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contest
The City of Philadelphia Commerce Department and the Community Design Collaborative believe spruced-up storefronts lead to spruced-up profits. To help spread their philosophy, and to give local establishments an incentive to enhance their façades, they've teamed up to formulate the Citywide Storefront Challenge. Event Organizer Karen Fegely says 57 newly renovated businesses, including Le Virt, Earth Bread + Brewery (pictured, above) and West Philadelphia's Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge have entered the competition in the hopes of taking home one of the eight awards recognizing achievement in design. She hopes the contest will inspire other businesses to get in on the restoration action because of the impact it can ultimately have beyond the storefront windows. "Commercial corridors are a vital part of our neighborhoods," she says, "and improving them is not only good for business but for the residential community."