From left to right: Kaitlin Orner, Crystal Jackson, and Kathy Sutton, walking to Uncle Bobbies. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

On any given day of the week, Germantown Avenue business owners Kathy Sutton, Crystal Jackson, and Kaitlin Orner meet in the late afternoon to take their coffee walk.

“It helps me get my steps in,” says Sutton, the co-owner (with her husband, Charles) of G-Town Tees.

It’s 1,000 steps from Penn Street to Church Lane for anyone who wants to know, but the joy exuded from these three is much larger than any walk of any length could match.

This stroll is deeper than just being a chance to recharge, get active, and catch the tea, almost quite literally from Uncle Bobbie’s, but mainly on what’s happening in the neighborhood. It’s their ritual of community. And you see the impacts.

Sutton pulls out her wallet, and multiple reward cards for Uncle Bobbie’s emerge from within. But they aren’t all hers — the others belong to Jackson and Orner. It’s what makes Sutton the “mama bear” of the group, as the Perfectly Flawless and Pomelo shop owners joke in sincerity.

It makes sense, as Sutton is the most “loyal” to the stroll, going whether they can or not but always taking the ladies’ orders to ensure their needs are met and nourished while she enjoys her usual mocha.

While this bond is strong, and nothing will ever change, their routine could be uprooted after a recent announcement from the beloved coffee shop that’s core to their practice.

“HELP UNCLE BOBBIE’S GROW,” the double-lifed bookstore cafe asked patrons in their latest GoFundMe campaign with a $250K goal.

Owner Marc Lamont Hill launched Uncle Bobbie’s in the Germantown neighborhood in 2017, quickly becoming a Philadelphian staple. Almost eight years later, its popularity has sparked a new goal of upscaling.

“They’ve outgrown the space, which makes sense,” Orner said. 

UB’s new space would accommodate more seating, books, and in-store events. More notably, a bigger space would be “fully accessible,” as its Church Lane location has some challenges.  

UB General Manager Justin Moore clarifies pain points. “Although our doors and bathroom are accessible, it’s difficult to get to our back room without a ramp. And there’s [a lot] of tight spaces that can be difficult for some folks to navigate.”

A new space will also address the ongoing problem of break-ins after 2020, which Moore says has cost thousands of dollars to remedy. 

The current location, former home of one of Germantown’s oldest pharmacies, has a historic designation and does not allow security gates. “Better protecting our space would help in many ways, including peace of mind,” Moore said.

While the public seems excited about the growth of the beloved Black-owned bookstore, those close to home have asked the same question: Will Uncle Bobbie’s remain in Germantown?

“I hope so,” says Kalina Harrison, an early-years supporter of UB.

Historically, Harrison has used Uncle Bobbie’s as a workspace, sometimes even meeting with clients there. While the recent change in hours at the space hasn’t allowed her to align much these days, she says she still loves it.

She says the cafe launched during a time that felt like a “Harlem Renaissance” in Germantown and contributed immensely to the energy with its many events and learning opportunities. That lore underscores enough importance for her to wish that what she calls a “haven” remains within Germantown’s boundaries.

While no firm promises can be made, Moore says the team is “absolutely trying to stay in Germantown.” However, their priority is affordability and a structure that fits their growing needs.

While our walking trio finds it “sad,” they understand the anticipated departure. We wish them the best,” Jackson says.

“There will already be an infrastructure for a coffee shop, so…” Orner hints to anyone willing to follow the mantra, “When one Supreme falls, another rises.”

The Uncle Bobbie’s team feels and receives the love of the Germantown community. “The last seven years have been nothing short of amazing,” Moore told the Germantown Info Hub. 

He concludes, “We are grateful to have built something that could mean so much to so many people, and we are determined to ensure that what we have can grow and sustain itself over the long run so that we can continue to impact as many people as possible.”