When shopping for holiday gifts this month please remember to support small local businesses. This year it’s more important than ever because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which cut down revenues at many local restaurants and shops by as much as 90 percent. On top of that, many neighborhood businesses have been struggling to stay open after this year’s civil unrest.

Gift cards from local shops and restaurants is a great idea for a holiday gift and you can buy them safely online at many businesses. Please check your local business association or neighborhood community organization for more information on businesses in your area, such as Baltimore Avenue Business Association, Lancaster Avenue Business Association, 52nd Street Commercial Corridor, Garden Court Community Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, and more.  Continue Reading

If you haven’t had a chance to participate in Indie-Life’s holiday shopping campaign that supports small and minority businesses there’s still time to do it through this Sunday. Indie-Life, a West Philly based creative agency and co-working/event space, launched the 10-day campaign, called “Black Friday Is Cancelled” (BFIC) on November 27th.

“Our BFIC campaign is solidly built on three pillars: Shop small and buy local, invest in your community, and invest in yourself,” said Rasheed Abdellah, a local entrepreneur and Indie-Life founder.

The campaign has already garnered endorsements and praise from Philadelphia’s elected officials like State Senator Anthony Williams, State Representative Rick Krajewski, and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier among others.

Continue Reading

Here are Thanksgiving Day hours for local grocery stores and supermarkets in case you need to do some last minute shopping for your holiday table:

• Mariposa Food Co-op (49th and Baltimore): Thanksgiving Day: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 27: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• ACME Markets (40th and Walnut): Thanksgiving Day: 5 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Supremo “Shop n Bag” (43rd and Walnut): Thanksgiving Day: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• ALDI (46th and Market): Thanksgiving Day: Closed
• The Fresh Grocer (56th and Chestnut): Thanksgiving Day: 6 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Shoprite at ParkWest Town Center (1575 N. 52nd St.): Thanksgiving Day: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Continue Reading

Philadelphia officials have announced new restrictions in response to increasing COVID-19 cases in the city. The restrictions, which will be effective from Friday, Nov. 20 through January 1, 2021, will affect businesses, events and gatherings and other activities.

Starting this Friday, the following businesses and activities are not allowed:  Continue Reading

The Ethiopian food scene is expanding in West Philly! A new coffee shop and small grocery store, Alif Brew & Mini Mart, has opened at the corner of 45th and Baltimore in the space formerly occupied by The Nesting House.

For breakfast and brunch, the cafe serves Ethiopian staple dishes, like Firfir, Chechebsa and Foul, and also invites guests for a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, starting at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (see picture and video below). Alif also offers Injera wraps (chicken, beef and vegetarian) as well as other appetizers. But you can also just stop by for a cup of coffee and a homemade pastry or grab-and-go salad!  Continue Reading

Mariposa Food Co-op (Archived photo).

More West Philly and University City shops have reopened in recent weeks or are reopening soon as Philadelphia has been slowly reopening under the Green coronavirus reopening phase. Restaurants have also begun reopening their indoor space. Check out some business news and updates below.

• Gift shop VIX Emporium (50th and Baltimore) is reopening to customers for in-person shopping this Saturday, Sept. 12 with COVID-19 safety protocols. The store will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will offer private shopping appointments on Wednesdays (you can book an appointment for yourself and two guests here; a $10 deposit will be credited toward your purchase).  Continue Reading