Philadelphia, USA: Chaereen Pak’s guide to brunch, nature, & more 🇺🇸

Chaereen Pak is the cofounder of Persimmon Coffee in the Fishtown district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—aka Philly. “The brunch scene in Philadelphia is impeccable, too” she says, in between describing the coffee shops, parks, and art galleries that make Philly feel like home for her: “I spent the most formative years of my life in Philly.”

*Chaereen Pak cofounded Persimmon Coffee in Philadelphia, USA. Photos by Chaereen Pak*

Filter: What’s an ideal day look like in Philadelphia?

We have to start with coffee, without a doubt. Philly's coffee scene is an absolute gem! If my friend is staying over with me, I would take them to Rival Bros in Fitler Square, a 5-minute walk from my old apartment. After gabbing for an hour or so while seated outside, we’d make our way to City Hall—there aren’t many cities where City Hall is considered a landmark, and Philly is one of them. Boasting a beautiful façade, it’s at the very center of the city.

The brunch scene in Philadelphia is impeccable, too. Not to be dramatic, but I dream about Cafe La Maude’s Green Shakshuka. Lunch at LMNO is a close second; I’m a big fan of their birria and grilled esquites. We’d then pay a visit to the Barnes Foundation and make sure to snap a photo of The Dance by Matisse. After strolling along Benjamin Franklin Parkway and snapping another photo or two, we’d head down to Writer’s Block Rehab for a G&T or Bok Bar in South Philly to catch the sunset with our drinks. We’d end the night with a concert at the TLA or a movie at the Ritz Five.

Filter: What else do you do for fun there?

My go-to pastime is to bike (or take a long walk) up the Schuylkill River Trail. My favorite path begins at South Street Bridge and ends at the grass area across from the General Ulysses S. Grant Statue. During the spring, breathtaking cherry blossom trees abundantly line the river bank. You'll witness one of the best views of Philly's skyline on the bridge, and you can stop by the Rocky Steps along the route to get another glimpse of the skyline from the opposite direction.

Filter: How do you decompress in nature?

Philly is surrounded by refreshing nature, often within a mere 20-minute car ride. During the summer, there’s a gorgeous sunflower field that’s worth a visit next to a carwash called Please Wash Me. On the way, I like grabbing coffee and pastries at Malvern Buttery.

A weekend in the Poconos is perfect for disconnecting, hiking, and resting. The stars in the night sky are mesmerizing there. The beach is also a great option, just an hour east of the city. I’m pretty sure every other Philadelphian books it to the Shore each August.

Filter: How’s Philly’s art scene?

Art is a must-see, from Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens to Stephen Powers’s A Love Letter For You. Did you know that Philly is actually dubbed the mural capital of the world? I heard that more than 4,000 murals are documented throughout the city. A good pal, Gina Kim, designed this one in the heart of Chinatown last year. She also co-owns Leeward Studio with her husband—the dynamic duo behind the buildout of our shop.

You can’t forget the Philadelphia Museum of Art, both for the iconic steps and for their extensive collections. I discovered that Frank Gehry completed a renovation of the museum’s interior around three years ago—that alone is a substantial reason to visit.

Filter: Favorite part about Philly?

I adore the fact that Philly is so walkable. You could probably walk from one side of downtown to the other in under an hour! In terms of green spaces, I’m partial to Rittenhouse Square, because I used to live two blocks away from it. I love sitting on a bench and people-watching—couples sprawled out on picnic blankets, glasses clinking nearby at Parc, and Michael Jackson staking out on the corner of 17th & Walnut (IYKYK). I highly recommend taking a walk along Spruce Street and Pine Street, especially when golden hour sunlight is dappled on the buildings. It’s romantic, it’s stunning, and it’s one of my favorite sights in the world.

Filter: What’s another coffee shop there you admire?

Càphê Roasters comes to mind immediately. Based in the Kensington neighborhood, it’s the first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster in Philly. A portion of their profits are donated to 12+, a local non-profit that partners with public high schools to increase educational equity. Càphê also operates as a workforce development program, offering students employment behind the espresso bar. Thu Pham, co-owner of Càphê, kindly imparted advice and moral support when Persimmon was still in its early stages back in 2020. Càphê’s effort to positively impact the greater community in a lasting way is incredibly inspiring.

Filter: What does Philly mean to you?

I spent the most formative years of my life in Philly. In fact, maybe the most difficult for me thus far. From an intense undergrad experience to isolating lockdowns during the pandemic, I can recollect some really dark moments, to be quite honest. In navigating those trials, I learned and gained tenfold—and hopefully, I’ve become a better person because of them as well. Now, I only feel gratitude towards Philly and the gracious community it provided me.

Filter: How’d you end up in the Philly coffee scene?

I'm originally from Los Angeles, born and raised in the suburbs. I moved to Philadelphia for college and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in psychology. By the time I graduated, I had fallen deeply in love with the city. But, I didn't have a job lined up, and frankly, I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself. I decided to stay, despite the unknown—signing a lease, adopting two cats, and throwing my résumé at any listing that piqued my interest. At the two-month mark, I acknowledged that I needed to pick up a part-time gig to continue to afford rent. So, I switched gears and dug for open positions for the role I had always secretly desired to pursue: a barista. I DMed Function Coffee Labs after seeing an Instagram post about hiring, stopped by for an interview (with zero coffee knowledge), and was miraculously given a chance.

At Function, I learned the ins and outs of both coffee-making and warm hospitality. I was working vigorously at that shop for almost a year, perfecting pour overs, practicing latte art, mopping floors, and scrubbing down the bathroom after close. Then, the pandemic hit. I recall running coffee deliveries all around town for a couple of weeks during that period! In May, I landed a full-time job on the brand team at a retail start-up and left Function. I began to develop the idea for Persimmon just a few months later.

Filter: What’s your role at Persimmon?

I work behind-the-scenes for the majority of the time. I’m in charge of all things brand, design, and marketing. I’m frequently in the books and inbox, too. My co-owner, Sawyer, is our head roaster, lead barista, and simply a wonderful human being through and through. He used to work at Function as well, which is how we first met.

I wanted to open a coffee shop for as long as I can remember—my middle school friends reminded me recently that I had dreamed about it even back then. Having been allowed the opportunity to realize my dream this early in my life and career is something that I don’t take for granted. We would not have been able to build our own storefront without the kindness and support of many, many people. I’m indebted to my friends and family who continuously rooted for me and believed in me despite my shortcomings and naivety. Persimmon is a testament to that. Thus, I don’t think anything can be more rewarding than witnessing customers step into our shop and enjoy all that we have to offer.

Filter: If you were to move anywhere in the world just for the coffee, where would it be?

I actually fell in love with the culture of coffee while studying abroad in Tokyo as a college student. Coffee-making is as much a relished ritual as it is a daily necessity in Japan. Sidewalk Stand in Nakameguro and About Life Coffee Brewers in Shibuya left notable impressions on me. In such a densely-packed metropolis, it’s absolutely amazing to observe the charming spaces that they’re able to create with such small square footage. I’d be more than willing to move back and experience it all over again.

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Persimmon Coffee is located in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.