PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia today announced that the Department of Commerce’s Storefront Improvement Program has supported more than 1,000 businesses citywide and increased the maximum reimbursement available for eligible applicants, marking a major milestone in the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors and support small businesses across Philadelphia.

Through the Storefront Improvement Program, eligible applicants may receive reimbursement for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with a new maximum of $20,000 for a single commercial property or $30,000 for a corner or multi-address property. Eligible businesses and commercial property owners must be located on designated commercial corridors. Applications must be approved before work begins. The City has also launched a new StoryMap of the Storefront Improvement Program featuring recipient success stories, eligible improvements, application information, and examples of storefront transformations from across Philadelphia.

“I am committed to leading our administration with impact-focused initiatives that everyone can see, touch, and feel,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The Storefront Improvement Program helps businesses invest in their properties, attract customers, and strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors throughout Philadelphia. With increased funding available, we look forward to helping even more businesses grow and succeed.”

“The Storefront Improvement Program is one of the meaningful ways we strengthen the vibrancy of our neighborhood commercial corridors across the city,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “Through partnerships with community organizations, property owners, and business owners, we are helping commercial corridors remain appealing, welcoming, and economically vibrant.”

“Since its inception, the Storefront Improvement Program has helped businesses improve their storefronts through exterior painting, lighting, signage, awnings, masonry repairs, and other façade improvements,” said Salim Wilson, Deputy Commerce Director. “By helping small businesses invest in their properties, we are strengthening local economies, enhancing corridor safety, and creating more vibrant neighborhood destinations across Philadelphia.”

Program impact

As of March 2026, the metrics from the Storefront Improvement Program include:

• $8.57 million in grant funding disbursed
• $26.21 million in total storefront improvement project costs
• More than $17 million in private investment leveraged in neighborhood commercial corridors

Restaurant/food and beverage businesses account for 28 percent of program recipients, followed by retail businesses at 26 percent. Together, these categories account for more than half of all recipients, demonstrating the program’s role in supporting neighborhood-serving businesses while maintaining a diverse portfolio across multiple industries.

The “Other Business Types” category includes fitness and wellness, auto services, laundromats, pet services, hospitality businesses, and several other industries that each represent a smaller share of program recipients.

Additional eligibility requirements, application process and multilingual resources are available through the Department of Commerce.

Program testimonials

“I was lucky enough to purchase my building, and I decided the facade needed a fresh look. We worked with the Storefront Improvement Program to help pay for repairs and a beautiful new paint job for the front of my shop,” said Jennifer Low, Owner, The Frosted Fox Cake Shop. “Now my storefront is much more eye-catching and ties in perfectly with the color palette of our brand. We have received so many compliments from customers and neighbors.”  

“We’re Philadelphia’s first and only bacon-inspired restaurant,” said Justin Coleman and Kelvin Alexander, Co-Owners, Bake’n Bacon. “People are drawn in by the new paint outside, our beautiful, spacious windows, and the overall style of our business. People eat with their eyes. So, making sure your storefront is presentable, friendly, and inclusive is important. I’m thankful for the Department of Commerce and my business partners for assisting Bake’n Bacon through the Storefront Improvement Program.”   

“The Storefront Improvement Program has had a significant impact on businesses in our neighborhood,” said Amarynth Ruch, Corridor Manager, Tacony CDC. “A well-designed storefront can greatly increase a business’s chances of long-term success by attracting both new and returning customers. Completing this program can be a gateway to other impactful projects, opportunities for funding, and a chance to meet the individuals and organizations who are dedicated to ensuring that small businesses do well.”