Co-owners of Cantina La Martina Mariangeli Alicea Saez (left), and Dionicio Jiménez (right), in front of their restaurant, in Philadelphia, Thursday, August 10, 2023. Read more

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Happy Friday. It should be a mostly sunny day with a high of 83.

Dionicio Jiménez and Mariangeli Alicea Saez, co-owners of Cantina La Martina, the Mexican restaurant in Kensington, are committed to the neighborhood. From the beginning, their goal was to become an integral part of the community.

Since opening last year, the two have slowly learned that there’s a cost to having a business at their location that sits across from the Somerset El station.

Our lead story explains why daily operations are a challenge for Kensington businesses.

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— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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In one year, Cantina La Martina earned several spots in local best-of lists and the chef was a 2023 James Beard finalist.

But the restaurant struggles behind the scenes to get and maintain reliable vendors. Citing safety concerns, companies started to cut ties last fall with Cantina La Martina and the cancellations have added up. When the owners can get alternatives, it’s usually more expensive. The phenomenon has been dubbed the “Kensington tax.”

Note: Kensington is the epicenter of one of the country’s largest open-air drug markets.

Cantina La Martina’s experience isn’t unique. Kensington Avenue business owners told The Inquirer that stagnant conditions like widespread homelessness, drug use and sales, and the subsequent gun violence make daily operations difficult.

Keep reading to learn what help these business owners want from the city.

This week, our political columnist better known as Clout has their eyes on Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.

A right-wing anti-abortion activist is running to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, and U.S. Scott Perry might have played a role.

Clout offers two potential explanations:

Perry encouraged Mark Houck, a political novice who gained fame after being acquitted earlier this year on federal charges for intimidating workers at a Philly clinic that performs abortions, to compete against Fitzpatrick in next year’s primary. Or, Perry was just supportive when Houck asked for advice about running but didn’t specifically tell him he should do it.

Either way, Houck filed paperwork to challenge Fitzpatrick earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Democrat Ashley Ehasz — who lost to Fitzpatrick last year by nine points — is also vying for the seat.

Keep reading to learn what the Republican lawmakers’ camps had to say.

What you should know today

🧠 Trivia time 🧠

James Harden released his wines, aptly named J-Harden Wines, in China last week. It joins the United States, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, and Malaysia as countries that distribute it.

How many bottles did he sell in China within minutes?

A) 50,000

B) 15,000

C) 16,000

D) 17,000

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re...

💭 Wondering: Will the Georgia prosecutor who secured an indictment against former President Donald Trump and 18 others for allegedly scheming to keep Trump in office despite his 2020 election loss get the March trial date she wants?

🎉 Congratulating: A 6-year-old boy from Montgomery County who won a national mullet contest.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩

Hint: Not the Jersey Shore

HEATHEN CABBY

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Toby Allen, who correctly guessed Thursday’s answer: Muddy Run Park.

Photo of the day

That’s all I have for today. I’m wishing you a quick Friday so you can kick-start the weekend. Paola will be in your inbox on Sunday. ☀️