’Tis the season of giving in Philadelphia — and what better way to find the perfect gift than by supporting local businesses?
Philly has a thriving community of Black, Latino and Asian entrepreneurs, offering handmade crafts, hard-to-find products and spectacular services. Shopping at these businesses strengthens the local economy, supports shops still recovering from the pandemic and celebrates diverse cultures.
To bring awareness to the importance of supporting these businesses, the City of Philadelphia has declared each Friday in December of 2023 to be “Shop Black Business Friday.”
And visitors and locals have plenty of ways to shop small in Philly this holiday season, from the ever-popular Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and the celebration of Black artistry at The ROOTS Art Show to the countless Latino-owned, Asian-owned and Black-owned shops throughout the region.
Plus, food and craft vendors at set up at various holiday cultural festivals and Philly’s award-winning dining scene offers no shortage of opportunities to eat your way around the world.
Read on to learn how you can support Black- and Brown-owned businesses in Philadelphia during the 2023 holiday season — and beyond.