There are a few options available for small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The city has announced a $9 million Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund, which offers grants and loans to businesses seeking financial assistance. Read more about this opportunity here.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced a $100 million relief fund for small businesses across the state. The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA) will provide loans up to $100,000 for businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees. For more information about this program, go here.  Continue Reading

All schools in Pennsylvania will remain closed until at least April 6th, according to a new order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf. This includes all schools in the School District of Philadelphia. The previous order shut down schools through March 27, but in light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state (644 total cases were reported on Monday) it was expected to be extended.

In Philadelphia, a $9 million small business relief fund was announced on Monday. The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) launched the fund, which will provide grants and loans to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The fund helps businesses with less than $5 million in annual revenue.  Continue Reading

Mayor Jim Kenney has issued a stay-at-home order for Philadelphians, effective at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 23, to help curb the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the city. According to this new directive, any public or private outdoor gatherings occurring outside a single household are prohibited unless they are related to essential business or essential personal activities.

All residents must stay at home unless they’re buying food or other essential items or seeking medical attention. Outdoor exercise is also permitted, with social distancing.

This latest order will remain in effect until further notice.  Continue Reading

A sign on ReAnimator Coffee shop’s window this afternoon. The popular Garden Court cafe closed in compliance with Kenney’s directive.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has called on all nonessential businesses to close for at least two weeks beginning today at 5 p.m.. Most retail stores will close through at least March 27.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the city may invoke authority to close businesses or penalize those that remain open.

The city deems these businesses “essential”:

• Supermarkets and grocery stores  Continue Reading

As the number of people infected with the coronavirus in the Philly area is growing, many local businesses are considering measures to help slow the spread of the disease. In West Philly, some restaurants, like Renata’s Kitchen, have temporarily suspended dine-in service. No doubt, many places will suffer from reduced business or will have to face temporary closures due to the virus outbreak.

During these trying times, it is important to support local restaurants, eateries and other businesses and help them stay in business. Please consider ordering take-out or delivery or purchasing gift certificates or cards from your favorite spots.  Continue Reading

Penn Book Center, the 58-year-old indie book store at 34th and Sansom that was saved from imminent closure last summer, recently got a new name from its new owners. Since December, it’s been called People’s Books & Culture, and also has a new logo (see photo).

The new name was chosen from a public poll and has the same initials as the previous name (PBC), which was very important to the new owners.

“We had all kinds of interesting answers, but keeping the PBC initials was central to the store’s branding and community name recognition,” Duquès told Billy Penn.  Continue Reading