How do we get rid of nuisance businesses?

There's more than one answer to the question, “How do we rid our neighborhoods of nuisance businesses,” and even with the answers I share today, I am sure there are even more solutions out there.

- Thera Martin

Start by identifying the problem businesses. What's the problem? Does the business owner allow for loitering out in front of their business? Are they nasty (in terms of) how they put their trash out or how they store their trash leading up to trash day? Are the owners of the business rude and racist acting? Do they keep their business open all hours of the day and night, beyond what License and Inspection allows? Can it be proven that a business that's considered a nuisance business has been selling illegal products out of their location? If the answer is yes, you would wonder why such a business would be allowed to remain open.

On Monday, April 28, 2025, there was a public hearing at City Hall in Council Chambers hosted by the Committee on Licenses and Inspections. They were looking to hear testimony on three bills that have been introduced at City Council, Bills 250123, 250150, and 250151. All three of the bills are tied to what are considered problem businesses that are not complying in one way or another with the laws of Philadelphia as it pertains to the operation of a business.