Big Charlie's Saloon, a two-room South Philadelphia corner bar so packed with Kansas City Chiefs gear it felt like a Midwestern fan club teleported to 11th and McKean, is officially up for sale, according to neighbors and commercial listings. The move comes on the heels of longtime owner Paul Staico’s sudden death late last year and the bar’s winter shutdown, leaving what regulars describe as a big empty space in the middle of their game day routine under the beloved "Arrowhead East" banner.
Bar listed after owner's death
On Feb. 27, the Kansas City Business Journal reported that the property was being marketed for sale following Staico’s death. According to that reporting, the bar had already been dark for months while the owner’s estate weighed what to do next.
How the bar became 'Arrowhead East'
The story of how a South Philly taproom turned into a national curiosity has been told more than a few times. As detailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Staico died on Nov. 30, 2025, and the bar later announced on Instagram that it was closing for good, telling followers, "this is not goodbye; it is simply see you later." The Inquirer recounts how Staico spent years transforming the modest spot at 11th and McKean into a Chiefs haven that drew diehard locals and grateful transplants alike, with many regulars embracing the nickname "Arrowhead East."
Neighbors, regulars and memorials
After Staico’s death, flowers, handwritten notes and other tributes piled up on the stoop outside the bar as neighbors and patrons stopped by to pay their respects. KYW Newsradio reported that a small public memorial brought out friends and regulars, and manager Laura Sessa shared stories from Staico’s long run as the bar’s steady hand. Local officials and longtime customers have already suggested that any new owner will feel pressure to honor the bar’s distinctive character, especially if the Chiefs memorabilia is to stay on the walls.
Listing details and what's for sale
Commercial listing feeds tied to the address show that the building at 1953 S. 11th St. is now on the market as an active mixed-use property. An entry from Howard Hanna lists the asking price at $1.2 million and specifies that the sale includes a Pennsylvania liquor license, a combination that could make the space close to turnkey for a new operator. The Kansas City Business Journal also reported that Staico’s estate has authorized marketing the site for sale, aligning with the current MLS activity.
Family members, bar staff and neighbors say they are looking for ways to keep Staico’s influence alive while the estate figures out its next steps. The bar’s farewell Instagram note, cited by The Philadelphia Inquirer, promised to "continue to find ways to honor Paulie’s legacy." Whether the Chiefs memorabilia remains in place or the corner turns into something entirely new, those who packed into Big Charlie’s on game days insist that the story of Arrowhead East will outlast any real estate listing.
