Beatrice Forman
non-practicing intellectual covering digital culture (and other things) for the philadelphia inquirer
- NEW: Añejo in Northern Liberties is closed indefinitely after former investor and Glu Hospitality cofounder Tim Lu attempted to take over the Mexican restaurant on Cinco De Mayo. The restaurant is also facing eviction over $246,000 in back rent and fees. share.inquirer.com/N8C34l
- Philly lost $10.2 million in AmeriCorps funding from DOGE cuts, nearly all of which was for literacy, college readiness, and education programs that work alongside or within the city's schools. Some volunteers were pulled from schools immediately. Others don't know if they can return next year.
- NEW: Gov. Josh Shapiro, Gov. Andy Beshear, and 23 state AGs are suing the Trump administration for bypassing Congress to dismantle AmeriCorps. The suit alleges that the staffing and grant cuts would inflict “immediate and irreparable harm” if allowed to stand.
- NEWS: Philly receives $17.9 million in federal AmeriCorps funding — the most in Pa. — to administer disaster relief, education, and anti-poverty volunteer programs. Volunteers worry DOGE's cuts could halt their work, kneecapping the city's most vulnerable communities in the process.
- God forbid a steakhouse catch a vibe. Northern Liberties steakhouse SIN — whose claim to fame is bringing 'vibe dining' to Philly — officially closed last week (which I only found out when I showed up for a reservation and the doors were locked). 🖊️ for @inquirer.com
- What did Philadelphian-area shoppers panic buy before Trump paused most tariffs? Korean sunscreen and Japanese stationery. Icelandic vodka, avocados, and lots of Mexican Coke, showcasing just how important — and totalizing — the little treat economy actually is. 🖊️ for @inquirer.com
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- unfortunately/fortunately i am not like her and stockpiled so much snail mucin moisturizer it could prop up the economy
- finally putting my encyclopedic knowledge of bethenny frankel's tiktok to good use
- Bethenny Frankel ( @bethennyfrankel.bsky.social ) asked her TikTok followers how she should spend the day in Philadelphia. @beaforman.bsky.social and I took it upon ourselves to give her an itinerary: share.inquirer.com/vZ0Uo6
- Bethenny Frankel ( @bethennyfrankel.bsky.social ) asked her TikTok followers how she should spend the day in Philadelphia. @beaforman.bsky.social and I took it upon ourselves to give her an itinerary: share.inquirer.com/vZ0Uo6
- @bethennyfrankel.bsky.social emily and i worked on this itinerary together and we'd love to spend the day showing you around philly!
- Hey Philly: What are you panic buying to get ahead of the tariffs? I'm working on a story for @inquirer.com, and particularly interested in hearing about the little treats you might be bulk buying: booze, skincare, coffee, etc. Wanna chat? Reply, DM, or email bforman[at]inquirer[dot]com.
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- Interesting that you pre-panic bought! Actually kind of love it and would love to hear more. Are you open to being interviewed? If so, just shoot me a DM.
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- love this answer! and would love to interview you! would you be open to chatting? just send me a DM if that's the case.
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- Totally understand! Stories like these are helpful for folks to figure out if they're in a position to buy ahead, so I'm also interested in hearing from people who can't (and what they'd panic buy if they could). If you feel strongly about this, I'd love to interview you. Just shoot me a DM.
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- understood! shouldn't be more than a 15 minute max convo! happy to answer any questions over DM, too
- Getting lots of good replies! If you're interested in being interviewed, my DMs are open to all
- Hey Philly: What are you panic buying to get ahead of the tariffs? I'm working on a story for @inquirer.com, and particularly interested in hearing about the little treats you might be bulk buying: booze, skincare, coffee, etc. Wanna chat? Reply, DM, or email bforman[at]inquirer[dot]com.
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- Unfortunately, I'd prefer people to be on-the-record for a story like this one. Having verifiable sources is what makes journalism credible, but I understand your apprehension. Happy to DM about any concerns you may have, though!
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- I also stocked up on litter for my cat! Would you be open to being interviewed? I think this is a really balanced list.
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- I really love this answer — I actually bought a lot of my favorite skincare products yesterday. Would you be open to being interviewed? I think this is a really good example of how personal panic buying can be.
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- Ugh, I didn't even think about how this might impact teachers since I know you buy all your own supplies. Would you be interested in being interviewed? I think this is such a unique perspective.
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- This makes sense! Panic buying is definitely a bit of a privilege. Would you be opened to being interviewed about what you would buy if you could? Hoping to include the perspectives of those holding off too.
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- I like this list — I was a recession child and remember my mom thinking about whether to panic buy dance supplies or pull me out of classes completely. Would you be open to being interviewed?
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- that seems like a common one — DMing now if you'd be open to being interviewed!
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- I didn’t think of that! Are you buying any gear now to get ahead?
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- Fair question! I think it's a decision a lot of consumers are grappling with about when to incur the costs since it's inevitable. Been seeing a lot of stories about people rushing to buy phones, get Costco memberships, etc.
- Wonder — Marc Lore's chain of dressed up ghost kitchens that has been expanding rapidly across the Northeast — has finally landed around Philly. I tried their new Ardmore location (and their $37 delivery New York strip steak). Here's what to know ➡️ share.inquirer.com/jY8soq
- Erewhon dupes in Philly? Sort of. I profiled the smoothie counter at Riverwards Produce in Old City, which churns out viral $8.00 smoothies etched with flowers and layered with coconut cream. And yet, the owner says its nothing like the elitist LA grocer. 🖊️ for @inquirer.com
- and to all those wondering, yes, the bar will show Eagles games!
- From @inquirer.com colleague @beaforman.bsky.social: Women’s sports bars are popping up across the U.S. Now @watchpartyphl.bsky.social is fundraising to open one in Philly. www.inquirer.com/sports/women...
- In more Glu Hospitality news: An investor is alleging that the Philly restaurant group's cofounder Tim Lu assaulted him when he asked for his money back, according to a lawsuit filed Friday. Here's how a $100k investment turned into a group beat down, for @inquirer.com share.inquirer.com/Lz4Eef
- Did you know that the man behind the Timothee Chalamét look-a-like competition is the same man who went viral for eating cheeseballs? Did you also know that he's from South Jersey? I profiled Anthony Potero, the YouTuber with 1.9 million subscribers who just wants the internet to feel fun again.
- Glu Hospitality — the group behind Figo and other vibe-y Philly restaurants — has shut down. The business had cash flow issues, said one co-founder, resulting in a Dept. of Labor investigation after employee checks began bouncing. ✍️ w/ @phillyinsider.bsky.social share.inquirer.com/og0Xdq
- Philly overall is getting older, but one neighborhood has gotten younger — and less affordable — over the past decade. Welcome to Mantua, where Drexel's expansion has long-term residents concerned about being displaced by students clamoring for off-campus apartments.
- Philly's Blade Runner-themed ramen bar Chika has closed just weeks after @inquirer.com discovered they were serving alcohol with an expired liquor license. Chika was 1 of 4 restaurants that was flouting liquor laws from Glu Hospitality, which is also facing wage theft allegations from employees.
- SPS Technologies was known for company softball games and high pay. Then, a fire tore through the aerospace manufacturer, unveiling a tapestry of environmental and safety concerns. I interviewed former SPS employees, who spoke of good memories and frequent small fires. share.inquirer.com/wZJKKs
- Which team is the best dressed in the NFL and why is it the Philadelphia Eagles? I took on the Kansas City Star to argue about why the Chiefs will never, ever have the swag of our starters — at least when it comes to dressing for a tunnel walk. www.inquirer.com/eagles/super...
- Vera Wang didn't know much about the Eagles when the Luries asked her to revamp our cheer uniforms. Now her oldest daughter is a super fan. I asked the designer about why working for the NFL's toughest fanbase felt like "leaping off a cliff." share.inquirer.com/X5mcIP
- Figo’s espresso martini towers — plus drinks at 3 other Glu Hospitality restaurants — were being served without proper liquor licenses. That’s just the beginning of trouble for the Philly restaurant group also facing 2 lawsuits and wage theft allegations. ✍️ @inquirer.com share.inquirer.com/eGV7hI
- In case you needed yet another app to try to build a ~ brand ~ on, @emdruma.bsky.social and I explained RedNote, the Chinese-run app that has emerged as the (ironic) TikTok replacement in the U.S. share.inquirer.com/xVo92r
- Hey Philly: Are any of your favorite Philly-based content creators moving to RedNote (aka Xiaohongshu)? I'm building a list for @inquirer.com to help ease the transition should the TikTok ban go down!
- No one: Philly: We have the Eras Tour at home Led by a pair of father-daughter Swifties, the Getaway Choir is recruiting Taylor fans from all over the city to join them in singing Taylor Swift's greatest hits and deepest cuts. Their first performance is on Jan. 11. share.inquirer.com/9cYdn6
- In news from the other website: Philly's chicken man Alexander Tominsky challenged Youtuber Anthony Po to a fight in the lot that used to be Melrose Diner. He thinks Po jacked his swag when he went viral for eating a bucket of cheese balls in an NYC park. www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
- we have dirty soda at home — no really. i tried Fizzy Mama, the New Hope soda shop that’s been specializing in the Utah delicacy since 2022, long before the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives captured our hearts. why soda with coffee creamer and a billion syrups rocks ⬇️ www.inquirer.com/food/drink/f...
- Philly is getting a Jalen Hurts look-a-like contest on Dec. 15. Winner gets beard oil and crawfish-flavored potato chips. I spoke with the competitions organizers, who say you’re more than welcome to use it as a singles mixer. www.inquirer.com/eagles/jalen...
- apt that my return to bluesky is to sound the alarm about a miles teller look-a-like contest in philly. why him? i explained for The Philadelphia Inquirer: www.inquirer.com/entertainmen...
- Amy Wax is poking the Penn Law bear: The controversial professor invited avowed white nationalist to Jared Taylor to speak on campus for the second time this November. He last guest lectured for Amy in 2021 — and the visit eventually became part of the case for sanctions against her.
- the job of an influencer talent manager: redlining contracts, teaching creators accountability, and … going to Dîner en Blanc? i went inside Philly’s only influencer talent agency for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- wrote about a tiktok famous cat who lives inside a south jersey Home Depot. leo likes wearing t-shirts, catnip treats, and sleeping in shopping carts. what a good boy!
- things i learned at work: - there is a national mullet competition - a 6-year-old from the philly ‘burbs just won - and, somehow relatedly, you have to buy alpacas in groups of three
- Bluesky may be nice and all but it will never beat the magic of Elon Musk having Twitter beef with Pennsylvania’s state treasury. I went down shitposting memory lane for The Philadelphia Inquirer
- All roads lead to Philly, even those that begin on the “Planet of the Bass.” I spoke with Audrey Trullinger — aka the OG Biljana Electronica — about her Philly beginnings inquirer.com/entertainment/music…
- recycled my 1D era to visit lucca fresca, a Scranton smoothie shop that draws directions from all 50 states thanks to its Harry Styles-themed everything, from the smoothies down to the tables.
