January at Sivel Group was a month full of energy, reflection, and a little snow-covered chaos. We kicked off the year with our new coffee program, featuring beans from the bold and unforgettable Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. Nothing warms the hands—or the spirit—during a snowy January quite like a cup of rich, aromatic coffee, and our team has been savoring every sip ( in our branded TSG cups, nonetheless ).
Speaking of energy, our Agent Spotlight this month shines on Christie Jones, who brings dedication and heart to every deal. Christie is grateful to work in a city she truly loves, connecting clients with homes while building lasting relationships. Her passion reminds us why community is at the heart of what we do.
Of course, January also threw us a curveball with the 2026 snowstorm, dumping over 12 inches and causing shutdowns we hadn’t seen in years. But like true Sivel Group pros, we powered through—some of us trading our heels for snow boots, others leaning into the unexpected downtime to reflect and recharge.
One of the highlights this month was our internal read of Unreasonable Hospitality, which has sparked meaningful discussions among our team. From small gestures that leave big impressions to rethinking how we connect with clients, the book has already influenced how we operate individually and collectively.
As we look ahead to February, excitement is brewing—literally. Our next coffee kick-off promises something equally bold and surprising, and whispers are already circulating about a potential Sivel Group Flower Show. Stay tuned; something could be blossoming, even in this weather!
Here’s to a February filled with warmth, community, and a little more sunshine to melt the snow.
This time of year, the holidays have passed, Philly football is either bridging into play-offs or is finished for the year ( we won’t rehash what our Eagles did last night ), and the weather– well, it’s COLD and UNBEARABLE.
Every year, friends & family look at each other and say, why are we still living in the # Philadelphia area? Why don’t we move to a place where there is sunshine 12 months a year? A place where you can walk outside without bundling up, get your steps in, and soak in the sunshine! Florida or California sounds nice right about now.
Well, the reason we all grin + bear these awful weathered months is the people. The culture. The history. Our city and surrounding suburbs are rich with all of the above! We have the most passionate people that reside in this area, and they weren’t just born with that innate passion for the city we call home– it was learned. Learned from the generations before them, how to appreciate our area for all the many things that make it so special and unique.
We have landmarks such as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed back in 1776, & The Liberty Bell, which stands for Freedom & Independence. We are also the “Mural Capital of the World,” which is a fun fact that highlights the emphasis Philly places on the artists and creatives in our city! We turn neighborhoods into art.
As is no surprise… The food scene is strong! We have our special foods that are unique to Philly- like soft pretzels, cheesesteaks, and wooderice… BUT we also have a seriously diverse food scene with top chefs from around the world and a few Michelin Star restaurants. The first ever to be honored in our city is Her Place Supper Club (French-inspired), which offers M-F dining two seatings a day, $97 pp. Then we have Friday, Saturday, Sunday (American-inspired), offering seatings Wed-Sun $195 pp & last Michelin Star goes to Provenance (Korean-inspired) $225 pp. There are many other recommendations, and our own personal favorite is Vetri Cucina, owned by Marc Vetri, which opened in 1998. He has since gone on to open Fiorella & Pizzaria Salvy. All others, he sold to a restaurant group called URBN. Also well known are Starr Restaurants owned by Stephen Starr- we have 8 well-known restaurants here in #philly and many others outside of our area that can be seen, and reservations can be made here: https://starr-restaurants.com and the last but not least bit of info we will share about our restaurant scene is our robust BYOB scene! We have over 300 places to choose from – where you know the food is excellent, and you can bring your favorite bottle of whatever complements your meal– for a fraction of the cost. YAY!
Sports are huge in this city! We have the beloved EAGLES ( 2025 Superbowl Champs ), the Phillies ( who play at the Citizens Bank Park, which was named the best #MLB stadium the US by USA Today for it’s fan friendly environment ), the Flyers ( who have a fuzzy, orange, one-eyed mascot who is a global phenomenon ) and the 76ers ( one of the oldest NBA teams, founded in 1946 ). Our fans here are truly second to none – they are loyal and beyond passionate!! If you come into our city to root on an opposing team, all we can say is, Good Luck!
Philadelphia also has very distinct neighborhoods, which are unique to the city. Areas such as Fishtown, Germantown, Society Hill, Rittenhouse, Fairmount Park & Queens Village, to name a few! Each neighborhood offers a different charm with a host of restaurants, shops, and culture to ensure everyone finds their “place” to live.
The practical advantages of our city are: affordability and proximity. Our housing rates are more affordable than those of other East Coast cities, and the proximity to New York and DC positions us very favorably. Educationally, we hold a lot of weight for amazing universities that are known for academic excellence and diverse programming. Schools like the University of Penn ( Ivy League), Temple, Drexel University, LaSalle, Saint Joseph’s University & Villanova, have students coming here to our city and making it their home.
So… as you can see, we are quite the package! The package that keeps families living here generation after generation, despite leaving for a little bit ( college or otherwise ) to experience the warmer side of the country. Philadelphia has deep roots- roots that can not be duplicated anywhere else. We are the oldest city in the US. We were the start of American living for many cultures around the world. A first landing place for descendants in many countries- and they all found their home away from home, which has now become their home- right here in Philadelphia. The city of Brotherly Love.
