Kristin Hunt

Kristin Hunt is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice. A history and pop culture junkie, she spends her spare time stalking the Free Library shelves and binge watching TCM. She has previously contributed to Vulture, GQ, Mental Floss, JSTOR Daily, and The Washington Post.

kristin@phillyvoice.com

May 14, 2024

Food & Drink

Queen & Rook set to move to South Street, opening largest board game cafe on East Coast

by Kristin Hunt

Queen & Rook is relocating its board game cafe to 123 South Street. The new space features three floors, two bars, outdoor seating and a retro video game arcade. The grand opening is Saturday, May 18.

May 13, 2024

Festivals

Circus performers to soar through the air at FringeArts theater

by Kristin Hunt

The Hand to Hand circus festival in Old City features acrobats, jugglers, clowns and trapeze artists. The shows, which include professional artists and students from the Circadium School in Philadelphia, runs Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2. They are held at the FringeArts theater.

May 13, 2024

History

Before Eastern State Penitentiary closed, music by the prison's inmate band delighted radio audiences

by Kristin Hunt

Before its prison closed, Eastern State Penitentiary had a band led by a maestro from the University of Pennsylvania, and the ensemble's music was played on WIP radio. The museum's staff explain the history of music at ESP through a bandmaster's trophy cup in their archives.

May 10, 2024

Arts & Culture

Fashion exhibit at Drexel highlights designer who dressed Jackie O and Gloria Steinem

by Kristin Hunt

A Drexel exhibit opening Saturday, May 11, will highlight the work of fashion designer Mary McFadden. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Gloria Steinem wore her dresses, which were inspired by ancient civilizations.

May 10, 2024

Food & Drink

Down North Pizza looks to the future with new frozen pie

by Kristin Hunt

Down North Pizza is offering a new frozen pie through GoPuff, the Philadelphia-based delivery app. The pizzeria, which employs formerly incarcerated people, is also working on a cookbook and its nonprofit.

May 9, 2024

Weekend

Mini-golf and the Kensington Derby: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Three competitions are coming to Philadelphia for Mother's Day weekend. Libertee Grounds will host a mini golf Masters tournament and the Kensington Derby & Arts Festival will once again put human-powered vehicles through an obstacle course. The Beerathon 5K also gives runners a brew per mile.

May 8, 2024

Environment

Reading Terminal Market saves 30 tons of scraps in a month for composting pilot

by Kristin Hunt

Reading Terminal Market has saved 30 tons of scraps after one month of composting for a five-month pilot program. Beiler's Bakery, Old City Coffee, LUHV Vegan Deli and seven other merchants are participating in the partnership with Mother Compost.

May 7, 2024

Business

Panera discontinues charged lemonades that sparked wrongful death lawsuits

by Kristin Hunt

Panera will be phasing out its "charged" lemonades, which has caused multiple wrongful death lawsuits. The family of 21-year-old Penn student Sarah Katz sued the restaurant chain in 2023, linking the beverages to her fatal heart attack.

May 6, 2024

Food & Drink

Shuckfest to serve up oysters from dozens of New Jersey farms next month

by Kristin Hunt

Oyster farmers will serve their best shellfish at Shuckfest on Sunday, June 2. The seafood festival returns to Liberty Point with a dozen New Jersey farms. Tickets are $80.

May 6, 2024

Investigations

More than $300,000 in designer handbags stolen from Cape May shop during smash-and-grab burglary

by Kristin Hunt

Thieves stole $300,000 worth of designer handbags from Queen May Jewelry in Cape May early Sunday morning. The Jersey Shore jeweler posted surveillance video of the break-in and a list of stolen merchandise, which includes vintage Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Christian Dior.