Totem Brand Co.
Ah, gorp: Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts, a.k.a. trail mix. Gorpcore, though? Think normcore plus camping. And for the rare gorpcorer who likes the practice of camping as much as the aesthetic, Totem has the paisley folding chairs, hops-printed hammocks and portable stainless steel grills that will ensure your gear is as tasteful as the gorp in your Fjallraven fanny pack. 535 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, totembrandco.com.
La Llorona
A corner wedge of West Passyunk got a lot more lively when La Llorona opened last summer with tables that spill out onto the sidewalk, goblets of shrimp ceviche, and a tequila and mezcal menu as long as your arm. 1551 West Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145, lalloronaphilly.com.
Fudena
Ruth Nakaar grew up eating the food her Ghanaian-born parents made but couldn’t easily find it without sitting down to elaborate restaurant meals. So she scratched her own itch and launched Fudena, a fast-casual West African pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar. And jollof rice, curried goat, and pan-seared tilapia make for an undeniably more mouth-watering dinner than another $9 kale salad. eatfudena.com.
Epic Mobile Detailing
On their days off, Philly firefighters Tyrone Thomas and Cleveland Jones bring their industrial-strength vacuum and half a dozen crates of potions and polishers to you. They’ll spend hours erasing coffee spills, buffing out the evidence of a swipe with a suburban mailbox, and whisking away every last speck of dirt, making your ride as close to perfect as it’s been since you drove it off the lot. epicmobiledetail.com.
Ceramic Concept
Last November, Stefani Threet opened this storefront in the West Philly neighborhood where she grew up. You’ll find pieces by nearly 120 artists, many of whom are makers of color, women and/or Philly locals. A mug wall provides a tangible way to compare cups; we’re eyeing the collar necklaces from Melted Porcelain. 5015 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143, ceramicconceptphl.com.
Perla Lara, Editor-in-Chief of <em>Impacto</em>
Lara is producing the best community journalism around right now, with a keen eye into the Latinx community. While we’ve come to expect diverse media from the likes of WURD, the Tribune and Al Día, this media leader offers a timely and promising alternative. Notably, she’s working with staff from the Caribbean, South America, and the Greater Philadelphia area to cover Latinx issues more holistically. impactomedia.com.
Donald "Guy" Generals
In the year of the Great Pandemic, a dozen area heads of school decided to decamp, retire, or become the ambassador to Germany. (Higher ed is complicated!) Yet Generals, president of the Community College of Philadelphia since 2014, shone for his public service and community engagement, including CCP’s “Enough Is Enough” initiative to help students work through the trauma sparked by George Floyd’s murder. “I don’t think you should be a one-beat drummer if you’re a college president,” the jazz drummer and education-access activist says.
The Ivory Concept
For those having their own modern Regency Era romances, this appointment-only boutique from Ali Campbell is filled with all the puffed sleeves and squared necks you could desire. Most of the designers are local exclusives (this is one of only two Marquise Bridal stockists in the whole country), and you’ll have the space to yourself when you visit. 2 East King Street, Malvern, PA 19355, instagram.com/ticbridal.
Crunchik'n
Father-daughter duo John and Jen Choi make everything at their Midtown Village restaurant from scratch, including sauces like Korean BBQ, honey soy, and super-spicy sweet chili — all of which can be doused over wings, popcorn nuggets, or whole, perfectly crispy Korean fried chicken. 212 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, crunchikn.com.
Keystone Sign & Company
Even if you don’t know the name, you know the work. DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market. Love City Brewing. Garage in Fishtown, Primal Supply Meats in Brewerytown, K’Far, and scores of other signs, all hand-painted by Christian Cantiello and his crew. The next time you walk into a restaurant, bar or shop, look a little more closely at the logo out front — there’s a good chance it’s Cantiello’s work. keystonesignco.com.
The Breakfast Den
Ditch your usual BEC for one with house-made pickles, herbs and eggplant pâté on a baguette, a.k.a. a banh mi op la. Come back again and again to this homey spot showcasing American Vietnamese breakfast comfort food, for the chao ga (a rice porridge dish with a poached egg, bits of crispy chicken skin and fresh herbs), Momma’s egg rolls, and Caphe Roasters Vietnamese coffees. 1500 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thebreakfastden.com.
Maleek Jackson Fitness Boxing Gym
Looking for a healthy way for your kid to release some of the past year’s stress? At 4 p.m. every weekday, this NoLibs fitness space gets youth ages seven to 17 practicing gloved punches. Jackson’s upcoming after-school program will serve those needing mentorship and positive community ties. 926 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, maleekjacksonfitness.com.
La Canasta
La Canasta opened deep in the heart of South Philly’s Whitman neighborhood doing a classic taqueria menu with a rotating list of specials (mango-glazed chicken sandwiches! Short-rib burgers!). But the thing to order here is the namesake tacos de canasta — tortillas stuffed with pork or beans and steamed in hot chili oil and onions, only available on the weekends. 2341 South 4th Street , Philadelphia, PA 19148, philadelphiamexicanfood.com.
Varlo Apparel
Former Division-I track star Soj Jibowu stumbled into the world of triathlon competitions without even knowing how to swim — and still managed to create multi-sport drag-resistant apparel that compresses in all the right places. You can also create your own sleek design from the more than 300 fabric choices in the custom online shop. varlosports.com.
Sor Ynéz
Whole cauliflower bathes in a guajillo pineapple marinade overnight, then is spit-roasted, sliced thin, and crisped on the plancha griddle, proving that the “alt pastor” gets just as much fussy attention here as any meaty al pastor. 1800 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, sorynez.com.