Germantown: Building Community One Conversation at a Time
Keith Schenck sees familiar faces on every Germantown corner. Schenck, a photographer, is involved in an artists’ collective as a leader and mentor. He and fellow artists organized two One Love Guns Down events to raise funds to fight gun violence in Philadelphia. He works closely with the Friends of Germantown Northwest to host fundraisers and community-building activities […]
Mount Airy: Redevelopment Projects Look to Eliminate Blight, Improve Livelihood of Historic Neighborhood
Dating back to the 1680s, when it was a just small part of Germantown, the neighborhood of Mount Airy has a rich history that has shaped the diverse and tight-knit community that it is today. In 1750, William Allen, a chief justice for the province of Pennsylvania, built an estate at the corner of modern-day […]
Germantown: A Local Fashion Designer Caters To Muslim Women
The Muslim population in Germantown is a visible one, with many businesses supporting parishioners of the faith. As a Muslim community, there are several small Islamic clothing stores for men, but few for women. Sadika Fashions‘ owner Linda Cowins, known as Saadiqah, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her business. On Jan. 7, Saadiqah hosted a “Sisters Luncheon” where women came […]
Germantown: Small Businesses Impact The Unemployment Rate
One may have noticed the influx of small businesses in Germantown that have popped up throughout the past decade. With unemployment still an issue, many wonder if this growth of small businesses is having any effect on residents. Local resident Alisha Gillespie is frustrated about the list of job requirements businesses ask for and wants to see a change in the […]
Germantown: Leader Advocates Programs For Older Adults, “No More Bingo!”
Lynn Fields Harris is a Philadelphia native and executive director of Center in the Park, a senior center in Germantown. As an executive director for 14 years, Harris uses her background in community service, politics and marketing to serve as an advocate for older adults. As a way to continue the legacy of the center’s co-founders, […]
Germantown: Five Black-Owned Small Businesses Prospering In The Community
Germantown is one of the oldest settlements in Philadelphia. Known for its historical landmarks such as the Germantown White House, The Johnson House and many more, the history tracks almost three centuries of settlement, patriotism and abolitionism. But it has more to offer than just history including an abundance of small businesses. Here are five black-owned businesses around Germantown and Chelten avenues that offer a variety of […]
Mount Airy: Lovett Memorial Library Getting Closer to Completion
In 2013, the Lovett Memorial Library on Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy was selected as one of four Philadelphia branches to be a part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. For more than 130 years it has been a staple of the Mount Airy community. Now, nearly four years […]
Chestnut Hill: Business District Keeps Striving on Germantown Avenue
Chestnut Hill generates a great deal of revenue from its array of locally owned businesses that call Germantown Avenue home. While some longtime business owners are shutting their doors, it does not appear to be making an impact on other stores in the area. The businesses lining the avenue face many challenges. After being open for 17 years, O’Doodles Toy Store closed at […]