Black History Month is here, meaning it’s time to celebrate the history and culture that was built around us. During this month, Philadelphia hosts many events at places like The Franklin Institute and The African American Museum. While you are celebrating this month be sure to pop into one of these Black-owned and women-owned businesses for some dope memories and experiences this month.
Harriett’s Bookshop:
This bookshop is located right outside of Fishtown in Philadelphia and is open Thursday-Sunday from 12-6 p.m. This shop is an Indie inspired bookstore that highlights female artists, writers and activists. Harriett’s opened just one month before the pandemic and quarantine hit. But its owner Jeannine A. Cook has been celebrating Black artists at this shop through it all. During the pandemic, Jeannine set up shop outside of her bookstore and let readers have books through a grab n go system. She uses this shop as a way to honor Harriett and her legacy towards the community. This shop features children’s books, young adult novels and many full series books written by women.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
Marc Lamont Hill founded Uncle Bobbie’s in 2017 as a way to provide underserved communities a place with access to literature and a bite to eat. This is located in the heart of Germantown in Philadelphia. Their main goal is to make everyone feel valued in this cozy store. They serve high quality coffee from their full espresso and coffee bar with small bites like danishes, sweet potato pie and vegan sweets from Crust Vegan Bakery. Not only can you hang out in this shop, Uncle Bobbie’s also sells apparel and children’s games. Some events they host at the shop include author talks, workshops and weekly storytime readings for children.
My Dope Botanicals
Nakia and Taahirah Stith are sisters dominating the Herbal Apothecary game after being named Best Herbal Apothecary in “Philly Mag” for their Best of Philly 2022 Award. This store is open Wednesday–Sunday. This duo has been using food as medicine and prioritizing health and wellness before it was ‘cool.’ These plant based sisters have been practicing this for over 30 years and brought their store to life after many years of being told they should have their own business. This apothecary believes that your body is a temple and you can always find a remedy to wellness through natural ingredients. At Dope Botanicals you can find tinctures, tonics, tees and merch.
DanceFit
DanceFit is a boutique fitness studio that teaches Hipfit, Ballet BarreFit, Bootcamp and other group dance classes. Not only is this class affordable for students looking to be fit, they offer your first class free making sure you are comfortable and ready for your fitness journey. As they tell all their clients, there is no rhythm required meaning everyone is welcome without fear of looking a little silly in a class. DanceFit is all about camouflaging your workout as a dance party with your friends where you get to have a party with your friends while burning a few calories. On DanceFit’s website they even have a scale ranking the intensity of their classes giving you as much information on this studio before you even walk through the door.
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar
Booker’s is the largest venue on Baltimore Ave. and is named after the infamous surname Booker. Also named after the infamous African American waiter Booker Wright, a server from the 1960s in Mississippi who worked at a whites only restaurant while running his own restaurant catering to black customers. They host many live music events and promotional events at the restaurant. Booker’s strives to have the best quality plates and drinks crafted for all dietary needs and restrictions. They offer an American cuisine with influences from the South across their menu. This restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m.–9:45 p.m. and includes a Brunch, Happy Hour and catering menu.
Lauren Flynn-Miller is a second-year Interdisciplinary Studies major with minors in Journalism and American Sign Language. LF954013@wcupa.edu