Community Comeback is a six-week series checking 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.
Fairmount stores quick to follow the pace of pandemic clientele
Fairmount took a hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with stock shortages and staffing issues. But it quickly bounced back due to the resiliency of the neighborhood. "We're in such a residential neighborhood. … Everyone lives over here. They don't have to commute anywhere. They're coming right to us." Read more
After panic buys and stock delays, Chestnut Hill is slowly on the up and up
Storefronts in Chestnut Hill have endured many curveballs this past year — and more to certainly come. While the economy seems to be recovering, business owners say it hasn't been easy managing inventory, staff and customer adjustments. Read more
Pandemic upheaval drives Manayunk businesses into a resurgence
Main Street business owners believe Manayunk is in a resurgence. Business has picked up as people take to the nearby trails and end up around town. Despite ongoing surges and variants, some say demand will increase as more people move into the area. Read more
North 5th Street businesses keep music alive through COVID-19 without pulling punches
Businesses old and new find hope on N. 5th Street. Centro Musical, a staple of North Philly's Latin American community, and 365 Fitness Loft, which opened just as the pandemic shut it down again, made it through without local, state or federal help. Read more
Germantown small business owner survived COVID-19 crisis by staying nimble
Christian Javier says throughout the coronavirus pandemic his small business in the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor thrived while others fell. He credits two things to his success: federal stimulus checks and a nimble business model. Javier says the real devastation came when people rioted and looted businesses after the killing of George Floyd. Read more
'We fight; this is what we do': North Philly furniture store sustains social justice mission
Community-based Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles supports civil rights programs and efforts to correct education and health disparities in the Black community. The store's marketing coordinator, Ruby Gittelsohn, says that's why, when they reopened during the pandemic, the community reached back to them. Read more
How the community's commitment to local businesses is pushing Northeast Philly through the pandemic
Northeast Philadelphia is a unique melting pot of immigrant communities, which some locals say has contributed to businesses pulling through the pandemic so far. The community leans on its small businesses and restaurants, COVID-19 or not. Read more
Unique products, local support keep South Street 'firmly invested' through pandemic
A restaurant and pub to play board games like Queen and Rook Café, a rock 'n' roll clothing locale like Crash Bang Boom — their unique products, and the South Street community surrounding them, were big reasons why they have survived the pandemic. Read more
They're back: South Philadelphia businesses enduring after initially cutting hours or closing doors
Businesses like Anthony's Italian Coffee and Chocolate House, Sermania Jewelry, and Fitz & Starts had to partially or completely close their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. But through resourcefulness and a patient community, they are back. Read more
'The 2020 word, pivot': South Philadelphia small businesses change product lines to make it through
Fabric Row anchor business Fleishman Fabrics and Supplies was able to operate as an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the materials needed to make masks. Read more
How the internet came to the rescue for these South Philly businesses during the pandemic
Numerous small businesses in Philadelphia had to shut their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some, like Cappuccio's Meats, Nice Things Handmade and Urban Princess, went online and reinvented their marketing to find a way through. Read more
Pandemic year challenged 52nd Street's reputation for resilience in West Philadelphia
The coronavirus pandemic, and civil unrest following the deaths of George Floyd and Walter Wallace, hit the bottom lines of the 52nd Street corridor, long known as a hub for Black-owned businesses. Some have been able to meet the new challenges. Read more
West Philly businesses made major sacrifices before finding hope in the pandemic
When coronavirus restrictions forced salons, barber shops, restaurants and other businesses to close during the pandemic, West Philly merchants from 52nd Street to Baltimore Avenue had to make major sacrifices to survive. Read more
While pandemic beat some businesses down, it lifted his up, says car security dealer
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. Read more
