A panel of experts will discuss the importance of establishing a strong team, solid inventory, well managed operations, and a marketing strategy to achieve success at Germantown United CDC’s next Business Info Session, co-organized by The Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Germantown Historical Society, 5501 Germantown Ave (near School House Lane). After the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, talk one-on-one with our presenters and network with other local businesses an entrepreneurs in attendance.
Panelists:
Renee Brandon, Principal, Virtual Chief Marketing Officer, Open Door Expressions
Bill Dorsey, Consultant, The Business Center For EntrepreneurshipStephen Robertson, MBA, Executive Change Management Consultant, The Paradigm Group
Victoria Tyson, Owner, Victoria’s Kitchen
Moderators:
Colette deChalus Lee, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
Steve Oakman, Board President, The Business Center For Entrepreneurship
Pamela Rich-Wheeler,MBA, Executive Director, The Business Center For Entrepreneurship
Who can attend?
Anyone who owns a local business, or is interested in opening a business in Germantown is welcome to attend. Programs are FREE to attend.
About the series
Business Info Sessions are held bi-monthly and feature invited speakers who give brief presentations about resources that can benefit local businesses, and updates on GUCDC’s work as it relates to the local business community. All sessions include time for attendees to network, ask questions, and offer feedback.
Event logistics
WHEN
Wednesday, March 9 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
WHERE
5501 Germantown Ave Germantown Historical Society (near School House Lane)
Philadelphia, PA 19144
The article features Ruth Seeley, the president of the Friends of Vernon Park – the organization that courageously led the charge for the park renovations – alongside Germantown United CDC’s new Commercial Corridor Manager Emaleigh Doley, who discussed the challenges impacting efforts to improve the nearby shopping district.
This is an exciting time for Germantown. If you are energized about the neighborhood’s potential, consider joining one of the many civic groups – like Friends of Vernon Park, your local Registered Community Organization (RCO), or GU’s own volunteer committee – and get involved in moving Germantown forward!
A diverse panel of local innovators shared details of their eco-friendly urban projects at Germantown United Community Development Corp.’s second annual community forum on Wednesday night.
The “It IS Easy Being Green” event drew a large crowd to the Flying Horse Center on Pulaski Street near Chelten Ave. in Germantown.
Before the panel discussion, attendees perused a “trade show” of tables from groups including Awbury Arboretum, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the John B. Kelly School’s “Kelly Green” grounds initiative, the Philadelphia Streets Department and the Sustainable Business Network.
Molly Finch, an educator with the Tookany-Tacony-Frankford Watershed, passed out small packets of sunflower seeds and suggested “guerrilla planting” for those without their own gardens.
“Stuff like this,” she said of the forum, “should be happening more often.”
The keynote address
GUCDC Board President Andy Trackman introduced moderator and keynote speaker Robert Fleming, associate professor of sustainable design at Philadelphia University.
Fleming, who co-founded the university’s Engineering and Design Institute and its sustainable-design Master’s degree program, led his remarks with childhood memories of Maplewood Mall and Mt. Airy.
Fleming, who also works as an LEED-accredited consultant to firms designing green buildings, showcased real-life statements he encountered from business owners in the nineties.
Vignettes included statements like “the Internet is too slow; it’ll never catch on,” and firms that insisted they didn’t need e-mail or websites because they had telephones and fax machines.
He compared those to naysayers claiming that “green” buildings will never catch on.
Greening strategies
Fleming then referenced a series of events that have left people with a fearful eye for the future, environmental or otherwise. Those included Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the BP oil spill, the Fukushima nuclear disaster and Hurricane Sandy.
Fleming said those pressing problems leave him wanting “a more holistic view of what sustainability can be,” noting that AbrahamMaslow’s hierarchy of needs should be a model for viable greening efforts.
Specifically, he said that clean air, water and good food should underlie diverse and inclusive communities with strong economies. To top it all off, “green” efforts must be artfully crafted, to satisfy a human need for beauty, Fleming maintained.
Panelists speak
Seven panelists then shared a range of projects with the crowd.
Christine Knapp, director of strategic partnerships at the Philadelphia Water Department, spoke about the problem of urban storm-water management.
She explained the difference between “combined” sewer systems (comprising 60 percent of Philadelphia’s sewers) which cause dangerous overflow when sewage and stormwaters mingle, and “separate” ones, which help prevent flooding by giving sewage and storm-water different underground pathways.
Knapp touted solutions like rain barrels, rain gardens, roof plantings, porous pavement and increasing the number of trees planted in the city as efforts that would beautify as well as tackle sewer woes.
Obesity and re-entry
Representing the Food Trust, Dwayne Wharton pointed to a small drop in the obesity rates of city youth.
That reduction followed a range of healthy food-access initiatives like eliminating soda drinks and fryers in school cafeterias and a proliferation of city farmers’ markets that accept SNAP benefits.
The purpose of those moves was to “make the healthy choice the easy choice,” Wharton said.
Kelly Maillie, an AmeriCorps intern with the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, described a program called “Roots to Re-Entry” which trains Philadelphia Prison System inmates in food growing and landscape management.
The program, which also helps with former inmates’ job placement, was sparked by PHS’ City Harvest and currently helps to feed about 1,200 needy families per week.
Rockland Street, graffiti and storefronts
From there, Germantown sisters Aine and Emaleigh Doley spoke about their “West Rockland Street Project” which, without the help of any official structure or umbrella supporter, has revitalized a block of Southwest Germantown.
The neighborhood activists spoke about their successful efforts to remove blighted buildings, reduce dumping, build gardens, foster community engagement and even increase voter registration through a string of targeted events and initiatives.
Germantown artist and muralist Zack Bird shared his efforts to cover rampant graffiti on the Wissahickon’s stately stonework.
His before-and-after photos demonstrated that a sealed faux-finish, done with discarded house paints, can restore the appearance of stone without the costly and damaging removal work of sand-blasting.
Vivian Nabeta, who serves as New Haven, Ct. director of arts, culture and tourism, shared that city’s successful “Project Storefront” program, which livens up corridors by helping artists and entrepreneurs get into formerly vacant retail spaces.
Panelists at GUCDC’s “It IS Easy Being Green” forum spoke in Germantown about eco-friendly accomplishments. (Alaina Mabaso/for NewsWorks)
This is a follow up to the community meeting with Pathmark Managers, Jeff Kelly and Rashad Waleed, on Wednesday, October 2, 2013.
We recognize that a store manager of a corporate-owned chain of stores generally has limited authority to make changes to a single facility without the express approval and resources of the Corporate Headquarters. For this reason, GUCDC scheduled a meeting with the two local managers in late October to develop a joint strategy to approach Pathmark’s corporate office in order to address the concerns the community raised during the October 2nd meeting.
At the meeting, Jeff gave us the following update on what he has done following the October 2 meeting:
Hired five new local residents
Ordered and installed new end cap displays from national vendors, such as Keebler, Nabisco, and Frito-Lay
Hired a new security guard service
Stocked hormone-free meats
Installed a new large gluten-free section
After this initial meeting, we are requesting meetings with key Pathmark corporate managers who have the authority to act on addressing our concerns. Additionally, we plan to use photographs of other Pathmark stores, as well as that of competitive supermarkets with similar demographics, to demonstrate the validity of options Pathmark can take to improve quality as well as to increase its revenues.
Our meetings with Corporate will inform of us of what improvements Pathmark is willing to provide, as well as those that may require additional work by the community to achieve. We will then work with the community to develop an advocacy strategy. The initial petition from the October 2nd meeting has been submitted, which provides Corporate with a sense of what the community would like to see changed. Advocacy for assistance from our public officials will also be important in requesting such improvements. We are fortunate that Councilwoman Cindy Bass has already expressed her interest in working to assure that Germantown has a higher quality supermarket experience.
Germantown United CDC will continue to provide updates on its progress, and we encourage you and your neighbors to frequent Pathmark for your grocery shopping needs. In so doing, you will have even more direct information and capacity to provide the store manager, Jeff Kelly, as well as Germantown United with your suggestions for improvements. Our community commitment has to be broad, unified and deep in order to leverage the initiative and interest by the local store managers in moving to impress Corporate with this strong market opportunity. Germantown United needs such grassroots community power to push for these changes.
Thank you for your attention, interest and work on improving Germantown’s commercial corridor.
It can happen. Over and over, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell stressed that simple, but important, phrase as he spoke Thursday night to a room filled with Germantown residents who desperately want to turn the neighborhood’s fortunes around. “Anything…
“The Big G: Gentrification in Germantown: How it works, and for whom?”
A blue-ribbon panel will be moderated by Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development for the City of Philadelphia. The panel includes:
Colvin W. Grannum, President & Chief Executive Officer Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation;
Betty Turner Co-Founder, President at Germantown Community Connection
Nora Lichtash, Executive Director Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP)
Steve Mullin, President and Principal of Econsult Solutions.
The Forum this year has expanded from past Forums to become an all-day event, in that there will be a morning panel discussion followed by four facilitated roundtable discussions in the afternoon. The roundtable discussions will permit community engagement in a conversation in order to promote awareness, solutions, and actions. Registration for the event starts at 8:30 am, and the panel discussion starts at 9:00am. After lunch, the workshops will be facilitated for an hour and a half, with report-outs to the general group beginning at 3 pm. Topics for the roundtable discussions are: Sustainable Development of Vacant Property, Commercial Corridor Economic Development, Preserving Housing Affordability, Human Capital and Building Community Capacity. The roundtable facilitators are Kimberlee Douglas, Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture Program, Philadelphia University; Robert Fleming, Associate Professor and Director MS in Sustainable Design Program, Philadelphia University; Ingrid R. Shepard, Founder and Executive Director, The One Less Foundation; and Garlen Capita, Senior Urban Designer / Associate, Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC; and Nora Lichtash, Executive Director, WCRP.
The event will wrap up at 4 pm.
In addition to the presentations and discussions, a Resource Fair, comprised of community organizations, will have tables set up for attendees to mingle among, network with and continue the conversation.
Our Third Annual Community Forum is Free and Open to the public but you mustregister as seating is limited.
We’re currently accepting proposals for Germantown United CDC’s (GU) Storefront Activation Program – a low-cost, high impact initiative that pairs local artists and makers with neighborhood businesses and property owners to upgrade storefront window displays, and interior spaces visible from the street. The grant program aims to enliven the street for pedestrians, attract more customers to existing businesses, market available commercial properties, and promote Germantown to prospective businesses.If you’re a business and want your storefront redone, or if you’re a maker and have an idea for a project, get in touch with Emaleigh Doley at [email protected].
Examples of Creative Storefronts
Above: Inspiration for the Storefront Activation Program. Below: Looking out from inside The Sugar Bowl at 6104 Germantown Ave. The Sugar Bowl is participating in the Storefront Activation Program! Do you have an idea for how to remake their window display? Get in touch today!
Program Description
Storefront Activation Program
Pairing Local Artists and Makers with Germantown Businesses
Germantown United CDC’s (GU) Storefront Activation Program (SAP) is a low-cost, high impact initiative that pairs local artists and makers with neighborhood businesses and property owners to upgrade storefront window displays, and interior spaces visible from the street.
The SAP supports GU’s efforts to revitalize Germantown’s business corridors by strengthening current businesses, activating street-level storefronts, and improving the overall appearance of the corridor by adding a visual richness to the walkway. The grant program also aims to enliven the street for pedestrians, attract more customers to existing businesses, market available commercial properties, and promote Germantown to prospective businesses.
The Storefront Activation Program will:
Activate 5 or more storefronts (occupied or vacant) located on Germantown Avenue, Chelten Avenue, or Maplewood Mall using temporary or long-term window displays, or interior displays visible from the street, created by Germantown artists
Provide Germantown artists with an employment opportunity
Help business owners of occupied buildings better market their businesses; and help the property owners of vacant commercial buildings market vacant spaces to prospective tenants
What we are looking for:
Eye-catching, creative displays in storefront windows (temporary or permanent)
Displays that generate awareness and draw from the products/services offered by the business, helping to market the business in a unique way; displays can also be seasonal or holiday-themed; Germantown or neighborhood history-related subjects can also be explored
Collaboration with the business/property owner in the creative process; the artist/maker may also work with other artists, students, and community members
Projects that can be implemented quickly and make an immediate impact; the installation timeframe should be short and no more than 10 days
Participating artists and makers will provide:
Design renderings and/or a written summary of the project
Estimated project budget, including stipend and materials
Labor for installation and de-installation (if temporary)
Germantown United CDC will provide:
Financing for the project including full cost of supplies
Artist stipends, based on the agreed-upon budget for each individual project
Serve as an intermediary between artists and business/property owners
Promote the program and completed projects via GU’s website and social media networks, and select press outreach
Project budgets may range from $250 to $2,500.
Projects that re-use and re-purpose materials, and include in-kind donations of supplies and materials are highly encouraged; Germantown United CDC can assist with outreach to potential partners.
The duration of the displays will be determined in part by the each participating business or property owner.
Got questions?
Contact GU’s SAP Project Lead:
Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager
Germantown is in the news! Germantown United CDC staff pick your must-reads of the month, with a focus on business, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization news.
Ex-textile mill now houses artists [The Philadelphia Inquirer] Woodworker John Fiorella and his business partner/brother, Mike, have found ways to make this Germantown building as relevant to the community as its predecessor was, using it as their shop and renting out 25 artist’s studio spaces.
“The ultimate objective is to present a better Germantown.” – Joe Martin, owner of Acclaim Academy
Joe Martin discussing with fellow Germantown business owner. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Neighborhoods.
“On the bright fall morning I visited, Vernon Park was performing according to plan. A half-dozen preschoolers dashed around the playground, their parents and caregivers taking in the sunshine. A couple strolled the paths hand-in-hand while a medical assistant walked briskly to do an errand…” – Inga Saffron, The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Painters and dancers are transforming our Germantown community in the most amazing way. Art is an equalizer. It levels the playing field.” – Jim Hamilton, Rittenhouse Soundworks
Rittenhouse Soundworks, a brand new 74’ x 62’ performance facility with exposed brick walls and a cathedral-style wooden ceiling in Germantown. Photo by Jim Albert/Full Frame Fotography via Chestnut Hill Local.
“Center City is important to Philadelphia’s health and it always will be, but we cannot ignore the commercial corridors that extend beyond that if we want to have a strong, growing small-business community, a meaningful increase in employment for Philadelphians of color, reduced crime, and a more strong and diversified economy for the long term.” – Mayor-elect Jim Kenney
Longtime Germantown business owner and artist Karen Singer is building on her series of tiles picturing iconic Germantown buildings.
This year’s collectible tile features the historic YWCA building. Germantown United CDC commissioned Singer to create a custom tile as a thank you gift for donors to We Are Germantown, the organization’s annual fundraising campaign (read about the campaign and become a contributor). The first tile in the series featured the Germantown Town Hall. All of the tiles were made at her studio, Karen Singer Tileworks, which is located at 90 E. Church Lane (at the corner of Church and Lena Streets).
We asked Singer three questions about her business and the tile-making process.
What attracted you to the historic YWCA building, which is the focus of your tile this year?
Karen Singer: My plan with the GUCDC Development Committee has been to highlight a Germantown building that has been prominent this year. Thus, last year, we did the Germantown Town Hall, and this year the YWCA. The idea is to continue the series to form a set of collector’s items.
What kinds of tile making techniques are you using to render the facade in clay form?
KS: I am sculpting the original tile in low relief – a combination of building up the surface and pressing into the surface. We then made a plaster mold. We pressed a series of terra cotta tiles off the mold and bisque fired them. I will be sending photos of the bisqued tiles by separate email. We then glazed them with a white glaze, which was painted into the lines and crevices, and then sponged off, to give the tile a stronger contrast, and to mimic the look of mortar between bricks.
How long have you been working in Germantown and where can people see and buy your work?
KS: I started my business in Germantown in 1991, and will be celebrating 25 years in business in 2016. We are a very small staff – only 3 of us at present. Our primary clientele are non-profit organizations. We specialize in large scale ceramic murals designed to create a portrait of each client organization’s mission. We also do custom awards, gifts and naming plaques. We are a great resource for people looking for something that you can’t find commercially made.
The studio is located at 90 E. Church Lane (at the corner of Church and Lena Streets) in a building that has many other artists’ studios. We have tiles available for sale in the studio, which is open by chance or by appointment (best option is to call us at 215-849-7010 before coming by). We tend to be here during normal business hours, 9–5 M-F. In addition, I have a limited amount of work for sale at the Mt. Airy Art Garage.
We also offer tile workshops and parties, either at the studio or at another location. We do these as team-building workshops, birthday parties, girls’ night out events, etc. I particularly love working with people who are convinced they “cannot” make art. I love helping them discover that they can, and that it can be really enjoyable.
Above: The historic YWCA building at 5820-24 Germantown Avenue. Photo taken on December 9, 2015 by Emaleigh Doley. Stabilization and weatherization work is currently underway at the site to prevent the building from any further structural deterioration. This work will also help to make the property more marketable, and aid in stabilizing the commercial corridor. The Redevelopment Authority is expected to reissue a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the building.
Event logistics
Germantown is in the news! Germantown United CDC staff pick your must-reads of the month, with a focus on business, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization news.
