KYW Newsradio's Community Comeback series checks in on Philadelphia neighborhoods and livelihoods to find out how small businesses made it through the pandemic and how they are surviving, and even thriving, today.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While many West Philadelphia businesses are going under in the economic aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, one Lancaster Avenue merchant says he is actually seeing a spike in revenue.
The Lancaster Avenue corridor has lost at least 12 storefronts over the course of the pandemic, according to Jabari Jones, president of the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative. But Flavius, who declined to give his full name because of the nature of his business, says sales are up.
Flavius has owned and operated All That Jazz Sound and Security since 1980. A few years ago, he relocated the business, installing sound and security systems in cars, to 4977 Lancaster Ave.
"We've been busier than ever," he said.
Related
He believes his recent success is a direct reflection of sour times in Philadelphia.
"Unfortunately, crime has risen throughout the city, and throughout the nation, so people are more inclined toward protecting their investments with security systems," he said. "That's where we come into play."
He says All that Jazz also services a lot of first responder vehicles, which he believes is another contributor to the increase in business. But he says he also believes job losses because of the pandemic are playing a direct role in higher demand for his services.
His theory is that people who are not getting the income they are used to might turn to illegal means to make cash, including breaking into cars.
Related
Car thefts and instances of carjacking have gone up in recent years, according to several reports. Many observers tie the trend to the overall increase in violence throughout Philadelphia during the pandemic.
Car thefts in Philadelphia were up 39% in 2020 compared to the year before, according to a report from 6 ABC.
Capt. Matthew Gillespie, of the 18th police district in Cobbs Creek, West Philly, says thieves have been targeting cars that are double-parked or left running unattended.
Many drivers leave their cars running to warm up in the winter or to make a delivery, making the work of car thieves simple. He said about a dozen delivery vehicles were stolen in 2020 in the 18th district alone.
A more violent crime, carjacking, nearly doubled in the city from 225 in 2019 to 404 in 2020, according to a report in the Inquirer.
In January alone, the Philadelphia Police Department had tallied a more-than threefold increase, according to the same report.
Related
Whether these are crimes of opportunity, or whether the increase in thefts is a result of the pandemic, high unemployment or social unrest, the police do recommend drivers install after-market alarm systems — those that react to motions, such as a window breaking or a jack lifting the vehicle — according to a story in the Chestnut Hill Local.
That bodes well for All That Jazz. Flavius says he has mixed feelings about the uptick, but says he's happy he can provide a unique service for people.
"It's about helping everyone protect themselves and protect their property."