West Philly businessman Siddiq Moore's legacy extends beyond water ice 23%
By Kylan Watson55%
8/4/2026, 4:00:00 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 21 faulty reasoning types, including Optimism Bias, Anecdotal, and Halo Effect, with Self-Serving Bias as the most egregious example at 10% saturation with 68 hits. Analysis detected 799 faulty-reasoning hits from 680 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 29.9% and a BS Rank of 23% (21,830 of 28,109 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 77.70% of the article peer group.
When Ciraia Hayes clocks in at Siddiq’s Water Ice, she’s not just learning how to serve customers.
The 16-year-old says she’s gaining lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership and perseverance from founder Siddiq Moore, a West Philadelphia businessman whose journey from selling water ice out of a cart to operating multiple locations has inspired a new generation of aspiring entrepreneurs.
“I’ve learned a lot from him,” Hayes said.
“When it comes to running a business and life skills, I’m becoming more of a boss.”
Founded by Moore in 1995 on Temple University’s campus, Siddiq’s Water Ice began as a cart operation selling water ice.
Moore, a West Philadelphia native, steadily expanded the business into a regional brand with locations at 264 S. 60th St. in West Philadelphia, 938 Market St. in Center City and 720 W.
Ninth St. in Chester.
Moore credits mentors such as Jeff the Chef and Abu of the Garden of Bilal with helping him build the foundation for his success.
Today, he is focused on serving his community and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Recently, Moore received another honor when a stretch of 60th Street between Spruce and Locust streets was named after him.
Still, he said his mission remains unchanged: creating opportunities for aspiring business owners, regardless of their background.
“Just like I was inspired by a lot of these other businesses, many of them are not here today, but they were the staples,” Moore said.
“It is important for young people to see somebody who looks like them in business.
Otherwise, how are they going to be inspired to go into business?”
Moore said that responsibility drives him to keep growing.
He sees himself as creating pathways for future business leaders who can build upon what he has accomplished.
Maintaining storefronts in West Philadelphia and Center City is especially meaningful to him, given the limited number of Black-owned businesses in some commercial districts.
“I think it’s a big deal.
It’s a major opportunity,” he said.
“Many of us don’t get these kinds of opportunities.
It’s inspiring, but really all I’m doing down here is the same thing I already did in West Philly.
We’ve got to have excellence in what we’re doing.”
Moore emphasized that many people helped pave the way for his success and deserve recognition for opening doors for others.
In the company’s early years, he self-funded the business, reinvesting revenue to keep it growing and betting on himself when others might not have.
“It’s been a hard grind,” Moore said.
“For many years, I’ve been on the ground reinvesting in my business.
I’m just thankful for all of the opportunities.”
He added that entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and will test perseverance and commitment.
His advice to aspiring business owners is simple: find a mentor and learn from someone already doing the work.
“I’m in business, so we’ve got to have excellence in what we’re doing,” Moore said.
The lease for the Center City location has been extended through January.
The business also plans to add menu items, including King Kong shrimp, as it continues to expand offerings and capitalize on its presence near major commercial corridors.
Hayes said one of the lessons she has taken from working at Siddiq’s is the importance of customer service and community.
“I want people to feel like when they come into Siddiq’s Water Ice, it’s like they’re home,” Hayes said.
“I want other entrepreneurs to deliver the best customer experience they can and make history.”
For Moore, the greatest reward has been seeing the impact his business has had on the community.
He takes pride in helping employees build successful futures, whether through entrepreneurship or stable careers.
“I couldn’t do this for 31 years by myself,” Moore said.
“My highlight is that I have saved a lot of people from the trap.
My biggest flex is inspiring other young people to make good decisions.”
For more information about Siddiq’s Water Ice, call (215) 410-6513 or follow the business on Instagram at @siddiqswaterice.
Speakers
3speakers42%attributed speech394writer words
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76%flagged-word coverageSiddiq Moore
207 attributed words72% of attributed speech71% writer coverage
Attribution is sentence-level. Pattern percentages are calculated only from words assigned to that voice.
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