Help Us Keep Our Doors Open

We are in serious danger of closing our doors on Passyunk Avenue.

Our beloved store, Civil Stock General, has felt so much love, kindness, and acceptance from our community. It kills us to have to publically ask for help as sales have not been where we need them to be for the past year.

We no longer have money to pay our bills or buy more inventory.

Our landlord is graciously working with us, alleviating a large percentage of our property expenses, and Whitney, the owner, has had help from family as she takes zero wages from the store since its inception in August 2023. But it's not enough. We have exhausted small business and private loans and are currently applying for grants and programs at the local and state level, with no luck.

We are in desperate need of working capital to keep us going. If we are forced to close, breaking our lease would cost us thousands, ultimately forcing us to file for bankruptcy and terminate the business.

Like many small businesses in Philadelphia, we have been faced with little support from the city and state, rising costs of goods and services, inflation, and dissolution. Last year as a whole, we made a fraction of what we needed to pay our monthly expenses—this doesn't include any wages, to myself or to any staff. Last July we were hit the hardest, making only 36% of what we needed to in order to break even (again, without any wages). This month? We are at a record low, barely covering our rent. It is no joke when you hear that running a business is hard, especially for the first few years, but without working capital we cannot survive, let alone grow.

There's no other way to say this: we are in desperate need of monetary help. I am asking for sales, bookings, and donations so we can keep our doors open. I can't do this alone.

Our Background

Civil Stock General Store was created from a deep passion for beautifully timeless, well-made products, reminiscent of the old general supply stores from the 1700s and 1800s that have since been replaced with large corporations across the country. Our main goal in opening this general store is to provide a meaningful selection of assorted goods and affable customer service to our neighbors, ultimately contributing to the rejuvenation and success of Philadelphia’s retail scene. We hope that by doing this, we can promote the importance of USA-made products, craftsmanship, sustainability, and investing back into the community.

Additional ways to help

We have felt the love from our community since our very first day of opening, and if you shop here, you are already doing more than we could ask for to help us thrive. For those who don't live in the area or are not in a position to donate, there are several other ways to help us finish the work we've promised to our customers.

We can't thank you enough for your support; it means the world to us.

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Our Mission

Civil Stock General Store is grounded in superior, personalized customer service and inclusion. We provide an ever-changing product list of utilitarian supplies and home goods, ranging from common groceries and freshly served coffee to eco-friendly, USA-made household staples and unique gifts to our local community. We strive to emphasize well-made products, women- and BIPOC-owned brands, and great design to deliver authentic customer experiences.

Our storefront resides in the thriving East Passyunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, home to over 160 independently owned shops, bars, and restaurants. Just like the traditional general stores from our past, we strive to develop deep connections with the communities we serve while providing quality wares for everyday life.