Art of Aging: De’ Village owner offers items from around the world in Reading Terminal Market [Video]

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Joycelyn Parks opened De’ Village in 2001 with her late husband, Watson, in the Reading Terminal Market.

“From the day one, this is his baby. He loved being here,” says Parks of her husband. “We offer the African clothing. We also offer the African artwork.”

She also carries hand-carved works from Nigeria.

“We have things from different countries,” she says. “It’s very unique.”

When the couple first moved from Tobago in the early 1990s, they opened a shop in The Gallery, which is now known as The Fashion District. Parks says back then, their shop had more of a “European style,” but gradually they started selling African items.

Now they carry clothing items, like dashikis, which both men and women can wear.

“And we get jewelry from all over the world,” she says.

They have earrings from Kenya and the Philippines, among other places.

“These are my doorbusters. I try to keep the price low,” says Parks.

There are fun gift ideas …