PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nuisance businesses took the spotlight Thursday as Philadelphia City Council got back in session after its summer break.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced three bills aimed at nuisance businesses, noting that although council has been targeting rogue operators for years, they keep finding ways around regulations.
“Further action is needed to make sure these businesses are no longer hurting our communities and skirting our laws,” Richardson said.
She proposed closing a loophole that allows businesses to avoid enforcement by making small changes to their names and strengthening cease operations orders. She also called for hearings on unregulated substances, such as Kratom, that the stores sell.
A bill from last spring that imposes curfews on businesses in certain neighborhoods, including Kensington, also drew attention as it became law with this first council session. The ordinance expands the business curfew that has been in place for a section of Kensington since April 2024. It will force businesses to close each day at 11 p.m.
Co-sponsor Quetcy Lozada defended it after critical public testimony.
“We have got to do these drastic pieces of legislation in order to bring structure and order and discipline back into my community,” Lozada said.
The curfew bill became law without Mayor Cherelle Parker’s signature. She said she supports the bill’s intent, but the law department had concerns.
The law takes effect in 60 days, on Nov. 10.