The building at 4533 Baltimore Ave. after fire.

Greenstreet Coffee shut down its West Philly location permanently after a fire last month, according to co-founder Chris Molieri. The fire broke out in the two-story building at 4533 Baltimore Ave., where the coffee shop was located, on February 16th. They had to vacate the space, which the business was renting, due to the extent of fire, smoke and water damage. No one was injured in the fire, according to Molieri.

Greenstreet Coffee, a local Philadelphia business, opened its location at 46th and Baltimore less than a year ago. The roastery is located in the Point Breeze neighborhood.

Delaila Aryee (left) and Lindsay Brown with former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter (Facebook photo).

We are sad to report that Vital Step Physical Therapy & Fitness, the West Philly minority-run business, has closed down after more than five years in operation. Co-owned by two young female entrepreneurs, Delaila Aryee and Lyndsay Brown, Vital Step closed its physical location at 5008 Baltimore Ave. in January of this year, but continued to operate virtually for a few months.

“This option was no longer financially viable for us to remain open. So we will be officially dissolving the business on [December 31],” Lyndsay wrote in an e-mail. “We definitely enjoyed our time on Baltimore avenue for the past 5 years and being able to treat the local community!” Continue Reading

Booker’s outdoor dining space on Baltimore Ave. in December 2020 (Facebook photo)

Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed new legislation giving permission for permanent outdoor dining in some city areas, including West Philadelphia.

Businesses whose outdoor dining structures, aka “streeteries,” comply with city requirements for design and placement will not have to reapply for an outdoor dining permit, something they had to do every year in the past.

Restaurants would normally have to get such a permit from Department Licenses and Inspections before the start of the spring-summer season to provide additional seating for their customers during warmer months. However, outdoor dining quickly became a necessity when the city imposed a ban on indoor dining in 2020 due to the pandemic. Some West Philly restaurants, like Booker’s Restaurant & Bar, weatherized their outdoor seating areas last fall and continued operating in colder weather. Although, the ban on indoor dining was eventually lifted, outdoor dining still remains a safer option for many people. Continue Reading

Winter holidays are approaching fast, so here’s our little guide to where you can celebrate and buy locally-made gifts. These past two years have been very hard for small businesses, so please remember to support them this holiday season.

Also, please check out the 3rd District Holiday Shopping Guide recently released by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s Office and the West Philly Favorites campaign organized by the University City District. More information is below.

Handmade Holidays

When: Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Bartram’s Garden (54th and Lindbergh)

Bartram’s Garden is inviting families to celebrate Handmade Holidays with them this Saturday. Some of the planned events and activities include: a local vendor marketplace, pie-making contest, winter tree ID workshop, a Faulkner demo, wreath and holiday greens sale, campfires and seasonal refreshments. Please note that Bartram’s signature wreaths were for pre-sale only and all sold out, but there will be a wreath making workshop where attendees can make their own wreath. Some holiday greens and plants (poinsettias, Christmas cactus and houseplants) will be available for sale on Saturday. Masks are required for this event. Click here for more details. Continue Reading

Businesses along 52nd Street have had a challenging couple of years, and a new initiative launched on Tuesday to help rejuvenate this vital commercial corridor just in time for the holiday season. The Enterprise Center is teaming up with Wells Fargo on their “Hope, USA” initiative to make improvements for small businesses along 52nd Street and enhance the streetscape.

Improvement projects include painting buildings, power washing sidewalks, installing holiday lighting displays, refreshing signage, and more. On Tuesday, at least 50 volunteers and tradespeople – all minority contractors – worked together on the South 200 block of 52nd Street (see photos). They engaged in activities such as electrical work, painting, carpentry, general cleanup and power washing, construction of decorative planters, and other construction work. Continue Reading

Many local restaurants have been experiencing staffing shortages as a result of the pandemic. To help local businesses fill open positions, University City District (UCD) is hosting a West Philly Restaurant Job Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating restaurants are currently sending open positions they are looking to fill and folks interested in applying for restaurant positions—both for front and back of house—are invited to submit a single application that will be accepted by all participating restaurants. Jobseekers will then get a chance to interview with restaurants on Nov. 17.

UCD is also funding $100 signing bonuses for people who are hired that day and who work five shifts with their new restaurant. Continue Reading