East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, an “Avenue for All” with numerous retailers, services, restaurants and bars owned and operated by people from a wide variety of backgrounds and ethnicities, is honoring Black History Month by highlighting black-owned businesses on the avenue: Haus of Wax, Ocho Rios Parilla, Super Loa, Supreme Beauty, The Dutch, Uprising ACM, Whiplash Allure and the soon-to-open Sawubona Creativity Project.
• Haus of Wax (1343 E. Passyunk Ave.), a luxury wax center, was founded in 2019 by Deja Jones in the back of a small salon. Dubbed “The Waxing Guru,” Jones gives customers comfortable and zen grooming treatments with a bevy of waxing services available. She is also an entrepreneur who guides others in business development, marketing and networking through her “All About Business Society.” Appointments are suggested and can be made at https://hausofwax.as.me/schedule.php.
• Ocho Rios Parrilla (1710 E. Passyunk Ave.) is co-owned by Lisa Wilson (also owner of Jamaican Jerk Hut at 1436 South St.) and Krisna McGeachie. Strongly influenced by Caribbean cuisine and authentic Jamaican flavors, Ocho Rios Parrilla brings fresh island fare to South Philadelphia in addition to tropical cocktails and an ambiance and interior reminiscent of the Caribbean.
• Sawubona Creativity Project (1935 E. Passyunk Ave.) is preparing to open this month and will weave social emotional learning and character education into various theater arts programs, such as applied improvisation, literary and performance arts, mindfulness workshops, storytelling and playwriting, in a way intended to be fun and interactive. Owner Tanya Morgan is a mental health professional, social emotional learning interventionist and performer who advocates for the value of teaching theater arts programs infused with social emotional learning skills. More information on this new business can be found at https://sawubonacreativityproject.org/.
• Super Loa (1746 E. Passyunk Ave.) is a CBD dispensary that moved to East Passyunk last year, joining its original location on the Main Line. Founder Tamara Ali Bey has a selection of CBD products with both vegan and Kosher-certified goods as well as women’s health and wellness items.
• Supreme Beauty Philly (1943 E. Passyunk Ave.) provides luxury hair braiding and services including touch ups and sew ins. Owner and founder Brandi James is available via appointment only, which can be booked at https://bookingwithsupremebeauty.as.me/schedule.php. Supreme Beauty Philly also produces its own proprietary Hair Growth Oil, available for purchase on its website.
• The Dutch (1537 S. 11th St.), the breakfast, lunch and dinner eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics, is reviving co-owner and executive chef Kevin Watters’ Mom Mom’s Soul Food Pop-Up as a sit-down-dinner on Monday, Feb. 27. A celebration of both Black History Month and a tribute to his late grandmother Lillian Lewis, who was known in her community as “everybody’s Mom Mom,” the multicourse meal will be $65 per person and can be reserved by emailing lee@thedutchphilly.com or via Tock.
• Uprising ACM (1839 E. Passyunk Ave.) is dedicated to the wellness of all peoples through integrating yoga, the arts and cultural events. Led by owner Achola Simkins and her team, Uprising ACM offers yoga classes, both in group and private sessions, and hosts community art and cultural events like talks and workshops directed toward the principles of body neutrality, holistic healing and inclusivity. Peruse their class schedule at https://www.uprisingacm.com/yoga.
• Whiplash Allure (1934 E. Passyunk Ave.) is a bustling esthetics boutique on the Avenue helmed by Certified Lash Artist Brittnee Floyd. Floyd’s mission is to demonstrate her expertise gained through consistency and dedication, so that every client leaves the experience more knowledgeable of the services provided. Whiplash Allure is a comfortable, judgment-free environment, offering services including eyelash extensions, body sculpting and lip filling. Appointments can be booked at https://www.whiplashallurele.com/treatments-1. ••
