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Spectacle: Creative Entrepreneurs of Philly, part II

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Philadelphia is fertile ground for young entrepreneurs, who are staking their claim on popular culture. Check out our slideshow, the second in a reoccurring series of young creatives across the Commonwealth who have opened up shop for themselves. Here they are, in order of appearance:

The Spare Parts Company, 406 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA, 19106, 215-922-2214
Just off the Ben Franklin Bridge in historic Old City, Philadelphia, you’ll find The Spare Parts Company, easily identified by the row of vintage Moto Guzzis, BMWs, Hondas and Triumphs astride its garage door. Inside, proprietor and technician Roland Sotello fixes, maintains and totally rebuilds motorcycles as old as he is, and then some. Serious gearheads rely on Sotello as the source of both the obscure spare parts and good advice that keeps their old bikes on the road.

Benna’s Cafe, 1236 S. 8th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147, 215-334-1502
Neighbors, dogs, and soy lattes mix at Benna’s Cafe and B2, both owned by tiny dynamo Nancy Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg’s community engagement is evident in each lively corner; Benna’s has served as the hub of its emerging East South Philly neighborhood since 2005, hosting monthly art shows, accepting packages and giving you a buck off your drink if you bring your own cup. B2 has expanded on Benna’s successful concept, adding smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices and vegan and dairy soft-serve to the inexpensive sandwiches, soups and pastries of the original.

Philly-IT , 1428 S.13th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147, 267-760-5646
Merging computer science with service is Rob Cooper, owner of Philly-IT in Philadelphia. Cooper and one employee provide internet technology installation, set-up, maintenance and support to clients like the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, Saxby’s Coffee and Axis Construction. The 29-year old struck out on his own three years ago, and has since shown that the right small business can provide the highest level of innovation to big businesses.

Region: Southeast

Entrepreneurship, Features, Philadelphia

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