2018 Storefront Challenge Winners

The Storefront Challenge is a citywide contest created by the Community Design Collaborative and the Philadelphia Department of Commerce to recognize design excellence in storefront façade improvements. Get inspired by the eleven storefront facade improvement projects honored in the 2018 Storefront Challenge and two leaders in revitalizing Philadelphia’s storefront facades and commercial corridors. 

Extreme Makeover Award

Vault + Vine, 3507 Midvale Avenue
Business Owner: Piecha Chang
Architect: SgRA
Contractor: Foremost Finish Work

Window Display Award

Petit Jardin en Ville, 134 N. 3rd Street
Business Owner: Claudia Roux
Designers: Students from Drexel University Design & Merchandising Program

Amazing Awnings Award

Aslam Market, 2330 South 7th Street
Business Owner: Irshad Aslam
Contractor: Fourth River Designworks

Best DeSign

Breakfast Boutique, 8630 Germantown Avenue
Business Owners: Desiree and Robert Pollard
Property Owner: Sanjiv Jain, Legacy Realty
Contractor: Bob Shaw Signs

Paint that Pops

Peony Garden, 5201 N. 5th Street
Business Owner: Xiu Ju Zhuang
Mural Artist: Randall Whitfield

Best Block Impact Award (tie)

Presented for façade improvement projects that transform an entire block 

1431-57 Vernon Road
Businesses: M&F Supermarket, New Wok, More Than a Game, Inc., Savvy Salon and Spa, Cuts Correct Barbershop, Beloved Children Center, Silver Star Kitchen, S. E. Armstead Real Estate, and Mama’s Caribbean Tasty Dish
Architect: CICADA Architecture/Planning. Inc.
Contractor: Fourth River Designworks

5443-45 Germantown Avenue
Property Owner: Gabriel Saffioti, SaffRock Industries
Businesses: Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books, Inner Circle Midwifery, Kinesics Dance Dynamics

Bays and Cornice Award

Modern Age, 4703-13 N. 5th Street
Business Owners: Sandi Brookland, Morris Sheinbaum
Architect: Jeffrey Brummer Architects
Contractor: BDSF Group

Spirit Award

Presented for best façade improvement to a wine and spirits business

Kurant Cider, 436 E. Girard Avenue
Business Owner: Michael Meyers
Architect: JKRP Architects
Contractors: Philly Doors, CMW Contractors, Casimirs Brick

Honor the Past

Presented for best historic building renovation

The Daral Building, 4667 Paul Street
Building Owner: Frankford Community Development Corporation
Contractors: Father and Sons, David Albert Stained Glass Studio, Aztec Signs

Industrial Makeover Award

Presented for the successful adaptive reuse of an industrial building

Yards Brewing Company, 500 Spring Garden
Business Owner: Tom Kehoe
Architect: DIGSAU
Contractors: TN Ward, T Windows, Crescent Iron

Instigator Award

Somaly Osteen, Community Development Specialist, SEAMAAC, Inc.
Presented to an individual who has been instrumental in encouraging businesses to make improvements to their facades 

Corridor Catalyst Award

Patricia Blakely, Executive Director, The Merchants Fund (former)
Presented to an individual who has made a major impact on Philadelphia commercial corridors