurance requirements.
7. Proposal Requirements
Interested applicants must complete this application by 11:59 p.m. on June 13, 2025 to be considered. Please provide as much detail as you can. If you would like to share supplemental information about your proposal, please send materials to Ari Miller at ariyehmiller@nkcdc.org.
8. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by NKCDC based on an equity rubric that prioritizes:
- Consistency with community priorities as expressed through our surveys and engagement work and alignment with NKCDC’s mission
- Qualifications and experience
- Quality of proposed programming
- Organizational capacity to deliver proposed activities
- Accessible pricing for the local community
- Opportunity for business growth and job creation
- Diversity of leadership and staff; experience in providing opportunities to racially and economically diverse individuals, partners, and vendors
- Thoroughness in considering site rules and compliance
9. Timeline
- RFP Release: June 2, 2025
- Proposals Due: June 13, 2025 (11:59PM)
- Programming Begins: July 5, 2025
Appendix
Exhibit A
Sample License Agreement for Use of 2211-17 Frankford Ave.
LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR USE OF REAL ESTATE
This License Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of _______________ , 2025 by and among New Kensington Community Development Corporation (the “Owner”) and ______________ (the “Licensee”).
Background
- Owner owns two parcels of real property as further identified in this Agreement.
- The Licensee wishes to use the property for the limited purposes described in this Agreement.
- Owner is willing to grant the Licensee permission to use the real property for the purposes described in this Agreement, subject to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.
AGREEMENTS
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals above and the agreements below, the Owner and the Licensee, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Location of Property: Owner owns two parcels of real property located as follows (the “Property”):
2211 and 2213-17 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
2. Term: The term of this agreement is from the date of this Agreement to October 31, 2025. There shall be no extensions without prior written approval of Owner.
3. Grant of Rights: Owner hereby grants to Licensee the privilege of using the Property as described in the Terms for License Agreement, attached as Exhibit A.
4. No Liability of Owner: Owner has granted the rights described in this Agreement to Licensee with the express understanding that Owner is assuming no duty to Licensee, its employees or agents, with respect to the use of the Property. Licensee agrees that Owner shall not be liable for any damage, theft or destruction of any property of the Licensee, nor for any personal injury to Licensee or its agents, arising in any way from the use by Licensee of the Property. Licensee further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Owner, its employees and agents, from and against any and all claims, demands or liabilities of any nature arising out of the use by Licensee of the Property or the presence upon the Property of any personal property of Licensee. This indemnity obligation shall include an indemnity for all costs incurred by Owner in defending against such claims, in negotiating any settlement of same, and any costs of mediation, arbitration or litigation of such claims, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of the dispute resolution process.
5. Insurance: Owner shall require Licensee to procure and maintain in effect insurance as described in Exhibit B (“Required Insurance Coverages for Licensee”). Owner shall be named as an additional insured on the policy, and Licensee shall promptly deliver to Owner a certificate of insurance showing that such insurance coverage is in effect, and providing in unequivocal terms that the policy shall not be canceled unless Owner has first received at least thirty days prior notice of such cancellation.
6. Termination: This Agreement does not vest any property rights in the Property in Licensee, and may be revoked by Owner at any time upon ten days prior written notice given to Licensee at __________________________.
7. Transferability: This Agreement may not be sold, assigned or transferred by the Licensee without the prior written consent of the Owner, which consent may be granted or withheld by Owner in its sole discretion.
8. Entire Understanding: This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties as to Licensee’s permitted use of the Property. There are no agreements between the parties except those written in this Agreement. The parties agree that this Agreement cannot be amended except by a written amendment signed by both parties.
Terms for License Agreement
| Owner | New Kensington Community Development Corporation (“NKCDC”) |
| Licensee | |
| Property | 2211 and 2213-17 Frankford Ave. |
| Term | 7/1/25-10/31/25 (Months between 10/31/25 and 4/1/26 can be added upon mutual agreement of NKCDC and Licensee) |
| Extensions | Licensee may request term extensions in writing. Owner may, at its sole discretion, approve an extension of the term. There shall be no extensions without prior written approval of Owner. |
| Goals for the Property | Owner intends to use the Property to: Benefit the residents of the neighborhood around the Property; Support the development of the Licensee and other small businesses, particularly those based in zip codes 19134 and 19125, and particularly those owned by people of color; Provide work and professional development opportunities for individuals, particularly those based in zip codes 19134 and 19125 and particularly people of color; Provide an inclusive and welcoming space for individuals and families to drink, eat, access programs and events, play, and socialize. |
| Use of Property | The following uses of the Property are allowed: Serving food and beverages (with proper licenses and procedures) Hosting vendors so they may sell their goods and services Hosting live music (subject to hours of use and noise limitations) Hosting activities, events, programs, games, and other incidental uses that support the primary uses or that otherwise benefit community residents. The following activities are not allowed on the Property: Discrimination or any kind of prejudicial treatment against any person Illegal activities Sales of illegal substances. |
| Trash and recycling | Licensee must remove trash and recycling promptly; trash and recycling must not be allowed to get loose, attract pests, or smell bad. The Licensee will be responsible for pest control. |
| Space changes | Licensee is permitted to make the following temporary changes to the space: Install seating and tables Provide portable toilets and handwashing station Provide lighting Provide a pest-resistant location for storage of trash and recycling. Any other changes to the space must be agreed to by NKCDC in advance in writing. |
| Permits and approvals | Licensee will obtain and maintain any and all necessary permits and regulatory approvals required for the activities on the site. |
| Hours of Licensee use | Opening hours: Thursdays 3 PM-9 PM Fridays 3 PM-10 PM Saturdays 10 AM-10 PM Sundays 10 AM-9 PM Music and amplified sound, if any, must stop by 8:30 PM. |
| Uses by others | Licensee acknowledges that the site may be used by NKCDC or by other entities during days and hours that Licensee is not using it. Licensee will take reasonable steps to secure any property or supplies on the site. NKCDC will be responsible for ensuring that the property is returned to Licensee in the same condition or better, and for ensuring that none of Licensee’s property is damaged or stolen. |
| Insurance | See Exhibit B. |
| Utilities | Electricity is available at the site. Licensee must pay the electric bills for the months the property used by Licensee. Owner will not provide water or other utilities. Licensee may make arrangements to provide utilities to the site at its expense, subject to the other terms of the License Agreement. |
| Partners and subcontractors | Licensee may allow or engage other entities to provide goods, services, programs, activities, and events on the site. Any such entities and their use of the property are subject to approval by Owner; Licensee will notify NKCDC at least two weeks in advance of any events, programs, activities that are not pre-approved. |
| No nuisance uses allowed | Use of the Property will at all times comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including Chapter 10-400 of the Philadelphia Code regarding Noise and Excessive Vibration. If Owner receives complaints about the use of the Property, Licensee will agree to corrective actions as reasonably determined by Owner. |
| License fees | Licensee will pay NKCDC $1,600 per month. Payments will be due by the 15th of each month. |
| Termination | Owner has the right to terminate the License Agreement if, in Owner’s reasonable discretion, Licensee fails to comply with the terms of the Agreement. Licensee has the right to terminate the License Agreement with 30 days written notice to Owner. |
| Condition of Property | At the end of the License Agreement term, Licensee will leave the Property in the same condition as it was prior to the commencement of the Project, unless other conditions are agreed to by NKCDC in writing. |
Exhibit B
Required Insurance Coverages for Licensee
Commercial General Liability Insurance
- $1,000,000 Each Occurrence Limit (Bodily Injury and Property Damage); $3,000,000 General Aggregate
- $2,000,000 Products & Completed Operations Aggregate
- $1,000,000 Personal and Advertising Injury Limit
- $1,000,000 Liquor Liability (if applicable)
This policy shall cover all of Licensee’s operations on and related to the Licensed Portion,
including any distributing or selling by Licensee of produce or plants grown thereon.
Business or Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance
- $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit per accident
Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Insurance
- $500,000 Each Accident; $500,000 Each Employee for Injury by Disease; $500,000 Aggregate for Injury by Disease
Excess or Umbrella Liability (to overlay Employer’s Liability, Automobile Liability and Commercial General Liability coverages)
- $1,000,000 Occurrence/aggregate
Additional Insured(s)
The Licensor, along with its respective officers, agents and employees, shall be named as additional insured(s) on the Commercial General Liability Policy on the Licensee’s Commercial General Liability Policy. The Licensee shall continue to carry Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy for the full Term of this Agreement.
Waiver of Subrogation
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable state law, a Waiver of Subrogation Clause shall be added to the General Liability, Automobile, Excess or Umbrella Liability and Workers Compensation policies in favor of Licensor, and this clause shall apply to the Licensor’s officers, agents and employees.
Primary and Non-Contributory
All of the above coverages shall be primary and non-contributory.