Jose Garces’ Garces Trading Company re-opens in University City at Cira Centre.
Last week, Philadelphia restaurant entrepreneur and Iron Chef Jose Garces may have re-opened his beloved Garces Trading Company at his one-time home to JG Domestic at University City’s Cira Centre (2929 Arch Street) in the immediate, an eatery, coffee shop, bakery, wine salon, happy hour spot and marketplace all in one location for one-stop shopping… But, in reality, Garces was also talking the long game of franchising as he has done recently with his floating Buena Onda Baja menu locations and his upcoming, upscale moveable feast, Garces Eats.
In collaboration with Garces Restaurant Group, in partnership with Ballard Brands, and Brandywine Realty (who own the Cira Centre), and in connection with architect Amy Styre for the first location’s design (who is drawing up and executing the blueprints for the Buena Onda locations as we speak), the look of the contemporary Garces Trading Company – from its concrete bar stretching into the Cira’s lobby to its carved wood panels – is opened ended and freeing, as if the restaurant and the property which houses law offices and additional corporate cultural entities are one.
Which is part of the point as additional franchised Garces Trading Companies, their dining areas, pastry cases and wine racks can be made to fit any office building and its corporate culture/image/framework what-have-you. Garces Trading Company will welcome two new locations in Philadelphia slated to open this autumn, with additional trading companies in the region to be announced later this year.
Lest this all sound too busy and business-y, Garces Trading Company is all about the fine food with dinner plates such as Duck Lyonaisse and Steak Frites and Plancha Roasted Scallop for lunch or early dinner and devilled eggs and whipped feta on the run, if need be. To start, GTC will operate from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm with opulent dining on its second-floor balcony. Garces’ coffees, spices (coming soon), edibles (food, not CBD) and handsomely curated wines are also a grand part of Garces Trading Company.
“Along with maintaining all of my restaurants, opening and operating franchises such as Garces Trading Company is a large part of my present and future,” said Garces standing toward the front of the Cira Centre. Following up on something written in the legend of its press release, he said that “The concept is centered around an exchange of cultures that neighbors, friends, family members, coworkers and commuters can explore and connect over new dishes and flavors. Garces Trading Company is truly an outpost for foodies that incorporates discovery and connections – and I am excited to bring new life back to the GTC idea but in an all-new way.”
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