Celebrate — and participate — with this list of hand-picked Philly standouts
August presents an exciting opportunity to honor and support a crucial part of our community’s entrepreneurial spirit: Black-owned businesses. This month is officially recognized as National Black-Owned Business Month, a time to acknowledge the immense contributions of Black entrepreneurs and their significant economic impact.
Black Owned Business Month began in 2004, by author/historian John William Templeton and Frederick E. Jordan, an engineering entrepreneur. Their vision was to create a dedicated time to shine a spotlight on Black-owned businesses, celebrating their accomplishments, and raising awareness about the challenges they face in a predominantly unequal economic system.
Throughout history, Black-owned businesses have forged the way for financial empowerment and social progress for African Americans, showing remarkable resilience, creativity, and innovation. Their businesses have not only provided essential products and services but have also served as hubs for community development, fostering job opportunities, and supporting economic growth in underserved areas.
By celebrating National Black-Owned Business Month, we acknowledge the significance of diversity and inclusion in our economy. It is an invitation for everyone to participate in creating a more equitable society by actively supporting and patronizing Black-owned businesses. Together, we can forge a path towards a more just and prosperous future, where every entrepreneur’s dreams and ambitions have the chance to flourish. This August, let’s celebrate Black-owned businesses to foster a more inclusive and prosperous Philly for everyone.
⭐ LOCAL STANDOUTS: BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES ⭐
We’re thrilled to present this curated list our favorite Black-owned businesses in the city. As you explore these exceptional establishments, we encourage you to show your appreciation by engaging with their services, products, and stories.
🍴FOOD & DRINK 🥤
BLACK AND MOBILE
3675 Market St (University City)
A delivery service that connects customers with Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia. Started here in 2019, they’re in four other major cities now, and to date have generated over $1M for Black-owned businesses. Download the app and order from more than 80 participating local establishments, including several listed below (indicated with a “🚗”). blackandmobile.com
AFFINITY CONFECTIONS
310 S 48th St B (Spruce Hill)
Contemporary baking company creates spectacular, seasonal desserts and pastries with premium natural ingredients. Order online for local & nation-wide delivery. affinityconfections.com
AKSUM CAFE
4630 Baltimore Ave (Cedar Park)
Cozy, welcoming Mediterranean restaurant offering dine-in, takeout & delivery (they also cater). Full bar, outdoor patio, and award-winning brunch. aksumcafe.com 🚗
AMINA
104 Chestnut St (Old City)
Family-owned restaurant and catering service specializing in authentic Moroccan cuisine prepared by an award-winning chef who hails from Gouldtown, NJ — the oldest Black community in the United States. Great brunch and cocktails! aminaphilly.com
DENISE’S DELICACIES
2916 N 22nd St (Tioga)
Full-service bakery serving up fresh-baked cookies, buttery pastries, all-natural fruit pies, and the most delicious donuts you’ve ever tasted. Second-generation, family-owned. cakesbydenises.com 🚗
DOWN NORTH PIZZA
2804 W Lehigh Ave (Strawberry Mansion)
Detroit-style pizza made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, prepared by returning citizens. This business is also a social enterprise that offers living wages, benefits and opportunities for its workers and the community at large. downnorthpizza.com 🚗
NILE CAFE
6008 Germantown Ave (Germantown)
Cozy and beloved cafe features plant-based soul food with fresh-pressed juices plus vegan desserts (even ice cream!) nilevegancafe.com
SWEET NINAS
Reading Terminal, #101 (Market East)
Best banana pudding in Philadelphia, possibly on the East Coast. Other flavors available too, come early for full selection (favorites sell out fast) sweetninas.com
THUNDER MUG CAFE
4233 Ridge Ave (East Falls)
Cozy space with neighborly vibe and lively riverside location. Coffee, tea, pastries and sandwiches. thundermugcafe.com
VEGAN-ISH
1214 N 52nd St (Carroll Park) & 1519 Spring Garden St (Spring Garden)
Fast-casual restaurant with (mostly) plant-based ingredients and Philly flair! Hoagies, cheesesteaks, seafood. Smoothies & shakes, too. veganishphilly.com 🚗
VIVALEAF TEA & HONEY
6730 Germantown Ave (Mount Airy)
Delicious, healthful tea blends and botanical-infused honey from the founder of Farmer Jawn non-profit CSA (and local leader in urban agriculture). Subscribe to their newsletter for community events and markets! Vivaleaftea.com
🏠HOME & FASHION👗
BLACK SOUL VINTAGE
90 Church Lane (Germantown)
Curated art, clothing, texts, home goods and more to inspire an Afro-centric lifestyle while promoting sustainability and honoring our unique culture, history and self-expression. Shop online or by appointment. blacksoulvintage.com
BLAQSKIRT
7161 Germantown Ave. (Mount Airy)
Stylish and affordable outfits for women of all sizes, specializing in comfort and versatility. Expert designs and alterations as well. blacqskirt.com
BUDDHA BABE
308 Levering Mill Rd (Bala Cynwyd)
Philly-based luxury accessories for babies, toddles and the home, celebrating detail, comfort and quality. All items thoughtfully designed, locally sourced and produced with the highest-quality textiles. Shop online and register for sewing camps, classes and workshops. buddhababe.com
FOLIAGE
8139 Germantown Ave (Chestnut Hill)
Located in a former antique shop, this vibrant boutique specializes in healthy, beautiful plants for your home. Wide range of services to support your love of plants: repotting, rehab, in-home consultations and even plant-sitting. chestnuthillpa.com/business/foliage/
PHILADELPHIA DIAMOND COMPANY
421 Chestnut St (Old City)
Wide selection of diamonds & other fine jewelry plus custom design/repair/appraisal/consignment services. Stunningly affordable engagement rings & wedding bands since 1991. philadelphiadiamondco.com
THE SABLE COLLECTIVE
(online only)
Formerly located in Center City’s Fashion District, this retail hub for BIPOC designers and other creatives is now a thriving online shop with extraordinary clothing, jewelry, home goods, beauty products, and other artisanal items for all budgets. thesablecollective.com
🌿HEALTH & BEAUTY✨
DOPE BOTANICALS
257 S. 20th Street (Rittenhouse)
Plant-based wellness brand founded by local sisters, experts in herbal remedies, with over 30 years of shared experience using food to heal and revitalize the body. Belly up to the herbal bar for special elixirs and delicious smoothies. Sleep better, eat better, feel better overall. mydopebotanicals.com
DUAFE HAIR SALON
3129 N 22nd St (Upper North)
Award-winning and nationally-recognized trendsetter in holistic hair care and grooming for all textures, specializing in natural styles. A safe space for over-the-top service and hospitality, with 20+ years of satisfied customers. Free virtual consultations. duafehairsalon.com
HOLISTIC JAWNS
1218 N 29th St (Lower North)
Online store selling health and wellness products for better living: herbal bitters and supplements, black seed oil and dry sea moss. Also honey, incense, and branded merch. holistic-jawns.myshopify.com
NBEAUTY INC HAIR SALON
3933 Ridge Ave (Allegheny West), 6 Greenfield Ave (Ardmore)
Full menu of hair styling options: color, cut, locks, braids, extensions plus skincare, makeup, and lash extensions. Specializing in hair designs for weddings and formal occasions. Staff of certified professionals with 50+ combined years of expertise. nbeautyinc.com
NYAMBI NATURALS
Cherry Street Pier, Studio 3 (Old City)
Bath and body care products made by hand with purity, artistry, and integrity. Small batches, non-animal tested, with organic ingredients (many grown locally). nyambinatural.com
PLANT AND PEOPLE
1431 N 52nd St (Carroll Park)
Plant-nursery and wellness space by a mother-daughter duo with over 50 years of practice in botanical medicine. Houseplants and supplies for sale, plus books, gifts and self-care/beauty products. plantandpeople.com
POLLOCK’S HERBS & VITAMIN CENTER
5925-27 N Broad St (Logan)
Family owned & operated for over 25 years, offering the highest-quality nutritional supplements plus information for healing and invigorating the mind, body and spirit. pollocksherb.com
THE NAKED PEACH
1725 South Street (South Philly), 6226 Ridge (Roxborough), 708 South 5th (Queens Village)
This all-gender salon uses its own proprietary wax formulas for quick, painless hair removal – try their famous “Comfort 15 Minute Brazilian” for the smoothest, softest bikini-area. They also sell skin care products enriched with vitamins, minerals and super foods. thenakedpeach.com
THE PHRESH POT WAXING STUDIO
2679 Aramingo Ave (Fishtown)
Extractions, vajacials and yoni steaming by appointment along with full menu of waxing services for men and women. Online store features hand-crafted feminine body care products made with organic ingredients. thephreshpot.com
THE SUSTAINABLE FARM X CUSTOM CUISINE
Reading Terminal, #D5 (Market East)
Food for your skin! Handmade products made from house-grown botanicals, chemical-free & full of love! Customcuisinellc.net
🎨ART & BOOKS📚
ATOMIC CITY COMICS
638 South St (South Street)
Comic book and gaming hub that sells new & back-issue comics, graphic novels, manga, t-shirts, toys and games. Follow on Facebook for fun fan events: @atomiccitycomics
CITY ARTS SALON
5838 Germantown Avenue (Germantown)
Contemporary art gallery featuring visual arts of all kinds by local and global talents. Lively events calendar includes performances, lectures, workshops and more. Also art curating/consulting/installation services. cityartssalon.com
HAKIMS BOOKSTORE
210 S 52nd St (Walnut Hill)
The oldest African American bookstore in Philly, with a wide selection of books, magazines, DVDs and other items celebrating Black culture and history. Events & workshops too. hakimsbookstore.com
HARRIET’S BOOKSHOP
258 E. Girard Ave (Fishtown)
A diverse range of books, art, and merchandise that reflect their mission of empowering women authors, artists, and activists while promoting social justice. Shop online or visit their cozy and welcoming store to browse, chat, and join their community events. bookshop.org/shop/harrietsbookshop
OCTOBER GALLERY
6353 Greene St (Germantown)
Original art, etchings, prints, posters and even merch by African American and global artists for all budgets. Also hosts numerous exhibitions, workshops, lectures and festivals throughout the year. A cultural hub since 1985! octobergallery.com
RUSH ARTS PHILLY
4954 Old York Rd (Logan)
Art-based non-profit exhibits and promotes the work of emerging, community-based artists, while offering a variety of events, programs and initiatives supporting art education and social justice. rushphilanthropic.org
UBUNTU FINE ART
5423 Germantown Ave (Germantown)
Photography studio and community space for art classes, workshops and events for children and adults. Also rental space for birthday parties, fundraisers, and corporate engagements. ubuntufa.com
UNCLE BOBBIE’S
5445 Germantown Ave (Germantown)
A space for learning, conversation, and community. They offer a curated selection of books that challenge, inspire, and entertain, as well as delicious coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. Plus live events, book clubs, and podcasts that feature diverse voices and perspectives. unclebobbies.com
🎙️SPECIAL VENUES 🎉
PHILLY CONTENT STUDIO
3112 W Diamond St (Strawberry Mansion)
Unique, gender-neutral settings for youtubers, podcasters, photo shoots, and more. Indoor & outdoor scenes available, including an operational kitchen. Self check-in, affordable rates. Membership packages available. sites.google.com/view/philly-content-studio , @phillycontentstudio
THE WINE GARDEN
1707 Chestnut St (Rittenhouse) & 5019 Baltimore Ave (Cedar Park)
A wine-lover’s oasis! Exquisite urban garden with a wide range of wines & specialty cocktails. Insta-worthy venue for up to 50 guests, offering everything you need for a great event: food, music, flowers, staff, more. Check out their calendar for happenings. winegardenphilly.com
ℹ️ PRO TIP: Farmers markets are a great way to discover new Black-owned businesses, and so are community resource fairs. Check in with block captains & neighborhood councils for info on events with vendors in your area.
SHOUT IT OUT LOUD – When you patronize a Black-owned business this month, tell the world! Share a photo or video, don’t forget to tag them and also use #buyblack #blackowned and #nbbm.
Know a great BOB that should be listed? Please add it below in the Comments (we’ll update our directory asap).
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