Small Business Hall of Fame
Written by: Sarah Pretopapa | Illustration by: Aliya McDonald
MAVEN’s Small Business Hall of Fame, featuring the best of Philly when it comes food, shopping, and culture!
Food & Drink
Arctic Scoop | 1812 E Passyunk Ave
Craving a creamy sweet treat? Arctic Scoop has you covered! At Arctic Scoop, you can build your own bowl (served in a hollowed-out coconut), loaded waffle, hard cone, or cup, and you get to choose your favorite combination of ice cream, toppings, and drizzles. Arctic Scoop likes to get experimental with its colorful and refreshing Asian-inspired flavors, like taro, pandan, and sesame butter, but has all the fan-favorite classic flavors as well. Flavors rotate weekly to keep the selection fresh and exciting, and they look just as good as they taste!
Arterial Coffee | 3100 Spring Garden St
Arterial is a new coffee shop on the outskirts of Drexel’s campus that serves fresh pastries, sandwiches, and salads, along with house-brewed coffee and espresso beverages. One of Arterial’s best combinations is their hot caramel latte with oat milk, paired with their savory avocado toast with salmon and vinaigrette. They have a calming and welcoming ambiance to set the mood and an open seating area, great for getting work done.
Cake Life Bake Shop | 1306 Frankford Ave
Cake Life Bake Shop specializes in seasonally-inspired baked goods made from scratch. At Cake Life, you can expect to find herby goat cheese biscuits, lemon poppyseed muffins, pumpkin-maple cake, chai cheesecake blondies, chocolate raspberry cupcakes, and everything in-between. They even have a few pet-friendly treat options for our four-legged friends. These confections frequently rotate, so expect to see something new each visit.
La Chinesca | 1036 Spring Garden St
La Chinesca is a Mexican-Chinese fusion restaurant that recently opened and was such a pleasant surprise. Nothing on the menu disappoints, especially the crispy wonton chips and salsa, glazed pork belly, juicy quesabirria tacos, and their house-made churros with warm chocolate sauce. The decor is modern and lively, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Their drinks are just as tasty as their food options, making it a perfect go-to spot. If you have a date coming up, La Chinesca is the place to be!
Libertee Grounds | 1600 W Girard Ave
Libertee Grounds is a beer bar that combines mini golf, Pan-Asian food, and local craft beer all in one. What could be better? Libertee Grounds is a 21+ area where adults can let loose and do something more fun than just going to a plain old beer garden. A few of their specialties include Korean double smash burgers, Vietnamese crepes, and Asian-inspired pizzas, all pairing well with their varying selection of local brews. Libertee Grounds is a great spot where everyone in your friend group will be able to have a fun time whether they’re there to drink, play some games, or want a delicious meal.
THE JUICE | www.juicephilly.com
THE JUICE is a sustainable small business that sells delicious fresh-pressed juices that provide extra nutrients and enhance energy! THE JUICE does not yet have a physical location at the moment, but they do sell their products at a few locations around Philadelphia. Never Give Up Training, Ignite Fitness, and the Indie Shelf are some locations that currently stock THE JUICE. They also provide pick-up or delivery services to the area and will drop your order off right on your doorstep if it’s in range. I have sampled a few of their flavors myself, and I recommend trying the Strawberry Lemon, Vanilla Chai, Mango Cilantro, and the Pineapple Mint juices! Each of these flavors tastes clean, refreshing, and energizing, and their exciting combinations make them worth the money since you can’t find them in grocery stores. The juices also come in reusable glass jars that you can swap out when placing a new order.
Pizza Brain | 2313 Frankford Ave
Pizza Brain is not your average pizza joint. They take classic flavors and add their own twist, making each slice more delicious than the last. Not to mention its cute but casual interior and prime location, making it an excellent spot for a nice date or meal out with your friends. Some of their best sellers include: the “Queenie Delouche,” a white pie with mozzarella, fontina, rosemary, shiitake, portobello, and goat cheese, the “Buffy Ernst,” a white pie with mozzarella, roasted chicken, blue cheese, red onion, scallion, and house-made buffalo sauce, and the “Forbes Waggensense,” a red pie with mozzarella, fontina, Grana Padano, smoked pepperoni, and fresh basil). When it comes to eccentric pizza flavors, Pizza Brain knows what they’re doing!
Shopping
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse | 2578 Frankford Ave
Amalgam is a Black-owned comic bookstore that has a diverse array of comics available for purchase. Coffee is also available, in addition to comfortable seating, so you can grab a coffee and read a comic or two! In addition to their impressive selection, Amalgam also hosts events and release parties. It has even been a part of book fairs in the community to keep the spirit of comic books alive.
Good Buy Supply | 1737 E Passyunk Ave
Good Buy Supply is a shop that sells sustainable goods and slow-made lifestyle products that are better for you and the planet. They have a carefully curated plastic-free assortment meant to help you live happily and sustainably. They sell reusable produce bags, water bottles, natural deodorant, loofahs, lip balms, lunch bags, shampoo/conditioner bars, and even biodegradable animal waste bags. Their goal is to inspire a lifestyle of “zero waste” and make these resources available to those that want to make an impact. Good Buy Supply also sells cleaning and soap products in bulk and has a refill station in their storefront, making sustainability convenient. Refill stations are effective in reducing waste as they allow you to bring a container you already have and only pay for what is inside! Zero waste can be intimidating, but Good Buy Supply is there to help lessen the stress and anxiety that can sometimes come with making eco-friendly lifestyle changes.
Grant Blvd | 3605 Lancaster Ave
Grant Blvd is a Black-owned clothing brand that is part of the sustainable fashion movement. They carry their own sustainably-sourced womenswear and streetwear, as well as a variety of activism-inspired graphic tees. Their assortment ranges from silk shirts, to hoodies, to sleek slip dresses, to one-of-a-kind knot bags made from repurposed fabric. They also partner with local organizations related to their mission, like Books Behind Bars and FabScraps for community events. Grant Blvd dedicates a percentage of their annual sales to a Philadelphia non-profit that fights mass incarceration as one more way to give back. Keep an eye out for them, as they often do pop-up events around the city and make appearances at various art shows.
Ham and Bone | 1824 Frankford Ave & 715 E Passyunk Ave
Ham and Bone is a pet supply store filled with treats, accessories, and care products for your furry companions. If you are looking for anything dog or cat-related, Ham and Bone likely has it. They even offer hand-baked cookies safe for your pets that are sure to make them feel special. Online or in-store, you can browse their selection of high-quality pet clothing, health supplements, leashes, litter, bones, toys, and more. Ham and Bone like to spoil your pet with top-notch grooming services with a smiling staff that is happy to help you find exactly what you are looking for. Pet grooming is their specialty, and their motto is “Royal treatment for dogs, not people!” So you know your pet is in safe hands!
Heos Ceramics | 319 N 11th St #3C
Heos Ceramics makes one-of-a-kind handmade pieces that will complete your kitchen and home decor. Potter Heather Ossandon uses simple yet bold patterns in her eye-catching and beautiful pieces. Ossandon works in the color palette of browns, blues, and whites that pair well with the deep orange-toned clay used in most of her work. She creates teapots, bowls, mugs, complete kitchen sets, and even specialty pieces for art galleries and displays.
Jinxed | 1331 Frankford Ave
In need of gently used furniture, art, or homeware? Jinxed has you covered! Located on Frankford Avenue, this vintage shop has a great collection of items dying to be given a second life. At Jinxed, they have reupholstered furniture, vintage mirrors, quirky ceramics, glassware, paintings, you name it! Once, they even listed and sold a dental chair from the 1930s. Their pieces have the perfect combination of character and quality. The best thing about vintage shops is that you never know what you will find or what will find you. Some of the most peculiar yet charming items lie in vintage shops and completely personalize any space.
Melissa Mytty Pottery | www.melissamyttyshop.com
Melissa Mytty creates handmade ceramic pieces that show impeccable attention to detail and use bold colors to give a magical feel to her work. She uses multiple dots and swirls when glazing her work, creating an incredible visual effect and making every piece unique from the last. Melissa’s pottery is amusing and whimsical, perfect for those who want to add a little more color and cheer to their lives. You can tell that Melissa cares about making her work stand out and loves to share her creative process with those who follow her on social media.
Philadelphia Printworks | www.philadelphiaprintworks.com
Philadelphia Printworks makes shirts for activists that are stylish and wearable in the day-to-day. Their eye-catching graphics get current event-related messages across in a bold way that is still fashionable. They have everything ranging from crewnecks and hoodies to tee shirts, tote bags, and even posters made just for you. The shop makes streetwear-inspired items for men and women that support important causes like climate change, racism, and gender equality. Some of their most recent designs talk about saving our waterways and alternatives to calling the police in different situations.
Philly Vintage Bazaar | 744 S 4th St
This vintage shop has a special knack for vintage clothing instead of furniture and trinkets, featuring older pieces that can be made modern and trendy once again. They have garments ranging from going-out dresses, evening wear, jeans, jackets, and beautifully-decorated boots. The inside of the boutique is adorned with eye-catching displays to guide you towards the right items and complete the shopping experience. The colorful retro displays include home goods sold in-store like paintings, furniture, and glassware, making it seamless to shop for clothing and homewares at the same time. Although these displays certainly enhance the shopping experience, the clothing selections on their own are stunning and speak for themselves!
Ritual Shoppe | 2003 Walnut St
Ritual Shoppe is an ethical boutique that sells charming pieces from local makers and designers. Although their main focus is jewelry, they also carry crystals, candles, tote bags, hair accessories, and other items that match the store’s playful aesthetic. The best thing about Ritual is that they have jewelry that you can’t get anywhere else, and the staff is always excited and ready to help you find what you are looking for.
South Street Art Mart | 530 South St
This art store has the perfect balance of display and reality in terms of being able to take the art home. It can be challenging to imagine art hanging up in your room or home in many art stores, but at South Street Art Mart, you’ll have the opposite problem and want to buy everything! They concentrate on partnering with indie artists and carry over 130 of these artists’ work in the shop. They have a wide assortment of art of all mediums, like embroidery hoops, canvases, pins, posters, stickers, and more; the list goes on and on! The art they carry is expressive but casual, and they have items canvassing all price ranges.
YOWIE | 716 S 4th St
YOWIE is an artsy shop that sells many kitchen and lifestyle products like olive oil, handmade ceramics, towels, puzzles, and many other experimental items. This type of store makes you fall in love with items you didn’t even know you needed, like funky rippled drinking glasses, and introduces you to new brands to explore. YOWIE is a colorful lifestyle shop and design studio that will connect you to color and spice you need for your space.
Community
Corridor Contemporary | 315 Frankford Ave
Corridor Contemporary is an art gallery in Fishtown that displays local, national, and international work. The gallery hosts various events to bring together those who enjoy art and support smaller named creators. The gallery is currently showing local artist Jason Andrew Turner, but they also feature multiple nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, including Robert Indiana, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Corridor showcases everything from abstract art to realism and everything in between.
Farmacy | Various pop-ups and farmers’ markets in Philadelphia
Philly Farmacy is a Black-owned business doing important work to deliver fresh, local-grown produce to those who live in the city. It can be difficult to find affordable fresh produce, like lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables, without preservatives and chemicals in Philadelphia, and Farmacy works to provide underserved communities with access to leafy greens and garden knowledge. Farmacy believes that produce can be your medicine and that health starts with what you put in your body. You can find them at local pop-up events and farmers’ markets, in addition to their online delivery service that brings produce right to your door.
Wonderspaces | 27 N 11th St
Wonderspaces brings one-of-a-kind immersive experiences to cities around the United States, Philadelphia being one of them! They have multiple exhibits, great for stirring up some creativity and taking fun pictures with friends. The exhibits include light displays, interactive notes, and larger-than-life objects that are sure to make you ooh and ahh. But you’ll have to check it out for yourself and see it all in person! Exhibits change throughout the year, so follow their Instagram for all the latest information.