The "Second Chance Shop"

At first glance, it looks just like any other Philly townhouse, except for the red, oversized "Open" sign hanging from the front porch. The town house's first floor, located at 3428 17th Street in the Tioga neighborhood of North Philly, has been converted into, what Wynette Moore calls, the "Second Chance Shop." Every morning at 9:00am, except Sundays, Moore opens her shop and sells what she calls "knickknacks" of all sorts ranging from children and adult clothing to shoes, toys, household items, DVDs, books and much more. Though the shop is not big by regular standards, Moore manages to stack several shelves full with these knickknacks against the walls giving customers room to browse around at the variety of items for sale. The items are not too expensive either. The toys, for example, sell for as little as $1. Many of the items sold in the corner shop are given as donations from community members and the like, says Moore.

Moore, an ambitious entrepreneur with a friendly attitude, started the business about five months ago and has since enjoyed some success so far but she is aiming to expand her business perhaps even starting a candy store for children one day, she says. Though she is proud of the work she has done, she couldn't have done it without the help of several friends, she says. Pastor Lola Blount of the Eagle's Wing's Church located adjacent to Moore's townhouse and several other co-workers, one of whom calls himself "Singing Bob", a director of the junior quire at the church, have all helped Moore to jump start her business. The mission of Pastor Blount's church is to help entrepreneurs get started on their businesses and to facilitate their growth. Moore plans to keep her shop in Philadelphia and remain in the area.

However, as much as Moore sells things and gets donations for her shop, she gives that much back to the community. On Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm she gives away free clothing, three-outfits to be precise, to needy individuals in the community. She also works as a volunteer at the H.E.R.O. (Helping Energize and Rebuild Ourselves) Community Center just down the street from her townhouse distributing free food, such as vegetables and fruits at a stand.

By: Ayisha Arshad, Morgan Ashenfelter, Group 13, Nicetown/Tioga