Chester’s Rising: Local Business Owner Jonathan Rahim King’s Hope for a Brighter Future

Jonathan Rahim King

Jonathan Rahim King has seen plenty of changes in Chester over the years. But as a lifelong resident, he remembers the upbeat community he grew up in, a place that was so much more than the misconceptions that so many people outside the city have.

“I take pride in being part of downtown and Chester as a whole,” King says. “Born and raised here, man. I’ve been here for 59 years and been through it all.”

At a young age, King went to prison for ten years for selling drugs. It was there that he realized he needed to make a change for himself and his community. In the years since, King has become a business owner and community advocate for Chester. He owns R&N, a unique clothing store that offers clothing and a range of multicultural cosmetics, including shea butters, black soaps, and other products that are hard to find elsewhere.

Beyond retail, he is also the founder of Safe Corridors, a non-profit organization established in 2012, that provides safety services for schools in Chester and Delaware County. Every school day, Safe Corridors ensures that students can travel to and from school in a secure environment. They also provide school aides to support daily operations and arrival and dismissal support, reflecting King's commitment to making Chester a safer place for its youth.

“I employ over 130 people, and I am happy with the success of my businesses,” King says. “What we are doing is bringing viable companies and initiatives into the city of Chester to help adults and children feel safe.”

It’s that sort of spirt that the city is trying to recapture as it embarks on a series of efforts to revitalize downtown and the local economy.

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and other state departments have also been working closely with the receiver on a range of projects aimed at improving city services and the quality of life for its residents.

The administration of Mayor Stefan Roots, meanwhile, has launched an effort to provide grants to improve the look of business facades on Avenue of the States downtown, and he’s working on a long-term plan to better connect Widener University and the downtown.

In addition, the mayor hopes to build on the presence of the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer team and a burgeoning youth soccer facility to promote Chester as a sports destination. In September, Harrah’s Casino in Chester hosted a Celebrity Boxing event, featuring former champion Sugar Shane Mosley. The NCAA also announced recently that the 2027 and 2028 women’s college lacrosse Final Fours will be at Subaru Park, where the Union Play.

“We have many challenges ahead of us, but there’s a new energy as business owners and others outside the city recognize Chester’s great potential,” Roots said. 

King also sees the potential for change. He believes that Chester does not receive fair representation outside of the city and that outsiders are unaware of the city's true nature due to a lack of awareness and involvement. For King, it's about more than just business; it's about being a positive example for young black men, showing them that legitimate success is attainable.

“When you are uneducated, uninvited, and uninformed, you’re not part of the big picture of what goes on here in the city,” says King. “I’ve done some things in my life I am not proud of, but since turning my life around, I have had the opportunity to have a positive impact, as an example of a Black man owning his own business. I can show young Black boys about doing something legitimate and being successful at it.”

King's vision for Chester includes greater collaboration with neighboring counties and cities, as well as better access to resources that can help businesses thrive. He emphasizes that while money is essential, the knowledge of how to use it effectively will ultimately lead to lasting success. His business insights are rooted in a desire to see Chester flourish, not just as a city, but as a community where people support each other.

In a city that has faced its share of difficulties, King is active in the Chester community. Besides his business and his work with Safe Corridors, he also gives talks at schools like Widener University to talk about his journey. He has been involved in grassroots community groups focused on stopping violence and helping ex-convicts reenter society.

King believes the receivership’s work in Chester is not just about building successful businesses; it's about creating a better future for everyone in the community.

“The receivership has done an excellent job against the situation here in this city,” King says. “For him to come here and get everybody involved who wanted to be involved to help with the positive impact of what we can do. If we continue to work together and take care of our businesses, we can come out on the other side.”

Chester’s Rising is a series of stories about the Chester business community.