Double Truck

Photojournalism 2016 Sarah Fry and Edward Trayes Double Truck of Workers in Philadelphia, PA

9/8/2016

Geneva Heffernan

Lisa Williams has worked at the CVS on the corner of Girard Avenue and Broad Street for the last 7 years.

Prior to working there, she worked at two other CVS locations. “It’s a good company and treats me well, that’s why I’ve stuck with it,” she says about CVS. Like many workers, Williams appreciates her job, but does not feel passionate about what she does. Working for the money has been a common theme among workers I talked to this week, but none of them seemed to resent their lack of appreciation for their jobs, but rather all were grateful to simply have a job. Williams expanded on that topic by referencing the tough job search times she saw people go through during her time working for CVS. She claimed to have no reason to leave and that any job is better than no job.

The high rates of unemployment the United States’ witnessed during its recession seem to have spread appreciation of employment for people like Lisa Williams. But the phrase, “A job is a job,” was a recurring concept among the workers I spoke with. For some, like Williams, having a dream job was not on her radar, because a good job to her was one that pays well and the company appreciates you. It is tough to place a value on appreciation, but to Williams it was important enough to keep her for job searching elsewhere.

William’s story is interesting because it is a common, yet often untold story of a low-to-middle income worker, who does not dislike her job, but also does not desire a future of advancement. She is simply content working at CVS as she has for over a decade, and as long as she continues to make a living wage, she chooses to stay. In addition to Lisa, a few workers on the job for the company Microfridge, helping fix, deliver, and transport the microwave-fridge combination products into and out of dorm rooms on various campuses provided comments on the subject of labor. Of the three workers, their time spent with the company varied between one month and five years, but all three referred to the job as merely a way to make money (and one mentioned it as a way to stay in shape), but did not see it as contribut-

ing to their well-beings or lives outside of its fiscal value.

Because Williams shared this sentiment, it is curious whether there is commonly a greater value to a job other than monetary. Rather than hearing a success story of someone who rose in the ranks of a business in America’s capitalist economy, Lisa Williams provided a viewpoint stereotypically associated with a lower-middle class employee, and did not aspire to obtain a different, or better, job, instead she is content with the money she earns and the way she is treated now, and does not feel a desire to change that.

Conor Grey

Alex Cosenza, 22, is a local Philadelphia DJ based out of South Jersey. Alex has recently gained traction in the scene with support from artists like Skrillex and Diplo and producing credits on many of the hit singles put out by SONY music this year. Alex worked this Labor Day and was happy to get the opportunity to play a Made in America afterparty. Alex has spent much of the last year in the studio and has only recently began taking bookings, he hopes that his latest work will land him on the revered label, OWSLA under Skrillex. Alex came up in the scene four years ago when he decided to turn his love of music into something tangible. Since then his career has seen a few rises and falls with one of the labels he previously released on going under with almost no warning. Alex went on a national tour two years ago and although his career backslid a bit since then he is “happy to be grinding and moving forwards again.”. Alex essentially grew up in the Philadelphia EDM (electronic dance music) scene. He began to DJ and produce when he was 16 but prior to that he was an avid-attendee, promotor and photographer within the scene. Having grown up in the scene Alex has seen it change and shift. He said when he first began attending shows most of the acts being booked in Philadelphia were house music, at the time Mad Decent, Diplo’s notorious Philadelphia founded label was the only real option for bass music within the city. Alex said this is what makes having his tracks played out live by Diplo so special, because he grew up listening to his music and loving what he did for the scene he loved. Alex’s sound like many of the younger wave of producers is largely influenced by hip-hop particularly a strain of Rap that originated in Atlanta called trap. Alex’s strain of EDM is what has been most prevalent in the scene and he is doing what he can to capitalize as he builds a body of work to release later this year.

During the show before his set Alex could be found in a nearly manic state running around the venue, with frequent trips to the bar, trying to greet all of his friends who came out to support him. I spoke with him shortly before his set time at 1AM and he “couldn’t be more stoked to have this many homies out”. During Alex’s set several members of the crowd hopped up on stage to snapchat him or just jump around. After his set Alex returned to the same near manic state running around finding out what everyone was doing that night and inviting them back to his managers house for an after-party. Alex is proof that you can have fun at work, he was smiling from the time he stepped off the stage until he left.

Conor Ruttmund

Yousef, 23, works at the South Street Market in Philadelphia. The shop is located at 8th and South Street. It provides customers with snacks and drinks, but it’s main draws are the tobacco and vaping products that line the shelves and glass showcases. The store supplies a variety of cigarette brands from Camel to Parliaments. They also carry a number of pipes and vapes. Their vape juice selection consists of a wide array of flavors. The vape industry has seen a rise in popularity in recent years and nearly all smoke shops like Yousef ’s have invested in the devices. However, due to new FDA regulations that went into effect this past summer, vaping might not continue to be the profitable business it has been in recent years. The new regulations created a stricter approval process which is now similar to that of tobacco. All of the current vape products on store shelves will have to pass FDA testing or be discontinued.

Due to the FDA’s new guidelines vape shops could see sharp increases in prices and in turn it could lead to increased prices for consumers that may put a lot of small vape shops under.

Kenny Li, 21, prepares an order of ice cream for an excited customer at Ice Max on South Street in Philadelphia. Commonly referred to as ice cream rolls, the dessert is also known as stir-fried ice cream or ice pan ice cream. Ice cream rolls are an East Asian creation that is very common in Thailand.

The ice cream is crafted into rolls by pouring milk onto a chilled flat pan, referred to as a teppan, and mixing in ingredients such as fruit, coffee, or a number of other options. Once added, the mixture is then stirred and diced until it becomes thick and creamy. Then it is spread flat over the surface of the pan and spaded into rolls. It is then served in a cup with the option for toppings like Oreos or nuts.

This style of frozen dessert has recently had a large rise in popularity and many new shops have opened recently in the Northeast part of the country. Cold Stone Creamery, a chain of ice cream stores recently introduced their own version of stir fried ice cream, mimicking the popular Asian dessert, by mixing it on a frozen granite slab as opposed to a steel pan.

Kevin Barr

Twon, 27, stands in front of the tow truck he operates for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

He has been with the PPA for about a year now, and continues to enjoy learning and gaining experience with the PPA. The PPA has come under fire throughout the years for its very strict enforcement of parking rules within the city. Reviews for the company often cite rude employees and faulty kiosks that will often end up resulting in error, or a customer losing money.

However, both Twon and another tow truck driver, who asked not to be named, were very kind and laughed about the photos being taken. They seemed to have strong and funny personalities, joking around with each other the whole time. Despite the fact it is important to note that though it seems like everyone has a PPA horror story, some of their employees are kind and hard-working people.

Michelle Naef

Bobby Dickert started working at the Philly Pretzel Factory as a pretzel twister in 2007. Day in and out he preps, twists and bake pretzels for the lovely customers wanting a quick, cheap and delicious snack. The job is a tough one, but is also more rewarding than anything else. Dickert shared the way the job works, how he got this job, and many stories that will keep you on your toes. Anyone may get this job, but it takes true commitment to stick to it like Bobby has all of these years.

Starting out at the Philly Pretzel Factory, Dickert was intimidated by the job firsthand because of how fast paced it was in his perspective. Anyone who watches someone making pretzels can agree that it is a quick environment to work in to get the job done. Over time he became less intimidated and is always perfecting his craft. He was telling me that this job is not for people who barely want to work, but would rather have something to do constantly. This is why he has stayed because of how good he is of a worker.

He starts his job at 11:30 at night and ends sometimes close to noon the next day. He says it can be tough working up to twelve hours a day because of how much he is doing within that short amount of time.

The pretzels are made from scratch with yeast, flour, water and ready sponge. Ready sponge helps make the dough softer and easier to work with. Once the dough is prepped, they put it on a stringer. The stringer helps cut up the dough in a cheese stick form for the pretzels to be twisted to make it easier and more efficient for the workers. Within Bobby’s first hour of work, he has already baked five racks of pretzels alone. One rack has four hundred pretzels on it alone. He bakes up to more than thirty racks a day. So imagine how many pretzels he makes in one shift. This is why when he goes home, he feels accomplished for the work that he had done for the day.

One of the tougher parts of the job is training people, because employees are always quitting and new ones are being hired all the time. He also dislikes when the machinery is not working properly, because it sets them back for what they need to do. Timing is everything in this job because the dough can harden up real quick if not taken care of properly. Also, pretzels can be burnt and not be fresh enough if they are not delivered on time.

As he pretty much knows how to do everything at the Pretzel Factory, his favorite part of the job is the twisting. He and his two other co-workers baking with him have a game of who can twist the fastest. It helps let the time go faster and makes it fun at the job. There was once a twisting competition for all of the Philly Pretzel Factory’s to join in on. At one point his cousin won two years in a row for being the fastest pretzel twister. He also said that he and his cousin experimented with making the Eagle’s mascot. He knows how to make the Philadelphia Phillies Logo and pretzel rolls as well.

Dickert has had his best and worst days at work. He shared with me that the worst day of his job was when the Phillies won the World Series back in 2008. He had no break that day because so many people were in the city to celebrate the glory of the World Series. One of the better days at work was when he made pretzels for Jamie Foxx who was in Philadelphia for a movie role. Many local celebrities come in to get pretzels like former Mayor of Philadelphia, Mayor Nutter, and athletes who play for the 76ers.

I appreciate his dedication to his job because it is a tough one to deal with on a day-to-day basis. The food industry is never so glamorous, but it needs to be done. He does this a lot, but he makes it through. It is very admirable for someone to stay so dedicated to a job that others would quit in an instant. People that work in this industry never fully get the credit they deserve for all of their hard work. And now they are,

because they deserve to let their story be heard.

Montana Bassett

Philadelphia has no shortage of convenience stores and small grocery stores. All around the city they are scattered and people walk in for cigarettes, chips, milk, laundry detergent. You name it, they probably have it. One of these places, located on the corner of 19th and Wilt Streets, which is always stocked with my customary Cheez-its and Newports purchase, is very much like the rest. However, the man working at the register shows what it’s like for some of the immigrants new to the United States.

Juanne, a 31-year-old man originally from the Dominican Republic, has been in Philadelphia for just about four months now. He has dark hair and a beard. Wearing a red shirt, friendly demeanor and smile. “I came here because my friend told me he knew of a bunch of stores and that I could come here and work,” he said. “My father has always been an English teacher, so when I got the opportunity to come, I thought that I should check it out.”

Growing up learning English, he has always wanted to come to America, but officially moved because of friends and family, “I have a lot of friends in Philadelphia and New Jersey, so when I came here I was not alone,” he said. His two sisters also live in the area, but his little brother is in the Dominican Republic with his parents.

He claims that he has a lot of other friends working in these convenience stores trying to make a living when they first arrive in the country, “I happened to know someone, which made it easier to find a job, but some people come out here and it’s really hard to find a job,” he said.

“These places are always looking for workers.”

Starting almost immediately after moving into his apartment, he is getting used to his very different life in America. He and his two roommates each work at different stores around North Philadelphia. “I still don’t think I’m that good at English or at least I know I am better in Spanish,” he says. “But my two roommates have been here for much longer than I have and they help me with other culture differences.”

Juanne misses the rest of his friends and family and says that it can be hard on him and his friends here in similar situations, but that he wanted to try it out. “I just heard about an opportunity that I could go to America and make more money,” he said. “I wanted to take that,” mentioning this as a common theme of many of his friends also working in the convenience stores around the city.

He says he likes it in America, but isn’t sure if he is going to stay forever. “If I can keep paying the bills then I think I would like to stay, but like I said it gets hard and getting the right visas sometimes makes it hard.” He has no plans of leaving in the near future, though. “I like exploring this city and being near my sisters,” he said.

Michelle Severino

Nilsa Matos started her own 24-hour Day Care at the start of the 2016. Day in and out she works with a lot of different family from all over. The job is a tough one, but is also more rewarding than anything else. Nilsa shared the way her job works, how she got this job, and many stories that will keep you on your toes. Anyone may get this job, but it takes true commitment to stick to it and maintain it like Nilsa since she opened.

Starting out, Nilsa came here in 1984 to have a better education. She went to middle and high school and then off to college. She attended La Salle University as a Secondary Education Major and also worked at the university. After graduating La Salle, she attended Arcadia University. Matos says, she wanted to work with at risk youth and majored in Criminal Justice at Arcadia.

Throughout her years she worked as a Secondary Teacher, Teachers aid, Secretary at La Salle University, Therapeutic Staff Support Assistants (TSSA) to worked with Autistic kids. After she had her fourth child she decided to open her own Day Care in Northeast Philadelphia.

Her job is a 24 hours Day Care. She says it can be tough working a Day Care opened 24-hours a day because of how much time its consumes. Having hired a teacher and assistants makes it much easier and more efficient for me and the workers. Within her business she has accomplished so many and has gotten a lot of parents to bring their kids to her Day Care. This is why when she goes home, she feels accomplished for the work that he had done for the day.

One of the tougher parts of the job is training people, because employees are always quitting and new ones are being hired all the time. Timing is everything in this job because the kids need to be attended in a mannerly way, and being late is not an option.

Nilsa has had her best and worst days at work. She shared with me that the worst day of her job is having to deal with an angry or frustrated parent. But at the end of the day she says that she does it all for the kids and to give them an education.

I appreciate her dedication to her job. It is very admirable for someone to stay so dedicated to a job that others would quit in an instant, because they can’t deal with kids.

People that work in the school district, never fully get the credit they deserve for all of their hard work. And now they are, because they deserve to let their story be heard.

Austin Albright

Henry Sam, 17, has worked at Kayuh Bikes on 19th and Girard for four months. He works as an apprentice bike mechanic for Izzat Rahman who opened the shop after graduating from Temple University.

In the past, Sam, worked basic labor jobs but his job at Kayuh has him looking forward to work every day.

“Doing a job I love like working on bikes, is a lot different,” says Sam. “At other jobs I was unhappy but considering where I am now it doesn’t even feel like work. It feels like I’m playing with toys.”

When looking for jobs he did not originally consider Kayuh. He started looking for jobs near his South Philly home. His trip to the Cecil B. Moore neighborhood to apply did little to boost his confidence at the time. He was hit by a car while in route to the shop. Fortunately he sustained only minor injuries and was able to continue. Sam believes the experience was worth it and now only provides a memorable anecdote. As he begins his fourth month at Kayuh, Sam has already noted that it is a different environment that other bike shops in the area.

“Before I started working here I definitely felt a nice, homey vibe to it. It doesn’t feel super

professional,” says Sam. “It’s nice and casual and I have social talks with the customers. It’s a lot less elite than other shops.”

He believes this difference has led to Kayuh’s success and positive rapport with the community. In his experience there is only about one negative customer each day but the rest appreciate what they do for the community. In May of 2015, Kayuh opened a small café with coffee and pastries to help bring in a wider variety of customers from the surrounding area.

The shop not only provides services to the community but to its employees too. Sam has already seen an improvement in his bicycle knowledge and repair skills. He feels he’s become a better mechanic and a better person. He is not sure of his future plans but for now he is happy where he is.

“I like to live one day at a time, I’ll keep working here until one day the boss decides he doesn’t want me to come in anymore.”

Hannah Pittel “According to Statista, the number of coffee establishments in the U.S. has grown by almost 20,000 since 2002. A very large sum of these shops are Starbucks.�

Holly, 26, works at Joe Coffee across from Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia Pa. Holly barely had time to talk because of the shops business and location. The store almost always has a line out the door as the coffee sold here is a favorite of many Philadelphia residents and visitors.

When you walk into the store, many people are seated to the right with their heads in a book or laptop and a coffee in hand.

Joe coffee is one of Philly’s many independent coffee shops competing with big name companies like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

According to Forbes, coffee is the second most valuable traded commodity in the world, second to oil. The competition between local coffee shops are growing as well as the competition to convert more customers from big name companies like Starbucks.

We all know how easy it is to pop over to the corner Starbucks, however, going local not only supports the local economy but you can also enjoy some good coffee as well.

According to Statista, the number of coffee establishments in the U.S. has grown by almost 20,000 since 2002. A very large sum of these shops are Starbucks. In fact, according to Statista, Starbucks makes more than 10x the revenue than other international coffee companies. In the U.S. alone since 2005, Starbucks has grown from over 7,000 locations to more than 12,000.

Dunkin Donuts is also a huge competitor as well. Dunkin Donuts in the U.S. alone produced a revenue of over 600 million dollars in 2015 according to Statista.

It is always important to support local shops competing with big name companies. Like Joe coffee, there are many coffee shops all over the city of Philadelphia with the same goal in mind; to provide good quality service and coffee.

So next time you walk by a Starbucks and you’re craving a coffee, skip it and go local, you’ll be glad you did.

Thomas Rudisill

Diamond Cutz, a barbershop and hair salon located on the corner of Diamond and 10th streets, has become one of the most popular and talked about hair cutting establishment among students at nearby Temple University. Since opening in 2013, the shop has garnered a reputation for providing a great haircut while also giving its patrons a relaxing and atmospheric place to wait for their appointment.

Jay Maraj, the owner and master barber of Diamond Cutz, grew up on Cecil B. Moore Avenue, about ten short blocks from Temple’s current campus. When asked about when he first started cutting hair, Jay, 40, responded “When I was about 19, my barber asked me who did (cut) my mustache. And I told him that I did it and he said he thought he had done it. And I thought wow, I did a good job. Maybe I should do this”. He later added “So I guess you could say it all started with a mustache”.

Residents and visitors alike, one can imagine what a typical North Philly barbershop would look and sound like. A barber’s pole, a flashing electric “Open” sign, hair strewn about the floor, the constant buzz of electric hair clippers and the scents of various hair soaps and oils. Like any good barbershop/salon, Diamond Cutz has these things, with a few very notable and unique additions. The waiting area resembles a comfortable living room, complete with leather couches and a coffee table with candles. Contemporary songs from bands like Led Zeppelin, Pepper, and the red Hot Chili Peppers fill the air. Potted plants and ferns fill the corners, while images of Buddha and statuettes of elephants adorn the walls and countertops. “The interior, how this place looks was really just my own vision” says Jay. “I want people to feel comfortable while they wait, where they can sit down and be cozy and listen to music and talk and see all what’s going on in the shop” he added.

Originally, Jay and his current staff of three barbers (Matt, Samantha, and Ahmed) were cutting hair in a barbershop on Liacouras Walk next tom Maxi’s, a popular bar located in the middle of Temple’s campus. When that shop closed, Jay with the help of his staff and the Orens Brothers, local Philadelphia real estate developers, opened Diamond Cutz on May 13th, 2013.

Almost three years later, and after almost relocating to a spot on Drexel’s campus after the original shop closed, Jay and his staff are operating one of the most energetic and atmospheric barber shops around. “I think people have different energy. And that’s why I love working with Temple kids, because they come in and they’re just positive and it’s great for the guys and it keeps me feeling young”.

When asked what percentage of his clientele are Temple students, Jay answered “I would say about 98%, I mean almost all of them are but we do have some others come in from time to time”.

If you want a place to get a hair cut and listen to music comfortably while you wait, in a store with an atmosphere of zen and positive energy, Jay Maraj wants you to visit Diamond Cutz.