Kaz Tire Center
Tires are one of those things you don’t think about until tractor-trailers are whizzing by as you stand on the side of I-95, sweating. If, in this hypothetical, you find yourself on a stretch of I-95 near Port Richmond, call Kaz Tire Center. They’ll fix your flat, and if you need a whole new set, they’ll get you back on the road in 30 minutes. And owner Kazem Nabavi might even show you the small backyard farm where he raises chickens, ducks, and a couple of peacocks. 2400 East Somerset Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134, .
Curtis Institute of Music
Did you know that Curtis Institute of Music offers gratis student recitals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, October through May? 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, curtis.edu/performances/learn-more/student-recitals.html.
We Found a Way to Work Around the PLCB
While COVID-19 decimated the city’s restaurant scene, it also helped push Philly’s antiquated liquor laws just a bit into the 21st century. Here’s how.
The Lawsuit | The PLCB always acted as the middleman between wine dealers who sold specialty bottles (you know, the natural, biodynamic wine made by small producers) and places where you’d normally buy those bottles (restaurants and bottle shops). So when COVID-19 shut down all Pennsylvania state stores back in March, dealers in Philly were no longer able to sell their product, and independent wine retailers couldn’t restock their shelves. Two dealers, MFW Wine Co. LLC and A6 Wine Co., said “Enough!” and sued the motherfriggin’ PLCB.
While the suit is still moving slowly through the system — the PLCB appealed the ruling of the Commonwealth Court — the implications of PLCB-free wine commerce in the Philly restaurant industry are huge. Because even right now, in 2020, wine delivery is still nonexistent for retailers and restaurants. Right now, there’s still essentially no wholesale discount. Right now, retailers are paying gratuitous fees (and passing the cost on to us). And a lawsuit like this — which, mind you, has a good chance of succeeding — might very well change all of that.
To-Go Cocktails | The problems inherent in working within the PLCB’s convoluted systems were only exacerbated when coronavirus came along and shut down our nightlife scene entirely. Something had to give.
On May 21st, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a piece of legislation that allowed restaurants and bars that had lost at least 25 percent of their average monthly sales due to the pandemic to sell cocktails to-go. Which means that for the first time since Prohibition, you can walk up to a bar in Philadelphia and order some martinis for the road, and nobody — not even a PLCB officer — can stop you from living your life. The to-go-martini kind of life.
Wine Shops! Finally! | When the PLCB temporarily closed all its stores, these shops stayed open and kept us drinking and drunk during the apocalypse. And they deserve all the attention in the world.
• Vernick Wine, 2029 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse
• Tinys Bottle Shop, 3124 Richmond Street, Port Richmond
• Di Bruno Bros., 9th Street Bottle Shop, 920 South 9th Street, Bella Vista
• Fancy Wine Club at Bloomsday, 414 South 2nd Street, Society Hill
• Le Caveau, 614 South 7th Street, Bella Vista
• Fishtown Social, 1525 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown
• Wine Dive, 1506 South Street, Grad Hospital
• Jet Wine Bar, 1525 South Street, Grad Hospital
Baology
It’s right there in the heart of Center City: a quick-serve Taiwanese dumpling shop that uses time-honored recipes, heritage pork, and responsibly sourced local veggies, and that serves up pot stickers, baos, Taiwanese burrito-things and fried chicken – all at Chinatown prices. 1829 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, baology.com.
Sherman Brothers
Yes, your dad once shopped here. But look past the old-school window display. Second-generation owner Ken Sherman has filled this shop with Alden boots, G. Brown loafers and Cole Haan brogues. (And he still delivers rare old-school service!) 1520 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shermanbrothers.com.
Fabric Row
A candle that smells like Cinema Paradiso (Yowie); a hair treatment made from meadowfoam seed oil (Moon + Arrow); locally designed metallic chunky heels (Bus Stop); rainbow-shaped baby stacking blocks (Little Moon); and bird watercolors (Paradigm Gallery + Studio) — the kinds of treasures you’d never find on Amazon. 4th Street between Bainbridge and Catharine. fabricrow.com.
Queen & Rook Game Cafe
Still playing Monopoly? Lame. The staff at this puzzle and game shop (which also has vegan eats and a full bar) will point you toward something new, whether your crew is competitive, all about quick thinking, into hours-long quests — or consists of many generations. 607 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, queenandrookcafe.com.
Perrystead Dairy
At his new Kensington creamery, cheesemaker Yoav Perry is forgoing wedges of cheddar in favor of young-aged, soft-ripened lactic cheese he calls “Intergalactic,” natural and washed-rind wheels of long-aged cheeses, and innovative monthly specials. There are also drinkable yogurts, flavored kefir and whey tonic — all made with milk from Pennsylvania dairy farms. 1639 North Hancock Street Ste 103, Philadelphia, PA 19122, perrystead.com.
Talula's Table
Anyone who remembers the legendary cheese plate from Django's glory days knows Aimee Olexy is a guru of cheese. Since leaving Django in 2005, she's invested her zeal for dreamy dairy in her collection of more than 100 specimens in Kennett Square. The place is better known for its notoriously difficult-to-book dinner reservations, but its cheese emporium is just as impressive. Seek out Olexy herself (she's often on hand) to get an educational earful on all things cheesy. 102 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, talulastable.com.
Breakaway Bikes
The hipster-from-Fishtown expertise without the hipster-from-Fishtown pretension. 1923 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, breakawaybikes.com.
Keswick Cycle
A knowledgeable staff, a huge stock of bikes and accessories, in-house mechanics, and the opportunity to take your pick around the neighborhood for a test ride mean you'll be ready for the Tour de France-or at least the Tour de Nearest Philly Bike Lane. 4040 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, keswickcycle.com.
Skirt Stone Harbor
The satellite location of this Main Line fashion mainstay brims with coffee-table books on seaside living, beachy Jonathan Adler home accessories, shelf upon shelf of colorful jewelry, and enough Calypso, Pink Pineapple and Alice and Trixie for you to stylishly out-prep anyone at the yacht club. 272 96th Street, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247, shop-skirt.com.
Willie and Sons
Put off the funereal task of tossing your beloved-but-broken-down footwear. This North Philly stalwart will have your co-workers offering the ultimate testimonial to its magic: "Hey, new shoes?"
3831 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140,
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Art in the Age
Come First Friday, the tastefully rugged boutique transforms into a legitimate scene, complete with seasonal cocktails, boozy confections, and an art installation or pop-up shop courtesy of Philly's most creative souls. 116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, artintheage.com.
Sweet Whistle
Easiest way to become everyone's favorite friend? Buy your gifts from this Bryn Mawr-based online company, which curates luxe gift boxes full of festive items — cocktail ingredients, truffles, candles, catchalls — that feel handpicked and thoughtful. You can even modify the pairings (or create your own) to perfectly tailor your present. sweetwhistle.com.