It happened Saturday morning outside B & R Check Cashing at 26th and Sterner streets.
The owner, identified as 53-year-old Joel Blumer, was found with at least two gunshot wounds to the neck.
"It's obvious the victim was ambushed as he was opening up his store," said Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan.
Police say he was attacked by two men as he was getting out of his car.
Medics transported him to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Blumer was married and the father of two children. Neighbors say he's the kind of guy that everybody knew.
"Sometimes if you were short of change, he'd let you go. He was a nice man, family man," said Daphne Johnson.
A gun was recovered on the street but police believe it belonged to the victim, a man who was known to work with local police and community groups to make this area safer.
The co-founder of X-offenders for Community Empowerment says Blumer supported crime prevention rallies. He says other businesses left but not this one.
"I moved up here, and they were here. One of the things that I liked about him is that anybody who walked in there knew him," said Wayne Jacobs.
Police say there is a long-standing drug problem in the area. Councilman Curtis Jones, the Public Safety Chair has been working with police to post surveillance cameras in the high crime area.
"We really need those cameras, because it's the only way we can find out who did it," said Keith Dial, a staff member for Councilman Jones, who was on the scene.
Police are canvassing the area for surveillance footage, but they also believe there is somebody out here who saw something.
Police believe robbery was the motive but they haven't determined if anything was taken.
There are no suspects at this time and they are urging anyone with information to come forward to help with this case.
For more information or to submit a tip on this or any crime visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-668-TIPS.
