The Chestnut Hill Business Association is a membership organization for the 125 retailers and restaurants located in Chestnut Hill, the beautiful Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood designated by Forbes.com as one of the top seven urban enclaves in the country. It also has more than 200 professional and sustaining members. Chestnut Hill was voted a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Read about C.H.E.A.P. here. It’s our newest initiative to give our members energy savings.
One of our other current initiatives is a committment to the environment with a district wide intent to Go Green
Many of the qualities that make Chestnut Hill one of Philadelphia’s most desirable neighborhoods also makes it one of the most environmentally friendly residential and business corridors in the country. It is an ideal symbiosis–combining rental apartments, moderate and high end housing, a vibrant business district of retail shops and restaurants, public parks, museums and an arboretum. Chestnut Hill’s walkability score, 91 out of 100, coupled with the bucolic setting and proximity of necessities has been used as a model by city planners across the country.
Chestnut Hill businesses and non-profits continue to take a leadership role by exercising environmental awareness with a number of initiatives. The newly formed “Green Team” initiated the creation of a reusable shopping tote sponsored by local Valley Green Bank. The annual Home and Garden Festival has added a Green Vendor section to highlight sustainable products such as solar panels. An army of student recycling ambassadors from local schools have been recruited to help collect recyclables during the festival and highlight Philadelphia’s single stream recycling program. The Chestnut Hill Business Association in conjunction with the Mt Airy Business Assocoation has hosted several informational seminars focused on trash reduction, water conservation and composting.
In addition, many of our restaurants and bakeries support local farmers such as Lancaster Farm Fresh and the weekly Buy Fresh Buy Local farmer’s market. Chestnut Hill is now home to four LEED Platinum certified town homes recently built by the Woodward Company. The non profit Morris Arboretum is in the midst of creating a permanent outdoor exhibition called Tree Adventure. This exhibition will highlight the critical role trees play in our environment while creating a wonderful family activity.
Chestnut Hill is also engaged in discovering the best use for its retail spaces to enhance the neighborhood and the Avenue. Here is a video of a recent presentation involving that mission.
These are just a few of the many initiatives in the works to keep our neighborhood (and planet) beautiful and sustainable.The organization’s mission is to support the Chestnut Hill business community and promote the Philadelphia neighborhood as a dynamic, friendly and attractive shopping area. The Chestnut Hill Business Association oversees community events, maintains the ambiance and safety of the retail corridor, and acts as a liaison between members and government representatives.
BUSINESS RESOURCES: If you are interested in starting a business the City of Philadelphia Business Services website is a good place to start. You can also review helpful links for businesses here.
Contact the Chestnut Hill Business Association to learn more about the resources we offer.
