Felt + Fat
Port Richmond's Felt + Fat is turning out ceramic plates, bowls, trays, cups and mugs that are pretty enough to be art, fancy enough to earn nods from Vogue, and cool enough to catch the eye of top chefs who use them at their restaurants. (See them at Fork, Laurel and High Street on Market.) Philadelphia, PA feltandfat.com.
Sweetflag
In the age of designer weed (and loose laws), it seems only fitting that this Camden-based e-shop is turning out an artful line of rose-gold grinders, crystal pipes and opal ashtrays. Who knew lighting up could look so chic? Sweetflag.club.
Moko
When was the last time you fell asleep during a facial? Exactly. Moko's aestheticians excel at the art of pain-free extraction. Plus, every product here is organic as in, they won't put anything on your face that you wouldn't put in your mouth. 55 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, mokobeauty.com.
MPX
The new dispensary is the first at the southern Jersey Shore where you can buy recreational weed. Unlike the dispensaries in Pennsylvania, MPX (and the other NJ dispensaries) offers edibles, so you’ll want to stock up. Just know that bringing any of your bounty across state lines is technically illegal. 153 South New York Avenue, unit B, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, mpxnj.com.
Vestige
When the novelty of wearing sweats 24/7 wears off, head to this shop, where casual-comfy-chic dressing was being elevated to an art form well before the pandemic. Everything here — from the cream-colored elastic-waist pants to the gauzy maxi dresses to the dusty blue foam-soled leather slides — is breezy, loose, and insanely wearable. 2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, shop-vestige.com.
Settlement Music School
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. settlementmusic.org/music/settlement-digital.
Danny Childs
The cocktails at the Farm & Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill are better than they have any right to be — and it’s all because of Danny Childs. Over the past year, his Instagram account (@slowdrinks) became a wealth of cocktail expertise where you could ask him drink-related questions. Now he’s back behind the bar just off Route 70, slinging in-season strawberry Sazeracs and fig-leaf-infused daiquiris. instagram.com/slowdrinks.
Tracey L. Rogers
In astrology, who you are as a person is deeply influenced by the position of planets and stars at the time of your birth. Interested in learning more? Mount Airy-based astrologer and life coach Tracey L. Rogers is a zodiac guru who designs astrological birth charts and offers personal readings to help you make sense of your astral destiny. traceylrogers.com.
The Ivory Concept
For those having their own modern Regency Era romances, this appointment-only boutique from Ali Campbell is filled with all the puffed sleeves and squared necks you could desire. Most of the designers are local exclusives (this is one of only two Marquise Bridal stockists in the whole country), and you’ll have the space to yourself when you visit. 2 East King Street, Malvern, PA 19355, instagram.com/ticbridal.
Division IV
This sweet shop ups the ante on otherwise pedestrian hostess gifts. Do you usually present a jar of fruit preserves? Try the bacon jam! Typically exchange fine spirits? Pair a bottle with a charred grapefruit tonic! Even humdrum candles — like a basil-and-cucumber eco-candle in an upcycled wine bottle — earn an upgrade. (Note: Division IV was absorbed into Ali’s Wagon, from the same owners, in 2018.) 2017 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, aliswagon.com.
Aleksandra Ambrozy
Philly brides have long known about this Polish-born talent—heck, Taylor Swift bestie Britany Maack employed her for her Reading wedding. But you don’t actually have to be walking down the aisle to get Ambrozy’s help. Pop into her airy studio before a big night out, have her come to your place for special-occasion prep, or sign up for one of her product-and-technique-instructive makeup classes to learn her tricks yourself. 1118 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, aleksandraambrozy.com.
Ulises
The space is modest (a converted garage), the hours are odd (noon to 6 p.m. on weekends), and the selection is narrow (it’s all contemporary art books and indie ’zines). But this bookshop is a rising player in the local cultural scene, curating community reading lists, hosting exhibits and events, and generally acting as a gathering spot for the city’s most creative intellectuals. And those books? You’d be hard pressed to find them anywhere else. 31 East Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, ulises.us.
UBIQ Lab
At UBIQ’s appointment-only “lab,” which opened this past winter, serious sneakerheads can design a pair of kicks in a completely custom color palette. (Deposits start at $500.) Need some inspiration? Consider taking those holy-grail Air Jordan 1’s and refinishing them in exotic crocodile or python. (Yup, they do that.) 1509 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ubiqlife.com.
Scout Clothing & Decor
This isn't your typical Shore shop, heaped with flashy tanks, ankle bracelets and beach-themed trinkets. Here you'll find vintage treasures (embellished clutches, sparkly jewelry, retro glassware) tucked among relaxed denim, soft tees, and light, airy dresses you need for summer. Leave room in your weekender for the covetable gifts and home goods, too, because there's no way you're walking away without a rosemary sea salt candle or Jonathan Adler decorative dish. 7817 Ventnor Avenue, Margate City, NJ 08402, scoutclothinganddecor.com.
Studio 882
Bigger doesn't always mean better, but in the case of this Delco design store — which in June upgraded from a 3,000-square-foot showroom to a cavernous, gallery-like 12,600-square-foot space — bigger actually means best, if only because there's extra room for more than 75 lines of high-end furniture and home decor, artfully arranged in vignettes so lovely, you'll want to move right in. 101 Applied Bank Boulevard, Glen Mills, PA 19342, studio-882.com.