PHILADELPHIA -- In a tiny space just off Main Street that once housed a dog walking business, Philadelphia entrepreneur and small business lawyer Sarah Holmes had a vision for a European-style gourmet and kitchenwares shop. With the help of her culinary-school graduate husband Dan Nemiroff, Holmes will officially open Petit Gourmand on Friday, September 6th.
"About a year ago, Dan and I had this wild dream of doing a business together. With his culinary background and my small business experience, a food-driven business was a natural fit," according to Holmes. While exhibiting at the Manayunk Arts Festival, Holmes came across a tiny commercial space at 103 Cotton Street that had been vacant for months. "The space was so small, I think it was hard for anyone to imagine the possibilities," said Holmes. "As soon as I saw it, I thought of the kitchen and gourmet concept and knew I could make it work, even in the current retail climate. Manayunk is such a vibrant location for small businesses, I was comfortable taking a risk there."
Petit Gourmand seeks to fill a gap in Manayunk's current retail offerings. A curated selection of cookware, bakeware, kitchen gadgets, linens, beer making kits, organic tea, small appliances and gourmet items will be available at the shop. An early vendor Holmes and Nemiroff secured was local coffee upstart Rival Bros. and Petit Gourmand will be the first Manayunk business to offer their whole bean roasts. Another local supplier is newcomer Rock the Roll, a Philadelphia-based BBQ sauce company that has been working the local BBQ competition circuit. Rounding out the local offerings are soaps by Volta Organics, vintage fabric aprons by Dop Dop Designs, chocolate by John & Kira's and hand printed tea towels by Girls Can Tell.
By the end of the month, Holmes expects to have a selection of cookware available from Le Creuset, appliances by Bodum and classic Laguiole steak knives. A grand opening party is set for Friday, September 6th from 6-9pm to coincide with Manayunk's bustling First Friday. The party will feature live French-themed music, cake, champagne and coffee demonstrations by Rival Bros. On Saturday from 2-4pm, Rock the Roll will be at the shop to offer samples of their BBQ sauce. Goodie swag bags will be given to the first 15 purchasers on Friday and Saturday and all items in store will be ten percent off all weekend long. Customers who sign up for Petit Gourmand's mailing list will also be entered to win a $75 gift certificate.
The opening weekend extravaganza is the culmination of long hours and hard work put in by both Holmes and Nemiroff. The tiny upstart is confident that retail is on the rebound. Petit Gourmand is located at 103 Cotton Street, just off Main Street in Manayunk.
