Welcome to our mid-month Business Digest, an opportunity to celebrate and support the neighborhood businesses that make the Art Museum District unique, and share resources to help aspiring business-leaders grow.
Neighborhood News and Notes
Angela Cicala, of Cicala at the Divine Lorraine, was recognized as a semifinalist nominee for outstanding pastry chef by the James Beard Foundation, "considered among the most prestigious restaurant industry awards."
Coffee Cream & Dreams was featured in The Philadelphia Tribune this week: Local shop serves up coffee and camaraderie
Happy Anniversary to Ali's Wagon celebrating 15 years in February and Le Cat Cafe marking 6 years this month!
Welcome to Cambridge Street Coffee House, now open at 1733 Ridge Avenue, serving up coffee, waffles, sandwiches, and vegan stuffs!
Women's History Month
All month long we're paying tribute to women-owned businesses in the Art Museum District and sharing events honoring women throughout Philadelphia. See them all in our Instagram highlight. We're also featuring woman-owned Fairmount Bicycles in March's spotlight below.
Business Spotlight
Fairmount Bicycles on 2015 Fairmount Avenue, is a queer woman-owned business led by Shelly Walker. They have lots planned for 2022:
Shop rides are back, with a monthly FTQ (Femme/Trans/Queer) mixed terrain ride with Ronnie and a monthly Dirt Church (for all genders) mountain bike ride with DéSean. They also have a full fleet of rental bikes - hardtail and full suspension mountain bikes, road bikes, and comfort bikes.
The beer history and tasting tour, operated under Philly Bike Tour Co., has officially launched. This tour runs every Sunday at 1pm, beginning in April. There are also tours of Fairmount Park, neighborhood murals and the Classic City Tour.
Fairmount Bicycles offers $2 flat fixes to anyone with an EBT card. This is funded in part by neighbors directly contributing money to help offset the cost. Learn more and contribute here to help grow the program into something even bigger, discounting all sorts of services.
For those who have been wondering when new bicycles would start coming in again, they are here! Fairmount Bicycles has a wide selection of hybrids, a handful of gravel bikes, some trail bikes, and a sizable collection of used bikes. Check the live inventory on their website, or call or email to see if the bike you want is in a box or ready for a test ride.
Late last year, a community pantry was added next to the Mama-Tee Community Fridge on Capitol Street thanks to the efforts of other local businesses and neighbors. Thanks to Jess from Lumos Yoga for suggesting the idea and to Fairmount Hardware for donating the high quality storage unit to use as a pantry. If you're unfamiliar, the idea of a community fridge and pantry is that you take what you need, and leave what you don't. The fridge and pantry have become very well used, so if you ever have any food to spare, consider bringing it over to Capitol Street outside the shop!
Calling all aspiring business owners!
We are currently accepting applications for the first cohort of PhillyiHub North. The free six-week program helps current and aspiring entrepreneurs take their business idea to the next level, whatever their starting point. Those just beginning can receive assistance formalizing a business plan, while already existing business-owners can explore taking their business online, opening an in-person location, or hiring staff. Participants join evening, online classes across six weeks and receive expert advice and insight. Learn more and apply at fairmountcdc.org/phillyihub.