Impending closings: Aqua on Chestnut Street, Ugly Moose in Manayunk
The Malaysian/Thai will be revamped into another Asian concept. The Manayunk bar will give way to townhouses.
Dec. 31 will mark the finales of several long-running establishments.
Jimmy Tran says he'll wrap up a 10-year run with Aqua, his Malaysian/Thai-themer at 705 Chestnut St. "It's time," said Tran, who has a buyer for the restaurant and liquor license and says the new folks will offer an Asian concept he declined to disclose.
"We've been at it for 10 years with no vacation," Tran said, referring to his partner and wife, Vickie. They are planning a trip to Southeast Asia and hope to get back into the game in Center City. The trip promises to be poignant for Tran, by the way. He was born in Vietnam to a family that escaped to Cambodia and became enslaved under the Pol Pot regime before heading back to Vietnam and later fleeing for the United States.
Manayunk's the Ugly Moose, which has rocked a quirky Canadian-America theme since 2001 in a courtyard off Shurs Lane, will have last call at the end of the month. Simple reason for the closing: Townhouses are on the way. Info on parties is here.
Also wrapping up is the Old Guard House in Gladwyne.
No doubt there will be other closings after New Year's Eve - but owners are keeping the info close to the vest.