The Small Business Storytelling Project is a collaborative initiative produced by Kensington Voice in partnership with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and funded by LISC Philadelphia. Through original reporting and photography, the project highlights and supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Kensington. Editorial content is produced independently of the project’s partners and funders.
What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
Today there are nearly 12,000 Latine-owned businesses in the city, but it wasn’t always like this. Success now is the result of generations of hard work.
Crystal Ortiz, owner of candle-making shop Waxery, opened her business as a way to give back to her community and make a space for residents to have fun not too far from home.
The Medicine Shoppe on Kensington Avenue remains one of the few remaining places in the community to offer quality hospice partnership and medical care.
Lua Vietnamese Restaurant is a new addition to Kensington Avenue. Owner Jasmine Phan spent years delivering homemade meals before launching her first physical space.
Born and raised in Kensington, Austin Wright launched Ava’s Farm — a local produce market and nonprofit that offers free meals and youth programs to residents.
Kensington Voice, in partnership with NKCDC and funded by LISC Philly, is launching a
small business storytelling project to celebrate local entrepreneurs.
