Sustaining businesses
in Philadelphia since 1854.

Grant Awards - Fall 2007 Cycle

The Merchants Fund opened offices in the summer of 2007 in downtown Philadelphia after a twenty-five year hiatus outside the City. The board has outlined an ambitious grant-making program to support small businesses in Philadelphia.

Szypula’s Bakery ($5,000)
 This family owned business is in the heart of the Polish community in Port Richmond and has been in operation by the same family since the 1920’s. The sewer lines and water are shut off and they open only on weekends to sell to the neighborhood. This business is a community asset which should be maintained. Impact Services acted as the sponsor for this application but in response to a strong demand from the community.

E & H Variety ($6,500)
Francis Thornton has been in business on North 22nd Street for 10 years. He has been saving to refurbish the historic fabric of his façade. Alvin Little is the newly hired corridor manager of the Allegheny West Main Street CDC and the sponsor for this grant. The Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) and state Main Street funds made it possible to hire Alvin. Alvin is also a business owner on North 22nd Street who has a genuine and personal interest in the revitalization of this urban shopping corridor. Allegheny West CDC will provide matching funds toward this project. An architect has been hired to generate drawings.

Ferroma, Inc ($10,000)
Romano’s Grocery II is owned and run by Juan Carlos Romano. He purchased the business from his father and he has run this location for four years. The Food Trust (TFT) recruited Mr. Romano to sell fresh produce in his Juniata Park neighborhood.

While preparing to install new food cases for fresh fruits and vegetables it was discovered that the floor was rotted out. The project has ballooned into a major renovation supported by The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) and TFT. Romano’s closed for 10 weeks for renovation and is scheduled to reopen as a green energy business supplying fresh food. Mr. Romano lives across the street and has invested his own money in the project as well.

The Reinvestment Fund is focusing on this project as a national model. TRF paves the way for large chains to build in urban neighborhoods spending millions to leverage investment. This $150,000 project provides a model for smaller locally operated businesses that can be replicated with fast results and high impact.

Mr. Romano’s application sponsor from TFT is James Johnson Piett who is coordinating the project from demolition to reopening. He was raised in Strawberry Mansion, attended Phillips Exeter Academy and is a graduate of Swarthmore College. He is committed to the revitalization of his City. TMF helped restock the shelves for opening.

Tea Country ($10,000)
Website: http://www.teacountry.com/
Tea Country evolved from the work of four MBA students at Eastern University who developed the business plan as part of their degree work. Tea Country started as a virtual and wholesale business selling tea and tea products. This minority owned business was one the winners of The Minority Business Plan Competition at The Enterprise Center. The lead partner, Howard James, works full time and operates the retail location in East Oak Lane and the new shop adjacent to the Temple Campus in the retail and theater complex Avenue North. The quiet partners are full time corporate businessmen. Mr. James is a retired Federal Reserve vice president.

Construction at Temple North has presented major unexpected expenses such as jack hammering the cement pad to bring plumbing into the location. TMF’s grant will help bridge cost overruns and startup payroll expenses.

Rocket Cat Café and Michael’s Decorators ($5,000 each)
These two are anchor businesses on Frankford Avenue in Kensington. Façade upgrades and improvements will enhance not only these businesses but the overall visual appeal of Frankford Avenue. The New Kensington CDC sponsored architectural drawings from a grant from the William Penn Foundation. NKCDC sponsor Sarah Corlett is overseeing and managing these two projects. These projects are ready to go forward in a neighborhood where the old and new blend and form the core of a vital community.

African Buketeria ($20,000 to match a bank loan)
This family owned restaurant and take-out store is in the 4000 block of Lancaster Avenue which has yet to realize the renaissance on lower Lancaster Avenue closer to Penn and Drexel.

The application sponsor is The People’s Emergency Center Main Street Manager Erin Trent. Strategically the location would be the first project in a block ready for renewal. A quality family restaurant is desirable and an asset in any neighborhood. The Olashore family is in the process of purchasing the building as the first step to realizing their project. African Buketeria is a gathering place for the New American community in the neighborhood. $20,000 to match a bank loan

Patricia Thomas/Thinking Children Child Care Center ($5,000 for façade improvements)
This family owned day care is located on the 7200 block of Ogontz Avenue and the application was sponsored by the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation and Merchants Association. The merchant is upgrading her façade using the awning style of the lower avenue. She will also change her solid security grates to a more attractive see through style. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the changes on the avenue. Quality day care providers are important in any neighborhood but especially on a corridor where consistent foot traffic drives the economy.

Monarch Hardware ($5,000)
A family owned hardware business on Walnut Street Monarch is looking at updating signage and appearance as well as reaching out to the greater West Philadelphia community to increase sales. In partnership with The Enterprise Center and The Center for Community Partnerships at University of Pennsylvania a team of professionals and students will provide the expertise to retool this neighborhood hardware store.

S & C Gourmet Foods/Philly Fresh Pickles ($20,650 emergency grant)
Website: http://www.scgourmetfoods.com/
Stan and Christine Coleman founded Philly Fresh Pickles in their kitchen in West Philadelphia. A loyal following generated the buzz to move the company out of the kitchen and into a commercial production facility in Lancaster. Victor Mallet joined Stan and Christine to grow the business and develop an entrepreneurial business plan. Tragically, Stan and Christine died in the spring of 2007 reducing the sales staff to zero and interrupting the growth plans. TMF stepped in to provide funding to get Philly Fresh into production before the growing season ended and cucumbers become scarce and expensive.

Buy Local Philly Holiday Shopping Week ($5,000)
 Website: http://www.buylocalphilly.com/
The Sustainable Business Network sponsors this week–long campaign of events and advertising to encourage local consumers to Buy Local Philly. Open to Philadelphia independent businesses 165 businesses participated in 2007. The potential impact for small businesses presents a huge return for a small investment. Participant businesses pay a modest fee and sponsorships underwrite the remaining cost. TMF is underwriting new print and online advertising initiatives.

The African Cultural Forum ($10,000):
Located on 52nd in West Philadelphia ACAF maintains a retail location selling incense, essential oils and world art. Parallel to the retail business a full line of products are sold in a variety of local retail establishments including Acme and Super Fresh. The owners of ACAF are looking to expand and upgrade the retail location, increase productivity through equipment purchase, and explore internet sales through ebay. In partnership with The Enterprise Center and The Center for Community Partnerships at University of Pennsylvania a team of professionals and students will provide the expertise to retool this neighborhood hardware store.

Center City Proprietor’s Association ($500)
Website: http://www.centercityproprietors.org/
TMF paid for a new business to join CCPA which runs networking events and professional seminars. Full Plate Café is located on Liberties Walk on North Bodine Street and started as a catering business.