-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
feature photo by Sarah McAnulty
When they say “only in Philadelphia” they mean it. It takes a lot to surprise us in the City of Brotherly Love – but a 6+ ft. camel was turning heads in Northern Liberties this week. Pearl the Camel, as viral audiences would learn, was there for a national video shoot. In videos, she can be seen sneaking off with a long hoagie roll baguette style bread. She enjoyed some good fun and a treat until someone takes the bread away. The video, taken by Sarah McAnulty who was at Indy Hall Clubhouse, has gone viral and made the news around the nation. Social media users have had great fun with it, one even saying, “Pearl must not be from Philly, as we would never leave a hoagie roll unfinished.”
The now famous scene featured bread from Kaplan’s New Model Bakery. To continue the viral fun and celebrate Pearl’s love of the baguette, Kaplan’s will give away 100 free loaves of bread on Thursday, July 20, 2023, starting at 10:30am to the first 100 customers. The bread will be a mix of the same loaves that Pearl was spotted sneaking off with – as well as Kaplan’s famous Jewish rye bread. First come, first served for the variety – 100 loaves in total. Kaplan’s is located in the heart of Northern Liberties Business Improvement District – at 901 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
According to various sources, Pearl was thought to be in Northern Liberties as part of a campaign shoot for national children’s clothing brand Petit Clair. Pearl and the models were in the middle of Northern Liberties Restaurant Row – in front of Bourbon and Branch and three new businesses – Waggy Little Rascals, Bar 101 and the new location for Indy Hall Clubhouse.
Sarah McAnulty, who was on a coffee break from Indy Hall, told the Inquirer, “I was just shocked that it was eating hoagie rolls. I thought that was the funniest thing I had seen in a while.” She posted the video to Instagram, Twitter and TikTok and the video got picked up by outlets around the country – and beyond. She explained that people just kept stopping in their tracks and it was a hilarious scene.
During McAnulty’s video, Pearl is seen with children modeling in front of her. She snags a roll off the bread racks and is seen getting in some munches before someone comes along and gently takes it from her. Pearl looks right at McAnulty in a satisfying way – and yes, she is drooling for more. Wouldn’t we all be!?
Kaplan’s is one of the neighborhood’s oldest businesses. For over one hundred years, Kaplan’s New Model Bakery has been serving the Philadelphia area with delicious Jewish rye and challah bread. Their bread is baked daily using quality ingredients. People come from all over the east coast, and from other parts of the country, to get some fresh baked, old fashioned, Jewish rye bread. Stop in to see why!
“It was great to see a national brand supporting Northern Liberties and our local businesses,” said Northern Liberties Business Improvement District Executive Director Cassidy Martin. “Kaplan’s New Model Bakery is a neighborhood and citywide institution that has been in business for over 100 years and is one of the oldest Jewish bakeries in Philadelphia. It is exciting to see Kaplan’s incredible bread and baked goods receive well-deserved love and attention from this campaign.”
While Pearl didn’t get to finish her hoagie roll and snack, Philadelphia and area neighbors/visitors are invited to come out and enjoy some free bread just like Pearl. The only difference is, we will all be finishing it. Every last delicious crumb.
Follow Kaplan’s New Model Bakery on Facebook and on Instagram @kaplans_new_model_bakery and visit https://kaplansnewmodelbakery.com/
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