Chad Durkin saw an empty building and an opportunity to bring fresh food to Point Breeze.
Durkin had already established himself as a small business owner as the chef and operator of Small Oven Pastry Shop & Porco’s Porchetteria at 22nd and Washington. But when an old electric factory at the corner of 23rd and Washington because available, Durkin decided to jump on the opportunity.
“They were building all of this out and I kind of looked at what the neighborhood needed and realized there’s not a fresh vegetable option around here,” Durkin said. “There are supposedly some supermarkets coming in but I wanted to bring in a clean place and have a spot where people could come in and I could showcase local Philadelphia products. It’s basically showcasing the stuff I really like and have a community space where I could combine this Graduate Hospital-Point Breeze area, and Washington Ave. is coming a long way. So I jumped in on the fun even more.”
And Durkin’s new store “Breezy’s” was born.
Specializing in chef-made hoagies, fresh produce, signature recipe smoothies and slushies, and grab-and-go offerings, Breezy’s also offers a friendly staff within its walls. It’s part of Durkin’s goal to be a community beacon in the Point Breeze and Graduate Hospital neighborhoods.
“I love communicating with my customers and seeing them,” Durkin said. “This is important to me. It’s a place where people can come, feel welcomed and enjoy fresh options.”
Breezy’s enjoyed a successful soft opening from April 10-12 before celebrating its grand opening over the weekend. Sandwiches and smoothies were flying through the doors.
“There’s been a lot of anticipation,” Durkin said. “We started early last year getting the space ready because this was literally a construction zone. There was nothing here. Zero. Just rafters and cement floors. We started painting last summer which got people excited once they understood what was coming here. I kind of took my time and made everything what it is now.”
Durkin hopes to maintain a reasonable price point, with customer feedback and shopping patterns dictating how shelves are stocked. The shelves feature rare finds from local businesses as well as name brands. The produce shelves are stocked with truckloads from goods from Lancaster and South Jersey farms.
It all factors in to sandwiches which Durkin calls “chef-y” versions. One in particular is the Mortadella Hoagie, which is a combination of mortadella, burratta smear, peppered relish, olive oil, Breezy’s hoagie juice, pistachio pesto, marinated onions, arugula, salt and pepper and a dried herb blend.
“I’ve been going to the Philly staples forever so I’m just sort of doing my versions of things I was inspired by,” Durkin said.
In the warmer months, Breezy’s will set outdoor tables and chairs around the building. Breezy’s will also be available to rent for private functions including birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, dinner parties, cocktail receptions and corporate functions. Durkin plans to offer private cooking classes at the market sometime in the near future.
Breezy’s will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Durkin said he’s excited to share his new store with the community.
“I was equating it to being on a rollercoaster and hearing that click, click, click before getting to the hump,” Durkin said. “It’s fun being at the top and looking down the first dip (of opening weekend). It’s been a labor of love from waiting the place and hanging the wallpaper and now finally being able to make sandwiches. I feel just fortunate to be here and having the community embrace me. I’m looking forward to a year from now and reflecting back on a great year.”
