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Better Know a Frankford Business: PA Auto Insurance

 

Getting stopped by the police for a traffic violation can turn a bad day to worse in a hurry. That day can quickly change from worse to terrible if the car owner cannot provide proof that they have auto insurance. In Philadelphia, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in your automobile being impounded as well as hundreds of dollars in additional tickets and fees. If you run that risk, fear not, Frankford has the solution for your missing insurance card. The Frankford grown business PA Auto Insurance Outlet has been providing clients with low cost, high quality insurance services for over a decade, while at the same time staying involved in a community they proudly call home.

PA Auto Insurance Outlet, located at 4901 Frankford Ave, is spearheaded by three highly experienced insurance professionals. President Bob Refice has over 40 years of experience in the insurance business, and says his heart has always been in Northeast Philadelphia even when he lived as far away as Ohio.  His Vice presidents, Warren Kukish and Ed Gerber, add an additional 60 years of expertise in the industry. They describe themselves as neighborhood guys who pride themselves on friendly customer service and providing the best deals and discounts for their clients. PA Auto works with 6 insurance companies and specializes in low cost, low down payment insurance plans.  If you need immediate coverage PA Auto can obtain a policy for you for as little as 88 dollars a month. PA Auto also provides Auto Tag and Notary services, homeowner, renters, and life insurance from a variety of companies, conveniently providing all necessary insurance services in one place.  To them, low cost in no way means low service.

With over 100 years of total experience, PA Auto could have located anywhere, but they chose Frankford. They love the convenience of the El, the mix of people, the character of the neighborhood, and the shops along the Ave. To them, Frankford is a special place to run a business. They recently purchased the property they have called home for the last ten years, leaving no doubt that they will always be there for Frankford. They are active community members recently donating to Hope for Philly and Food for Troops. Hope for Philly is a charitable organization that provides area residents with, jackets, shoes, and other necessities. Food for Troops provides our service members overseas with snack boxes filled with some of their favorite Philly snacks.

If you’re having insurance issues, feel free to call PA Auto at 215-827-0800. If you aren’t sold by the low rates, we’re sure the warm face to face interaction and attention to detail will make you into one of their newest clients. Afterwards, make sure to refer a friend and you’ll be entered into monthly 50 dollar gift card drawing. If you aren’t ready to sign or switch policies, simply stop in for a free, no obligation quote and your name will be entered in the drawing too. Drive Safe!

 

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Third Aria & Frankford CDC Business Spotlight Day!

Aria Health Frankford Campus and the Frankford CDC teamed up this afternoon for our third business spotlight day, intended to introduce Frankford’s many wonderful small businesses to Aria staff. And what an event it was!

Aria employees flocked to Therice Denby and Terra Dukes for their delicious sweets and homemade beauty products, respectively. Therice brought pumpkin pie, egg nogg cheesecake, red velvet cupcakes, and pound cake that were gone before the blink of an eye, and Aria staff were eager to try Terra’s wonderful body scrubs. Both spoke to over forty Aria staff members, and even made some sales before the day was done!

The Frankford CDC and Aria couldn’t be more pleased with how these events have grown over the last few months. More and more Aria staff members know about this new initiative, and have come to know our business owners! One even said to Therice, “Oh good, I’m glad you’re here! I’ve heard so much about you!”

Check out pictures from the event here, and stay tuned for more information as we continue to hold these events!

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District Attorney Williams at Frankford Business & Professional Association Meeting

The Frankford Business & Professional Association was thrilled to welcome District Attorney Seth Williams to our October general meeting yesterday morning!

During the hour long session, the D.A. took some great questions from a packed room, and discussed what his office is doing to prevent crime around the City, how we can all work together to create safer neighborhoods, and how his personal story has shaped his career path and his goals as the City’s top prosecutor.

For those who couldn’t make it, we hope you enjoy the pictures below. And we want to extend a special thanks to the D.A., his office, and all who came out yesterday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Celebrate Philly Photo Day at Frankford Branch Library

On Philly Photo Day the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center invites everyone in the city to take a photograph. Every single picture received will be printed and hung for exhibition in December in the Crane Arts Building. Some of the best pictures will be selected for exhibition on local billboards, buses and trains!

The Free Library of Philadelphia will partner with the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center to present a digital photography workshop on Philly Photo Day. You’ll learn the basic foundations of photography, such as composition, elements of art and how to use a point-and-shoot digital camera. Then you’ll go on a guided tour of the neighborhood with a professional photographer who will help you create interesting photographs out of your everyday environment. At the end of the session, you’ll select one photo to submit for the Philly Photo Day 2012 exhibition.

The workshop will take place at Frankford Branch Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue on Philly Photo Day, Friday, October 26, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.  Participation is free and all ages are welcome.  Preregistration is recommended A permission slip signed by a parent or guardian is required for participants under 12.  Permission slips are available at the library.  For more information or to register call 215-685-1473 or email, baxterb@freelibrary.org.  The workshop will also be offered at the Frankford Community Development Corporation; call 215- 743-6580 for more information.

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Behind the Scenes at Gil’s Upholstery: Settee Edition

We at the CDC learn new things all the time as we work with businesses all along the Avenue. We have some very skilled business owners that call Frankford Avenue home, and over the years we’ve had the pleasure of learning the tricks of a whole variety of different trades.

One of those trades is upholstery. We sat down with Gil Pons of Gilbert’s Upholstery again last week to talk about another project he’s currently completing – a settee that dates back to the late 1800s. Gil’s client received the piece from her grandmother in Ohio, but the loveseat was originally constructed in Chicago. The piece is a unique one for Gil because of its age, and the number of times its been reconstructed before ending up right here in Frankford.

Gil and his brother Rick had to completely strip the settee down yet again, and used hog hair – commonly used by those in the trade on older pieces to fill in the cavities – to re-stuff the chair. This particular customer wanted a softer feel to her seat, so foam was added to the mix. When we spoke with Gil about the piece, he was in the midst of a second round of work on the chair: this repeat customer had wanted the back to have more curviture, so Gil was busy ensuring his client got exactly what she wanted.

As we’ve said before, every piece of furniture has a story, and those histories are being written and rewritten right on the 4500 block of Frankford Avenue. Who knows where this settee will end up in twenty years – maybe right back on Frankford Ave getting another makeover!

 

Getting the job done on Frankford Ave: