October is National Women’s Small Business Month. This month we’re highlighting 15 women-owned small businesses in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. From board games, to books, to baked goods, to graphic design, these women-owned businesses have it all! Read on to discover some amazing businesses worth supporting this and every month.

Restaurants, Bars, and Bakeries

Queen and Rook Board Game Cafe | South Street | 607 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Queen and Rook is Philadelphia’s #1 rated and award-winning board game cafe with a full restaurant, a full bar, and a full retail game and puzzle store. With an upcoming expansion into a larger space, Queen and Rook will be adding a retro gaming arcade to their repertoire! Visit Queen and Rook Board Game Cafe seven days a week.

Mac Mart | Rittenhouse | 104 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Marti Lieberman’s Mac Mart is Philadelphia’s best and only Mac’n Cheesery. It debuted as a food truck on the streets of Drexel’s campus in the winter of 2013 and opened in its current brick-and-mortar location in 2016. Lieberman has since begun franchising and opened a new location in Bethlehem. Visit Mac Mart Monday–Saturday or hire them to cater your next event.

Triple Bottom Brewing | Callowhill | 915 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Triple Bottom Brewing is a mission-driven craft brewery with a triple bottom line: beer, people, and planet. As a certified B Corp, Triple Bottom works hard to be a good community partner by using renewable energy and actively seeking to hire folks who are underrepresented in the mainstream economy, such as those experiencing homelessness and justice-involved people. You can visit Triple Bottom and sample some of their tasty brews Wednesday–Sunday.

Jezebel’s Cafe | West Philadelphia | 206 S. 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Get a taste of traditional Northwestern Argentinian food with a modern twist. Owner and chef Jezabel Careaga whips up tasty empanadas, alfajores, and other Argentine specialties in her West Philly cafe and bakery. Visit Jezabel’s Thursday–Sunday at their West Philly location or find them at a farmer’s market near you!

Crust Vegan Bakery | Manayunk | 4409 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127

Located up a small side street in Manayunk, Crust is an all-natural, all-vegan, woman-owned-and-operated bakery. They mix, bake, and frost every product on site. They also incorporate donations into their business costs to support the community and important causes. Visit Crust Bakery Wednesday–Sunday or order a cake for your next event!

Retail

Eye’s Gallery | South Street | 327 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Eye’s Gallery has been a cultural icon and South Street mainstay since the late 1960s. The gallery offers a unique selection of cultural art, home goods, jewelry, and clothing, most of which have Latin American origins. After a devastating fire that completely gutted Jim’s Steaks next door, the Eye’s Gallery closed for a time but has since reopened down the street! Visit the Eye’s Gallery's new location seven days a week!

South Street Art Mart | South Street | 530 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The South Street Art Mart is a queer, women, and artist-owned retail shop with DIY roots and punk sensibility. The Art Mart began in 2018 as a holiday pop-up but was so popular it became a permanent storefront in the South Street Headhouse District. Support local artists and visit the South Street Art Mart seven days a week.

The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop | Northern Liberties | 713 N. 4th St. Philadelphia, PA 19123 

The Random Tea Room is a place to restore the spirit and wow the palate. Their artisan teas and house-blended herbal infusions offer a small window into the international world of tea. They even have a monthly tea subscription service! Visit The Random Tea Room and Curiosity Shop Thursday–Sunday 10 p.m. - 5 p.m.

LYS Boutique | West Philadelphia | 503 S 52nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19143

LYS “Love Yourself” Boutique is a women’s clothing store that provides casual and chic clothing for customers’ personal styles and unique stories. LYS’ mission is to create a brand that encourages its clientele to express their style without conforming to society’s definitions or trends. Shop online or visit in person Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

A Novel Idea | East Passyunk | 1726 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

A Novel Idea is an independent bookstore and event space all rolled into one. They carry a curated selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, including a substantial selection by local authors. They also host events like author talks, tarot readings, book clubs, and writers’ workshops. Shop online or visit A Novel Idea Tuesday–Sunday.

Services

Halo Hair/Curl | East Passyunk and Old City | 1728 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 & 108 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Halo has two locations, both of which have their own specialties. Halo Hair South specializes in modern cutting and color, including balayage and blonding experts. Halo Curl Old City specializes in cutting and styling curly hair. Visit Halo Hair South seven days a week and Halo Curl Old City Tuesday–Saturday.

PHilthy PAWS | West Philadelphia | 806 South 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Need to clean your furry friend? PHilthy PAWS offers affordable, self-service bathing tubs complete with all the tools needed to make your pet squeaky clean. They also offer premium wash and grooming services. Call or go online to make an appointment today.

Pixel Parlor | Fishtown | 2424 E York St. #222 Philadelphia, PA 19125

Pixel Parlor is a woman-owned branding and design studio, as well as a certified B Corp. Their mission is to help purpose-driven clients tell inspiring stories that create positive change. Some of their clients include A24 Films, IFC Films, Fairmount Park Conservancy, BalletX, and the University of Pennsylvania. Contact them via their website for more information on their services.

Birchtree Catering | Greater Philadelphia

Birchtree Catering is focused on providing locally sourced, seasonal menus, and from-scratch cooking for all your event needs! They are committed to sustainability and maintaining strong relationships with local vendors to provide the best experiences possible for their clients. Check out their website for more info on booking them for an event or wedding.

Girls Auto Clinic | Upper Darby | 7425 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Although technically outside of Philadelphia, Girls Auto Clinic is worth recognizing for its uniqueness. Founder Patrice Banks started Girls Auto Clinic to empower women to own their automotive experiences in a setting that is often exclusionary for women. The Auto Clinic even has a nail salon for customers while they wait for their car! Bring your car by Girls Auto Clinic on weekdays 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Stay tuned for our list of women-authored books about business from the Free Library's Business Resource and Innovation Center! Happy National Women's Small Business Month!