Primal Supply
Heather Thomason (badass butcher to the city’s top chefs) has finally turned her pasture-raised meat subscription – think guilt-free steaks, chops, burgers and custom cuts – into a cheery brick-and-mortar. 1538 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147, primalsupplymeats.com.
Pretty Bird
When the brothers behind Yardley’s coolest dining spot, the Vault brewpub, opened a coffee shop across the (otherwise very sleepy) street, we cheered. (A place besides Starbucks for our morning koffee klatches!) But then they delivered incredible sandwiches and homemade doughnuts, expert Gibraltars, and hand-roasted coffee from their own single-origin beans, and suddenly this Little Main Street That Could has become a genuine destination. 7 South Main Street, Yardley, PA 19067, prettybirdcoffee.com.
Style by Blain
Aside from being one of the best-dressed and best-named business owners in the city, Voltaire Blain has an unusually welcoming store — a historic Chestnut Hill home where the shoes are displayed not on racks, but on a pool table — and an equally impressive collection: Styleshoes by Alden, Paraboot, and Gaziano and Girling, some of which he designed himself. 8433 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, stylebyblain.com.
Philadelphia Independents
The goodies here fall into the Brotherly Love vein (hand-drawn neighborhood maps, prints featuring neighborhood-centric designs) without veering into cheesiness. Everything is made in the Philadelphia area, so you're supporting local business when you buy that "Home Sweet Jawn" watercolor print. 35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, philadelphiaindependents.com.
The Craftery Market
You probably know the Craftery from its popular workshops, but if you happen to be of the buying rather than DIY-ing camp, check out their new seasonal market housed inside a rustic barn. (The next one is slated for the fall.) The $5 entry will get you access to handmade goods, fresh flowers, vintage finds, live music, and wine from local vineyards. 123 North Main Street, Suite 256B, Dublin, PA 18917, thecrafterypa.com.
ToBox
This men’s shoe mecca has always had a killer selection of high-end kicks, but, now, after moving to a new 3,000-square-foot outpost, it’s improved its selection: Find even more luxe shoe and accessory labels, new ready-to-wear apparel, a private speakeasy lounge—and, yes, their $6 shoe shines. 1822 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, ToBoxshoes.com.
The Nesting House
If you subscribe to the idea that newer isn't always better, you'll love the well-organized racks of gently used, adorable dresses, onesies, swaddles and jeans (and shelves of shoes) at the Nesting House, which sells new and consignment kids' stuff at locations in Mount Airy and Collingswood. Best part: the upscale non-apparel resale baby items, like Bumbos, Bloom bouncers and jogging strollers. 606 Carpenter Lane, Mount Airy, 215-438-1600, and 710 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, 856-869-3048, thenestinghouse.net.
Bicycle Revolutions
In a rapidly stratifying bike-buying world -- box stores on the left, obscenely high-end on the right -- this is a slice of practical magic: everything you need (trusty and stylish city bikes) plus lots of stuff you want (tr�s chic gear), and all within reason (you don't need a successful Main Line dental practice to shop here). 756 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bicyclerevolutions.com.
Kensington Quarters
Local meat-lovers know that humanely raised hormone-free meat from local pastures isn't new in Philly -- but until this year, much of it was frozen. The butcher shop/bar/restaurant Kensington Quarters has changed that. Restaurant diners and retail customers alike benefit from head cutter Heather Thomason's whole-animal skills on everything from cutting Santa Maria-style tri-tip to making luscious pastrami. 1310 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, kensingtonquarters.com.
Di Bruno Bros.
With apologies to any cheese shop trying to compete: You just can't beat a place with this kind of selection, or such educated mongers, or cheese that's aged in the shop's own freaking cave. Di Bruno's is the gold standard. Multiple locations, dibruno/com.
Scout & Annie + Details
This two-in-one shop has original mid-century-modern home accessories placed like found works of art on shelves, as well as throws, funky pillows and colorful serving trays. In short: Everything here is worthy of your wrapping paper. 125 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, scoutandannie.com.
Bicycle Therapy
The showroom is a playground for the serious cyclist (check out the Specialized bikes, Speedplay pedals, Capo jerseys ), and well-versed employees will happily handle everything from minor chain issues to outfitting your wheels with custom upgrades. 2211 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bicycletherapy.com.
Firehouse Bicycles
You'll find a huge selection of secondhand mountain bikes, tandem bikes, road bikes you name it. It's the biggest selection of used rides in the city, for way less than you'd pay for the factory-fresh versions. 701 South 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, firehousebicycles.com.
Greene Street Kids
This kid-focused consignment store that shops like a fancy boutique has top brands Toms, Oilily, Saltwater Sandals thanks to a tony Chestnut Hill address. 8518 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, greenestreet.com/news/greene-street-kids.
Hana and Posy
This teensy Old City shop has everything you'd want for a shower, birthday, holiday or thank-you, from organic onesies to locally farmed bouquets to all-natural candles to recycled notebooks (below). 35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hanaposy.com.