Philadelphia Shops & Galleries

Philadelphia Shops & Galleries include Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, Sandaga, Jessies Herbal Essence, Know Thyself Bookstore, Hakim’s Bookstore, Chic Afrique, Pearl of Africa, Amazulu, Silver Legends, Art Around Gallery, and October Gallery.

Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
Marc Lamont Hill’s ode to his Uncle Bobbie reads well and tastes good at every level. Although his Uncle Bobbie never had access to formal higher education, he read every paper, every magazine, and every book he could get his hands on. Uncle Bobbie used his knowledge to question every aspect of society in hopes of changing it for the better. And he challenged the rest of the family to do the same. At Uncle Bobbie’s, Marc learned to value his own skin, culture, and voice. Honoring his elder, Uncle Bobbie’s is a community space designed for sharing, building, learning, laughing, debating, eating, and building. Friday nights at Uncle Bobbie’s features a film series ranging across genres and time periods, followed by a community talkback featuring experts, critics, and artists. It also hosts public events, book signings, lectures, and poetry slams. They also offer discounts to grassroots and non-profit organizations. As Marc likes to say “Cool People. Dope Books. Great Coffee.” BTW, they make good brownies too.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 7a-9p, Fri 7a-11p, Sat 8a-11p, Sun 8a-7p
ADDRESS: 5445 Germantown Avenue; Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Germantown SEPTA Station
PARKING: street and nearby lots
PHONE: 215-403-7058
WEBSITE: https://www.unclebobbies.com/

October Gallery I
DESCRIPTION: The main location for African American art, originals, serigraphs, lithographs, and etchings; special events include First Fridays and panoramic poetry
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11a-6p, Sat Noon-6p
ADDRESS: 6353 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Upsal SEPTA Station
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 215-629-3939
WEBSITE: http://www.octobergallery.com

October Gallery II
DESCRIPTION: 2nd location for African American art, originals, serigraphs, lithographs, and etchings; special events include First Fridays and panoramic poetry.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11a-6p, Sat Noon-6p
ADDRESS: 701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: 8th & Market Street SEPTA Station
PARKING: street and nearby lots
PHONE: 267-297-0188
WEBSITE: http://www.octobergallery.com

Tribal Home
DESCRIPTION: A large precious collection of distinctive African masks and crafts; get the backstory on the pieces from owner Karen Riggs who likes to say “Imagine walking into a museum and being able to take home an object.
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 11-7, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 56 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and nearby lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 2nd Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-592-4215
WEBSITE: none

Amazulu
DESCRIPTION: A boutique for multi-ethnic jewelry that mixes tribal styles with modern flair; specialties are sterling silver jewelry and other hand-crafted jewelry; owner Charita Powell began as a street vendor, and first opened Amazulu in 1985.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-6P
ADDRESS: 51 North 12th Street, Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, PA MAP
RAPID TRANSIT: Reading Terminal SEPTA Station
PARKING: garage attached
PHONE: 215-627-8867
WEBSITE: none

Art Around Gallery
DESCRIPTION: A small gallery whose specialty is avant-garde pies d’art; holds frequent artist exhibits
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat
ADDRESS: 2011 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: street and nearby lots
RAPID TRANSIT: 19th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-972-1644
WEBSITE: none

Silver Legends
DESCRIPTION: Leon Scott specializes in unique silver designs and handbags that must be seen to be appreciated; specializes in reduced prices for sterling silver
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a–7p, Sat 11a–6p, Sun 11a–5p
ADDRESS: 2008 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street and nearby lots
TRANSIT: 19th Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-564-4050
WEBSITE: http://silverlegends.net

Pearl of Africa
DESCRIPTION: Small African gift shop
DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-10p
ADDRESS: 5928 Haverford Ave, Philadelphia, PA
PARKING: on street and nearby lots
RAPID TRANSIT:
PHONE: 215-413-8995
WEBSITE: none

Chic Afrique
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1995, this African boutique in the Wynfield district of West Philly is owned by Victoria Onwuchekwea of Nigeria; it features body oils for therapeutic, fragrant and beauty uses such as shea butter, African black soap, camwood, and Odo yellow wood; Chic Afrique Herbal products are 100% natural
DAYS & HOURS: Mon, Wed, Fri Noon-7p
ADDRESS: 5421 Hunter Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: 54th Street‎ SEPTA Light Rail Station
PHONE: 215-592-9023
WEBSITE: http://www.chicafrique.biz

Hakim’s Bookstore
DESCRIPTION: Yvonne Blake, daughter of Dawud Hakim who passed away in 1997, still offers Afrocentric books, Black Dolls, printed artworks, and posters; Hakim’s also provides a much appreciated Notary service.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-6p
ADDRESS: 210 South 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: 52nd Street SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-474-9495
WEBSITE: https://www.hakimsbookstore.com

Jessies Ladies Shop
DESCRIPTION: a long-time boutique for women’s apparel and a nice collection of herbs; her specialty is white dresses and suits.
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 11a-6p
ADDRESS: 1537 South Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street and nearby lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Lombard-South SEPTA Station is 2 blocks east, 1 block north on Broad
PHONE: 215-735-0458
WEBSITE: none

Sandaga
DESCRIPTION: boutique specializing in West African attire, clothing, jewelry, music, and crafts; on-site tailoring is available; owner Alassane Gueye is from Senegal but can speak to each garment lineage of each country.
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 11a-7p
ADDRESS: 7130 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: Allen Lane SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-753-0455
WEBSITE: none

Know Thyself Bookstore
DESCRIPTION: Afrocentric books
DAYS & HOURS: CLOSED
ADDRESS: 528 South 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: 52nd SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-748-2278

Bold Urge
DESCRIPTION: Ms. Bolden provides Afrocentric and American clothing and accessories for voluptuous women
DAYS & HOURS: CLOSED
ADDRESS: 6365 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA MAP
PARKING: on street and nearby lots
RAPID TRANSIT: Upsal SEPTA Station
PHONE: 215-848-2112

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