After many years working in cafe’s around Philadelphia, it took a few years immersed in Sydney’s cafe culture to cement the desire to offer a similar experience in a seemingly untapped market in Philly. Childhood friends Liz Fleming and Nancy Silverman both with experience working at some of Philadelphia’s finest, were determined to set out on their own to offer locals in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood an experience that was long overdue.

The Opening

After scouring high and low for locations around Philadelphia, it became pretty obvious that Philly’s Graduate Hospital section was screaming for a cafe to serve a growing transforming neighborhood. Following the closing of a Psychic Readers store, an opportunity presented itself (in addition to significant renovations). After several months of the usual preparation, Ants Pants officially opened its doors in October 2004.

The Inspiration

We should give credit where it’s due and a big part of the cafe’s existence should be given to Liz’s experience working at Cool Beans in Sydney’s inner city Pyrmont neighbourhood. This experience solidified her desire to provide an environment that celebrated a love of good food, good coffee and a place for friends to gather to enjoy it.