A small-business mecca in Philadelphia is leaning into World Cup fandom
Small businesses in Philadelphia's East Passyunk neighborhood are independently organizing to capitalize on the influx of visitors for the World Cup. Despite challenges with city permits and taxes, local entrepreneurs are using creative marketing to attract international soccer fans.
Why it matters
This highlights the resilience and self-reliance of small businesses in navigating bureaucratic hurdles to leverage major global sporting events for economic growth.
Team France fans enjoy French beer at the South Philadelphia wine bar Supérette. Gab Bonghi for BI Despite Philadelphia's permit challenges, small businesses on East Passyunk Avenue are thriving amid the World Cup. Local shops in East Passyunk attract global visitors with creative World Cup block parties. Small businesses are using their proximity to Philadelphia Stadium to encourage visitors. Two miles north of Philadelphia's World Cup games sits a small but mighty mecca of small businesses attempting to reap the benefits of international soccer fandom. In East Passyunk, dozens of independently owned businesses — trinket shops, dive bars, cafés, pizza joints, breweries, and more — line the main thoroughfare of East Passyunk Avenue.
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