215 Day: Harriet’s Bookshop Begins a New Trolley Tour Based in ‘Sisterhood’

Jeannine Cook is spearheading a new front to celebrate and provide for her fellow Black woman shop owners.

Harriet’s Bookshop is looking to take you for ride around town.

Jeannine Cook is the owner of Harriet’s Bookshop in the neighborhood of Fishtown.

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She is part of the very few Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, 40% of Black-owned businesses were lost in the United States since the beginning of the global pandemic. In Philadelphia, 3% are Black-owned. To combat the potential of more Black-owned businesses to shut down, Jeanine has created the Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley Tour.

The trolley tour consists of visiting five of the 3% Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia. This opportunity gives a chance for people to experience the larger value that these Black-owned shops have. The shops that will be visited are Harriett’s Bookshop, Franny Lou’s Porch, Freedom Apothecary, Marsh & Mane and Yowie.

What makes this even better is that all of these shops are Black woman-owned.

Shannon Maldonaldo owns Yowie.

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Jenea Robinson owns Marsh & Mane.

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Blew Kind, Ash Mackenroe  and  Chantelle Todman own Franny Lou’s Porch.

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Morrisa Jenkins and Bonkosi Horn own Freedom Apothecary.

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All of these woman have long term goals that the trolley could contribute to. Their collaboration could bring more their already small community. They want to build a network of Black women-owned businesses that protect and serve one another. They hope to one day have a Black Girl Magic-style business district in Philly where they would own their own buildings. Lastly, they hope to bring attention to, and remedy for, the racial wealth gap in the United States.

In a conversation with KYW Newsradio, Jeannine Cook spoke about her joy for this opportunity.

I think it’s a strong stand for us to make sure that we are putting our dollars behind folks, who we know not only has our best interests at heart with regards to the products they are selling, but also all of the other community work they do in addition to operating their business.

The trolley is set to run from February 19 to March 26. The tour will run twice each Saturday, from 12 p.m. through 2 p.m. and then again from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Potential riders will have to RSVP in advance, and tickets will cost them $50.

If you want to go click on this link.

These women are part of the 215 and they will continue to make our community proud. Thank you ladies!

For more news, ride onto classixphilly.com.