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Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses in Center City
This Black History Month, celebrate the diversity and richness of Center City by supporting our local Black-owned businesses. Below is a curated list of Black-owned establishments, ranging from coffee shops to clothing stores to all-natural skincare services. There’s something for everyone!
Did we miss your business within Center City District’s boundaries? Please email us at shop@centercityphila.org with more information.
Alchemy Coffee
Located in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, Alchemy Coffee’s minimal, modern space is a great place to work, study or enjoy a coffee break with friends.
📍 119 S. 21st Street
🔗 Website
Amazulu Collections
Curated by Charita Powell, a multifaceted Black designer, this sanctuary celebrates individuality and collective empowerment through Afrocentric fashion and handmade treasures.
📍 1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
Bake’n Bacon
Founded by Chef Justin Coleman and Kelvin Alexander, Bake’n Bacon evolved from a beloved food truck into a must-stop spot both in South Philadelphia and in the concourse of the Fashion District.
📍 901 Market Street in the Fashion District
🔗 Website
Beads by Joyce
Beads by Joyce offers authentic, high-quality waist beads made in Ghana, West Africa that are symbols of heritage, beauty, and self-expression, rooted in centuries-old traditions.
📍 901 Market Street in the Fashion District
🔗 Website
Black Turtle Coffee
Known for its ethically sourced beans and meticulous brewing process, the second location of Black Turtle in Rittenhouse Square offers more than just excellent craft beverages—their regular coffee is a local favorite!
📍 129 S. 18th Street
🔗 Website
Blue Sole Shoes
Steve Jamison’s Blue Sole Shoes is the premier men’s boutique in Philadelphia. Since opening in 2007, they have offered high fashioned footwear and accessories.
📍 1805 Chestnut Street
🔗 Website
Bower Cafe
With a focus on good vibes and simplicity of service, Bower Cafe is not just a cafe but also features outdoor seating and the “Bower Booth,” a podcast station and DJ booth available to rent.
📍 1213 Walnut Street
🔗 Website
Photo courtesy of Visit Philly
Careda’s Caribbean Cuisine
Jamaican-born chef Careda Matthew’s cooks up authentic jerk chicken and other Caribbean foods.
📍1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
Common Ground
Common Ground is a consignment shop located in Center City offering many different styles of collectible shoes, apparel, and accessories.
📍 134 S. 11th Street
🔗 Website
De'Village
Watson and Joycelyn Parks opened De’Village in 2001 to bring African culture to the Reading Terminal Market. The couple’s shop is a calm, incensed oasis with African jewelry, artwork, fabrics, accessories and decor.
📍 1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
DVINITI Skin Care
Known as Philly's 'Mad Scientist Gone Good,' Marquita Robinson Garcia, a cosmetic chemist turned entrepreneur, has a mission to bring personalized, sustainable skincare to the mainstream.
📍 1500 Locust Street Suite #3801
🔗 Website
Farina Pasta
While traveling in Italy, Farina founder and Drexel culinary grad Dan Lee discovered that freshly made pasta was available anytime – not just for special occasions. His business brings that ethos and high quality to Center City.
📍 132 S. 17th Street
🔗 Website
Good Karma Cafe
Good Karma Cafe was founded in 2008 with a clear vision: to open an awesome, welcoming coffee shop in line with values of economic parity, sustainable ecology, and genuine relationships.
📍 265 Broad Street, Wilma Theater
🔗 Website
Kitchen + Kocktails
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley brings upscale Southern comfort food and handcrafted cocktails to the Avenue of the Arts with a menu featuring more than 50 elevated soul food dishes.
📍 219 S. Broad Street
🔗 Website
Little Marrakesh Bazaar
Little Marrakesh Bazaar sources handmade gifts, jewelry, décor and more from Morocco. The owner, Chakir, travels home regularly to select the most special goods directly from local artisans.
📍1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗Website
Ma Lessie’s Chicken & Waffles
Inspired by owner and West Philadelphia native Perry Ison’s grandmother, Ma Lessie’s comfort food menu includes fried and baked chicken, waffles, fried fish, mac and cheese, collard greens and peach cobbler.
📍 1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗Website
Maison x Philly Fashion Week
The founders of Philly Fashion Week bring the latest trends to their luxury flagship boutique inside the Fashion District.
📍901 Market Street in the Fashion District
🔗 Instagram
OK Produce
Whether you need to stock up on basics like potatoes, bananas and onions, or pick up fresh yuca, pomegranate or daikon radish for a special dish, OK (Lee) Produce has it all.
📍1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗Website
Really Reel Ginger
Inspired by owner Hadia Muhammad's roots in Mali, West Africa, Really Reel Ginger serves customers with ginger-based beverages, candies and more.
📍 1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
Sweet Nina’s
Known for their banana pudding, Sweet Nina’s offers a twist on the classic Southern favorite with a variety of flavors including Nutter Butter, apple crisp and more.
📍 1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
Sweet T's Bakery
Tia and Mark El made history by opening Reading Terminal’s first Black-owned bakery. Their line of sweet potato-based treats includes pie, pound cake, and cheesecake along with four signature drinks.
📍1136 Arch Street in Reading Terminal Market
🔗 Website
Taste Cheesesteak
Taste Cheesesteak Bar offers the Philadelphia staple with a culinary twist, including jerk chicken, salmon, oxtail, portobello mushroom, and even cauliflower cheesesteaks.
📍 1809 JFK Boulevard
🔗 Website
More to Do in Center City
Looking for places to shop, dine and experience arts and culture in Center City? Visit our Explore page for more of the newest happenings across our downtown.