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After decades without a real supermarket in the neighborhood, Old City is now home to one of the coolest grocery stores in Philadelphia. Riverwards Produce is up and running on Bread Street, and it’s stocked with nearly double the goods of its Fishtown sibling.

“Old City is like ‘Fishtown-plus,’” said owner Vincent Finazzo, referencing a bigger selection in almost every category, from coffee to cheese to pastries to beans.

Finazzo started in 2016 with a garage pop-up, then transformed a former firehouse just off Frankford Avenue into his popular market, which opened a year later. The second Riverwards is also in a renovated space — a century-old former warehouse on a cobblestoned alley between 2nd and 3rd, Arch and Race streets.

Behind large, stable-style front doors marked by a hanging logo sign, a lofted skylight overhead helps fill the 3,000-sq.-ft. interior with natural light.

“We’re only just getting started here,” Finazzo added, between runs to the storage area as he stacked the shelves alongside his employees. More items are forthcoming. but there’s already plenty to shop for.

Here’s a look at some of what you’ll find when you go.

Champagne mangos on special at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

What’s Finazzo’s favorite part of the market? “Produce, of course.” That’s what got him into the biz in the first place; he spent several years as a produce supervisor at Whole Foods, and also worked with a national produce broker, before branching out on his own.

Breads from around the city and region Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Loaves from Philly’s Mighty Bread are next to several varieties of Kismet Bagels. Home bakers will find flours and other supplies, with a focus on organic or sustainable products.

Grab and go pastries at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

An endcap case is filled top to bottom with fresh pastries from assorted Philly outlets — everything from brownies and cookies to savory croissants and rolls.

Small shopping carts are available for customers Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

The north wall is lined with refrigerated shelves holding local dairy, prepared dips and salads, and tons of interesting single-serve drinks. (Sparkling Botanics tea comes in flavors like elderberry maqui, for example, and Dram makes hemp-infused sparkling water.)

Sparkling water and tea come in interesting flavors Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Want cans to take home? Just turn around and look in the aisle behind the cold case.

The coffee section is huge — and all local Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

If you’re a coffee person, you’re in luck. Riverwards Old City stocks beans from over 25 local roasteries, and Finazzo said even more are coming soon.

The cheese shelf at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

The cheese selection rivals much bigger markets, with dozens of options from Pennsylvania and around the world. Also available: specialty cold cuts and olives.

Chips and chips and chips Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Feel good about snacking with organic and artisan chips, veggie puffs, pretzels and salsas.

The meat rack at Rivewards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Grass fed beef and sustainably raised pork from Stryker Farms in Monroe County, Pa., fill refrigerated shelves. There’s also sausages from small-batch wholesaler D’Artagnan, and prepackaged smoked fish.

A huge Rancho Gordo selection Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Veg-heads and anyone who loves bean dishes will freak out over Riverwards Old City’s selection from Rancho Gordo, the California heirloom bean grower that’s gained a cult following for its flavorful crops.

Fat Gold olive oil at Riverwards Produce Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Vegan dressings sit on the same shelves as dozens of kinds of olive oil, including hard-to-find Fat Gold, also from California.

Local ice creams at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Skip the national brands for your dessert with the collection of ice creams and gelatos from local makers like Milk Jawn and Fiore, the Italian restaurant in South Philadelphia.

Aloe leaves at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

The produce selection goes beyond the norm to include items like aloe vera.

Bouquets at Riverwards Old City Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Beyond consumable goods, Riverwards Fishtown is known for a great floral selection, and the tradition continues in Old City with bouquets by Philly’s Jig-Bee Flower cooperative.

Candles by Mithras in Germantown Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Behind the flowers are shelves holding other items like handcrafted candles from Mithras in Germantown.

Riverwards Old City’s is in a space originally built in 2013 Credit: Danya Henninger / Billy Penn

Riverwards Old City at 146 N. Bread St. is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Follow @riverwardsproduce on Instagram for the latest updates.

Danya Henninger is a Philadelphia-based journalist who believes local news is essential for thriving communities, and that its format will continue to evolve. She spent six years overseeing both editorial...