Fish coming back
Updated: The seafooder is looking for new staff. It's expanding.
Fish, at 13th and Locust Streets, should not only be back in business this week, it will be expanding.
Fish was closed over the weekend after what Stollenwerk described Saturday to Eater Philadelphia and to me as a dispute with his investors. But his investor, lawyer Evan Prochniak, now says they've cleared the air and are proceeding with a previously laid plan to add a smaller venue on the other side of the courtyard in Fish's building, the Independent Hotel. The new venue will serve breakfast and lunch, Prochniak said.
Prochniak said Stollenwerk still has to hire key staffers. Chef de cuisine Justin Petruce said Saturday he had resigned "due to circumstances beyond my control."
Stollenwerk started empire-building five years ago, when he bought Little Fish in Bella Vista. He later moved it, and sold it.
Stollenwerk developed Fish - a larger restaurant with a bar - at 1708 Lombard St. (now Brick). In anticipation of Fish's move to 1234 Locust over New Year's, Stollenwerk also sold his Fishtown bar Fathom.
The state filed a tax lien against the previous corporation (the Fish at 1708 Locust) last month, seeking nearly $22,000. Stollenwerk said he was working with the state on that.
Prochniak also said he and Stollenwerk will redevelop the restaurant space at the Academy House at 1420 Locust St. into a Cajun concept. Right now, it's operating as Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, though Jolly Weldon has left, said Prochniak, the owner.