The Merchants Fund opened offices in the summer of 2007 in downtown Philadelphia after a twenty-five year hiatus outside the City. Since that time, TMF has provided support to over a thousand small businesses. For more about our recent work, please refer to our Pandemic Funding Report detailing our grantmaking from March 2020 thru December 2021.
The Featured Stories
Located in Mt. Airy and lodged firmly on Germantown Avenue, Mt. Airy Violins and Bows offers an array of services from restoration and repair to renting and rehairing, not to mention their custom crafted bows and string instruments. It’s a woman-owned company that also has a small space for concerts.
The Erace family has run an event planning business for 35+ years, and three years ago the matriarch of the family started Unveiled Philadelphia, a bridal gown business located on Washington Square West.
Firehouse Bikes and Wolf Cycle make up two locations; Firehouse is on Baltimore Avenue in the Cedar Park neighborhood, and Wolf Cycle is on Lancaster Avenue in the Mantua neighborhood. They provide bike maintenance and sell new and used bikes.
The Bang Family Market provides fresh produce to the northern Brewerytown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Philly Homebrew Outlet is located in the Kensington Neighborhood across from the Crane Arts Building. They hold classes and do regular demos for their customers, as well as, sell equipment and ingredients for those interested in beer and wine making.
Expanding their home base space, as well as, planning more off-site opportunities creates a wider brush stroke for Balance in the Chestnut Hill community and beyond.
B&D General Merchandise was in need of upgrading some of their business practices as well as improving their appearances both inside and outside.
Ants Pants is an Aussie-style cafe serving good local food in a cozy setting in South Philadelphia.
Alba’s Grocery store is a corner grocery located just above the North Philadelphia neighborhood in Huntington Park.
Bella Forte is located South Philadelphia near the Point Breeze neighborhood, the shop focuses on the fine craft of bookbinding, hand-crafted presentation boxes, and letterpress designs.
Bianca Simone is a special occasion shop located in the East Passyunk neighborhood that offers beautiful wedding and prom dresses.
Blue Banyan Yoga Studio offers Vinyasa yoga and is located in the heart of the Mt. Airy neighborhood.
Bourbon Blue is a New Orleans-style restaurant with great food and a great atmosphere. The owner bought the Manayunk establishment in 2009 from its original owner.
Cuddles-N-Care is a childcare service center located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood before crossing the creek into the Mt. Airy neighborhood.
Firehouse Bikes and Wolf Cycle make up two locations; Firehouse is on Baltimore Avenue in the Cedar Park neighborhood, and Wolf Cycle is on Lancaster Avenue in the Mantua neighborhood. They provide bike maintenance and sell new and used bikes.
Follicle Hair Studio is located in the Queens Village neighborhood on 4th street, which is an up and coming, aspiring fashion district.
Fond is a contemporary American Restaurant in the heart of the East Passyunk neighborhood.
Fresh Fly is a growing film, video, and post production company. It has three founders, and one additional partner. Their content is very focused on the emotional core of video storytelling.