Snacktime
What started in the early days of the pandemic as a bunch of horn players and a drummer who would set up shop in Rittenhouse Square and South Philly to bring joy to the neighbors has become the coolest and hardest-to-book band in town. They just dropped their debut album, Sounds from the Street: Live, which is a must for your summer backyard playlist. Find them in September at the XPoNential Festival in Camden. snacktimephilly.com.
Historic Burlington Antiques and Art Emporium
With more than 65 businesses and dealers, Jersey’s biggest and most eclectic antiques showroom is a treasure hunter’s dream — not to mention an architectural marvel, with a 30-foot-high arched pine ceiling atop the 15,000-square-foot space. Browse the classic offerings in furniture and pottery as well as rare novelties like Depression-era glass and signed memorabilia. 424 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016, antiquesnj.com.
Family Piano
These graphic black-and-white blankets deserve a place on your sofa, hanging in your living room — wherever. They’re the brainchild of Merchantville artist, designer and musician Joe Kusy, who wanted to share his art in a functional way. “Everyone can use them,” he says. “There’s no sizing like with apparel.” Each 100 percent jacquard cotton woven piece is inspired by abstract natural landscapes and makes a statement, whether as your summer picnic blanket or a new foyer rug. Familypiano.myshopify.com.
Walls For Justice
During the civil unrest of 2020, Walls For Justice began painting murals and messages on the plywood that covered up so many storefronts. Fast-forward two years, and the group has now expanded its footprint, pairing artists with businesses, schools, and other public spaces that are looking for a unique way to show support for their communities (and maybe spruce up a plain brick wall in the process). wallsforjustice.org.
Loyalty Leather
Talk about fancy footwork: This Black-and-LGBTQIA-owned South Philly business dresses up full-grain leather loafers and Chelsea boots with a few well-placed strokes of colorful paint, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of walking art. Cheryl Ellzysmith and wife Kyra started the brand with bags in 2018, then expanded to shoes when a Spanish cobbler reached out after seeing their pieces on Instagram. A potential new addition? Hand-painted heels, for next-level style. loyaltyleather.com.
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.
Remix Living Showroom
Prolific interior decorator Dominique Calhoun and her team are busy for a reason: They absolutely nail the mix of glam and function, fun and form. Every item they put into a home has something special, whether it’s the sexy curve of a powder pink settee, leopard-print club chairs, or a side table made up of gold and cream spheres and cones. And a whole lot of it is for sale at Calhoun’s Northeast showroom and on her Instagram feed. Look for the items that were used to stage homes — they’re sold at a nice discount. Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124, remixliving.com.
Resting Gift Face
When coronavirus dried up their busy season, publicist Kylie Flett and event designer Donielle Powell pivoted to a new venture: rad gift boxes filled with ways to pass the time during the stay-at-home order. Their first run-through sold out, as did a second batch dedicated to moms, but the just-released ’90s kit (pictured here) is designed to make a Zoom or socially distant happy hour as fun as, well, the real thing. restinggiftface.com.
Philadelphia Film Socieity's Aquisition of the Ritz at the Bourse
We don’t normally give Best of Philly to the same business or organization twice in the same issue, but, well, when the Ritz at the Bourse closed in January 2020, film lovers shed a collective tear or 12. So we have high hopes now that the film-snobby Philadelphia Film Society has recently taken over the space, bringing the best of independent films back to the block. 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, filmadelphia.org.
Feng Shui Naturals
Last year, Abenaa Timazee, owner of eco-conscious hair- and skin-care brand Feng Shui Naturals, took her business mobile with an electric tricycle truck, bringing us the joy of shopping even when shops were verboten. This year, Timazee is expanding her mobile services and hosting beauty demos around town. You can also pick up her zero-waste natural products at Whole Foods, the Fresh Grocer and ShopRite. fengshuinaturals.com.
DanDan
Because sometimes all the people you know are busy or awful or both, there's DanDan. The menu features a long list of small plates, soups, noodles and vegetables that encourages grazing, and if you're looking to be left alone, the far-less-crowded upstairs dining room will give you space to enjoy your own company. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet some better friends while you're there. 126 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, dandanrestaurant.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.
Southwark
This institution—revamped last year by Chris D’Ambro and Marina de Oliveira—does it all right, from the tidy menu of casual comfort foods to the elegant cocktail list. Both are best enjoyed on the Secret Garden-like patio, where twinkly lights, soft music, and the aromatics of fresh herbs (grown by the kitchen staff) make for the chillest summer hang in the city. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com.