Marcie Turney and her partner Valerie Safran have been working tirelessly for over two decades to revitalize Philadelphia's iconic Gayborhood into a thriving dining and shopping district. Their journey began with the opening of whimsical boutique Open House 23 years ago, and now, their hospitality company, Safran Turney Hospitality, represents some of the most popular eateries and shops in Midtown Village.
The married couple, who have been together since 2001, were featured in Out Magazine's latest edition as part of its Out100 list, recognizing top innovators within the LGBTQ+ community. The recognition acknowledges the significant impact Marcie and Valerie have had on their neighborhood, not only through their successful businesses but also by providing a sense of comfort, enjoyment, and community.
When asked about their experience with the Out Magazine nod, Marcie expressed initial skepticism: "We were like, 'Why us?' We didn't feel like we were doing anything special." However, upon reflection, she acknowledged that their commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting inclusivity had earned them a place on the list. Valerie added, "When you see two lesbian women do this and everyone around you supports it, it's just a huge honor."
Marcie and Valerie are now focusing on their next venture, Red Gravy Goods, a custom-designed shop opening soon on East Passyunk Avenue. This new addition to the Midtown Village area will follow in the footsteps of their successful retail concepts at Open House and Verde.
Despite the recognition, Marcie emphasized that she's more concerned with raising her two adopted daughters than with individual accolades. "We're just stuck in motherhood... I'm 55 years old and I have a 2-year-old," she said with a laugh. The couple's dedication to family, community, and their passion for hospitality has cemented their legacy as leaders in Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community.
The married couple, who have been together since 2001, were featured in Out Magazine's latest edition as part of its Out100 list, recognizing top innovators within the LGBTQ+ community. The recognition acknowledges the significant impact Marcie and Valerie have had on their neighborhood, not only through their successful businesses but also by providing a sense of comfort, enjoyment, and community.
When asked about their experience with the Out Magazine nod, Marcie expressed initial skepticism: "We were like, 'Why us?' We didn't feel like we were doing anything special." However, upon reflection, she acknowledged that their commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting inclusivity had earned them a place on the list. Valerie added, "When you see two lesbian women do this and everyone around you supports it, it's just a huge honor."
Marcie and Valerie are now focusing on their next venture, Red Gravy Goods, a custom-designed shop opening soon on East Passyunk Avenue. This new addition to the Midtown Village area will follow in the footsteps of their successful retail concepts at Open House and Verde.
Despite the recognition, Marcie emphasized that she's more concerned with raising her two adopted daughters than with individual accolades. "We're just stuck in motherhood... I'm 55 years old and I have a 2-year-old," she said with a laugh. The couple's dedication to family, community, and their passion for hospitality has cemented their legacy as leaders in Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community.
Can you imagine the amount of time, effort, and love Marcie & Valerie poured into creating their dream business? They've been grinding for over 20 years, and it's so inspiring to see their hard work pay off! I mean, just think about all those late nights, early mornings, and endless cups of coffee they must have sipped on. And now, their businesses are not only thriving but also a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the community. I love that they're focusing on raising their beautiful daughters and creating a legacy that goes beyond individual accolades - it's truly heartwarming to see! 
, Marcie & Valerie are total inspirations! 
Their dedication to revitalizing the Philly Gayborhood is just amazing 
. I mean, 23 years of Open House is a huge accomplishment 
and now they're taking on Red Gravy Goods? 
That's so cool! They're not just business owners, but also a loving family 
& community leaders 
. It's lovely to see them staying humble too 
. I'm all about supporting local businesses & inclusivity 
. Marcie's commitment to motherhood is amazing too 
it's so inspiring to see Marcie & Valerie getting recognition for their incredible work in reviving the Gayborhood! 
Their focus on supporting local businesses and promoting inclusivity is something we could all learn from 
And let's be real, who wouldn't want to celebrate two amazing women in their 50s crushing it as mompreneurs? 
Fast forward 23 years, and Midtown Village is one of the hottest spots in town! Their commitment to inclusivity has brought so much love and life to that area. I'm so hyped for Red Gravy Goods - can't wait to check it out! 
What's amazing is that they're still all about family and community at heart, and not just chasing recognition... we should all take a page from their book 