Photo of Vanessa Chandler. (Photo by Rocco Avallone)

Norristown native Vanessa Chandler made her way to Germantown in April 2021. Though she’s lived in other city areas, she says Germantown is the “first true neighborhood that’s felt like community to [her].”

The transplant obtained her event planning and management degree from Temple University, informing some of her work residents might recognize in the neighborhood.

Chandler is one of the co-producers of the Germantown Art & Sound quarterly showcase, which for five years has been Germantown’s premiere platform for local artists to display their art. 

While Chandler had no prior experience in the art world, her event-planning chops helped her adapt to the new world gracefully, allowing her to create a unique experience. That gained experience has helped Chandler prepare for her latest role as Healing Verse Germantown’s project manager. 

On her decision to make the jump into this role, she called it a “natural next step” as the role called for an apparent need for her unique skill set. She also said it is an opportunity to “expand [her] roots” and learn more about Germantown.

Chandler’s settling and seed-planting within the neighborhood was not left up to chance. In fact, the union that birthed her was born at Germantown High School, where her parents met and she lives nearby the former school. 

“Their first date was at the McDonalds on Chelten Avenue,” Chandler shared, retracing the stories that helped her “[feel] a calling” to Germantown.

The young creative force sends her gratitude to the neighborhood for “welcoming [her] with open arms and also affirming the work that [she does].”

She also gives a nod to the Blackness of the neighborhood.

“No matter when I go, I am going to see Black people,” she said. “Black people going to work, picking up their kids, just all of the things. Just existing.”

GIH asked Chandler if she would share her favorite things for our For The Love of Germantown series, and she graciously accepted. Given her longtime connection to the neighborhood, she called this a “surreal” occurrence.

Below are her favorite things about our neighborhood, Germantown.

Favorite places to get food

Chandler names The Nile Cafe first, saying it was her go-to when she first moved to Germantown because she was vegan. She says the ginger “chicken,” collard greens, and rice are her go-to. And for the rice, she says, “You have to get it with the gravy!”

For her second pick, she notes the new sit-down eatery Das Good Cafe for its beef empanadas. She also nods to the vibes, saying, “The customer service is really good.”

When we told Chandler she could have two picks for this section, she responded, “Just two?” So, we also allowed her honorable mentions. Those include:

• Neuman’s Grill, for which she recommends the “simple and delicious” pancakes.
• Grill & Dutchy, for which she recommends their jerk chicken.

Favorite parks to frequent

“Wissahickon Valley Park,” she names, especially for folks who want to get into nature. She also names the park within the gates of the Wyck House. She especially enjoys it when “the garden is in full bloom.”

Favorite leisure activities

She named Young American Hard Cider her first pick. She names the business as the only place she enjoys cider from, saying the ginger flavor is her go-to. She calls it a “quaint, calm space” with a stellar vibe.

Chandler also loves morning walks, saying she enjoys seeing the Little Libraries across the neighborhood. She also mentions that she’s gotten a bunch of free stuff from sidewalk sales and giveaways.

Favorite shops

1. Bargain Thrift Center – “You can always find something there” and “the staff is always kind and nice.”
2. Whosoever Gospel Mission – She can’t believe she learned more recently about this and recently “got a pair of Italian leather boots.”
3. Imperfect Gallery – She says she loves the space and appreciates it as Germantown’s premiere art gallery.

Historic destination they’d recommend

Unsurprisingly, Chandler names the dual-energy of Our House Culture Center, which in its past life was the Lucien Crump Art Gallery, which was Philadelphia’s first Black-owned art gallery.

She sees a lot of parallels between the spaces, as both served and serve as cultural and community hubs within the Germantown section of the neighborhood but also contribute to the wider cultural landscape in Philadelphia. 

As OHCC is the central home of the Germantown Art & Sound showcase, Chandler says she “can feel the historical context of the building down to the flooring and walls.”

She says she is honored to have done so many events in the space.

Fun fact about the neighborhood

“Learning how many poet laureates that have come from Germantown,” Chandler says, pointing to the whopping number four Germantown has generated. Of course this includes the two women spearheading Healing Verse Germantown — Trapeta Mayson and Yolanda Wisher.

Favorite seasonal activity

She points back to Wissahickon Valley Park, saying that walking in the fall and seeing the foliage is “unmatched.” She also shouts out co-producer of Germantown Art & Sound, Julian Moore-Griffin, for his group walks through the park.

Community group/neighbor shout out

She names the Maplewood Collective, saying she was recently introduced to them through the Germantown Night Market they hosted in November.

“I was so impressed, as an event planner,” Chandler said. “Just at how well promoted and coordinated it was. I got there in the first hour and it was packed.”

She also uplifts the still-mysterious, yet impactful, I Love Germantown Instagram page. “I love all the posts that go up showcasing Germantown in its ordinary and extraordinary beauty,” she shared.

One addition to the neighborhood

If she could, Chandler would like to see a Black queer space in Germantown dedicated to nightlife.

She sets a variation of scenes: “I wanna go out on a Wednesday at 10 p.m. and casually grab a drink with fellow LGBTQIA+ community at like a beer garden or something? Or I would love to be out at 2 a.m. listening to a DJ.”