There’s a new map out showing more than 150 Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia and the region.

The project began when local food writer and editor Kae Lani Palmisano put together a database of Philly restaurants open during the coronavirus pandemic. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, the focus shifted to Black-owned restaurants. The project is crowdsourced and the map was created by South Philly resident and IT specialist Charles Rumford, according to BillyPenn. As the database keeps growing the map will also get updated.  Continue Reading

Artist’s rendering of proposed five-floor building on N. 52nd Street near the Market-Frankford El stop.

A Philadelphia born-and-raised entrepreneur plans to build a five-story, $6 million “entrepreneurship hub” on 52nd Street, just north of the Market Street El stop.

Tayyib Smith, a self-described “serial entrepreneur” who has worked in the music industry and started ventures around Philadelphia, introduced the plan on Wednesday night during a zoning hearing with Achieveability, the neighborhood’s registered community organization (RCO).  Continue Reading

Small businesses that were damaged or sustained losses during the recent civil unrest can benefit from a new program – the PHL Emergency Business Insurance Support Initiative.

The collaborative program, launched by City Councilmember Allan Domb, the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative (WPCC), The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. (Barristers) and other community leaders and officials, connects recently impacted small businesses with insurance professionals and lawyer-volunteers recruited by Barristers to help owners review insurance policies, assist with filing claims, and review claims already submitted to ensure accuracy. The volunteers will meet with the small business owners through virtual platforms to assist with their needs.  Continue Reading

In the aftermath of last weekend’s protests and unrest, there were reports that some residents, especially senior citizens, were unable to get their medication because some pharmacies remained closed. As stores have begun reopening, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has compiled a list of open pharmacies, including independent pharmacies, and has also provided information on free/low-cost prescription delivery options. Click here to see the list and for more information. The list also includes information on whether these pharmacies offer COVID-19 testing. If you know of any independent pharmacies that should be added to this list, please email gethealthyphilly@phila.gov  Continue Reading

Image courtesy of SEPTA.

As Philadelphia has moved into the Yellow coronavirus re-opening phase and ridership is expected to grow, all SEPTA riders will now be required to wear a mask or facial covering. The new requirement goes into effect on Monday, June 8. In April, SEPTA asked riders to wear a facial covering to help spread COVID-19 on public transportation, but it wasn’t a requirement. SEPTA employees will “engage customers to remind them about the requirement starting Monday,” according to an announcement by SEPTA released Friday.

SEPTA returned to regular transit service on May 17, with rider limits for buses and trolleys still in effect. This will continue throughout the Yellow Phase. There are also signs marking off seats to indicate where passengers should sit to maintain a safe space.  Continue Reading

Today Philadelphia entered the “yellow” coronavirus re-opening phase, which allows in-person sales at retail stores with some restrictions. Food trucks and limited walk-up service at cafes and restaurants are also allowed. Outdoor dining at restaurants is not re-opening this Friday while the city is still working on safety guidelines, which are expected to be released by next week. Outdoor dining is now expected to start operating by June 12.

The City released Re-opening Guidelines for businesses and institutions last week. While stay-at-home orders are lifted in the yellow phase, residents should still follow safety practices, like social distancing, wearing facial coverings and more. Check out the city’s “Safer at Home” guide for more information and instructions for the yellow re-opening phase.

“This move to yellow is welcome, but it is not by any means a return to normalcy,” Mayor Jim Kenney said last Friday when the guide was released. While public gatherings up to 25 people are allowed in the yellow phase in the state of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia authorities are still not recommending gatherings of any kind.