Celebrate Black-Owned Businesses in Chestnut Hill

August is National Black Business Month, a dedicated time to recognize, support, and celebrate Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide, including those in Philadelphia. More than 25 Black entrepreneurs have set up shop in Chestnut Hill, diversifying and enriching the neighborhood with their unique and thriving businesses. Located just a short drive from Center City, Philadelphia, a visit to Chestnut Hill is an excellent way to shop locally and support Black-owned businesses.

Here are just a few of the Black-owned businesses owned and operated in Chestnut Hill:

• AR Workshop Chestnut Hill ( 8607 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Since 2021, owner Rikki-Quinn James-Renz, who was born, raised, and went to school in Philadelphia, has been running the AR Workshop in Chestnut Hill. The store offers hands-on DIY workshop experiences and family-friendly events where customers of all ages can create a variety of crafts, including wood and framed signs, canvas pillows, holiday, and other home decor items. AR Workshop helps guests take their home decor to the next level, all while having fun creating it.

• Between Friends Boutique (7833 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Created by a mother-daughter duo, Between Friends Boutique, which opened in Chestnut Hill in 2023, showcases clothing and fashion accessories for women of all ages. The boutique specializes in affordable silk and knit fashions that cross generational lines. In the store, customers can find silk tunics in vibrant prints, palazzo pants, jumpsuits, and reversible print jackets. The boutique also carries a number of clothing brands created by independent designers, many of whom are Black women.

• DanceFit (98 Bethlehem Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Since 2018, Megan Kizer has been encouraging her clients to disguise exercising by taking one of her adult dance fitness classes. DanceFit offers a variety of group dance-based fitness classes, including Zumba, Motown Movement, Bootcamp, and HipFit. The studio offers challenging workouts for beginner, intermediate, and advanced dance members and helps clients focus on strength, sensuality, and confidence during daily classes.

• Foliage ( 8139 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Yolanda Palmer made her dream of owning her own plant shop a reality after opening Foliage in Chestnut Hill in 2022. When customers walk in the door of Foliage, they’ll feel as if they were transported into a jungle. Inside the store are a variety of large indoor houseplants for customers to choose from, including succulents, monstera plants, hibiscus, and snake plants. Palmer features plants across all price points, and customers can book a variety of services from Foliage, including plant installations, repotting services, weekly plant maintenance, and plant sitting. Her focus is to spend time with customers and help them pick out the perfect plant while also learning how to take care of them.

• Jonesy’s Accessories (7916 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118)—Since 2004, Jonesy’s Accessories has been offering affordable, colorful, high-quality clothing, scarves, handbags, and jewelry to customers. The boutique is a one-stop shop for all fashion needs, and owner Stephania Jones strives to help customers find their style every time they walk into the store.

• NoName Gallery (8127 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118)—Located within the culturally vibrant village of Chestnut Hill, NoName Gallery specializes in urban, street, pop, abstract, and contemporary art and home furnishings. The gallery opened in 2023 and features monthly rotating exhibitions featuring local artists, including Sean Lugo, Joe Boruchow, Natalie Hope McDonald, and nationally known street artist legend Cornbread.

• Southern Flames BBQ (8221 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Located inside the popular food hall and farmers market, Market at the Fareway, Pastor James H. Buck Jr. and his family have served mouthwatering barbeque dishes to the community since 2018. Southern Flames BBQ offers a variety of delectable soul food dishes, including pulled pork, smoked brisket, collard greens, and mac n cheese.

• Style by Blain (8433 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – Located in the heart of Chestnut Hil since 2018l, Style by Blain is a luxury shoe store for men looking to elevate their style. The store carries a beautiful array of shoes from brands such as Gaziano & Girling and  Alden. The majority of shoes are displayed on top of a pool table, which the owner, Voltaire Blain, says augments the vision of a men’s club-like atmosphere in the store. Customers can also have their shoes customized to ensure they have a personalized style.

• TC Unlimited Boutique (8518 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) – After many years of selling her merchandise online, owner Keia Chesson finally made her dream of opening her own store a reality when she opened TC Unlimited Boutique in Chestnut Hill in 2015. From Gucci to Chanel and Dolcezza, TC Unlimited sells designer-inspired pieces with inclusive sizes to fit all body types. It has new inventory added to the store weekly.

A full list of Black-owned businesses in Chestnut Hill can be found here.