The Philly Phlushes
That Philly finally embarked on a pilot program for public restrooms, a.k.a. the Philly Phlush, was exciting enough back when they debuted last year. That the two pilot restrooms are still working and in good shape is even more exciting. Glamorous they’re not, but they admirably fulfill, their, uh, duty. That a third was set to arrive in Clark Park by July fills us with hope that Philly will finally become a world-class city … for doing your business.
Lumos Yoga & Barre
Since this sunny Spring Garden boutique opened six years ago, it’s expanded with more modalities (Pilates, HIIT and barre-and-box), a second studio, lively pop-ups, prenatal and postpartum programming, and adventure-filled retreats in locales from the Hudson Valley to Asheville to Costa Rica. Lumos now collabs with other small business for even broader offerings: sound baths, candle-pouring and self-defense workshops. 2001 Green Street; 2329 Parrish Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, lumosyogaandbarre.com.
Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe
Since opening in the late ’90s, Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe has been an if-you-know-you-know sort of establishment. From its busy corner on South 52nd Street, the counter-service spot offers comforting Caribbean classics like warm, flaky beef patties and smothered oxtail as well as incredible Trinidadian specialties, like weekend-only doubles, that consistently sell out. So get there early. 219 South 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139, brownsugarbakeryandcafephiladelphia.bestcafes.online.
Suplex Vintage
Before there was concert merch, as the kids call it, there were just plain old concert tees. There’s nothing plain or old about the retro t-shirts here, where a random mix of sports, music and Harley-Davidson tops from across the decades lines the racks. The authenticity of the goods is in the hearty cotton fabrics, the Made in USA tags, and, most of all, the single-stitch construction that characterized clothing until the mid-’90s. 720 South 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, suplexvintage.com.
Fête Urbane
This Drew Barrymore-approved business (the star featured the floral studio on her program thanks to its work with the Philadelphia Flower Show) run by a trio of women — sisters Angela Rayfield and Elizabeth Barrella and mom Maggie Ferrante-Barrella — has a knack for gorgeous installations. By that, we mean greenery-filled creations that seem to grow from the ceiling and bloom-clad entryways that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a magical oasis. feteurbane.com.
The Nesting House
Jen Kinka is what she calls an “anti-consumer,” with a longtime aversion to the throwaway retail economy. So the sustainable children’s shop the mother of three runs with husband Chris is an ideal marriage of work and personal ethics. The couple trade and sell gently used, kid-tested clothes for newborns up to eight-year-olds, along with new toys, books and other kids’ stuff from like-minded businesses. 542 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119, thenestinghouse.net.
Queen of Wands Tarot
What Jenna Matlin is not: a hocus-pocus street psychic charging $100 to fix “curses” found during $5 tarot card readings. What Jenna Matlin is: an intuitive woman with a master’s in organizational psychology who dispenses insightful life advice, balances chakras, and even provides spiritually guided business consulting. And you don’t have to travel: All her sessions can be done via phone or webcam. Queenofwandstarot.net.
Joan Shepp
Unless you’re a celebrity, you probably don’t often have the chance to rub elbows with fashion’s in-crowd – think Yves Spinelli (founder of cool-girl jewelry line Spinelli Kilcollin) and Jonathan Simkhai (founder of the eponymous clothing line). Enter Joan Shepp, which throws must-attend parties featuring the designers behind some of your favorite brands. The best part? You don’t need to be an A-lister to get in. 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, joanshepp.com.
Casa Papel
On a side street in the Marais, you might expect a shop like this one, so petite and pretty, with papers and envelopes in exotic colors and embossed designs that you'd like to wear, if one wore paper. But here, on a busy Northern Liberties thoroughfare, this small spot where the invitations are to die for, and yes, they can make your baby book out of that amazing Chiyogami feels entirely unexpected, like a best-possible surprise. 804 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, casapapel.com.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Upper Darby
In a business where customer service typically leaves plenty to be desired, this Delaware County branch of the national chain is a beacon of hope, with friendly, expeditious employees eager to make sure you're happy behind and beyond the wheel. And should you leave your E-ZPass in one of their cars (as one Philly Magger did), the branch manager just might drive to Collegeville to retrieve it for you (as the branch manager here did). 706 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?gpbr=1742&bid=004&cnty=US.
Chiquita Margarita at La Calaca Feliz
It must have been a total Eureka! moment the day someone in the kitchen at this Fairmount Mexican eatery perfected the Splenda simple syrup that would then go into its skinny margarita. Once you sip this limey drink of perfection, which reportedly has half the calories of regular margs, you'll have a moment, too—of the "I'll have what she's having" variety. Don't say we didn't warn you. 2321 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, lacalacafeliz.com.
Jayden Jiang
How do you spell champion? Jayden Jiang sure knows. The fifth-grader at Girard Academic Music Program was declared the winner of Philly’s regional round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in March — for the second year in a row. (He tied for 41st in the national bee.) His favorite of the 4,000 words he made sure he knew for this regional round was juxtapose, he says — a fitting choice for the bearer of a two-time crown.
Ting Wong
This is the restaurant that refuses to die. After closures, re-openings, remodels, and rumors that it would turn into a high-end, white-tablecloth Chinese restaurant, Ting Wong has emerged as essentially the same place it always was — a simple, unfussy spot offering ridiculously good (and cheap) roast duck, congee and Hong Kong-style noodles. It's bright, busy, sometimes sticky and always intimidating to newcomers, but it remains the single coolest restaurant in Chinatown. 138 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, .
Patti Brett at Doobies Bar
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Bartenders like Brett are a dying breed. She’s run Doobies since inheriting the business from her mom in 2003, and she holds court each night, serving craft beer, chatting with regulars, and curating an ever-changing jukebox full of Maggie Rogers, Sly & the Family Stone, and Brett’s beloved David Bowie. Her openness and easy conversation are reminders that connection, however casual, is as sustaining as a Citywide at the end of a long day. 2201 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, doobiesbarphilly.com.
70Six Boutique
With more than 15 businesses set to debut through 2022, NoLibs is in the midst of a neighborhood renaissance. 70Six, a trend-focused women’s-wear shop with a Cali-cool slant and affordable prices, was among the earliest to open its doors, in May. The first retail concept of its kind in the area is already a fast favorite for best-friend birthday gifts, self-care essentials (read: candles), and vacation-worthy going-out tops. 215 West Laurel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, shop70six.com.