Philadelphia Black-Owned Business Guide

Philly's Black Owned Shops and Retail:

• Amazulu Collections – Charita Powell, owner. Seven days a week and for nearly 30 years, this popular Reading Terminal Market stand has represented artists from all over the world and lived the motto, “where cultures meet.” For sale: handmade folk dolls, original paintings, body care, cultural clothing—including Urban Karma, Powell’s pattern-rich clothing collection for women and men—and her signature sterling silver jewelry of her design, made by Indonesian artisans. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 627-8667, @amazulucollections
• Charlie’s Jeans – Sebastian McCall, owner. This Old City spot is known and loved for its staff of fit experts. Slim, distressed, dark, flare, pencil, straight, bootcut, styles for work or play are all on the menu, so is the store’s American-made denim brand, Sebastian McCall Jeans, named for its owner. 233 Market Street, (215) 923-9681, charliesjeans.net
• Cultured Couture Vintage – Erik Honesty, owner. This Mount Airy bastion of quality style is best known for its stock of designer vintage menswear— well-priced Hermes scarves, ties, coats and shirts, Louis Vuitton and Gucci luggage, select women’s pieces and Honesty’s line of royalty-inspired, sui generis capes. In other words, the selection is a little bit Jidenna with a dash of Fonzworth Bentley. The destination-worthy boutique also hosts art shows and panel discussions. 703 W. Girard Avenue, culturedcouturegallery.com
• De’Vilage – Owners, Nikki Parks, and Joycelyn Parks. Natural stone and wooden jewelry, Shea butter, natural soaps, and body washes come from Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria to this standout Reading Terminal Market veteran. 12th & Filbert Streets, (215) 923-9860, readingterminalmarket.org
• Philadelphia Diamond Company – Kenyatta Black, owner. Visitors and locals can create a custom engagement and wedding rings and get appraisals at this much-respected jeweler, located in the heart of the Historic District, just steps from the Liberty Bell.111 S. Independence Mall East, Suite 612, (215) 607-6700, philadelphiadiamondco.com
•  The Sable Collective (TSC) – Shanti Mayers and Syreeta Scott, owners. More than a shop, this North Philly spot is a resource for women of color. The warm, chic storefront sells holistic body care, new and used books, Ankara-print socks, eclectic housewares, affirmation flag pennants (“I Am Brave” and “I Am Magic”), South African jewelry and Cuban leather bags. TSC also holds book clubs and yoga workshops—and serves as the hangout for clients from next-door-neighbor Duafe Holistic Hair Care, which belongs to Syreeta Scott, stylist to Jill Scott, Ava DuVernay, Questlove, Janet Jackson and others. 3133 N. 22nd Street, (267) 666-0126, thesablecollective.com
• Perfectly Flawless Boutique – Crystal Jackson, owner. More than just edgy jumpsuits, rompers, bodysuits and going-out wear, this personal stylist boutique doubles as a one-stop-shop for beauty. The airy and welcoming Germantown space offers manicures onsite, full makeup by aesthetician Sade Johnson and Brianna King’s Epiphany Beauty Salon for beautiful braids, extensions or affordable wash and curls. 5312 Germantown Avenue, (814) 232-0805, perfectlyflawlessboutique.com
• Damari Savile – Malcolm Jenkins and Jay Amin, owners. This year, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and business partner Jay Amin opened up their menswear shop along Jewelers’ Row. When Jenkins, recently named “Best Suit Style” in Sports Illustrated’s “Fashionable 50” isn’t at practice, he’s often on the scene, overseeing the boutique’s bespoke, made-to-measure and off-the-rack suits, each one named for a Philly street, and priced from $500. Also in stock: bowties galore. 709 Walnut Street, (267) 218-5760, damarisavile.com

 Philadelphia Shopping Districts Guide - From Center City to Bucks County, the Philadelphia region’s shopping neighborhoods are distinctive. Buzzing Old City in Historic Philadelphia has become renowned for its chic boutiques and mod galleries.

Spas, Beauty and Wellness

3rd Element Spa – Tomika Branch and Chyvonne Shackelford, owners. Proving sisters make the best small business partners, this nail specialist and esthetician established their busy, full-service day spa in the West Oak Lane community where they grew up. Popular here: Oxygen facials, gel manicures, detox pedicures, plush waxing, lash and brow enhancements, massages and 3rd Element lip balm and body butter and wash. 7175 Ogontz Avenue, (215) 276-2633, @3rdelementspa
Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Studio – Ursula Augustine, owner. This by-appointment-only spot belongs to an industry vet whose 25-plus years in the business include stints with Bobbi Brown, Francois Nars, Aveda and Jeanine Lobell of Stila. Devoted clients swear by her lash lifts, Sensei Peel, sugaring—but especially her note-perfect makeup applications. 1700 Sansom Street, Suite 201, (215) 557-1562, aboutphace201.com
Body Cycle Studio – Russell Carter, owner. The founder of one of the city’s preeminent indoor cycling studios first came to Philly on a football scholarship at Temple University. Today, Carter and his team of a dozen instructors put exercisers through fast-paced yet accessible interval-style training in mostly 45-minute to hour-and-a-half-long classes. 1923 Chestnut Street, (215) 563-3663, bodycyclestudio.com
Push Universal “Push U” Training – Troy Hayward and Justin Taylor, owners. This industrial-cool studio specializes in customized cross-training to improve muscle tone, decrease fat, build endurance—and keep clients healthy after their workouts. Each affordable group and personal training session—including $5 classes on Saturdays—is “always a fresh workout,” says Hayward. 930 N. 8th Street, (215) 995-3815, pushutraining.com
BeautifitStrong – Audra Anusionwu, owner. Anusionwu, a wellness coach and health advocate, helps bodybuilders and all her clients achieve their ideal physique. Her intimate East Falls studio offers small group and personal training. 3510 Scotts Lane, Suite 3018, (215) 432-0414, beautifitstrong.com
Snapdragon Flowers & Gifts – Tolani Lightfoot, owner. Eco-conscious Baltimore Avenue gem features a range of hard-to-find, botanicals, candles and Insta-worthy arrangements for homes and events. Lightfoot and company are known for their terrariums and vertical gardens and have a way with succulents and herbs. 5015 Baltimore Avenue, (267) 209-6066, snapdragonphilly.com
HolNest – Shannan Reese, owner. This co-op of licensed bodywork therapists offers holistic relaxation and rejuvenation inside a private fitness center in the busiest part of Center City. Reasonably priced Swedish, deep tissue, sports and hot stone massages are the specialty here, and an aromatherapist and esthetician are available too—for those who book ahead. 1835 Market Street, 2nd Floor, (215) 668-5403, holnestcoop.com

Philadelphia Day Spas & Salons Guide - A vacation isn’t a vacation without at least an hour or two of pampering built-in. Philadelphia day spas and salons are equipped to answer the call, offering clients a variety of luxurious customized services to refresh both body and spirit. They feature the latest in body treatments, relaxation therapy and beauty services—from the most all-natural mani-pedis to deeply transformative Thai yoga massages to rejuvenating facials.

Black Owned Cafes & Hangouts

• Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse – Ariell R. Johnson, owner. Johnson is the first African-American woman on the East Coast to own a comic book shop. The venue, on Frankford Avenue, stocks Marvel, DC, big-time and self-published books for grown-ups, kids and everyone in-between—and serves up coffee drinks and locally made pastries, including comic-book-hero-themed cupcakes. 2578 Frankford Avenue, (215) 427-3300, @amalgamphilly
  
• Atomic City Comics – Darryl Jones, owner. Classic comic book store known for dollar comics, manga, back issues, horror, sci-fi and old-school Arcade games such as Street Fighter has been a South Street mainstay since 2001. 638 South Street, (215) 625-9613 @atomiccitycomics
  
• Rose Petals Cafe & Lounge – Jania and Desmin Daniels, owners. Rose petals- and whipped cream-topped strawberry waffles? Yes, please, in this cozy Germantown refuge, serving breakfast and lunch six days a week. Other reasons to trek to Northwest Philly include free Wi-Fi, a child-centered entertainment room, croquet monsieurs, salads and tropical smoothies. 322 W. Chelten Avenue, (267) 388-1150

Bakeries

Denise’s Bakery – Denise Gause, owner. After a fire closed her 25-year-old North Philly homage to sugar, eggs and flour, she did what any strong baker would do: She rebuilt it. Today, lines once again form out the door, and the phone rings off the hook for Denise’s pound cake, pies, brownies, doughnuts, cookies and wedding cakes. 2916 N. 22nd Street, (215) 225-5425, cakesbydenises.com
Sweet Nectar Dessert Kitchen– Robin Broughton-Smith, owner. She’s gone from Jay-Z’s accountant to the creator of cookies, cakes, baked donuts, cupcakes and all manner of seasonal specialties in the Art Museum neighborhood. The shop also offers classes and private parties. 547 N. 20th Street, (267) 318-7143, sweetnectardk.com

Restaurants

48th Street Grille – Carl Lewis, Sr., owner. Customers with a taste for the perfect combo of soul, Caribbean and American cuisines—at low prices—meet up to chow down at this beloved destination. Hearty portions of blackened wings, jerk turkey with stuffing, baby back ribs and more are worth the trip to West Philly. 310 S. 48th Street, (267) 244-4764, 48thstreetgrille.com
Aksum Cafe – Saba Tedla, owner. This Mediterranean—North African, European, Middle Eastern—BYOB spot is known along the Baltimore Avenue corridor for its vegetable tajines, Lebanese lemon chicken and shrimp, Greek lamb chops and tapas like kale spanikopita, roasted garlic hummus and roasted beet salad. Also on offer: a kids’ menu and weekend brunches that of sweet corn griddlecakes, Turkish scrambled eggs, shakshuka and Monte Cristo sandwiches. In 2017, OpenTable rated Aksum one of the “Top 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America.” 4630 Baltimore Avenue, (267) 275-8195, aksumcafe.com
Dos Tacos – Sylva Senat, owner. When current-season “Top Chef” contestant Senat temporarily left Philly for Savannah, Georgia, he at least left the city with five-chili pastrami, queso- and chipotle-cream-topped yucca fries, and the most loaded nachos ever. All this from a shoebox-size eatery in the heart of Center City. 120 S. 15th Street, (215) 567-8226, dostacosphilly.com
Reggae Reggae Vibes – Denice Moore, owner. This total find serves Jamaican and American fusion in the form of flaky chicken patties, homebrewed ginger beer and even jerk chicken cheesesteak on the edge of Kensington. 517 W. Girard Avenue, (267) 457-2970, reggaereggaevibes.com
Jamaican Jerk Hut – Lisa Wilson, owner. One of the city’s favorite casual BYOBs has been serving up famous jerk chicken, oxtail, curry shrimp with sides of roti, cornbread and johnny cakes since 1994. 1436 South Street, (215) 545-8644, jajerkhut.com
Booker’s Restaurant and Bar – Saba Tedla, the owner (also owns Aksum). Serving up comfort food, yummy coconut rice, pan-seared salmon and some amazing Buffalo cauliflower, this fun West Philly restaurant—with both a kids’ menu and a cool bar scene—is named for Booker Wright, a server who risked—and later lost—his life for voicing what it was like to be a black waiter in the 1960s in an all-white restaurant in Mississippi. 5021 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 883-0960, bookersrestaurantandbar.com
Maison 208 – Herb Reid, Ryan Dorsey, chef Sylva Senat, owners. Haitian-born Top Chef competitor Senat helms this chic and airy Midtown Village stunner—retractable roof, nature-inspired decor and all. At Maison, inventive cocktails such as the splurge-worthy gin and terrarium, served in a mini terrarium in a glass bowl, pair with equally inventive apps and mains. 208 S. 13th Street, (215) 999-1020, maison208.com
Green Soul, Paris Bistro, Relish, South Kitchen & Jazz Bar & Warmdaddy’s – Robert and Benjamin Bynum, owners. Two prolific brothers own not one but five dope venues. Chestnut Hill’s fast-casual Green Soul serves healthful, soulful comfort food such as mango jerk salmon, black bean veggie burgers and roasted herb chicken. Right next door, Paris Bistro has an elegant dinner menu that offers escargot and French onion soup—and live jazz sets four evenings a week. West Oak Lane’s Relish offers modern Southern cuisine, live jazz Thursday through Saturday and a 40-foot brunch buffet on Saturday and Sunday. Just north of City Hall, spare and chic South dishes up Lowcountry fare (chicken-fried oysters, lobster and grits, hush puppies), old-fashioned hospitality, live jazz six nights a week and a 50-bottle bourbon and whiskey program. Warmdaddy’s is the spot for New Orleans jazz, acoustic soul—Urban Guerilla Orchestra, Jeff Bradshaw, Zeek, Point Blank or Amazin Grace Little perform here—and the food to go with it—a massive menu of barbecue short ribs, skillet mac and cheese, Gumbo Ya Ya and more. Green Soul, 8229 Germantown Avenue, (215) 242-2300, greensoulliving.com; Paris Bistro, 8229 Germantown Avenue, (215) 242-6200, parisbistro.net; Relish, 7152 Ogontz Avenue, (215) 276-0170, relishphiladelphia.com; South, 600 N. Broad Street, (215) 600-0220, southrestaurant.net; Warmdaddy’s, Riverview Plaza, 1400 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 462-2000, warmdaddys.com
Keven Parker Soul Food Cafe – Owner, Keven Parker. Fried chicken, extra-cheesy mac and cheese, caramelized candied yams, collard greens, Southern-fried chicken wings, smothered turkey wings and other feel-good, soul food comes from this simmering stall in the historic Reading Terminal Market. Parker’s sit-down spot, complete with a stylish lounge, is a few blocks South, the much-loved Ms. Tootsie’s. Soul Food Café, 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 625-0650; Ms. Tootsie’s, 1312 South Street, (215) 731-9045, kevenparker.net
Youma – Youma Ba, owner. The African cuisine scene is especially rich in West Philly. One notable newcomer is this Senegalese spot, whose Fulani owner brings a taste of Dakar with dibi (grilled lambchops), Yassa (spicy grilled chicken with habanero and green pepper), fatata (beef patties), aloco (fried plantains), thieboudienne (fried rice with vegetables and fish) and ginger juice blended with mango, strawberry, grenadine or peach. 4519 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 386-2025, youmarestaurant.com

Art Galleries:

The Bazemore Gallery – Lenny Bazemore, owner. A heavyweight in the local art and real estate scene laid out his Manayunk gallery to conform to the principles of Feng Shui, then invited in artists such as Susan Beard, Stephen Bruce, James Brantley and John Stango to add life. 4339 Main Street, (215) 482-1119, thebazemoregallery.com
October Gallery – Mercer Redcross, owner. “African-American art is good for everyone” is the motto of this longstanding repository of mostly contemporary black art. This elder statesman of creativity had shared its mission from its Germantown flagships through kiosks and shows across town, long before pop-ups were cool. 6353 Greene Street, (215) 352-3114, octobergallery.com
Rush Arts Philly (RAP) – Danny Simmons, owner. After the elder brother of the Reverend Run and Russell Simmons relocated to Philly, he established an outpost of his famed art gallery and community space at the very top of Broad Street. RAP for short opened with the acclaimed show Guerillas In The Midst and continues to put on top-notch shows. 4954 Old York Road, rushphilanthropic.org
The Ellen Powell Tiberino Memorial Museum – Ellen, Raphael and Gabriel Tiberino, owners. Known as “the West Philly Wyeths,” the artistic Tiberino family has long occupied five homes that overlook a common courtyard—and, spring through fall allowed tours through their art-filled residences. After patriarchs Joseph and Ellen Powell passed, their adult children continued their traditions, working in ceramics, stained glass, mural and figure painting, and holding alfresco summertime painting and drawing sessions along with other artistic events. 3819 Hamilton Street, (215) 386-3784, tiberinomuseum.org

Philadelphia's Hispanic & Latino Art Scene - Philly's Latin American art is the combined artistic expression of South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico, as well as Latin Americans living in other regions. Latino art thrives in Philadelphia, and it’s available for sale at galleries and museums around town. Want a Frida Kahlo print for the living room? Find it at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Just Outside The City:

Girls’ Auto Clinic Repair Center – Patrice Banks, owner. Engineer turned mechanic (and author of Girls Auto Clinic Glovebox Guide) has established the city’s first and only women-run garage and has debuted Clutch Beauty Bar, featuring stations for hair and nail services. 7425 W. Chester Pike, Upper Darby, (484) 461-4693, girlsautoclinic.com