The East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District has announced a new executive director.
On Aug., 28, the District’s Board of Directors announced the hiring of Katie Hanford to the position, which she began serving in July. Hanford’s main responsibility will be to provide leadership to one of the city’s most well-known and famous districts. East Passyunk is home to more than 160 independently owned stores and restaurants and is widely known for its trendy offerings.
“A city thrives when small, independent businesses have the resources to act on their creativity and connect to their neighborhood,” said Hanford. “The businesses along East Passyunk have already created an amazing community. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to support their success and grow the Avenue’s impact on the city.”
Hanford is a native of West Chester and has lived in South Philly the last five years. She studied Anthropology and Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington and recently completed her Master’s in City Planning at the University of Pennsylvania.
“We are excited for a new chapter here at the EPABID with Katie Hanford,” said EPABID Board President and Tildie’s Toy Box Owner Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh. “Her background in city planning, nonprofit work and passion for small business development is a perfect fit for the Avenue.”
Hanford said she was happy to seize the opportunity.
“It was in the second year of my City Planning program that I figured out I wanted to work in the small business world,” Hanford said. “BIDs were exciting to me because they combined so many aspects of what makes a neighborhood vibrant. My favorite part of this work is meeting the business owners and neighbors in the area. To be able to get to know all of the incredibly creative and generous people who make this neighborhood tick is something that’s really special to me. I am a people person at heart and wanted to make sure my work centered community building, so I’m grateful to be able to do this in my own neighborhood. I also wanted a dynamic job where I don’t do the same thing every day, and that is certainly the case for this role.”
Hanford has previously run youth development programs and advocated for independent music venues. In her new position, she will focus on supporting all of the small businesses on the commercial corridor through events, grants, partnerships and other avenues. And East Passyunk remains a hot spot in the fall as it is gearing up for an exciting lineup of events that includes East Passyunk Fall Fest (Oct. 26), East Passyunk Witch Craft Crawl (Oct. 23), and new East Passyunk First Fridays (Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6).
“I genuinely think East Passyunk is the best corridor in Philadelphia and South Philly is the best place to live,” Hanford said. “A perfect Saturday for me involves exploring the city, trying a new restaurant or coffee shop, popping into a new store or walking around a new neighborhood or commercial corridor. I am a big fan of urban landscapes so I often bring my camera with me when I’m out and about. Most evenings are spent with friends, grabbing a bite, playing quizzo or seeing live music. Philadelphia has one of the best music scenes in the country right now.”
