A message from
Germantown United CDC

We would like to extend a special thank you to all of the businesses and non-profits that signed up for the 2022 Buy Local Germantown campaign! The directory is now closed for new additions. Please note, this is not a comprehensive directory of all businesses in Germantown. Businesses listed registered with GU to participate. We know that Germantown is home to hundreds of terrific small businesses! Please do your part to keep dollars in our community by shopping at any small business in Germantown. Stay tuned for announcements about the continuation of this campaign in the New Year.

#BuyLocalGermantown

Asayah Loc Nurturing & Styling
and Asayah’s Closet
63 W Maplewood Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-307-0384
Black-owned, Women-owned

2-in-1! This salon’s specialty is nurturing locs. Owner Candace Smith has also curated a selection of conscious, cute, and comfortable fashions and accessories. Open for in-store shopping Mon-Sat during the holidays!

Business Owner: Candace Smith

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Gaffney Fabrics
5401 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-849-8180
Family-owned
Women-owned

A beloved family-owned fabric store in the heart of Germantown, self-described as “the most democratic place to shop” in the city of Philadelphia. From Muslim sisters to fashion students to exotic dance wear designers, Gaffney Fabrics is a thriving local business that distinguishes itself from Fabric Row. Since 1978, Gaffney Fabrics has called the corner of Germantown Ave & Coulter St it’s home.

Can’t get enough? Watch this incredible video about Gaffney’s filmed by WHYY for the Movers & Makers series in 2011.

Winter Hours:
Mon-Thu 9AM-5PM
Fri-Sat 9AM-6PM
Sun 12-5PM

Business Owner: Kate Gaffney Lange

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Hafiz Sisters Beauty Supply
59 W Chelten Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Black-owned, Family-owned

This black-owned independent beauty supply store opened in 2019, founded by Attiya Flournoy and Zainab Moore, the Hafiz Sisters! With the support of their loving husbands and children, this family-owned business has become a staple in Germantown, driven by the motto Come Grow With Us. The 2,800-square-foot store on Chelten Ave offers an expansive array of supplies, ranging from hair extensions to makeup and hair care products from some of the most popular brands. In December, the shop will offer special discounts, gift items and baskets for the holidays. They also sell gift cards. Make it your business to support this young, family-owned biz now and year round.

Give Local Opportunity:
Hafiz Sisters is a Toys for Tots collection site!

Co-Owners: Attiyya and Jerell Flournoy, and Thomas and Zainab Moore

Suggested reading: Bet on Black woman-owned beauty suppliers this Women’s Small Business Month and beyond [the grio]

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Perfectly Flawless
5312 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Black-owned

Sophisticated, edgy, women’s apparel, open since 2014. Useful fact: Crystal also provides notary services! And she has Eagles gear!

Give Local: The Perfectly Flawless Foundation provides free clothing to those in need through a weekly clothing drive, every Wed and Thu 12-3PM. Contact to donate.

Business Owner: Crystal Jackson

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Pomelo
5336 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-469-1493
Women-owned

Boutique shop with fresh flowers, plants, and gifts. Also available: A la carte flowers including bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, flower crowns, and centerpieces. Request a consultation to discuss wedding and event florals. For the holidays, order arrangements and centerpieces by Thursday, Dec. 22 and consider gifting someone a weekly or monthly flower subscriptions delivered free in 20 mile radius.

Extended Holiday Hours
Mon-Tue 10AM-6PM
Wed 10AM-7PM
Thu-Sun 10AM-6PM

Photo by Linette Messina Kielinski of G-town based Kielinski Photographers LLC

Business Owner: Kaitlin Orner

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Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
5445 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-403-7058
Black-owned

Coffee shop and bookstore feat. a specially curated book selection, and other items like apparel and children’s games. The shop doubles as a community space and holds free author talks, and dozens of other events throughout the year. Motto: Cool People. Dope Books. Great Coffee. Purchase a mug or thermos between Dec. 17 and 23 and get your coffee half-off plus online t-shirt orders, 20% off until Dec. 31!

Business Owner: Marc Lamont Hill

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Deke’s Garage Roadhouse BBQ
137 W Berkley St
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-419-7427
Family-owned, Women-owned

Located next to Attic Brewing Co. in historic Wayne Junction, Deke’s offers eat-in dining, outdoor dining with heaters and fire pits, take-out and catering services. Deke’s goal “is to deliver authentic BBQ in a friendly, casual, rustic atmosphere.” Deke’s offers an array of favorites which include main dishes, sandwiches, sides and desserts. A few popular items are: tasty  ribs, brisket, wings, greens, mac and cheese, yummy pickles from Deke’s grandmother’s recipe and honey corn bread. Deke’s cooks for many Germantowners on the holidays! For Christmas, the menu is prime rib with sides, rolls and pecan pie! Deadline for orders is Thursday, Dec. 22 at 5PM. To place your order, call 215-419-7427 or email jackie@dekesbarbeque.com. They also have gift cards available, the old fashioned kind and electronic ones.

Hours
Mon, Tue, Wed 3-9PM
Thu 3-10PM
Fri-Sat 12-10PM
Sun 12-9PM
Closed Dec. 25 and 26. Open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!

Business Owners: Jackie McBeth & Derek “Deke” Denmead

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Germantown Espresso Bar
Coming Soon: 6369 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Germantown Espresso Bar is moving to the 6300 block of Germantown Ave! Your support will help make that a reality. Send a digital gift card in any amount you choose to your friends, family, or yourself. Help GEB get back to pulling espresso shots, always fair trade and organic coffee brewed by Many Hands Coffee Co. Gift certificate promotion: Buy $25 in gift cards, get $5 extra. Buy $50 in gift cards, get $10 extra. Buy $100 in gift cards, get $20 extra.

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Lily of the Valley Cupcakery & Cafe’
322 W Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-437-4176
Black-owned, Family-owned

A small family-owned and operated business. Sweets baked from scratch and using nothing but the best ingredients and the freshest fruits. If you are looking for that fresh baked right out the oven grandma taste, Lily of the Valley nails it! You can always anticipate something new, exciting and unexpected on the menu. Open Thu, Fri and Sat 7AM-4PM. An expansive and yummy Christmas menu is on their website now; get your order in for Dec. 24 pick-ups!

Business Owners: Rashida & Terrance Baldwin

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Many Hands Coffee Company
LGBTQIA-owned, Women-owned, Disabled-owned business

Many Hands Coffee Co., an outgrowth of Germantown Expresso Bar, is a Philadelphia based coffee roaster set on changing the way the industry works by bringing the focus back to people and empathy. The company’s slogan is “Coffee Brewing Change.” To learn more about their mission to inspire equity in the coffee industry and community connectivity through profit sharing, click here. Many Hands operates a mobile coffee truck, bringing full coffee service to festivals, street fairs, weddings, parties and more. In the Northwest, you can purchase beans in person at Weavers Way Mt. Airy, and Avenues Cafe. Online ordering is also available. Many Hands sells monthly coffee subscriptions for $21 mailed free of charge!

All you coffee lovers, coffee snobs, and coffee drinkers alike rejoice! Just in time for the holidays Many Hands Coffee Co. has prepared 4oz sample bags of five of their always Fair Trade and Organic coffees. Want your own special combo? Just let them know when you order online 🙂

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Merzbacher’s of Germantown
4530 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-298-9141 ext. 1

An old-school bread bakery with a new-school approach. Merzbacher’s of Germantown (formerly known as Philly Bread) reimagines classics into delicious and inventive breads. The crew, now at 49 workers, rises when the stars still shine because they’re dedicated to nourishing people and building community. Good bread is a fundamental pleasure worth sharing. GU staff favorites: Sweet Potato Sliced Pullman, Malty Grain made with soaked beer malts from local breweries, French Toast Loaf, and the original Philly Muffin, a square-ish English Muffin made with freshly milled cornmeal.

A retail window is open to the public from 4PM until 8PM, Sun to Fri. Closed on Sat. Merzbacher’s of Germantown breads are sold in approximately 150 places in and around Philly.  Locally, buy it at A & N House of Produce; or taste it on your Ultimo Coffee sandwich order.

Founder: Pete Merzbacher

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The Nile Cafe
6008 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-843-6453
Black-owned, Family-owned, Women-owned

Philly’s longest running vegan restaurant! Laid-back, counter-serve eatery specializing in plentiful portions of vegan and vegetarian soul food. The cafe added outdoor seating in the rear courtyard during the pandemic and often hosts special events, including regular drumming circles. Prepared holiday meals available for pre-order, includes delicious favorites like vegan mac and cheese.

Business Owner: Michelle Joseph

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Tipsy Café & Catering
5227 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-399-4042
Asian/Pacific Islander-owned, Family-owned, Women-owned

This take-out restaurant serves fresh, healthy, and affordable breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Almost all of the sauces, marinades and spices are created in-house. All burgers, wings, etc. are always fresh, never frozen. Pick-up, delivery, and catering available. Giving back: Tipsy’s distributes 100s of hot Thanksgiving meals, all free, every year! Gift cards available (in-store/online). Order with DoorDash. 

Business Owner: Anh Vongbandith

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Vegan “Appley” Pies
Black-owned

Did you know that Germantown’s hardest working drummer Karen Smith has a seasonal side-hustle? Rhythmic, righteous, peaceful pies! Karen bakes scrumptious Vegan “Appley” Pies Tuesdays -Thursdays now through Dec. 31. Don’t let the 2022 holiday season end without buying one for yourself AND a friend. Cost of pies: $30. Email to order. PS: Karen is the creative force energizing Weez the Peeples and Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective, two well-known musical groups in these parts and beyond.

Business Owner: Karen Smith

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Philly Forests
Women-owned

Give the gift of a CSA!
Philly Forests is an 8 acre vegetable farm that manages a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, operates a seasonal weekly farmers market, and facilitates an Urban Ecology program. When you join the CSA, you get a box of fruit and veggies each week. Through the service, members are directly contributing to reforesting Philadelphia with trees, shrubs, and perennials. Philly Forests targets 13 of Philadelphia’s lowest-canopied zip codes to boost citywide environmental justice and increase wildlife habitat. Already, 300 trees have been planted in target zip codes, including parts of Germantown. Visit the website to learn about delivery options, pick up locations, member discounts, and more! Limited spots available.

Business Owner: Jasmine Thompson

The more you know… Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or cropsharing is a system that connects producers and consumers within the food system by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms.

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Truelove Seeds

Cyber Monday is past but Germantown based businesses reliant on online sales need customers. Truelove Seeds grows 50% of the culturally important, open pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds sold in their catalogue. The rest come from 55 small farms in Philly and beyond, all linked by shared values of community food sovereignty, ancestral seed preservation and sustainable agriculture. You can support by purchasing seeds and print items online. Their beautiful 2023 wall calendar, seeds, note cards and more are now on sale!

Co-Founders: Chris Bolden-Newsome & Owen Taylor

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Germantown Kitchen Garden
215 East Penn St
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Half acre farm and nursery in Germantown selling organically grown vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers to neighbors, chefs, and local farm and garden enthusiasts. Farm stand and nursery operate seasonally. The Kitchen Garden hosted its 6th annual Winter Market & Christmas Tree Sale on Dec. 10 and it was a huge success! You can support this urban farm now by purchasing a share in the farm stand for 2023 (like paying in advance) or by buying a beautiful gift certificate for someone. 

Business Owner: Amanda Staples

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Altus Massage
6122 Greene St
Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-990-7150
Women-owned
Super nice human-run

Integrative massage therapy and bodywork studio. Gift ‘feeling good’ to your favorite humans. Specials: Purchase 3 gift cards, save 10% off. Purchase 4 gift cards or more, save 15% off, through Dec. 24. Order over the phone or in-person. Note: All appointments are by appointment only. There is no receptionist. Holiday “open door” hours for gift and gift card purchases: Fridays 12-6PM, Saturdays 9AM-3PM through Dec. 24. Gift certificates are also available online.

Business Owner: Kelsey Butt

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Energy Healing Center of Philadelphia
143 W Walnut Ln, Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-297-7993
Black-owned, Women-owned

Offering energy healing of the mind, body and spirit. Alternative medicine, reiki, and more. Special event: The Ujamaa Bazaar (Dec. 30, 12-5PM) will be held on the fifth day of Kwanzaa to celebrate collective economics for Black people in Germantown. All are invited to experience. The marketplace will feat. ethnic products, clothing, jewelry, art, music, African artisans, pressed juices and vegan cuisine. An evening Kwanzaa program and traditional candle lighting ceremony of the Nguzo Sabu will follow from 5-9PM.

Business Owner: Khadijah Renee Morgan

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Apliiq
4560 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(workshop not open to the public)

The most creative clothes in the world… are designed by you. If you are looking to customize apparel as gifts or create a line of clothing for your business or brand, connect with Apliiq! The bi-coastal ‘print on demand’ company has a Philadelphia factory in the Wayne Junction section of Germantown. Explore available products and schedule a consultation online.

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Germantown Bicycle Supply
5901 Wayne Ave, Unit 3 (Enter on Rittenhouse St)
Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-666-0957

Germantown’s local bike shop specializing in commuter, mountain, family and cargo bikes. Improve your life by bike. From the website: “We are Germantown residents and owner-operators that have spent most of our lives on bikes and majority of our professional lives in the bike industry, with over 25 years of combined experience.” Specials: All in-stock bikes are 20% off with the code HIFI20.

Open Tue, Wed, Fri, and Sat 11AM to 5PM. Gift certificates available and gifts for bicyclists, too!

Business Owner: Jacob Kenney

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Artfully Gigi
fiber artist – painter
Black-owned

Artfully Gigi is the business of Germantown fiber artist and painter Gina Giles. You may have seen Gina’s work on exhibit at Germantown’s Imperfect Gallery, the No Name Gallery in Chestnut Hill or as part of The Colored Girl Museum’s “Sit a Spell” Exhibit at the Philadelphia Airport. If not there, perhaps at one of Gigi’s recent local vending spots such as the Kitchen Garden Winter Market. Gigi’s current work focuses on tufted wool embroidered creations ranging from hooked rugs and wall hangings on the larger side to coasters AKA “mug rugs” and earrings on the smaller side. Quite often, Gina’s tool of choice is a punch needle. In addition to her signature unique and colorful designs, Gina welcomes custom orders. Tufting and rug hooking, like embroidery, long practiced by Native Americans and many cultures, are ancient arts that go back centuries. To see what is available at Artfully Gigi after the busy holiday vending season, go to artfullygigi.com.

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Joe Boruchow
paper cutout artist – muralist

Germantown resident Joe Boruchow’s online store sells shirts, totes, holiday greeting cards and fine art etchings that all originate from his skills as a meticulous paper cutout artist. All work is in graphic black and white designs. Current items include a Free Brittney Griner sweatshirt (other BG items sold out!) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy “would not leave his city” shirts. Half the proceeds from both go to charities. While much of Boruchow’s work passionately expresses his progressive views, there are also exquisitely beautiful images of flowers and nature and a fun 76’ers at play design. Timely items are Joe’s annual greeting cards. A set of 4 hand-signed Winter Solstice or Three Kings cards are $20. For bigger spenders, check out the fine art etching “Lincoln Drive.” Worried about getting items on time, Joe can arrange pick-up from his home. In addition to working small, Joe works very, very big! You may have seen his murals and wheat paste designs throughout Philly on bridges, buildings, at bus stops, on mail boxes and more. See joeboruchow.bigcartel.com for all items currently available.

Suggested reading: The Veteran’s Cut: A Streets Dept Oral History with Street Artist and Muralist Joe Boruchow [Streets Dept]

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ARTrageous Brush & Flow
6345 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-592-7116
Black-owned, Family-owned, Women-owned

A mixed media art studio where customers can explore pottery, painting, wood, glass, crafts, and retail. Specializes in paint parties for groups of any size. From Nov. 26 – Jan. 2, enjoy 10% off all paint kits. Be sure to check out the “Noon Year’s Eve” paint party for kids ages 5 to 12 on Dec. 31st. What’s better than giving children the gift of art? Includes party hats, music, sparking cider toast. Tickets on Eventbrite. 

Business Owner: Moneek Pines

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Sarah Kaufman
photographer

Sarah Kaufman is a Germantown-based photographer and Associate Professor in Art at Ursinus College. Her first monograph, Devil’s Pool, was recently published by Daylight Books. The book features 60 photographs taken over the course of seven years at Devil’s Pool in Wissahickon Valley Park. “The subjects of Kaufman’s photographs gossip, lounge, swim, leap, and kiss in celebration of this urban oasis,”. Kaufman’s projects have been reviewed and featured in ARTnews Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Visual Studies Journal, Huck Magazine, and more. Specials: Free set of postcards with every Devil’s Pool book purchase. A portion of sales go to Friends of the Wissahickon.

Suggested reading: Photographer Captures Heaven on Earth at Devil’s Pool [Hidden City Philadelphia]

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The KDD Theatre and
Kinesics Dance Dynamics
5427 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
267-331-9236
Black-owned
Women-owned

A black box performance space and dance studio. The current Supine Horizons “Nap as Art” installation for rest, resistance and renewal ends on Dec. 20 but all time spots are reserved. We look forward to more unique productions coming to Germantown in the beautifully restored Masonic Lodge building.

The KDD Theatre is also home to Kinesics Dance Dynamics dance studio, offering structured leveled classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern styles to movers ages 2 through adult.

Business Owner: Kristen Clark

Suggested reading: Power nap: ‘Supine Horizons’ promotes the political urgency of taking a break at Germantown installation [WHYY]

Karen Singer Tileworks
90 East Church Ln
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-849-7010
Women-owned

Karen Singer Tileworks, founded in Germantown 31 years ago, is eponymously named after tile artist and owner Karen Singer. This professional clay studio creates all things tile inside and out. While much of her business is focused on creating large donor appreciation walls for non-profits in Philly and nationwide, Karen also does residential and commercial work, and runs tile making workshops for school children and seniors, team building events, and more. Karen also sells individual gift tiles and creates custom house numbers and awards. We think Karen’s hangable birth month flower tiles and Mezuzah cases sold on Etsy make great holiday gifts (ask about local pick-up). To see inside Karen’s amazing studio on Church Lane and learn how the work is done, watch this WHYY segment.

Business Owner: Karen Singer

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Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery
5423 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-621-6707
Black-owned

Steven CW Taylor’s Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery is a beautiful, serene and unique place. It is  unique, as the gallery only displays the work of a single artist. There’s no admission, and, when visiting, you have the opportunity to meet and talk to the artist. “This is what the philosophy of Ubuntu is all about – creating community,” says Taylor.

On the walls are powerful images from Taylor’s extensive travels in the US and to more than 18 countries, many in Africa. Next to these large scale, archival quality prints of faraway places are ones from downtown Philadelphia and Germantown. Taylor says that, “Each image is a portal in which you will transport yourself to a different space, a different place.” Collections currently on display include The Time Thief and Triumph on Chew Ave. Limited edition, paper and acrylic prints in various sizes are available.

The gallery is open free to the public Fri to Sun 12-6PM, and by appointment.

Business Owner: Steven CW Taylor

Suggested reading: Germantown’s new Black-owned photography gallery aims to be a portal away from the trauma of everyday life [Billy Penn]

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Care Nest Home Care Agency
5601 1/2 Chew Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19138
215-882-1623
Black-owned, Women-owned

Care Nest provides nestled home care services to patients in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. As a community hub in Germantown, Care Nest also assists with applications for FREE home care services in Pennsylvania. Catch Santa on Chew on Dec. 23, 4-6PM, at the Care Nest office. Santa will be onsite for photos and to read Twas’ the Night Before Christmas. Toys, bikes, books and coats will be available for children up to 16 years of age in attendance.

Owner: Rashidah Robinson

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Mission Incorporated
267-331-5971
Black-owned

Power charge your business or nonprofit organization in 2023! Mission Inc. provides start-up, capacity building, and fund development services to nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Special: Mission Inc. will be providing free consultations throughout the month of January. Call to schedule.

Business Owner: Lawanda Horton

Suggested reading: How Mission Incorporated weaves activism into its capacity-building work [Generocity]

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