Author: Frankford Community Development Corporation

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Frankford CDC Update

Almost a year ago, the Gazette published a guest post from the Frankford CDC detailing our efforts and future plans. A lot has happened since the writing of that piece, and so much of it has been positive.

First and foremost, our offices now house a computer lab free and open to the public, thanks to PhillyRising, Temple University’s Computer Recycling Center, and Aria Health. We were thrilled that Mayor Nutter came out to Frankford to dedicate the lab, and that over 80 different individuals so far have made their way to our offices to take advantage of this great new resource. And we’ve only just begun to use the lab to its fullest potential: we offered free computer training classes just a few weeks ago as part of Philly Tech Week, in partnership with State Representative Tony Payton and the People’s Emergency Center. In the coming months and years, we plan to continue hosting workshops and classes, and to keep spreading the word about the lab.

We have also launched several new programs in the last few months, including a partnership with Aria Health to spotlight the businesses along the Avenue and an initiative with NorthEast Treatment Centers to keep the Avenue clean. We’ve also partnered with Frankford High School to organize a roundtable with some of our community’s best food entrepreneurs – bringing business owners in direct contact with budding ones.

In addition, FCDC has markedly stepped up our communications efforts, to great success we believe. Our facebook and twitter accounts are updated constantly, aimed at creating buzz about Frankford. We also consistently post videos on our YouTube channel, and recently created a Pinterest page to again highlight Frankford’s many assets. We firmly believe we have generated interest in our community through our marketing campaign, and will have some exciting partnerships to announce before the end of the summer.

The CDC is also in the midst of planning its special events for the coming summer and fall: a community health fair with Aria Health and Health Partners, a re-reading of the Declaration of Independence at Womrath Park, another series of Second Saturday arts festivals, and an even more haunting Haunted History Tour. Stay tuned for dates, times and locations. We’d love your input as we plan these events, and we’d love to hear ideas for future ones!

Even as we expand our scope of services, we are still focused on small business development and attraction. Over the last year we have brought two new businesses to Frankford, and are working strategically to bring several more. Our increased media presence is intended in part to help bring shoppers and new business owners to the Avenue, and we believe we are having an effect.

We at the Frankford CDC love what we do, from working with wonderful small business owners to planning events and forging larger development projects. And we love talking to as many people as possible about Frankford and our plans. So don’t hesitate to contact us at 215-743-6580, or to stop by our offices at 4900 Griscom Street.

A better Frankford, and a better Philadelphia, will not come about unless we all get involved.

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Behind the Scenes at Gil’s Upholstery with the Frankford CDC

Gil Pons has been skillfully repurposing pieces of furniture on Frankford Avenue for decades. He’s mastered the tricks of the trade and knows how every piece of furniture is different. But, more importantly, he knows how to meet the unique needs of each of his many clients.

This past week, the Frankford CDC stopped by Gil’s shop to observe him in action. He was hard at work restoring a couch that he believes was originally produced in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The process Gil must undertake may seem simple, though proves to be anything but straightforward, as the CDC’s visit demonstrates. First, the couch has to be stripped down to its wooden frame, and then stuffed with new padding. Once Gil makes the new seat cushions, and before the back of the couch has been reassembled, the client will make a trip to the shop to test out her new sofa and determine just how far forward she wants the back to extend. Gil will also replace the coils in the base of the couch with springs, to fulfill the customer’s desire for a firmer seat.

This forty year old piece has a lot of history wrapped up in it, specifically when it comes to the technique and materials used to manufacture and repurpose furniture. The couch was originally stuffed with coconut fiber, which has since gone out of fashion in the industry. However, trends are cyclical, and Gil noted that coconut fiber is making a comeback in part due to its eco-friendly nature and will be used for this particular project. So, not surprisingly, this piece will have a bit of the future woven in to its fibers, too.

Gil believes this piece was not mass produced, but rather built to meet the desires of its original owner. That dovetails perfectly with the ethos of Gil’s shop: a specialty store intended to deliver a customized product. Gil manages about six projects a month, and the CDC intends to keep you updated on the story of this particular couch. So stay tuned, enjoy the pictures below, and go visit Gil at 4529 Frankford Avenue (or give him a call at 215-744-5385) with more questions about how exactly he does what he does.