Of Philadelphia
Book Title
Snapshots of businesses owned and operated by people who Snapshots of immigration, culture and heritage in contemporary Philadelphia have immigrated to Philadelphia
cover photo
By Victoria Langowska, Sonja Nosisa, Diana Shalenkova, Iman Sultan and Angela Gervasi
Angela Gervasi Photo Seminar I Victoria Langowska Dr. Ed Trayes Sonja Nosisa Noonan-Ngwane
Temple University
Dr. Trayes Photo Seminar 2018
Of Philadelphia Stories and photographs of businesses owned and operated by people who have immigrated to Philadelphia
Dr. Trayes Photo Seminar 2018 Temple University
Table of Contents Neiighborhood Map and Introduction
3
South Philly
5
Plaza Garibaldi (Langowska, Noonan-Ngwane, Gervasi) Tienda de San Miguel (Langowska, Noonan-Ngwane, Gervasi) Bitar’s (Gervasi)
9
Southwest Philly Southwest Appliances (Gervasi)
31 33 45
Northeast Philly Bell’s Market (Langowska, Noonan-Ngwane)
51
Nafisa’s Kitchen (Gervasi)
Askar’s Gas Station (Langoswka)
Northwest Philly Malelani Cafe (Noonan-Ngwane)
1
Jyoti Bistro (Noonan-Ngwane)
15 25
53 61 63 65 71
Introduction Philadelphia is a diverse and vibrant city filled with people from all over the world. Immigration has always played a large role in determining the city’s population and history. Every neighborhood is known for its inhabitants and the impact they have on the surrounding community. As our first short term project, we decided to look at community spaces owned and operated by immigrants. We covered establishments in many different neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and have organized the book according to neighborhood.
4
South Philly
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Plaza Garibaldi Raul Castro, owner of Plaza Garibaldi, is from Puebla, Mexico. When he opened his restaurant his was the second Mexican restaurant in South Philadelphia. He remembers having to drive to New Jersey to get familiar groceries and food. The lack of familiar foods and resources for the community that was very rapidly growing inspired him to try and provide that.
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Plaza Garibaldi, South Philly
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Plaza Garibaldi, South Philly
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Plaza Garibaldi, South Philly
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Plaza Garibaldi, South Philly
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La Tienda de San Miguel “Decidimos, mi esposo y yo, cómo llenar ese vacío que había de obtener figuras religiosas que nos ayudaran a sentirnos un poco más tranquilo, acá en América.” - Isabel Espinosa, dueña de la tienda
We decided, my husband and I, that we would fill this void there was from not being able to obtain religious figures that help us to feel a bit more calm here in America
- Isabel Espinosa, store owner
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Tienda de San Miguel, South Philly
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Tienda de San Miguel, South Philly
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Tienda de San Miguel, South Philly
Isabel Espinosa extraño muchao de su ciudad natal de Puebla, México cuando se mudó a Delaware con su esposo especialmente las tradiciones religiosas. “Soy de una familia completamete Católica,” ella dijó, pues ella abrió la tienda en una calle tranquila en el sur de Filadelfia. San Miguel Arcangel-Religioso y Regalos gotea con adornos religiosos, joyas, e incluso vestidos de primera comunión.
Isabel Espinosa missed many things about her hometown of Puebla, Mexico when she moved to Delaware with her husband — especially religious traditions. “I come from a totally Catholic family,” she said in Spanish, so she opened up shop on a quiet street in South Philadelphia. San Miguel Arcangel-Religioso y Regalos drips with religious ornaments, jewelry, and even First Holy Communion dresses. 20
Tienda de San Miguel, South Philly
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Tienda de San Miguel, South Philly
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Isabel brinda un servicio muy importante para la communidad, al poner a disposiciรณn las figuras religiosas, una gran parte de sentir comodo lejos de las tradiciones de hogar.
Isabel provides an important service to the community by making religious figures available, which is a big part of feeling comfortable far from the traditions of home.
Bitar’s, South Philly
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Bitar’s, South Philly
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Bitar’s, South Philly
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Bitar’s, South Philly
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Southwest Philly
31
Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
33
Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Southwest Appliance,Southwest Philly
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Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
45
Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
46
Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
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Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
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Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
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Nafisa’s Kitchen, Southwest Philly
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Northeast Philly
51
“Most of our employees are first generation immigrants so they understand how important it is to keep the culture for everyone and I think they also appreciate what people are giving back to them whether it’s that hello in their language or talking about the politics of what’s going on back at home. But they kind of feel like they’re friends when they’re here with us.”
- Maria Koutsouradis, manager
54
Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
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Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
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Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
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Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
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Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
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Bell’s Market, Northeast Philly
60
Askar Zoltayev, 45, is an immigrant from Kazahkstan. He works 12 hour shifts at minimum wage in order to support his family in the United States as well as back home. He was 31 when he emigrated, a successful banker escaping religious persecution. Since then he has worked numerous odd jobs. For years working 7 days a week and sleeping 4 hours a day. He is thankful for his current position as a gas station clerk where he gets to interact with people and practice his English.
Askar’s Gas Station, Northeast Philly
m
s s
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Northwest Philly
64
Jyoti Bistro “I love to talk to [customers] and share their stories and also give their stories to them.� - Roni, manager
Jyoti Bistro, Northwest Philly
Jyoti sits comfortably on the corner at 7220 Germantown Avenue. Started and staffed by people who immigrated to the U.S. from India, Jyoti is a bustling aromatic hub of nourishment as well as conversation. Amina, 30, comes to this restaurant often and said about her experience,
“This place is one of my favorites. I can always come and visit, talk about my life and eat food that feeds my soul!� All of the food at Jyoti is natural and handmade. The owners started out making food for airlines which led to a canned foods line, then to this restaurant.
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Jyoti Bistro, Northwest Philly
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Malelani Cafe 6734 Germantown Avenue
“This neighborhood is like one of the best kept secrets. I feel like Philadelphia chose me.� - George Drakopoulos, owner
72
Malelani Cafe, Northwest Philly
Owner George Drakopoulos, is a Greek South African who opened Malelani after inspiration from South African cafe culture. In Malelani, artists can be seen selling their wares and practicing their crafts.
“[The cafe is] kind of like a seed, it has a mind of its own. All I can do is water it, and clean up!�
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Malelani Cafe, Northwest Philly
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Of Philadelphia Gervasi Langowska Noonan-Ngwane