Newly constructed Bookers’ Greenhouse Patio (Photo from Bookers’ Instagram page).

The City of Philadelphia has declared all Fridays in December as a “Shop Black Business Friday“, an initiative that aims to support Black-owned businesses, which have been hit very hard during the pandemic. One of the ways to support Black businesses in your community is to order food from Black-owned restaurants.

There are so many great Black-owned restaurants in West Philly. Some of them, like Bookers’ Restaurant and Bar (50th and Baltimore) and 48th Street Grille (48th and Pine) are still open for outdoor dining, as long as the weather is not too cold. Bookers’ recently built a greenhouse patio with open air flow, heaters and socially distanced tables (see photo).  Continue Reading

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

Philadelphia’s Share Food Program will be hosting several special food distributions in West Philly this Saturday, Oct. 31:

Frontline Dads
410 N. 34th St.
11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

New Testament Church
935 S. 53rd St.
11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

On A Mission
433 N. 64th St.
12 noon until food runs out

60th Ward Emergency Food Relief
5149 Locust St.
12 noon until food runs out

To find additional food resources, residents can access the Find Food interactive maps at www.sharefoodprogram.org/find-food.

ACME Markets, a Philadelphia based company, has opened its newest store at 40th and Walnut (former Fresh Grocer location) this morning.

Here are some more details on what the new store includes:

• A Deli department featuring such meal solutions as sushi, Poke bowls, Asian hot bar, focaccia pizza, BBQ station, and ACME’s first ever Sally the Robot salad station
• A full-service Butcher Block featuring fresh cut meats prepared daily by on-site butchers and a full-service seafood department
• A bakery with freshly made pastries, hot Italian bread, cookies, and cakes for special occasions
• Natural, organic, and gluten-free products throughout the store
• A beer and wine section, featuring local craft beer options
• In-store Starbucks  Continue Reading

Photo from Ice Cave’s Facebook page.

After closing for a few weeks, the popular Baltimore Avenue business Ice Cave has reopened at a new location – across the street from their previous location near 45th and Baltimore. The shop, which sells authentic Taiwanese shaved ice and other cool treats, is now located at 4520 Baltimore Avenue, in much bigger space (it was previously occupied by West Philly Ballroom and Latin Dance studio).

Owner Po Chang, a Drexel University graduate, opened Ice Cave four years ago. Like many small businesses, Ice Cave experienced some hardship during the past few months. From their Facebook page:  Continue Reading

Finally here’s good news for those who have been waiting for a new supermarket to open at 40th and Walnut, in the space once occupied by The Fresh Grocer until early March. Acme Markets will open what it’s calling a “first class” urban grocery store on Friday, Oct. 23. Acme staff is currently on-site working on remodeling the space.

The store is also hiring new staff, according to signs posted in its windows.

The University of Pennsylvania signed a lease with Acme Markets for the supermarket space at 4001 Walnut St. in 2017, however a legal battle ensued after that between the University and Fresh Grocer which refused to vacate the space until earlier this year.  Continue Reading