Something Different by Eric is a nonprofit gift store that celebrates individuals with disabilities. Eric owns the store with his mom, Bernadette, and greets everyone who comes into his store with a great big smile; He is proud to show other people with Down Syndrome just how much they can achieve. This gift shop has everything from puzzles and home décor to candles and greeting cards; stop in to give Eric a visit and see all of the wonderful things happening at Something Different by Eric!
Persons with Disabilities Owned
Cosmic Cafe
Cosmic Café is the perfect stop at the end of Boathouse Row for refreshments, snacks, or a meal. Owner Beg Botto is a QIDP (Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional) and brought this background to the café. Cosmic Café employs and trains people with developmental disabilities in order to help coach them on important life skills that are useful in this role and beyond. Stop in to try breakfast all day, or grab a locally brewed beer on the patio (21+).
The Spiral Bookcase
One word to describe The Spiral Bookcase would be “strange”- but that’s a good thing! This Manayunk bookshop prides itself on being home to those with “stranger souls and wilder minds.” They have a wide variety of book selections, including many of witchcraft and other “strange” topics. Small and cozy, this shop welcomes all to come in and peruse their selection to find your next interesting read.
After more than a decade of celebrating the magic of stories, The Spiral Bookcase will close its brick & mortar location on December 21, 2023—the Winter Solstice. Please know they are only saying goodbye for now. The essence of Spiral will endure, as all the best tales do.
GET Café
Owners Brooke and Jon Goodspeed founded GETincluded, Inc, after the birth of their son Oliver, who has multiple developmental and medical conditions. Enlightened to how much discrimination and stigma surrounds those on the spectrum and/or with physical/mental disabilities, they decided to create a café built on inclusion, advocacy work, and of course, great coffee! GET Café is a small coffee shop and community space welcoming people of all abilities. Serving up coffee and small bites, the shop welcomes all to attend (with sensory playrooms and community events hosted frequently) and work in the shop.