In uncertain and alienated times, the right eatery can provide a great deal more than simply physical sustenance. Good food, drink, and atmosphere can offer customers a sense of community and warmth, and a Philadelphia local is hoping to create that exact environment for his current and future neighbors. Simon Joseph is opening BUBS, a cafe and so much more, later this year.
Joseph explains to What Now Philadelphia that BUBS is a somewhat elastic acronym reflective of its 102 West Berks Street location. The breakdown of each letter’s representation offers a glimpse at Joseph’s eclectic intentions for the space; he explains: “B* Under Berks Station – the B* being Breakfast or Board games or Birthday parties or Breakroom or whatever!”
BUBS will break the mold for what many Philadelphians have come to expect of a cafe; Joseph wants to remove some of the pressure from stopping into an establishment in the hopes of enjoying some companionship without compromising the fare. He describes his vision, saying: “I wanted three things for myself in this neighborhood: a breakfast spot for me, the guy always running late to work; a place with good tables for board games where I don’t feel obligated to buy the spot’s food & drink; and a place where I can hold parties that is not a house.”
BUBS in many ways is Joseph’s reaction to the myriad fraught events the world has undergone; between the pandemic and recession, he believes people need a cost-effective and welcoming space to forge bonds and feel connection. The location has enough space to accommodate the large tables he is supplying for boardgames and is conveniently located for commuters. He states: “it’s right under the El – I’ve fantasized about a breakfast food truck existing under Berks Station for years and, well, no one ever made it happen.”
Future regulars curious about what precisely the cafe will offer, Joseph has you covered. “It’s going to be simple fare – think sizzlies and self-serve coffee.” he explains, adding “I want commuters to grab their items and get to work on time. If it’s worth it I wouldn’t mind adding made-to-order stuff, but for the first six to twelve months it’ll be cheap and easy. Oh, and veggie folk I hear you. I’m not sure what I’ll do, but there’s a surprising demand in the neighborhood. Evening offerings are beyond the horizon for me.”
BUBS is currently in a stage that Joseph refers to as a “bland opening”. However the restaurant aspect will not be open for another few months, something Joseph is actively working towards.
Joseph’s ultimate goal for BUBS is to create a safe and inviting space for the local community, something that transcends the typical conventions of a neighborhood cafe. He sums it up succinctly, stating: “I want to make people’s lives a little easier as they go to work in the morning. I want to make it easy for friends to gather in a place that’s not a house or a bar. I want people to make stories and art and memories at BUBS.”
