Mac Mart Owner Speaks Out After Philadelphia Boycott Ride Targets Jewish-Owned Business

Mac Mart Owner Opens During Philadelphia Boycott Ride

On Sunday, November 8, a bicycle demonstration known as the Boycott Ride moved through Philadelphia, targeting a selection of Jewish-owned businesses.

Among those listed was Mac Mart, a tiny kiosk operation at 18th and Arch. While the business typically operates on a Monday-through-Friday schedule, owner Marti Lieberman chose to open her doors during the protest. By the time the event concluded, police reported three arrests: for assault, disorderly conduct, and assault on police.

Today in Philadelphia a group calling itself “Philly Bike On Your Left” held a “Boycott Ride” through Rittenhouse Square targeting six Jewish-owned restaurants (Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Dizengoff, and Schlesinger’s). Their flyer crossed out the business names and… pic.twitter.com/054kn6pUYU

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In an interview, Lieberman explained that the decision to operate on a Sunday was a response to community pressure and a desire to stand her ground. She noted that after the event’s flyer began circulating on November 4, she received an influx of messages from supporters urging her not to close. “People kept saying, Show them! Stand up for what you believe! Don’t cower!” she told us.

The Context of the Protest

The Boycott Ride drew immediate scrutiny for its timing and its selection of targets. Lieberman stated that she recognized the aesthetic of the promotional flyer as being reminiscent of Nazi propaganda.

She also pointed to the significance of the date, noting that the ride coincided with the eve of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass. For Lieberman, who is a Drexel grad and has deep roots in the local Jewish community, the implications of the flyer were clear from the moment she first saw it.

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Despite the tensions surrounding the ride, Lieberman maintained that her business has never been a venue for political or religious discourse. She started the small business in 2013 with a focus on food, not ideology.

Addressing the claims made by organizers of the ride, she rejected the assertion that her business held specific political stances. “I have never, and I will never. I have never mixed religion—my religion, anyone else’s religion, any politics, anyone else’s politics, nothing—with Mac Mart,” she said.

Community Support and Police Presence

While the threat of the protest created uncertainty, many business supporters attended the event at 18th and Arch. Lieberman reported that the lines at her kiosk were crazy. The scene was monitored by law enforcement, with Lieberman noting that at one point, 15 officers were stationed outside the kiosk. She described the interaction with the police as positive, noting that they were “joking with us, having some food.”

When the bicyclists eventually arrived at the location, they were met by a crowd of supporters who had formed a wall. The protesters were escorted by police. Lieberman described the atmosphere among her supporters as calm and positive, contrasting it with the nature of the protest itself. She emphasized that the individuals who rallied to the kiosk represented a wide variety of backgrounds and religions.

Moving Forward

The aftermath of the ride leaves questions about the impact of such targeted demonstrations on local commerce. Lieberman expressed frustration that the organizers of the boycott did not engage with the businesses they targeted before initiating the event.

She argued that the media coverage of the situation highlighted a broader issue regarding how public grievances are expressed. “You can’t just go around bullying businesses because you don’t agree with what you think are their politics,” she remarked.

Supporters surround Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia as boycott, bike ride protest begins

As for the future, Lieberman plans to return to her regular business operations. She noted that she has catering commitments to prepare for, returning to her small business routine. When asked for her final thoughts on the experience, she suggested that the focus should remain on personal conduct rather than confrontation.

“Lead with kindness,” she said. “This thing is wild, but we’re walking away from it in a positive light and with a lot of supporters, and we know who we are and that’s what matters.”