A Neighborhood Icon Transformed

“This has always been my favorite block, but it’s even more special now.”

I’m sitting with Mona Plumer inside Wim Cafe on a quiet Wednesday morning. South Street is starting to rustle as we chat in the spot that used to be her office, and for Mona it feels like stepping back in time. The building holds decades of family history for the Plumer family, who lived and worked here for generations. The family’s real estate business, Plumer & Associates, opened its doors on the ground floor of 226 South Street in 1953, then expanded into the neighboring property in 1970 – now the Yowie storefront.

“I always came here because my father had a business here,” Mona recalls fondly, “and, for a long time, my grandparents lived on the second floor of the building, which is now the Yowie Hotel. It was sort of the hub for the family.”

After a long history on South Street, the Plumer family decided to sell the building. When the COVID lockdown began in 2020, the building was no longer occupied, but Mona felt strongly that the building should continue to add meaningfully to the block. “I approached the South Street Headhouse District and asked them about getting some murals up. They were tremendously helpful and open to the idea.” Within the year, three murals graced the windows of 226 South Street. “It made me feel good when I went by the building.”

There were many offers on the building, but the Plumer family felt strongly that the next stewards should have a genuine connection to the block. Over the years, many Philadelphians, particularly in the Queen Village area, closed on their homes in the conference room that is now the Yowie store. To this day, people approach Mona to reminisce about those days. “It’s a whole community of people who remember being here.” Ultimately, it felt fitting to pass the building on to the Yowie team – especially since Shannon’s grandmother had closed on her own house there in the ‘60s.

Right before Yowie’s grand opening, the Plumer family had a chance to tour the space and see its transformation. “My mom actually was able to come for that tour. She died just a few weeks after that, but she was just really thrilled to be in the building. What this group did was really special, and it really continued the tradition of the building being a special place.”

Though she moved away for a time, Mona eventually returned to Philadelphia. “I love this city. There’s so much going on every day, every week, and it’s accessible. There’s a tremendous community spirit here. There’s so many unique and wonderful neighborhoods, and South Street is one of them.” When she has visitors, Mona takes them to her favorite spots on South Street: the iconic Magic Gardens and Jim’s Steaks. Both feature the sparkling work of Isaiah Zagar, who moved to South Street in 1968 and began transforming the area with mosaics inspired by his time in Peru.

“I love to come back to South Street,” Mona says with a smile. “On South Street there’s always been things coming, things going – it’s always been that way. I really see this block as an anchor for the district, and now this building, between the Hotel, Wim, and the Yowie store, it’s a perfect example of what South Street could be.”

The team at YOWIE is so grateful to Mona for her support and stewardship on this project. We look forward to being a neighborhood anchor the way that her family’s business was for so many years. We’d love to host you at our space so check out our suites, shop and cafe the next time you’re in the area!