West Philadelphia Business Owners Expand Local Footprint
Owners of Cleo Bagels and Little Bean utilize city grants to grow their presence in the neighborhood.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Alex Malamy and Ilana Silber operate two storefronts in West Philadelphia after evolving from home baking to brick-and-mortar retail by 2026. The duo expanded their offerings to include coffee drinks in response to customer demand.
Why it matters
The business owners aimed to create a dedicated space for community connection in West Philadelphia. They utilized the city Storefront Improvement grant program to help facilitate this expansion.
The business currently operates two storefronts in West Philadelphia. The owners have built this enterprise upon Alex Malamy's 10 years of professional experience in bagel production.
The players
Alex Malamy
An owner and operator of Cleo Bagels and Little Bean who began his baking career at home.
Ilana Silber
A business owner who operates two storefronts alongside Alex Malamy in West Philadelphia.
The details
After incorporating in 2019, the business moved from home production and appearances at the Clark Park Farmers Market to permanent retail locations. The transformation included a two-year renovation process for their original space.
Timeline
Alex Malamy began baking bagels at home in 2016.
The business was officially incorporated in 2019.
The lease for the first storefront was signed in 2021.
Cleo Bagels launched in 2023.
The Little Bean storefront opened in 2024.
Market Landscape
Small business growth in urban neighborhoods often relies on public-private partnerships to bridge the gap between home-based operations and brick-and-mortar success. This expansion positions the owners to better compete for community engagement against larger local chains.
Local residents gain access to new coffee offerings and bagel products at the West Philadelphia storefronts. Customers may continue to see expanded event programming as the owners focus on increasing community engagement.
The takeaway
Small business owners often find success by transitioning from niche market participation to permanent storefronts with government aid. Owners looking to scale should prioritize community-driven offerings like expanded menus to meet specific local demands.
What happens next
The business owners plan to continue hosting various events according to their active calendar.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest commercial developments in the Philadelphia Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Technical.
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