After 70 years in business, a popular cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia has announced it is closing.

However, that’s not entirely bad news for those who love this particular establishment’s food.

Citing the past few years as “unprecedented for many small business owners,” Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop on Torresdale Avenue will close just around Labor Day.

Owner Joe Groh recently took to Facebook to share the news.

For over six decades, we’ve been serving Philadelphia’s finest cheesesteaks right here on Torresdale Avenue. Unfortunately, the time has come for us to continue this legacy exclusively at our flagship Fishtown location, which we opened in 2015.

Yes, that’s the good news. Joe’s will remain open on Avenue Girard.

Trying to sell cheesesteaks in Philadelphia isn’t easy

If you want to know what the current economic/employment situation looks like, consider this: It’s getting tough to sell cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.

In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Groh said of the decision to close his store, “It took the weight of the world off me.”

Not so long ago it had 17 employees. Last summer, sales started to drop. Now some days he only has eight employees and he can’t even open if some workers don’t show up.

A long story

Groh’s store opened decades ago (1949, by the sign above the front door). He bought it in 1999 from the family of the founder, Samuel Sherman. In 2015, he opened the second location in Fishtown.

As you know, the past two years have been unprecedented for many small business owners – we have pivoted at every turn and could not have done so without the loyalty of our team members, neighbors and customers.

Closure hour

The last day for Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop on Torresdale Avenue is scheduled for Saturday, September 3.

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