Mayfair Related to the German Population Before the Irish.
Many people wrongfully believe Mayfair is traditionally an Irish-Catholic section of Philadelphia. In fact, the earliest traces of businesses across the neighborhood were made up of mostly Germans. John F. Fluehr Sr. opened his Mayfair funeral home, still in operation today, back in 1937. Two of the most reputable bakeries in Mayfair, Haegele’s and Geiger’s, are both historical and German-inspired.
Mayfair is the Youngest Community in the Northeast.
Previously known just as an open area between Tacony and Holmesburg, Mayfair came about in the 1930s. Despite being one of the last neighborhoods in the area, Mayfair is now widely considered to be the downtown and main hub of Northeast Philadelphia. Its main intersection of Cottman and Frankford avenues hasn’t changed since the neighborhood’s inception.
The Boundary Lines Are Unclear.
You could poll a group of 10 people and they’ll probably give many different answers to the question of what the boundaries of Mayfair are. There is even discrepancy between what City-Data shows as the neighborhood map and what the Mayfair Civic Association uses as their official map (above). A lot of controversy regarding boundary lines surrounds the new methadone clinic at 7800 Frankford Ave. Some consider that part of town Mayfair while others will tell you it’s Holmesburg.
Mayfair is Home to a World Class Beer Bar.
The Grey Lodge, located at 6235 Frankford Ave., has been servicing residents from Mayfair and the rest of Philadelphia since the 1950s. Mike “Scoats” Scotese, the owner, prides himself on having one of the best beer lists in the city. Esquire named The Grey Lodge one of the best bars in America. Beer Advocate also ranked The Grey Lodge in its Top 50 beer bars in the United States.
The Community Paid For the Construction and Rebuilding of the Mayfair Memorial Playground.
The Mayfair Civic Association has done a terrific job engaging the community it serves by getting lots of people on board to help create a better place for everyone to live. One of the biggest projects was the restoration of many public playgrounds throughout the neighborhood. There are many community events that take place at the Mayfair Memorial Playground, like an Easter egg hunt for example.
– Text and images by Bob Stewart and Jeff Neiburg.
The Grey Lodge is in Wissonoming, not Mayfair
The Grey Lodge closed for good recently, thanks to the corona virus, they couldn’t survive, sadly, I’ve never been there, damn!!
Loved growing up in Mayfair. Great memories!