Field Guide: 7 Best Shops in Midtown Village

Global baubles, vintage gems and bath-time splurges.

By Emily Goulet· 5/15/2014, 1:34 p.m.

Globally sourced antique necklaces at Bella Turka. Photo by Courtney Apple.

You think of 13th Street and think first of the Marcie Turney and Val Safran foodie empire: Grocery, Barbuzzo, Lolita. But also notable, and perhaps more impressive, are the duo’s two boutiques. After all, to get chef-obsessed Philadelphians to celebrate a restaurant is one thing; to get them to clamor over a shop is another. Home atelier Open House (107 South 13th Street) and gift shop Verde (108 South 13th Street) paved the way for others to come.

Here, the other must-visit shops that make Midtown Village a shopping destination, including a gem-hunter’s paradise, soaps that smell so good you want to eat them, and one of the city’s best vintage troves.

Courtney Apple

Bella Turka

Liberty Place refugee Bella Turka (113 South 13th Street) brims with globally sourced jewelry, nearly all of which is one-of-a-kind and plucked by owner Koray Avci from far-flung spots like Turkey, Israel, Brazil and Pakistan. But the chunky amber necklaces from Russia and spangled-and- tasseled fertility necklaces from Afghanistan also share space with nearly 50 American jewelry designers, whose creations tilt to the delicate, diamond-dotted side.

Courtney Apple

Bella Turka

A cuff at Bella Turka.

Courtney Apple

Duross & Langel

There arguably isn’t a better gift to be given than a sweet-smelling something from Duross & Langel (117 South 13th Street). The shop makes hand-cut Crayola-colored soaps in divine scents — lemon geranium! Rosemary lavender! Chocolate cherry! — and rounds out the collection with an impressive spread of beauty products ranging from shampoos to beard balms. (Psst: Look for a full-service D&L salon next spring.)

Courtney Apple

Duross & Langel

An array of bubble bath at Duross & Langel.

Photo via Facebook.

Philadelphia Vintage and Consignment Shoppe

Vintage hounds should carve out at least three hours to canvas Philadelphia Vintage and Consignment Shoppe (111 South 12th Street). It’s packed, quite literally, to the rafters with the classics, from long-forgotten couturiers to still-reigning Chanel.

Papery

While you’re there, dip into The Papery (1219 Locust Street), which recently uprooted from Old City, and stock up on letterpress cards that prove snail mail still beats email.

Cella Luxuria

Coming up next: Cavernous furniture store Cella Luxuria (1214 Chestnut Street) is doubling in size this summer, taking over the building next door to make room for a sister store with a more contemporary bent.

Field Guide: 7 Best Shops in Midtown Village

Get a compelling long read and must-have lifestyle tips in your inbox every Sunday morning — great with coffee!

Bella Turka

Bella Turka

Duross & Langel

Duross & Langel

Philadelphia Vintage and Consignment Shoppe

Papery

Cella Luxuria

Trending

Guy Raises $46K to Annoy Protesters at University of Pennsylania

Things to Do in Philadelphia This Weekend

Inside the Major Staffing Shakeup at WMMR in Philadelphia

12 Restaurants For Mother’s Day Brunch In Philadelphia

The Best Steakhouses in the Philadelphia Area Right Now

IN THIS SECTION