Christmas Village in LOVE Park is a Philadelphia holiday tradition. This year, look out for brightly painted shipping containers that stand out amongst the rows of wooden huts that encompass LOVE Park from mid-November through December 24. Each container is a storefront displaying the wares of local Black and Brown Philadelphia businesses.
After success last year, a City program to bring local, minority-owned vendors returns to Christmas Village. These merchants will sell a variety of local, handmade gift items. Gift items for sale include food, drink, fashion, home goods, arts and crafts.
The City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce partnered with Parks & Rec to award grants to three community organizations. These organizations help diverse entrepreneurs in Philadelphia grow and sustain their businesses. They are:
- Esperanza.
- The Welcoming Center.
- South Street Headhouse District.
Many local minority-owned businesses will vend from a storefront at Christmas Village this year. The program shines a spotlight on Philadelphia’s minority entrepreneurs. Giving them space in one of the city’s most popular public spaces is important. There, they can showcase their products to the entire city!
The dynamic storefronts will host a rotation of Philadelphia’s most creative Black and Brown business owners. From craft makers to clothing designers, artists, and more, vendors were selected to represent the diverse Black and Brown entrepreneurs that power Philadelphia’s dynamic small business economy.
Look out for these – any many other – participating local businesses in the repurposed shipping containers.
Christmas Village is open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. through December 24.
