Wayne Edwards Workshop
With 50-plus years in business and a move to a new 1,500-square-foot shop and studio — the former home of Joseph Fox Bookshop — the Wayne Edwards team has more room to tailor your tux, plus a ready-to-wear section with luxury duds for your honeymoon. (Pair those Rubirosa sneakers with Candiani Italian denim.) And in the workshop? On average, 37 measurements to perfectly match your silhouette. 1724 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, wayneedwardsworkshop.com.
Rescue Rittenhouse Spa
Sometime in my mid-20s, three faint but distinct lines decided to plant themselves on my brow, stretching from temple to temple across my forehead like a fence without posts. I sometimes stand under the harshest light in my bathroom, dapping on a variety of products to see if with the right combination they might plump back out, like little troughs just waiting to be filled. They never do. Well, they never did, I should say Five years ago, on the advice of a friend, I went to Rescue Rittenhouse Spa's Danuta Mieloch, a Polish-born aesthetician who worked in Paris and Manhattan before opening Rescue here nearly a decade ago. Her facials are the only thing that has ever made the lines fade to near-nothingness. I realize this sounds absurd, especially because we're not talking about injectables or lasers or anything you've seen on Real Housewives. The magic comes courtesy of a non-invasive, utterly relaxing 60 minutes filled with exfoliating, a little microdermabrasion, and lots of moisturizing. The result is Beyonce-level luminosity and smoothed-out skin. One glows no exaggeration for weeks. Chances are good that I'm not writing anything you haven't read about or experienced yourself: Danuta (or Dana, as she's known to clients) long ago became an instant Philly classic. Friends told friends, and suddenly you had to wait six months to get an appointment But Rescue the closest thing I've ever found to redemption for all those sunburns in my youth is always worth it. 225 South 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rescuerittenhousespa.com.
Grant Blvd.
Former Jenkintown councilmember and teacher Kimberly McGlonn launched her line in 2017 with a clear and personal mission: to create something sustainable, and to support those who came through or are in the prison system. And every time you snap up one of her pieces — fuchsia jeans with sewn-in denim pockets, cropped tie-front blouses made from reclaimed materials — you’re supporting the cause. grantblvd.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.
Tyrique Glasgow of Young Chances Foundation
This survivor-turned-advocate has been on the ground, building support for fighting gun violence even when the cameras aren’t rolling. Some other activists rattle off lots of stats, but he’s doing the work, creating coalitions with a diverse group of organizations in a valiant effort to get to the systemic causes of a crisis too many write off as intractable. youngchancesfoundation.com.
Milk Jawn
Order pints online in flavors like Earl Grey, flecked with handmade honeycomb candy, or lemon curd, swirled with made-from-scratch blueberry basil compote. Classic options include chocolate peanut butter and vanilla, made with a double-strength extract. Either way, you’re getting some of the city’s most exciting (and straight-up delicious) new ice cream. 3525 I Street Unit B06, Philadelphia, PA 19134, milkjawn.com.
Kampar Kitchen
One day, it’s Vietnamese home cooking — chilled silken tofu in a mushroom XO sauce, or stuffed squid in tomato sauce. Another day, it’s Sri Lankan curried vegetable buns and string hoppers. The options are always different because Kampar Kitchen is many things all at once: a restaurant incubator, an outlet for cooks with big ideas, a way for food-obsessed Philadelphians to try something new. 1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, kampar-kitchen.square.site.
Sabbatical Beauty
It’s not just that founder Adeline Koh crafts some of the most luxurious skin-care products on the market — from the Vacuum Cleaner cleansing oil to the Dorian Gray anti-aging serum — out of her Bok studio. It’s also that she donated masks and created hand sanitizers, all while using her playful yet powerful TikToks to put racists in their place. 1901 South 9th Street #308, Philadelphia, PA 19148, sabbaticalbeauty.com.
SNL Vault
In April, Comcast did a limited launch of its first-time streaming service, and Peacock became available nationwide in July. Like most streaming services, it has its pros and cons, but one clear winner is the “channel” SNL Vault, which features the best clips from Saturday Night Live’s heyday. Other things we like about Peacock: all 21 seasons of Law and Order SVU, an unusually high number of classic (as in black-and-white) movies, including some Hitchcock, and … 21 Jump Street! peacocktv.com.
Misfits Market
No one wanted to buy the funky two-pronged carrot or the crescent-shaped zucchini. Then along came Misfits Market, a Pennsauken-based organization that “rescues” unsellable organic produce from local farms and boxes it up into consumer-friendly subscription services. Not only did they provide food delivery when we needed it most; they’re working toward a future where there’s always enough food to go around — and the healthy stuff is available to all. misfitsmarket.com.
Kennett Square
Think this town’s only got mushrooms? Chic kids’ shop Penny Lane Emporium shills fun items like rainbow ukuleles and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls books; Marché is rich with boho home wares; Clean Slate Goods eco-boutique has ceramics, totes, and apothecary items; and trendy Urban Outfitters-inspired shops like Green Eyed Lady abound. State Street. historickennettsquare.com.
Train & Nourish
Personal trainer Jenna Fisher’s bright, clean studio is designed to make her all-female private and small-group clients feel right at home. (The entryway literally looks like somebody’s living room.) And then of course there’s Fisher herself — the chill cheerleader every strong woman needs in her life. 1621 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, trainandnourish.com.
Millay
One part ladylike sophistication (tailored silk jackets), two parts dreamy romanticism (ruffled frocks galore) and a dash of boho-cool (fringed shawls from the ’30s) make up this tidy vintage boutique on Manayunk’s main drag. Don’t miss the home selection, either; it’s brimming with Persian rugs, paper goods and darling jar candles. 4390 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, millayshop.com.
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.
cBOP
Nope, those aren’t pint-size Comme des Garçons tees – they’re by luxe kiddie loungewear brand Noggi. And those mini Gucci-looking slides? They’re actually Hoo shoes. (The Chloé label, however, is the real deal.) cBOP is stocked with clothes so stylish that you’d covet them for your own closet if the sizes didn’t range from newborn to a children’s 6. 393 West Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041, shopcbop.com.