The past few years have been incredibly difficult for small businesses in Philadelphia, especially Black- and women-owned shops.
During the pandemic, a time when many were forced to throw in the towel, many Black-owned businesses here doubled down on doing good, living out positive missions and supporting the community through tough times. Our city would be a much different place without these shops, services and community hubs.
Below, our list of Black-owned businesses includes just some of our favorite Black-owned, do-good shops, services and restaurants.
Black-owned businesses to check out in Philly
RETAIL
What they sell: Skincare products and healing facial treatments in Northern Liberties.
Do-good jawn: At Freedom, self care comes first. In fact, they consider it a radical act and empower others, especially women, to put themselves first. They also carry dozens of Black owned skincare and wellness brands. 736 N. 2nd Street, 215-982-2772
What they sell: Philadelphia-based scents (a University City fragrance that smells like Cirra Green sunsets, for example, or a Penn’s Landing one that smells like fresh laundry), plus BYOB classes for making your own candles, perfumes, or planters.
Do-good jawn: Loomen Labs is a zero-waste facility with simple, transparent ingredients… meaning that you can feel good about your fragrances, while also supporting a local Black-owned small business. 620 S 5th St, 267-918-1409
What they sell: Women’s clothing from dresses to athleisure sets and from swim suits to fur coats. Plus “luxe looks for less” (a high fashion look for under $50) for those shopping on a budget.
Do-good jawn: This West Philadelphia boutique’s mission is in the name: getting women to be true to their personal style and see themselves as beautiful. We all need a little more encouragement like that these days. 503 S 52nd St
What they sell: “Thank Black Women,” “Cancel Student Debt,” and images of Angela Davis, James Balwin and black panthers adorn ts, totes and patches, available online and at specialty stockists.
Do-good jawn: The bold designs at Print Works are all inspired by current and past social justice movements. Their goal is to create accessible apparel for organizers, activists and allies. Online.
What they sell: Jewelry, beauty products, clothing, home goods, stationery, and more.
Do-good jawn: All of the unique finds at The Sable Collective are sourced from BIPOC brands and makers. Online.
What they sell: Unique handcrafted goods in Northern Liberties.
Do-good jawn: Trunc is dedicated to creating jobs and opportunities for local artisans and makers. Everything they sell is responsibly, sustainably and ethically sourced, not to mention usually handmade. 929 N. 2nd Street, 267-559-1604
What they sell: Apparel, homewares and cool (non-alcoholic) bar cart must-haves.
Do-good jawn: Shannon Maldonado founded Yowie to showcase local designers and makers on Queen Village’s Fabric Row. 716 S. 4th Street
BOOKS, PLUS
What they sell: Books, coffee, tea, magazines, and paintings by local artists. Coffee, art and books… What more could you ask for?
Do-good jawn: This light-filled Kensington space, besides being a cafe and bookstore, also hosts public lectures, writing workshops, musical performances, film screenings, and a “Reading Radicals” book club. It was founded by married couple Terrance and Terri Wiley, both local teachers. 2046 N Front Street
What they sell: For the comic book lover in your life (or the comic book-curious), this South Street shop is everything they could dream of. Comics (both new releases and classic back issues), graphic novels, and manga, as well as a great selection of arcade games.
Do-good jawn: With a wide selection of kids comics, this shop is great for the whole family, and consistently attracts a variety of authors for signings. As a South Street mainstay, it’s also known for being connected with the neighborhood, with food trucks and local art vendors welcomed regularly. The shop works to honor its founder Martin King, who passed twenty years ago. 638 South St, 215-625-9613
What they sell: Books, health and wellness products on South Street.
Do-good jawn: In addition to selling personal wellness products to keep you feeling good, Black and Nobel also carries dozens of Black written and centered books. To help everyone in the community take care, the store is also able to send books to inmates in most prisons. 422 South Street, 215-965-1559
UNCLE BOBBIE’S COFFEE AND BOOKS
What they sell: Books, coffee, and dope merch, from hoodies with the image of Kobe Bryant and his pile of books, to Colin Kaepernick pins to water bottles that tell it like it is, emblazoned as they are with this three-word call to action: Support Black Shit.
Do-good jawn: Marc Lamont Hill’s Germantown shop is a much loved community gathering spot for book lovers and non-readers alike. 5445 Germantown Avenue, 215-403-7058
HAKIM’S BOOKSTORE AND GIFTSHOP
What they sell: Books, mainly by Black authors and focused on Black culture along a bustling West Philly corridor.
Do-good jawn: As one of the oldest black-owned bookstores in the country, Hakim’s has been a community gathering spot and prime resource for adult and children’s literature for more than 70 years. It also supports currently incarcerated community members by shipping to prisons. 210 S. 52nd Street, 215-484-9495
What they sell: All of the books, including many by Black authors.
Do-good jawn: Named after Harriet Tubman, Jeannine Cook’s shop is centered on always serving others. This year, the shop worked to curate a trolley tour to boost traffic to other Black owned local businesses. You can also visit the Fishtown shop’s sister store, Ida’s Bookshop, in Collingwood, NJ. 258 E. Girard Avenue, 267-241-2617
SERVICES
What they do: Like those other, bigger, more expensive app-based delivery services, David and Aaron Cabello’s brings you meals, fast. Unlike others, Black and Mobile hires Black couriers and delivers exclusively from Black-owned restaurants in Philly, Atlanta, Detroit, Baltimore, L.A. and NYC.
Do-good jawn: A Black-owned business that supports Black-owned restaurants— that’s what community is all about.
What they do: Patrice Banks’ Upper Darby auto repair shop is empowering female mechanics and car owners to take the reins in a male-dominated industry. You can also get a mani/pedi while you wait.
Do-good jawn: workshops and educational resources empower women to take control of their auto-repair needs and a safe, comfortable environment. 7425 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, 461-4693
What they do: Yoga, art and cultural events for the community in East Passyunk.
Do-good jawn: Uprising ACM (Arts, Culture, Movement) is dedicated to serving ALL people through their wellness journeys. They focus on using movement as a catalyst to heal both body and mind. 1839 E. Passyunk Avenue, 215-839-4009
What they do: Floral arrangements, candles, stationary, honey, jewelry, and even pet gifts! All that, plus a cafe, so that you can eat after you shop.
Do-good jawn: Most of the gifts sold at this East Falls florist are locally sourced, so that you won’t just be supporting one small Philly business when you shop here, but multiple! 3507 Midvale Avenue, 267-331-6292
COFFEE, SNACKS, MEALS
What they sell: Great coffee, pastries and other sweet and caffeinated treats in Fairmount.
Do-good jawn: Shop owners Stephanie Ford and Sonja West are serving up more than your daily caffeine fix. Their goal was to create a shop where folks could come, sip and feel at home. You can sit and sip alone or bring friends for a cozy cafe day. 1500 Fairmount Avenue, 267-225-7602
What they sell: Herbal tinctures, smoothies, tinctures and plant based goodies in Rittenhouse.
Do-good jawn: Sisters Nakia and Taahirah Stith are providing everything you need to feel good from the inside out. Step into their plant-based apothecary and they’ll help you tap into the healing powers of everyday herbs and tonics. 257 S. 20th Street
DRE’S HOMEMADE WATER ICE AND ICE CREAM
What they serve: Southern-style ice cream and water ice, some wit CBD infusions, in season, in Dilworth Park.
Do-good jawn: Andre Andrews founded Dre’s to create jobs for marginalized community members in Philadelphia. 1 S. 15th Street (Dilworth Park) and 15th Street between Arch Street and JFK Boulevard (LOVE Park)
What they serve: Detroit-style pizza, fries and shakes in North Philly.
Do-good jawn: Down North provides employment opportunities to formerly incarcerated people, who usually struggle to find employment. On top of that, chef Michael Carter’s pizza is really good. 2804 W. Lehigh Avenue, 215-377-9787
Interested in starting or expanding your own Black-owned business? Check out our region’s African American Chamber of Commerce for resources and support.
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