Herman's
There’s something to be said about a tiny cafe and micro-roastery that can look a seething global pandemic right in the eye and not so much as flinch at the idea of going toe-to-toe with it. There’s even more to be said about the creativity it takes to completely transform, to wholly rebrand, to expand in ways nobody expects, at a time when fear and tragedy can be so debilitating. Herman’s did both. Owners Matt Falco and Amy Strauss were able to turn their converted-auto-repair-shop cafe into a pop-up hub for aspiring chefs and business owners in need of a home, a retail pop-up outlet for vintage brands and plant shops, and a boutique market with an enviable collection of imported pastas, tinned seafood, chocolates, and more food-things you never knew you ever wanted, let alone needed. When the pandemic forced so much of Philly to become less, Herman’s became more, for the neighborhood it’s in and for all of us who needed some inspiration, hope and delicious things in especially trying times. 1313 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, hermanscoffee.com.
Stadler-Kahn
Shop in this quirky, crazily eclectic subterranean emporium of vintage curiosities and accessories, and youre guaranteed to run into most of Phillys creative class. That pretty much sums it up. 1724 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, stadler-kahn.com.
The Modern Republic
Sometimes it can feel like there’s too much art, both vintage and new, with which to decorate your house. How to decide? The Modern Republic, a mid-century modern retailer in Fairmount, is a great place to start: With vintage Alexander Calder and Herman Miller prints at reasonable prices, there’s something for every kind of house (plus great vintage furniture, to boot). If your walls could talk, they’d be thanking you. 1600 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, etsy.com/shop/TheModernRepublic.
Retrodelphia
Appointment-only Retrodelphia has all the pieces you could ever want on display in its colossal showroom. 190 Timberlane Road, building 1, Clarksboro, NJ 08020, instagram.com/retrodelphia.
Three Potato Four
Husband-and-wife team Stu Eli and Janet Morales go out into the world and gather really awesome, unique retro, reclaimed and vintage stuff furniture, accessories, signs, knickknacks and the like and put it all under one roof, so we can lazily go and pick out what we like. Which is how we like it. 376 Shurs Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128, threepotatofour.com.
Blue Octagon
Step inside this tiny shop and be immersed in a whirl of color and shine, with heaps of Jonathan Adler whimsy, shiny gilt and lacquer, Deco lines and Palm Beach glamour. (Pucci caftan and martini not included.) 335 East King Street, Malvern, PA 19355, theblueoctagon.com.
SoapBox
Owner Ginger Kuczowicz's sweet-smelling carpet deodorizers, counter sprays and laundry powders are concocted with only the tried-and-true ingredients your grandmother used (vinegars, salt, oils, baking soda) to clean efficiently, gently and safely. Don't overlook her just-as-great bath and body products, like baby butt balm, deodorant and makeup remover. 616 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, myholistichome.com/store.
East Falls Plumbing and Heating
In Philly, if you live in anything other than a new-construction home, you've probably got old pipes -- and that means you should know about Bill Bierman, owner of East Falls Plumbing and Heating. He's a master plumber who specializes in systems that have been on this earth longer than you, possibly even longer than your parents or their parents or ... well, you get the idea. 3431 West Commissioner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132, .
Baked Sunless Tanning
They confirm your appointments by email, mix your perfect (read: non-orange and organic) shade, and give detailed maintenance instructions. Prefer to get naked at home? Their mobile service comes to you. In-store spray tans start at $35; at-home treatments start at $55. 815 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bakedtanning.com.
Fast Local Locksmith
There are home services where response times don’t especially matter, like furniture assembly or hanging pictures. (Come on, they’ve been leaning against the wall since the day you moved in.) And then there are times when you’re locked out of your home with three whining kids. And it’s snowing. Fast Local is professional, clear at communicating, and, most importantly, super-speedy. 1526 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, fast-locallocksmith.com.
Café Estelle
There's something oddly familiar about brunches at Caf Estelle. Maybe it's that the waitresses flutter about in darling little ruffled aprons, or that the mix-and-match mugs are meant for use at the serve-yourself coffee-and-tea station, or that the pitchers of Bloody Mary mix (you're responsible for the vodka) come with a DIY arrangement of cornichons, olives and celery, or that the brioche French toast is served with vanilla ice cream in place of butter. Somehow, it feels like we never left home. Oh, who are we kidding? We never eat this well at home. 444 North 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, cafeestelle.com.
All Phase Electric
Techs arrive on time and skip the "Main Line upcharge" some companies tack on. They'll handle emergencies, rewire your 1930s home, or just install a new chandelier. And their receptionist is so sweet. 9015 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, allphaseelectricco.com.
Kool Klips Grooming
Certified master groomer Jennifer Lavelle makes it easy: She'll come to your home, get Snickers gorgeous, and teach you techniques to prolong the time between visits 1327 Elson Road, Broomall, PA 19008, facebook.com/pages/Kool-Dogs-Kool-Klips/112629118773703.
Southwark
Go to Southwark and order a Manhattan or a Sazerac. Then go anywhere else in the country and order the same cocktail. Then come home to Southwark, because the quaint Queen Village bar and restaurant does classic better than anyone. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com.
Cotoletta
Cotoletta offers classic pastas, solid seafood, and a starter of provolone-and-sausage-stuffed hot peppers (the last a must-get), but really, you come here for the namesake cutlets – five varieties, made with chicken, veal or eggplant, each pounded thin and fried to perfection, all slices of pure home-style comfort. 201 Jefferson Street, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, cotoletta.net.