Mantua: A Thriving Business Center?

When passing through the Mantua and Parkside neighborhoods, an unfamiliar visitor might assume the area is largely a degenerating retail center rather than an actual “neighborhood.” This is because, of course, most driving occurs on the district’s main thruway, Lancaster Avenue. The long strip of pavement spanning East to West designates the separation between Mantua, Parkside and the more well-known areas of West Philadelphia like University City.

In projects thus far, our group has managed to steer clear of this main road, hoping to find more interesting and relatable stories in the heart of the neighborhoods. But, as our recent trip determined, ignoring perhaps what is the economic center of Mantua leads to a gaping hole in developing a circumferential idea of the area.

Walking in the bitter chill of early October, we found ourselves staring at the brightly colored entrance of what looked to be a lively children’s day care. Approaching a man standing nearby, we discovered that as cheerful as this business may seem, they are already being affected by the state budget crisis, not having received payment for months. He shook his head in disbelief.



Now here is a business that houses employees, children, children of employees. Yet, superficially, no one would have any idea of the ailments this organization, and many others, faces. What develops from this discovery will only build a more comprehensive understanding of these two very complex neighborhoods.

-By Emily Freisher and Samantha Williams, Group 6, Mantua