Germantown: Barber Mark Lightfoot Keeps It All In the Family
Mark Lightfoot arrives at his barbershop as early as 6 a.m. to make sure everything is in place for his morning appointments. From the placement of each tool at each work station to the cleanliness of the floor, appearance is just as important as the quality of the haircut. This is one of many reasons […]
Brewerytown: Stylist Veronica Dunbar Shares Her ‘Fit for a Queen’ Dream
Veronica Dunbar has called Brewerytown home for two years now. Originally from Southwest Philadelphia, she grew up in her father’s barbershop, where he worked for nearly 40 years. Surrounded by hairstylists from a young age, she knew this would be a profession that would not only feel like home, but bring positivity to those she […]
Mayfair: New Executive Director Plans To Enhance The Business Community
In his office located on the second-floor of the Mayfair Community Center, Marc Collazzo, 49, has been getting used to his new job. Collazzo became the executive director of the Mayfair Business Improvement District in October. He was previously the chief of staff for State Representative John Taylor for six years and also served as […]
Brewerytown: Five Cafes That Serve Coffee With A Twist
There’s no question that Brewerytown has seen numerous changes throughout the years. Once known for its many breweries, it is now recognized for the new establishments in the area — especially the cafes. In a city filled with cafes and restaurants, it’s hard to stand out. Jennifer Vanderheyden (above), a barista at Kayuh Bicycles and […]
Bella Vista: Anastasi Seafood Is A Family Affair
Anastasi Seafood has become a household name in South Philadelphia, as this family-run business has stayed true to its claim of serving seafood in the Italian Market for more than 80 years. Located at 1101 S. Ninth St. since 1996, Anastasi Seafood features a dining room that seats its guests and serves a wide array of seafood […]
Bella Vista: Esposito’s Meats Transcends Generations
Esposito’s Meats has used its family-first and community-based business model to become the cornerstone butcher shop in South Philadelphia for its 106 years in existence. Attilio Esposito and his Italian-American immigrant family opened their first shop in 1911 at 1009 S. Ninth St., serving various meats for more than four generations. After success and local […]
Belmont: Entrepreneur Jennell Moody Hopes To Inspire City’s Youth
When she was 14 years old, Jennell Moody (above) started braiding her neighbors’ hair on the front steps of her mother’s North Philadelphia home. Word of her skills spread through word of mouth, and Moody eventually turned her hairstyling into a small business, charging $10 for the neighborhood girls to come get their hair done. […]
Point Breeze: Meet Alex Kanderson; the Brains and the Brawn Behind Philadelphia Tech Repair
Just west of Broad Street on Dickinson Street is Philadelphia Tech Repair. Alex Kanderson–the store’s owner, manager and lone employee–sits inside the small shop. As the small chalk board outside 1411 Dickinson St. states, he fixes “phones, laptops, tablets and more” six days a week. Originally from Ocean City, New Jersey, Kanderson moved to the city […]
Spruce Hill: Uhuru’s Flea Market Coordinator Inspires Young Africans To Make Change
Tiffany Murphy, a native of West Philadelphia, fell in love with community organization and civic engagement during her childhood. Years later, she is now the coordinator for the Uhuru Flea Market and the upcoming One Africa, One Nation Uhuru Book Fair Market that institutionalizes and develops programs to defend the human and civil rights of people […]
Bridesburg: Plan For Refurbishing Brownfields Awaits Next Step
Much of the area in North Philadelphia that abuts the Delaware River has been in a decades-long transition stage from manufacturing hub as factories in the neighborhoods move, leaving behind their industrial footprint. The possibility of chemical contamination in now-vacant lots means these properties, dubbed “brownfields,” must be assessed and cleaned before the lots can […]