![Philly%20Cheesesteak[1]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tAC2tyhVamDe_sQ46wgjzFTK6LqB5KWLQ39d-cKQWvYKw5Dqe6oC6QPvI-GDU2parFAAGTgqB7r-kk0IWB2py3gp6h2vuhNDUUpzuVBxfjKbhC5yHdoaHGeJ5UhuHymg=s0-d)
Photo provided by Philadelphia Water Ice
Philadelphia Water Ice has just announced the launching of a new campaign: "Can You Taste the Difference?" As part of this campaign PWI will be giving out free samples of their water ice between 12 and 7pm all week. Get your free sample from the Philadelphia Water Ice truck that will be parked outside Spoiled and Rotten Kids Spa (1012 H Street), as the two businesses share a common owner. This is, of course, right next to the new Rita's.
Here's a brief statement from the owner:
I’m the proud owner of 2 successful businesses located on the H Street corridor of NE, Washington, DC. Spoiled and Rotten Kids Spa and Philadelphia Water Ice located at 1204 H Street, NE. I’ve been at this location for almost 7 years. Philadelphia Water Ice not only offers you water ice, we sell the authentic Philly Cheesesteaks For those who don’t know, I owned and operated the first water ice store located in DC for 3 years. Most of you are aware that Rita’s is a big franchise however, Philadelphia Water Ice has launched a campaign “Can U Taste the Difference”….During this campaign, I’ve decided to distribute FREE samples of our water ice. I will be serving water ice from the “Water Ice truck” that will be located in front of Spoiled and Rotten Kids Spa located at 1012 Hst, NE btw 12-7 all week. Thanks for your support!!!
77 comments:
Seeing that picture on a Monday morning makes me want an early lunch.
Begun, the water ice wars have.
-Yoda
You know, I'm all for supporting our preexisting small businesses and I definitely don't want to see the chains come in and take over, but to set up a truck in front of the new business strikes me as beyond obnoxious. It's one thing to offer it for free, but another to put it in front of the Rita's.
I used to go to PWI. Saturday night I went to Rita's (because it's closer to me). I couldn't taste the difference. I'm going to keep going to the one that's closer.
She's putting the truck in front of her own business: Spoiled & Rotten. I see nothing wrong with it.
Difference would be if they spiked their water ice with something stimulating. That would be great. Just a thought
I find it strange that Philadelphia Water Ice is trying to get folks to "taste the difference" from a chain's "water ice" when they get it from a chain themselves: http://www.philawaterice.com/
Also, doing a free taste test in front of a new business seems in poor taste.
The water ice wars of 2010 should prove to be much more enjoyable than the malt liquor wars of years past. I assume PWI will have to actually be open to compete?
hey poo poo, am i going to have to make spiked ice slushies to keep the crowds after the world cup? irish whisky icies? would i have to be racist and add green food coloring?
tonyt
thepug
I assume PWI will have to actually be open to compete?
As the kids say, "Heh."
:)
To:12/f said
Like they said she is putting it in front of her business, it was POOR TASTE that Rita's would come and open 1 block away from her store. And I am all for her letting people taste her water ice. Why shouldnt she? bUT i WENT TO Rita's on Sunday and PWI wins hands down. I got a feeling that Rita's wont last long anyway too many owners.
This is in poor taste IMHO...She should set her truck up in fron of her water ice place. Granted hers was great the first year, but seemed to go downhill after that. Welcome to Ritas..even though it is further away I will go there.
Plus, if I want a good cheesesteak, I save up and just head to Philly for a field trip to Jims.
If PWI didn't look so run down and scary inside I'd choose 'local' and not chain.
There is nothing in poor taste about this. Gotta love the competition. PWI is putting her stuff out there. She thinks it is better and wants you to find out. I'll go taste one and then the other this week, maybe even multiple times. The only people who win are the consumers. Maybe PWI will be forced to stop selling the crap in the bottom of the barrel that has melted and refrozen more solidly and is not as snowy as it should be.
I also think PWI might be cheaper. A small is like $1.50. I think last time I went to a Rita's, a small was like $2.25 or something.
Now only if we could get a Sushi place to put some pressure on Sticky Rice...
I guess none of you, own your own business. I own my business and if someone open a like business a block away from me and then next to another business of mine. I would do the same. BUT your forgetting she said she will park in front of her business, where she pays rent.but personally I feel even if she didnt have a business next door I would still park out there. She should be able to park her vehicle anywhere she likes.
Absolutely she can park wherever she likes. No one is suggesting she can't; they're suggesting that it's obnoxious.
jamie: yes, she's set up in front of her business. Her *other* business. The one that *doesn't* sell water ice. Do you really think she would set it up there, rather than at PWI, if it *wasn't* next door to Rita's? *Really*?
Dianne, really jim's. pwi's steaks stack up fine against most places in philly, especially a tourist trap like jim's. rita's will probably make pwi tighten up a bit, and the water ice war should be fun. as far as i'm concrned, the more the merrier oh h st. (as long as no one opens a free cheeseball joint with grumpy bartenders to compete with the pug).
tonyt
PWIF ANYONE THAT SAYS THERE CHEESESTEAK ARE NOT THE BEST IN DC THEN OBVIOUSLY YOUR NOT FROM PHILLY. ONLY A PHILLY NATIVE REALLY KNOWS A REAL CHEESESTEAK. AND PATS, GENOS, AND JIMS IS NOT IT. THOSE ARE TOURIST SPOTS. ANYONE THAT LIVES IN PHILADELPHIA DOESNT EAT FROM EITHER ONE OF THOSE PLACES. SO PLEASE STOP TALKING SMACK ABOUT HER BUSINESS. HER BUSINESS IS DESIGN THE WAY IT SUPPOSE TO BE A WALK-UP WINDOW. JUST BC U CAN COME IN OR SEE IN DOESNT MAKE IT CREEPY. SHE'S AUTHENTIC. ALL WATER ICE STORES IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE WALK-UP WINDOWS.
Did PWI used to vend at Eastern Market? I think they did the summer of 06 when I first moved to town but when I later moved to the H St area and spotted the storefront, I questioned the integrity of the business from the look of it (other than the bright shiny sign up top, not very inviting and a bit confusing). When I first saw pictures of Rita's in anticipation of its opening I said "ooh look at that floor! How inviting!" I tried it out last night and have to maintain that sentiment though I will give PWI a(nother?) try soon.
Tony-- YOU ROCK!
@phildelphia native:
could you speak up a bit? can't quite hear you.
this is healthy competition. i think both businesses can thrive on h street. maybe philadelphia water ice will open up her upstairs area (where spoiled rotten used to be) for a seating area? or maybe they converted that to living space? i dunno. we'll see. should be fun and i will be getting my free sample on. :-)
i just realized i used "philadelphia water ice" in the place of the owner's name, mostly because i can't spell it.
Philly native, no one cares, as Philly is a hole and a steak & cheese is a pretty simple thing. Oh, and please learn 'there' from 'their'.
-DC Native
oooo, wait...not to comment three times in a row, but i just scrolled back a few entries...i didn't realize rita's was giving out free water ice samples, but charging for everything else! if that's not a shot across the bow, i don't know what is! now this all makes sense! the free water ice samples war is ON! lmao!
maybe PWI's owner will even open up a TCBY franchise to really heat up (cool down) the war....lol....
Is water ice fast food (or better/worse -- not speaking taste here folks) than a 7-11 slurpie -- in terms of discards?
Aside, walking on 11th street (south of h) several Sunday evening, several people were commenting about how nice and clean Rita's was compared to 'that other ice water place' (assuming that they meant PWI)
I can not believe all that I am hearing. You all must have too much time on your hands to sit around and talk about how you dont like her business. She has been here for almost 8 years and is doing very well.Well enough to close during the winter and open for the summer. SOme of you wish you could do the same. Everyone supports her and patronize her. I know the owner and I am actually on my way to get me a cheesesteak and I will be sure to tell her to log on this blog and if anyone have questions concerns ask her. No need in talking about her business behind her back.
I tend to agree about philly being a hole. I feel that about most everywhere because they all keep moving here. Having said that, the cheese steak is a difficult thing to replicate. God created regional foods as a bone to throw to people who live in sucksville before they move to dc to deal with our streamlined, efficient government, our rosey race relations, and our awesome school lottery system. pwi doese a great job on the philly cheesesteak, go to applebees for a steak and cheese. as to the grammer, well there are going to be errors when people talk about they're home towns. That's why they leave their for hear. The good grammer.
Tonyt
thepug
after experiencing repeated rude service and outright scolded for ordering a steak a "mere" 30 minutes before close at philly, i wish rita's all the best.
what a bunch of poop
poop or poo poo?
Re: Slurpie trash vs. PWI trash. I would guess Slurpies provide more trash per use because the cups are bigger and sometimes plastic.
Now I dont know if Slurpies and PWI appeal to different demographics and if one of those potential demographics is prone to littering more than the other
I don’t know the owner, personally, but I’ve always got a smile and friendly service from her and the other people that run the take your order when she’s not there. And the cheesesteak is pretty damn good too, which is more important(to me at least) then the service you get from a walk-up.
This is Ms. Bronson,the owner of Phila Water Ice. I have read all of the comments. All I have to say is YES, I parked my Ice Cream truck in front of my business which happens to be next to Rita's. I don’t feel that it reflects poor taste. Like someone said it was poor taste for them to move w/in 1 block of Establish Business. So being the business woman I am I had to step my game plan up. Why is it disrespectful for me to set up my ice cream truck next to them but ok for them to open up a similar shop w/in one block from me? Clearly they thought I am some competition to them that they have to give away FREE water ice all week because Rita's does not do that, only the 1st day of opening.... but thats a business move. But meanwhile what am I suppose to do? It’s called competition, and once you have tasted my water ice and Rita's together "You Decide" So please just sit back and enjoy your FREE water ice while it lasts!
Best of luck to both of our H Street water ice shops! I know certainly enjoy both!
I'd like to reinforce the fact that Philly is a craphole. And the cheesesteaks arent all that.
Also, I *hate* when people on this blog use astericks to emphasize words. Its so stupid.
Happy Monday everyone!
I Love PWI water ice. As a resident of the H street corridor,we have to support her,in hopes that other mom and pop stores would bring there uniqueness to our hood .If not look out Apples bee's and the likes there of.
i love when folks do the whole miserable-CSR/govt employee-type thing and give their name as MS. or MRS. or MISS. did you used to work for DC tax and revenue, verizon or comcast?
this ice-war thing is the sort of thing i expect to show up on city desk tomorrow.
Water Ice Wars 2010!!! As someone who grew up in the hole, and can't get enough water ice, this is the greatest thing that's ever happened! I like both places. I'm going to eat from both. A LOT. I once tried to eat a gallon bucket of water ice when I was 8 (and yes, that was from a walk up window place) I got halfway through it. Also, this helps validate the fact that I call our lovely treat "water" ice and not "Italian" ice. I hope there's more competitive promotions because I'm gonna go to town. Btw, I now hate the hole, so don't peg me as one of "those" people. Only flyers fans would type in all caps.
Anonymous is way more clever than ms. I must say, it'll be refreshing to have the conversation's racial subtext be about eyetalian water ice. Flyers fan just didn't know the cap lock button was set on his texas instrument's computer.
Tonyt
You must be miserable for you to feel the need to say the Govt name thing. How else would you like for her to refer to herself as. Your the one sitting behind a government desk.
Dear Mr. Bronsen
I think that parking your truck in front of Rita's and giving away free water ice is the first thing you have done that resembles a business women. During your tenure in the neighborhood you have failed to post your operating hours and ACTUALLY be open when you say you will be. The neighborhood has not been able to rely on you being open or that your employees would not be mean and nasty even to our children. Although I love your product I hope Rita's makes you actually act like a real business, clean up inside, hire better employees, and be open when you say you will be. Good Luck!
Thank you for your feedback and I know I occasionally I am closed, however as you may no GOOD Help is hard to find. However I am in agreement with the hour’s thing. Now I can’t say I agree with my staff being mean to anyone, they are the most respectful, non-argumentative boys I have had in a long time, now not be responsible to come to work on time that's a different story, My business is geared for kids to work in, so I am probably always going to have that problem but I am working on it. So I am a very good business woman, or I wouldnt still own my business(s) for the last 8 years. But I welcome negative feedback because that just let me know what I have to do to be successful
This is really sad.
Where were all of you "outraged about the rudeness" people, when the Rita's delivery truck was blocking the Liberty Tree front door Friday during lunch hour? It took hours for them to unload, and they had no problem with stacking the boxes on the sidewalk in front of Liberty Tree.
K,
Way to take the hate in stride, lots of people support you.
Tony T,
How bout them Yanks.
Bill K on G Street
I have lived here only 2 years and have never been to PWI but I sure will try it now because of the professional comments of the owner.
Good job being professional and respectful in your comments even in light of those less courteous.
I am Italian and love Italian ice but never knew Italian ice and water ice were the same thing. I thought water ice was the slushies where they pour flavored sugar on shaved ice.
Russ
anon 5:55, what's not to like? plenty of comments form folks who couldn't buy a clue with a $100 bill, some good criticism and suggestion, gracefully accepted by ms pwi, only one vague attempt to interject race which could have been a joke, plenty of lame attempts at humor from me, a chance to bash philly while praising the cheese steak, plenty of good spelling, and then bill. bill has to come along and ruin everything. all this talk of philly must have reminded him of that lame world series between dumpy philly and overrated new york. don't worry bill, i've resigned myself to losing strasburg to the yanks the second his contract expires here.
tonyt
Nooooo.....
Don't even talk about Strasburg going to the Yanks!!! Ever! That's terrible. Always have hope.
He finally looked human tonight, though the defense and pen didn't help him any.
...oh, and I really like PWI cheesteaks, but do agree about the hours/not being open thing. Never had a problem with staff...at all.
That is one bad-ass looking cheesesteak. I'm going to get one.
No worries PWI, Rita's wont last. trust me you have 4-5 black males owning a business, it will never work. There will be no meeting of the minds. You see how long it took them to open (2.5 years)once all the smoke blows over you will be fine. Continue your campaigne "can you taste the difference and they will and when they taste you wiill beat hands down
Philly Water Ice Factory
If you are such a good businesswoman, how come your grammar and command of the English language is so horrific?
to anon 12:29,
Thank you for pointing that out. I had to read through half a dozen asinine, poorly written comments to reach your rant about Ms. PWI's posts.
PWI - how have you been open for 8 years while only being able to write at a 2nd grade level? If you're such a great business women, why don't you stay open during the winter and promote your cheesestake products? Also, good help is available. Try screening applicants first before allowing them to manage a cash register. I've seen your workers smoking pot several times while working. Get rid of the television.
-Wharton '04
1st of all, I should not even entertain this comment with a response, but however you view my grammar or English, you got the point! This discussion has taken a different turn and I see it’s not about business anymore it's become personal. I can feel the hatred all through these last couple comments, so before I let you take me out of my character I WILL NOT READ OR RESPOND to this post after this comment. Statements like "if you’re a good business woman why don’t you stay open all year long” well, hater that is what makes me good business woman. It was a business decision to not stay open during the winter and obviously a good one because I am still here 7 years later. Lastly, however you feel about me, success is the best revenge.
Hey wharton '04, why don't you list the business you own, along with the pass fail mba program in west philly. The only thing better than the poor grammer and bad spelling on the internet tubes is the large number of posters who know everything sbout everything. It makes me laff the way your all so smart. After hundreds of years daniel webster is getting his way.
tonyt
thepug.
Wow, Wharton 04- too bad you couldn't have spent some of the money you put towards your overpriced MBA to buy yourself some class.
Mel, wharton '04 is too busy screening job applicants for his many business ventures to worry about a trifling thing like class. The labor pool is so large it tends to keep one busy. Also, if there (or their, or they're) was a class on social interaction at wharton it would only be pass/fail.
tonyt
thepug
Businesswoman is one word. If you are going to be so proud to type it over and over and over and over and over again get it right.
I have to second the comments about the hours at PWI.
Tried several times to go to PWI, only to find the doors locked.
Nothing says you don't care about your customer more than simply not being open during regular business hours and keeping erratic hours for no apparent reason.
Not all of us live a block or two from H. For some of us it's a hike to get there, and when you go for one specific reason it's really irritating for that business to simply not be open, regardless of their posted hours.
When I did actually find someone there I had no particular problems with service. And the cheese steak was pretty darn good.
hillman, i have a feeling pwi will probably be able to sift thru the comments and find some important suggestions to help. If she doesn't hear them, her biz may suffer. Every new bar that opens makes me try to tighten things up at the pug a little more. Contrary to what wharton thinks, the labor pool in dc is pretty tough.
Also as quick aside, i'm not sure if asshole is a compound word or two words, but i think if it's (its) typed once the point comes across.
tony
My gripe with PWI? Ordering a cheesesteak from lackadaisical employees who could care less that you are willing to pay money to be ignored for 45 minutes while they laugh, carry on, watch TV, talk on the phone, let their friends in the shop, all while you wait on the street for the product you paid for. These employees on almost every occasion have made me feel like they were doing me a favor
Seems they were trained in customer service 101 and the owner was trained in desperation 101 because her move to put that truck in front of Ritas on opening week is laughable and reeks low class.
ps. hillman, the ass hole comment was to the poster before you.
"My gripe with PWI? Ordering a cheesesteak from lackadaisical employees who could care less that you are willing to pay money to be ignored for 45 minutes while they laugh, carry on, watch TV, talk on the phone, let their friends in the shop, all while you wait on the street for the product you paid for. These employees on almost every occasion have made me feel like they were doing me a favor"
wow. this is 100% accurate. Glad to know I'm not crazy.
"Where were all of you "outraged about the rudeness" people, when the Rita's delivery truck was blocking the Liberty Tree front door Friday during lunch hour?"
I must've missed the FT post about that alerting everyone. Sorry to hear about that LT. You guys are the best.
I think the overlooked question here is a question of fairness.
Ritas has a brick and mortar storefront, with all the accompanying permit red tape hell, high taxes, and high rents to accompany that.
It's an enormous pain in the butt to open a storefront business in DC. And a massive economic investment.
Is it then fair for someone to come and offer the same product simply by driving up in a mobile vehicle?
Aren't there some sort of vending rules in DC that say you can't sell the exact same product from a vending cart that a brick and mortar merchant is selling at the same location?
If not, then sign me up for some vending cart action in front of various pubs and restaurants along H. I guarantee you on a busy Friday night I'd make a ton of money, with some seriously low overhead.
Hilly, valid questions. Also, is rita's just a big chain or is it a franchise operation? There's a slight difference i think. I would love to open a whisky truck with you. As i've always said, the more the merrier. Neighbors/competitors bring out the best in the other businesses. I like pwi better for the samiches anyway.
tonyt
I would like to chime in and say that yes, I have showed up to PWI more than once and it was closed during posted hours. I've also had a longer than normal wait for a cheesesteak, but Ms. Bronson was manning the helm and was very pleasant. The cheesesteak was very tasty, even though I took a huge bite and burnt the shiznit out of the roof of my mouth right out of the gates. I wish her well. I can't imagine cashflowing a water ice business as more than a walk up window, let alone a full store front.
This sounds like a lot of jealousy. This is a Healthy competition and you all have changed this into a Rivalry. I saw the lady speaking with a few of the owners and they seem to be getting along, they both were laughing and talking so I guess they know that its business. But you all keep making this into something its not but this forum is a marketing tool and its seems to be working but you all would not know that bc you all obviously dont own your own business. Furtheremore Ms. Bronson already addressed the issue about Hours but you all dont have nothing elese better to do but keep going over and over. Get a Life!
Ice ice, baby
Guys, I know it's hot out there, but there's no reason to get all riled up about this. Rit'a moved in full and well intending to compete with PWI. PWI appears to follow the old adage about keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer. This is just a little health taste test. Both places are giving away water ice right now, so there isn't even any sales competition for water ice going on between the Rita's and the PWI truck.
I say loosen up and enjoy the free water ice on a hot day.
I am a philadelphia native and I prefer the cheesesteaks from Pat's. The other commenter who said only tourists like Pat's and Geno's is a friggin idiot.
PWI is a chain just like Ritas.We stopped by Ritas on Saturday and throughly enjoyed our sugar free lemon ice. While PWI served a great product the first year they were open, the quality went donwhill after that..sometimes melted, ice crystals were it had frozen, melted then refroze. Ice cream that was a different price each time we went, products gone on more than one visit.
Due to these and other factors, my business will be directed towards Ritas..
Yes, also closed when they should be open with no explaination..just closed..all added up to annoying.
To clarify (it's been coming up in discussions here), Rita's is a franchise, but a different sort of franchise than Philadelphia Water Ice Factory. If you look at the Rita's site you will notice that all of the Rita's franchises are called Rita's. Not so with PWIF franchises. Often they are co-branded, or even if they are not, they may have a name that is not just Philadelphia Water Ice (e.g. Jimmy's Philadelphia Water Ice). Rita's is a much larger organization with over 500 franchises in 17 states and DC. PWIF has 17 locations in 7 states and DC.
In one post Ms. PWI says she has been around about 7 years and in another 8???????????
It's funny how everybody has an opinion on how one should run a bussiness. As a bussiness owner its not easy to make a profit,, paying saleries ,and everything else that comes with running a bussiness.For all of you Anonymous posters why dont you put your money where your mouth is an try to operate your own bussiness.PWI....you go girl.I will continue to support you.Also I dont blame you for parking your truck in front of Ritas.
5th street
PWI, quit blocking traffic: http://twitpic.com/2129fi
Parknin front of your store..this is low...
Anon Jun 29, 2010 12:29:00 AM, shouldn't you proof posts complaining about someone else's grammar before posting?
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