Neighborhood businesses are the heart of communities across Philadelphia, providing jobs, goods and services for residents. Support comes in many ways, and an act of kindness can change lives. Here’s what you can do right now to support local businesses during the holiday season – and all year round:

Shop in-person at neighborhood commercial corridors

Philadelphia has dozens of commercial corridors, which are anchors for communities across the city. From Germantown to South Philly to the Northeast, visit diverse shopping districts all over the city for discounts, events, and more.  When you shop small, you also support the health of our local environments, while stimulating the local economy.

Need a free ride?

Don’t miss out! VISIT PHILADELPHIA and the Philly PHLASH have teamed up to make it easy to shop at some of the city’s best Black- and Brown-owned businesses this holiday season thanks to the all-new Philly PHLASH Shopping Loop, a bus route that runs to four neighborhoods on Fridays from Black Friday through Christmas Eve.

Share resources, kindness, and opportunities 

Supporting one another rejuvenates and brightens our meanings of community. How do you seek to show up for yourself and those around you this holiday season? You can:

  • Extend an act of kindness to a local business owner.
  • Express gratitude and well wishes to one another.
  • Say hello to a business owner when you pass by.
  • Keep commercial corridors clean. Thank you PHL TCB Cleaning Ambassadors!
  • Do a skill share of opportunities and resources. 
  • Know the favorite meal of a business owner in your neighborhood? Share a meal.

Share your favorite businesses with your friends

The holiday season can be a financially stressful time for folks. If you’re not able to purchase anything from your favorite shops right now, consider sharing their posts on social media or encourage your friends and family to support them if they can. Word-of-mouth can make a difference. 

Tag #ShopPHL when you pass your favorite local stores. Find shopping guides and share with as many people as you can. Join groups that are sharing fun events and businesses. 

Buy gift cards

Many of your favorite local shops and restaurants sell gift cards onsite and online. Purchase a gift card for a friend, family members, or yourself to spread your support to multiple neighborhood businesses.  Consider donating gift cards to organizations that need resources. For example, buy an art store gift card for an art teacher.

Dine out

Philadelphia’s diverse restaurants not only help to power the local economy, but they also give the city’s neighborhoods their distinct character. Have a special meal with your family to celebrate the winter holidays. From South 7th street, Hunting Park, to South Street, Philadelphia is diverse with delicious cultural cuisines.

 

Order food to go 

Continue to stay warm during the holiday season and take good care of yourself. Most restaurants across the city offer delivery, curbside pick-up, and takeout options. Check in with your favorite neighborhood spot to fuel a night of gift wrapping. You can also purchase a gift certificate to use when you’re hungry again later. Try to tip restaurant staff and delivery people generously and consider ordering directly from the restaurant.

Share positive reviews 

Let’s encourage one another to keep pursuing our dreams, passion and innovative ideas. Take a couple seconds to leave a positive review for a local business that you love. Support artisans, creatives, and marketplaces. The more we help each other, the more we thrive.

 Find more ways to celebrate the holidays in Philadelphia!
Holiday markets, and commercial corridors events happening around Philadelphia.