This time last year, Avenues Café closed at 7201 Germantown Avenue, changing everything. Through our long partnership with the Social Impact Café, we had been supporting healthy eating, affordable local produce, Food Rescue Dinners, and Thanksgiving basket pickups.
When the closure happened, we continued serving outdoors in the community, because the mission carried on. The neighborhood said, “We need a café here again.”
With faith and vision, we returned to 7201 Germantown Avenue — deep cleaned, repainted in historic tones (Fairmount Green, Classic Burgundy, Philly Cream) — in the former Odd Fellows Lodge, built on the principles of Friendship. Love. Truth.
✅ In 10 months, we’ve broken even, served 2,000+ guests, and grown a community place.
✨ Now, I’m leaving my job to fully commit to this mission.
But we need your help. We have immediate needs:
Operating expenses
Supplies
Outdoor signage
Rent & lease renewal
A generous contributor just helped cover our PECO bill. We’re in a payment arrangement with the landlord and aim to pay all owed by this weekend so we can renew the lease and move forward.
Contribute today — before it’s too late.
Every gift, share, and prayer helps keep the lights on and the doors open.
➡️ Donate here:
Help Kidd & Co Thrive — Support Ericka Stewart
## The "YOU SHOULD" Campaign: Invest in Our 3rd Space for Northwest Philadelphia
The **"YOU SHOULD" Campaign** is a powerful call to action for community members and supporters to actively participate in sustaining and growing Kidd & Co. Cafe. It's an invitation to recognize the cafe not just as a business, but as a vital **"3rd Space for All"** – a community hub, a lifeline, and a family that is integral to the **social fabric of Northwest Philadelphia.**
This campaign operates on a **Community Investment Model**, urging individuals to leverage the **power of their voice and the strength of their dollars** to secure the future of this essential establishment and its non-profit initiative, We FEED THE PEOPLE.
### What "YOU SHOULD" Do:
1. **YOU SHOULD INVEST in Our 3rd Space!**
* **Keep the Lights On & Doors Open:** Your investment directly helps cover operational costs, ensuring Kidd & Co. remains a visible and active part of Northwest Philadelphia's community rhythm.
* **Fix Our Fridge & Ice!** Critical equipment repairs are paramount. Your dollars will fund the necessary fixes for long-broken appliances, essential for efficient and expanded service.
* **Launch Free Breakfast!** A key initiative of We FEED THE PEOPLE, this program will directly address food insecurity. Your investment makes this launch possible.
* **Nourish Our Neighbors!** Beyond meals, Kidd & Co. fosters connection and care. Your support enables the expansion of community programs and outreach efforts.
2. **YOU SHOULD Understand the Community Investment Model:**
This isn't just a fundraiser; it's an invitation to become a stakeholder in a shared vision. Every dollar contributed is an investment in the **social fabric of Northwest Philadelphia**, creating a ripple effect of positive impact. It's about collective action, where each individual's contribution strengthens the whole.
3. **YOU SHOULD Use the Power of Your Voice:**
* **Share Our Story:** Talk about Kidd & Co., its mission, and the impact it has within Northwest Philadelphia.
* **Spread the Word:** Share our campaign widely on social media, with friends, family, and local groups across the region.
* **Amplify Our Needs:** Help us reach new donors and supporters by advocating for our cause.
4. **YOU SHOULD Use the Strength of Your Dollars:**
* **Donate to Our \$10,000 Capital Campaign:** This crucial funding will stabilize operations and enable critical repairs and program launches.
* **Contribute Directly:** Every donation, big or small, makes an immediate difference.
The "YOU SHOULD" Campaign is a direct, empowering appeal. It recognizes the inherent desire of community members to support what they value and provides a clear pathway for them to enact that support through both advocacy and financial contribution. It's an affirmation that their voice matters, and their dollars have tangible power to create lasting change in their **Northwest Philadelphia** neighborhood.
MILESTONE AND GRATITUDE UPDATE
CURRENT TODAY
8/13/2025
3rd SUPPER SESSION PARTICIPATION
There are so many things that I wish I knew when I said yes to opening a cafe at Germantown and Mount Airy, that I previously served the community in partnership with the previous owner for a span of 2 .5 years.
When 2 Angel Investors knocked on my door and said "we want you to have it " I didnt believe it . But for 6 weeks while the transition took place , I heard and listened to my neighbors , customers of the farmers market and previous customers of the previous cafe; express the need for such an asset in our community.
When I prayed and strategtically planned the reopening of this cafe. I was very intentional that this new cafe would serve as a 3rd Space for the community named Kidd & Co. Carefully curating a collection of Global Melanated Artists to demonstrate our resilence in Social RealEstate. The cafe is 800 square feet and there is more than enough space for various artist to begin their journey with Kidd & Co.
Half of the shop is an art shop & gift shop with 1 of a kind selections and the other half of the shop remains a cafe with a specialty beverage menu and baked goods rotating daily.
Sip and Shop is the vibe. Buy Art + Drink Coffee
We opened our doors on January 6th of 2025. After 6 weeks of deep cleaning, renovations, paperwork, permits, certifications and so many more milestones.
Over the past 8months, I have had the opportunity to take 2077 orders that included Good Eat Dinners, Weekly Farmers Market and our House Specialty Beverage Menu.
Generating over $17,000 in net sales.
Background of Initial
"The initial GoFundme campaign was created to help support my business, Kidd & Co. Cafe, which was facing challenges including the need to replace a refrigerator and pay rent."
Ericka Stewart, often referred to as CHEF KIDD - "Philadelphia's first and only food rescue chef," is a community leader and social entrepreneur whose work is centered on serving communities, particularly those living in food deserts. These are geographic areas where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, often due to a lack of supermarkets or other fresh food retailers.
I have applied for the Catalyst Fund grants with The City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce. The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is a $5 million investment designed to accelerate the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the city. Support includes funding and strategic guidance. Grants of up to $50,000 per business will be awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND KNOW OF OTHER RESOURCES FOR STARTUP BUSINESSES > please email me
PAST - 4/2025
by Ericka Stewart, Organizer
"It's with a heavy heart that I find myself here again, asking for your support to keep Kidd & Co. going and stable. We've hit another significant hurdle: our under-the-counter refrigerator, absolutely vital for our kitchen operations, has died.
Replacing it is not straightforward; we're facing the daunting possibility of having to remove a section of a wall just to get a new one installed.
This unexpected expense, on top of our already challenging \$2,400 monthly overhead, has brought us to a critical point.
Honestly, if we can't figure out how to cover this refrigerator replacement and the potential wall removal, I fear I will have to give up on the dream we've been building at Kidd & Co."
Sincerely,
Ericka Stewart Owner, Kidd & Co.
Ericka Stewart, also known as Chef Kidd, has opened a new cafe called Kidd & Co. at Germantown and Mount Airy. She sees the cafe as a "third space" for the community, combining a specialty beverage and baked goods menu with a curated art and gift shop featuring the work of Global Melanated Artists. This concept, which she calls "Sip and Shop," opened on January 6, 2025.