The NAP BLOG

THE NEWSSTANDS THAT YOU SEE ON OUR CITY STREETS ARE A CONVENIENCE, FOR CITY RESIDENCE AND WORKERS. PURCHASES ARE MADE ON IMPULSE AND THE PACE OF EACH SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS, CIGARETTES AND CONFECTIONARY ITEMS IS FAST AND PRECISE.

WE PERFORM THIS SERVICE EVERYDAY YEAR AFTER YEAR WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. WE WORK FROM SUN UP TO SUN DOWN BUT AS WE GROW OLDER THE WEATHER BECOMES A TERRIBLE PROBLEM.

 AS TIME MARCHES ONWARD, THROUGH THE YEARS, ARTHRITIS BECOMES AN AWLFUL ADVERSARY AND THE COLD WINTERS BECOME OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE. LET US BE CLEAR, WE HAVE AC FOR THE SUMMER AND HEATERS FOR THE WINTER BUT WE REMAIN NONETHELESS OUTSIDE ON A CORNER AND AS YOU GET OLDER THE SUMMER HEAT SEEMS HOTTER AND THE COLD WINTERS SEEM COLDER.

 THE BUSINESS IS INDEED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE .

JOHN ROCCO

CHAIRPERSON,

NEWSSTAND ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA

The Newsstand Association of Philadelphia

Here’s who we are.   We are a group of business owners interested in building a strong relationship with the City of Philadelphia and our community neighbors.

As an Association our members are committed to improving and maintaining the physical appearance of each newsstand.

We have a diverse owner population and have supported new members as they join the Newsstand Association.  When one of our members was attacked early one morning with acid being thrown on her face as she opened her newsstand for business the benevolent arm of the association stepped up and assisted with financial support in defraying her medical expenses.  Our members are a visible reminder of the hope in the American Dream.  Our Association members arrive early and stay late in an effort to achieve the realization of that dream.

Being part of the Community is very important to the Association and its’ members.  We have worked on combating illiteracy by sponsoring Newspapers in Education programs at both Greenfield Elementary School and Friere Charter School.

As newspaper circulation has declined the newsstand has become more of a provider of public service to the citizens of Philadelphia.  We are a major outlet for Pennsylvania

State Lottery sales purchases.  Some of our members open Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate their regular customers who play the Lottery.  Contrary to popular belief the average commission earned by a newsstand on the lottery is miniscule.

 The newsstand also carries prepaid parking smart cards along with Septa tokens and a one-day transit pass for tourists visiting Philadelphia.  The PPA and Septa have seen an increase in sales of both items since the Associations members began selling them.  

An initiative was proposed which would help to offset the demise of newsstand revenue by workers whose jobs have moved out of the city.  With City Councils support the Newsstand Association would be able to solicit additional advertising.  This would be via the electronic display board currently on some newsstands.  Currently we have not been able to estimate what types of advertising would want to be a part of this venture.  If our request was approved we would donate a percentage of our advertising space to public service messages designed by an appropriate public agency.

As members of the Philadelphia Business Community we pay Business Privilege Tax, Net Profit Tax, Philadelphia School Tax, PA State Sales Tax. I hope I have enlightened interested individuals on the matter of newsstands and the Newsstand Association.

Paul W.