Small Business Saturday just passed, and the Chestnut Hill business community saw some solid foot traffic that day, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY.

Hundreds of shoppers popped in and out of the stores that make Chestnut Hill and Germantown Avenue so vibrant.

One of those shops is Multiverse, a book store that sells fantasy magical realism, comic books, graphic novels, science fiction, collectibles, and “nerd stuff”. Many of them are created by local artists.

“It’s been busy already so far. We had a great year,” said Gralin Hughes Jr., who co-owns Mulitverse with his wife, Sara Zia Ebrahimi Hughes, said. “We have good foot traffic on the hill. It’s a destination for folks traveling.”

The business corridor has always attracted independent mom and pop stores and shoppers who love the historic charm and smaller store footprints, according to Courtney O’Neill, executive director for the Chestnut Hill Business District.

The neighborhood has become a strong destination for businesses. This year, 11 new businesses have opened, compared to nine in 2023 and 10 in 2022.

“That to me is a sign that there’s confidence and momentum within the neighborhood that we’re doing something right,” said O’Neill.

Read more about Chestnut Hill’s thriving business community at WHYY.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in December 2024.