If the sidewalks of Philly’s North Fifth Avenue commercial corridor could talk, they’d talk about how much an elderly couple loved their customers and were reluctant to retire; how a family man found the strength to hold on tightly to his sportswear store during the pandemic; and how a Bangladeshi family brings comfort and community to the neighborhood.

For Executive Director Stephanie Michel Olney Community CollaborationThese small business stories are part of what makes Olney “Philadelphia’s hidden gem.”

And then Small Business SaturdayMichel was joined by state representatives as well as members of the city’s Department of Commerce and City Council on a tour of the neighborhood’s economic spine to show support for the more than 350 businesses along North Fifth Street between Roosevelt Boulevard and Godfrey Boulevard.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods’ economy and, frankly, a critical part of our entire economic ecosystem,” said the Commerce Director. Alba Martínez in question. “More than 30 percent of jobs in the city are provided by small businesses.”

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was unable to attend the tour due to scheduling conflicts, city officials said.

For Holla Sporting Goods owner Michael Crawford noted Parker’s absence. So was Olney’s support for his small businesses as a manager. council member.

“This was his territory; it would point us (small businesses) in the right direction,” Crawford said, recalling his struggle to manage pandemic protocols to keep his then-fledgling sportswear store afloat.

He has since built a family business offering licensed merchandise, varsity athletic apparel, varsity jackets and more, which he hopes to one day pass down to his son.

eagles victories, sixes “put together” and Phillies All winning seasons are good for business. But the family structure creates a sense of closeness that draws consumers in, he said.

“You can see an owner like me in the store every day, so you don’t feel like you’re just a number,” Crawford said.

The only number that interests him at all for now is Tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump It will affect your small business.

Taxes and imports have become common concerns for the corridor since the election, according to Michel of the Olney Community Collaborative. But they are far from the only ones.

In a neighborhood where many small businesses are immigrant-owned, there are concerns about how Trump’s immigration policies will affect the corridor, Michel said.

“Our neighbors are contributing to our community, they care, they are involved and they pay taxes,” Michel said. “They want to be here, they want to inspire and improve the quality of life here.”

Susie Oh and her husband, Young, met in Olney and opened a discount store down the hall in the late ’80s. It soon turned into Diva Beauty & LuggageSusie Oh said it’s a full-line beauty store that meets the needs of Black Philadelphians.

Thirty-five years later, they survive retirement and continue to work 60 hours a week to ensure they don’t let their clients down.

“My customers are saying, ‘Don’t close the store, we need you here,'” Oh said. “Most of the beauty stores around here are closing, but barbers and hairdressers still need these products. This neighborhood needs real stores. It is not easy to buy products online, especially they like to try products with wigs.”

As the White House changes ownership, the Ohs, who are Korean Americans, plan to continue business as normal, hoping not to be too affected by the shift in power in Washington.

across the street, Rang Islamic Fashion Owner Ara Rita is also trying to put her worries aside and focus on strengthening her small business, which offers Islamic clothing, shea butter, perfume, household goods and books.

“We have to keep working hard,” said Rita from Bangladesh.

Her parents, brother, husband and son work and make ends meet at her small business, which opened in early 2024. But he is not afraid of what the future may bring, because he feels largely supported by his neighborhood.

“The community is very friendly. They are very nice, hospitable and accepting. They check on us (make sure) we are fine.”

In response, Rita created a space where members of the Muslim community could purchase things that reminded them of home, and a place where all Philadelphians could encounter new cultures, smells, and styles.

When she saw all the officials coming to shop on Saturday, she burst into tears.

“It’s like a dream,” Rita said. “This is our bread and butter. “This is everything for us.”

In total, the group visited six businesses along the North Fifth Avenue commercial corridor, including Fern Rock Hardware, smoothie shop Miixies and Island Taste Jamaican Restaurant.

“This is a good way to encourage small business employees who may be discouraged or demoralized because business has been slow all year,” Michel said.

Like Small Business Saturday By the end, the focus had shifted to: Olney Winter Festival On December 14th.