Philadelphia has been around for 343 years, and for as long as the city has existed, so too has its bar scene. From taverns to pubs to cocktail spots, the City of Brotherly Love has seen it all. Well-almost all. In an exciting development, Philly native Chivonn Anderson is bringing something totally new to the table. Marsha’s, Philadelphia’s first ever queer-owned and operated women’s sports bar, will be opening on South Street later this year.
Marsha’s, named after the prominent Black transgender activist Marsha Johnson, will be taking over the space at 430 South Street that previously housed Woolly Mammoth. Anderson hopes the bar will fill a void, telling What Now Philadelphia “Philly needed a space where we could celebrate women’s sports.”
Anderson is an incredibly successful businesswoman in her own right; however Marsha’s will allow her to add another impressive credit to her already remarkable resume. She states: “When I was 12 years old I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said the CEO of my own company. Marsha’s will be the 3rd business but the first one where I am the founder and majority owner.”
Anderson’s business acumen helped her in finding the location for Marsha’s-a building she has made a strong commitment to. She explains: “I was already associated with South Street through my company Redcrest. So, I reached out to the Executive Director of South Street Headhouse District and told her I was looking to buy a building on South Street and if she knew of any owners looking to sell a property. She told me about the Woolly Mammoth building going on the market and the sale included the building, liquor license, and business assets. This was everything that I could have asked for at a price I could afford with an SBA loan. Being a licensed real estate agent, I scheduled a tour of the property 3 days after it hit the market. 5 days later, I submitted my offer along with my business plan. A few weeks later, we were under contract to purchase 430 South Street.”
Marsha’s will invite visitors to enjoy women’s sporting events and various pieces of queer media on several available screens. Future regulars needn’t worry about going hungry; the bar will have plenty of options to nosh on while taking in the games, shows, and movies. Anderson describes what’s in store, saying: “A playful, Philly-inspired menu mixing classic and approachable sport bar staples with creative cocktails, citywide specials, quirky popcorn flavors, and some unexpected takes on fan favorites.”
Marsha’s is bound to stir excitement among locals; fortunately Philadelphians won’t have to wait too much longer to enjoy a drink in their new favorite watering hole. Anderson is hoping to be open by mid-August.
Marsha’s will allow Anderson to create an important new Philadelphia establishment, one indelible to the city. She describes her hopes for the bar, saying: “I want Marsha’s to become part of South Street history and lore as one of the many iconic spaces that makes South Street, South Street!”
