The Department of Commerce helps businesses start, stay, and grow in Philadelphia. We’ve heard countless stories from entrepreneurs of the impact we’ve had on their business journeys.
We’re proud to have provided $25,000 each to Mucho Perú and Sahbyy Food to help them become food hall tenants with a booth at Gather Food Hall & Bar in University City.
The proud business owners of Mucho Perú, Brizna and Aldo, are graduates from the Entrepreneurship Program at The Welcoming Center, a program funded by the Department of Commerce. During their training, they crafted their business plan, received one-on-one coaching, and were connected to a commercial kitchen, where they prepared food for catering orders and pop-ups. All this preparatory work proved essential to becoming ready for the Gather Food Hall opportunity.
Sahbyy Food started as a weekend food vendor at the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park, where the Department of Commerce has supported vendors since 2020. Owner Pidor Yang also participated in a pilot food safety training from the Department of Commerce and the Health Department as part of Mayor Parker’s PHL Open for Business Executive Order, which also prepared her to open a full-time stationary food business at Gather Food Hall.
Gather Food Hall is located at 3025 Market Street, inside the Bulletin Building, near 30th Street Station, in Schuylkill Yards – bringing together local vendors and an elevated bar, offering a mix of global flavors in a lively, contemporary setting.
Business owners share their stories
In this interview series, we are highlighting the stories of small businesses and vendors we have been helping to grow in Philadelphia. Today, hear from Pidor Yang (PY), owner of Sahbyy Food.
Can you tell us about your business and what do you provide?
PY: Sabbhyy Food began at the Southeast Asian Market. We make Cambodian-fusion-style street food. My business is well-known for the lemongrass cheesesteak, which has various types of sauces. Here at Gather Food Hall, we also created a Cambodian-style bolognese. I am also going to be creating a taco burger, which is a beef stew Cambodian-style burger. I am proud of the menu we’ve created and look forward to sharing more with everyone.
Why are you a business owner in Philadelphia and what does it mean to you?
PY: I am a business owner because I always wanted to cook food and share Cambodian cuisine. I am so happy to share my love for food in Philadelphia, such a foodie city. The Philadelphia food scene is incredible. I am so proud to be a part of it.
What do you hope your clients or customers experience through the food you serve?
PY: I hope my customers experience Cambodian cuisine in a different and special way. I love Cambodian flavors and I grew up in America, so blending the two.
How did your business get to where it is today? Where have you received support?
PY: I did not think that I would find people who would embrace me the way that they did. From the customers to the government agencies within the City of Philadelphia. The Department of Commerce gave me $25,000 as a deposit for resources like equipment, supplies, and overhead. It elevated my business in such a way where I did not know government could be like this. It’s such a positive experience, and they’ve uplifted not just me as a small business entrepreneur and Cambodian woman, but they continue to uplift my community.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
PY: Come meet us at Sahbyy Food and get some amazing food here. Come experience Cambodian food in a different way.
Need personalized business assistance?
We’re here to assist. The Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT) in the Department of Commerce provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. Contact us by emailing business@phila.gov or calling 215-683-2100.
