May 19, 2020

Stay Philly Strong and Philly Smart

May 19, 2020/ Kory Aversa

Stay Philly Strong, Aversa PR, South Street

Hello Friends,

Last year, my calendar was packed for this week:

Monday - lunch on East Passyunk
Tuesday - rolling the dice at Parx Casino
Wednesday - sips at Uptown Beer Garden
Thursday - curtains up at Bristol Riverside Theatre
Friday - waterfront views at Morgan's Pier
Saturday - going "wild" at Philadelphia Zoo
Sunday - flying trapeze at Philadelphia School of Circus Arts

Today, instead, I put on my slippers, made coffee and went upstairs - by myself. I turned on the computer and started my day alone where I have been for eight weeks. Normally this time of year, I would be outside under blue skies with tens of thousands of people. This week, I will talk to my dog when he isn't taking a nap.

While I can't wait for life to return to normal, this is the time to be smart, be healthy, be supportive and be Philly Strong. In fact, it is the time to get even strong together as we enter the start of summer during these unprecedented times.

Small businesses like mine have lost tens of thousands of dollars. Retailers and restaurants have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Tourist attractions have lost millions of dollars. Millions of jobs have been lost. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost.

If we rush out there and don't do it in a safe and healthy way, all the sacrifices we have made this year (big and small) will be in vain. We also risk a second wave that could have us back home alone again before fall and the holidays.

Please join me in in pledging to stay Phillly Strong and Philly Smart - and support efforts to open up Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in a healthy, safe and smart way.

Support our clients who are open and are in process of re-opening. Wear your masks, learn about social distancing, and don't give up now. We made it this far - and no matter how hard it was, it is not the time to loosen up now as better days are ahead.

Best,

Kory Aversa
Aversa PR & Events
CEO/Founder

May 19, 2020

Philadelphia Restaurants Announce Cocktails to Go After State of PA Passes New Law

May 19, 2020/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia and Main Line restaurants applaud the vote today in the Pennsylvania senate that will allow the sale of to-go cocktails in the state of Pennsylvania. As they wait for Governor Tom Wolf to sign the legislation, the following ten restaurants in the city of Philadelphia and out on the Main Line announce their first menus for to-go cocktail service that will start the minute his pen hits the paper and it is legal.

May 14, 2020

Philadelphia Zoo Launches Limited Edition Shirts for Spring Back Fund

May 14, 2020/ Philadelphia Zoo/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo wants to update your stay-at-home workday and home-school fashion with a colorful and eye-catching new collection of apparel that will fund the Zoo's Spring Back Fund. Show your support for Philadelphia Zoo on those Zoom and Skype calls while you social distance with a new limited edition t-shirt and hoodie line that will support the vital operations of Philadelphia Zoo. While the Zoo remains closed to the public, the new Spring Back Apparel Collection will support operations during this global crisis. Philadelphia Zoo partnered with local t-shirt company Printfly and website DSGNtree.com on the unique shirts that feature original Philly-centric designs with a fun Zoo twist. Shirts can be purchased at https://dsgntree.com/philadelphia-zoo. Join the Spring Back Campaign and help support America's first Zoo.

May 12, 2020

Restaurateur Calls on State of PA to Save Restaurants Through Outdoor Dining

May 12, 2020/ Kory Aversa

With the stay at home order just extended to June 4th for Philadelphia and neighboring suburban counties, one local hospitality group and restaurateur is leading the charge to encourage state and city officials to explore new options to save the restaurant industry. Avram Hornik of FCM Hospitality, owners of Morgan’s Pier, Harper’s Garden, Rosy’s Taco Bar, Craft Hall, Rosy’s Taco Bar, Concourse Dance Bar, The Dolphin (as well as lead hospitality partner on Parks on Tap and Trails on Tap), poses the question about when is the right time to permit outdoor dining and how can outdoor dining options be expanded to help save the ailing restaurant industry. While indoor dining restaurants need to use caution and balance how to maintain sufficient patron density while not losing money, outdoor dining options could be the saving grace for one of the hardest hit industries since the start of the COVID19 crisis. With golf courses (and associated hospitality amenities) and construction industries allowed to reopen, plus dozens of counties in PA entering the yellow phase, why wait for restaurants if there is a safe action plan and guidelines that could jump start the economy?

May 06, 2020

Steven Singer Jewelers Launches Mother's Day Campaign to Feed the Frontline

May 06, 2020/ Steven Singer Jewelers/ Kory Aversa

Steven Singer Jewelers helps you celebrate Mother's Day with a special gift that helps you send Mom love while you support local restaurants and healthcare heroes. The man that everyone loves to hate is spreading love by using a portion of sales from Singer's famous 24 karat gold and platinum dipped roses to purchase meals from Philadelphia restaurants and donating them to essential hospital workers and first responders. For owner Steven Singer, this is a win-win that thanks those tirelessly working to treat Coronavirus patients, and to support an industry in crisis during these unprecedented times. For Mother's Day gift ideas, and to order the gold and platinum dipped roses, visit www.ihatestevensinger.com.

May 05, 2020

Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Animal Moms for Mother's Day and Announces New Babies

May 05, 2020/ Kory Aversa

This Mother’s Day, Philadelphia Zoo (3400 Girard Ave) will honor all of its animal moms living at the Zoo. Spring is in the air and the Zoo welcomes many new babies making this a very special year for the Zoo. The Zoo is proud to introduce the following new babies and their Moms, including Black & White Ruffed Lemurs, Andean Geese, Sebastopol Geese, and of course, the Sloth Bear Cub. Additionally, Kira and Honi are busy gorilla moms raising toddlers Ajabu and Amani. As a special Mother's Day message for Moms here and around the country and globe, Philadelphia Zoo shares a special Mother's Day video spotlighting these new moms and their babies.

May 04, 2020

Philadelphia Guide to Mother's Day: Top Gifts, Special Menus, Delivery Restaurants

May 04, 2020/ Kory Aversa

For Mother’s Day this year, Philadelphia and suburb restaurants, eateries, gift shops and retailers are offering unique and creative ways to celebrate Mom while we all practice social distancing. From Stove and Tap in Lansdale to Steven Singer Jewelers on Jewelers Row, from Hawthornes in South Philly to gifts in Old City District, there’s something for Mom’s of every age, taste and style. Better yet, everywhere below either offers delivery or contactless pick-up. Read on for a list from Cry Baby Pasta, Stove and Tap, Old City District, Steven Singer Jewelers, The Bourse and many more.

May 01, 2020

Grand Opening During Covid19: Hospitality Group Pivots from Nightlife to Fried Chicken

May 01, 2020/ Hunnies Crispy Chicken/ Kory Aversa

Glu Hospitality announces the virtual grand opening of Hunnies Crispy Chicken featuring a full menu of crispy chicken comfort food favorites from Chef Chino Chang. Owners Derek Gibbons and Tim Lu, of Leda and The Swan, Vesper Center City, Vesper Dayclub and Germantown Garden, present their newest food concept that officially launches this weekend on Friday, May 1, 2020. While the nightlife industry is on hold, and their two newest restaurant concepts have had their grand openings postponed, the duo decided to wait no more for their new crispy chicken concept. Hunnies Crispy Chicken will launch this week officially on Grubhub and Door Dash for delivery - as well as for contactless pick-up in Center City. The menu will feature a selection of crispy chicken sandwiches that include Hunnies Crispy, Buffalo, Crispy Caesar and Hunnies Chicken and Waffles. The menu also features Crispy Chicken salads, Crispy Tenders and Wings, Crispy Cauliflower Bites, Fries and other selections. Tofu is also available for all sandwiches as a vegetarian option. All menu items are affordably priced between $3.50 and $10.99. Hunnies will be centered out of the Glu Hospitality kitchen at Vesper, at 223 South Sydenham St.

April 23, 2020

Philadelphia Zoo Launches New Interactive Online Learning Program Philly Zoo to You

April 23, 2020/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Zoo, the region's largest living classroom, is happy to announce the launch of Philly Zoo to You, an interactive online learning program featuring a direct line to Zoo experts to answer science questions creating a deeper connection to wildlife discovery. With so many parents and students at home working together to complete online learning activities, Philly Zoo to You provides a mixture of expert support and curriculum-based activities aimed at students from grades K through 4. Students and parents should visit www.philadelphiazoo.org/learn for enhanced learning opportunities. For more, visit the Philly Zoo to You homepage at: https://philadelphiazoo.org/learn/

April 23, 2020

Sugar Stress Relief with Free Cookies at Your Door: 5 Local Businesses Partner Up

April 23, 2020/ Kory Aversa

The only thing better than fresh baked cookies after a night on the town is when they are free and arrive at your front door! Insomnia Cookies announces a brand-new partnership with local restaurants and small businesses to join forces during this time of crisis for the restaurant industry. Insomnia Cookies dishes up the cookie magic by proudly teaming up with Quick Sip Beer Delivery (by Hawthorne's Beer Cafe), SliCE Fishtown, P'unk Burger and Dim Sum House University City to supply free cookies with delivery orders starting today. This week, the first 25 orders a day will find free Insomnia Cookies with their beer and wine delivery through Quick Sip. Next week, free cookies will arrive with the first 25 pizza and food orders per day from SliCE Fishtown. The following week, the first 25 customers a day will find a sweet ending in free cookies with their dim sum order from Dim Sum House University City. The month of free cookies will end with free cookies for the first 25 orders a day from P'unk Burger. For the full schedule, see program details below. For more about Insomnia Cookies, visit insomniacookies.com.