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Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney
Restaurant and Boutique Owners
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Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran of Lolita
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
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Their Story: There’s nothing new about women in the kitchen. But lesbian partners running their own cafés and restaurants, now that’s a story not run often enough. For Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, owning their own Philadelphia restaurant was the only way to go. The women met six years ago at Valanni restaurant, a bistro where Safran waitressed and Turney cooked. Both women were eager to strike out on their own.
The couple took a risk and debuted Open House, a home accessories shop on 13th Street, in October 2002. Lolita, a contemporary Mexican restaurant across the street, came next. Creative fare, house-made margarita mix (bring your own tequila) and attentive service have put this intimate restaurant firmly on the Philadelphia dining map. The pair then opened Grocery, a café and market, also on 13th Street. Their newest venture, a modern Indian BYOB restaurant named Bindi followed in December 2007.
Safran and Turney believe that Philadelphians are open-minded and love their city—two attributes that combine to make a perfect gay destination. And as for their favorite thing to do in the city—eat, of course. Dmitri’s, Amada, Supper and Osteria are just a couple of their picks for delicious food.
Affiliation: Lolita, Bindi, Grocery and Open House
Gay-friendly Philadelphia:
Visit Gay-Friendly Philadelphia for more information about events, accommodations, shops, restaurants and nightlife options.
Watch the video about Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney:
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