Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
Mirroring memories of his uncle’s house, owner/writer Marc Lamont Hill offers comfortable seating, strong coffee, author talks, and the books that he deems worthy. (Think: thought-provoking political reads, black lit, and only the good best-sellers.) 5445 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, unclebobbies.com.
Hefty Hounds
If your labradoodle, mastiff or greyhound is jealous of all those tiny teacup Yorkies wearing precious outfits, she’ll freak over clear raincoats, fleecy jackets and Eagles jerseys at this local e-shop. heftyhounds.com.
Addison Bay
Ready to look beyond Lulu? Local gal Marguerite Adzick’s e-comm shop carries cheery sweats, capris, sports bras and travel apparel from brands like Spiritual Gangster, Sundry and Michi, and her own line of AB leggings, too. addisonbay.com.
Houwzer
By putting its employees on salary, Houwzer — a Philly start-up — can replace a seller’s agent’s commission with a flat $5,000 fee and reduce a buyer’s agent’s commission to 2.5 percent. The result: more money in your pocket at the end of the process. Houwzer.com.
Jumpstart
Want to live in tomorrow’s next hot neighborhood? Jumpstart’s four-week neighborhood-based training programs will teach you how to rehab a house, and they’ll finance your first project if it’s in one of the city neighborhoods in which they operate. Scouting a location outside their established zones? Download Jumpstart’s free workbook and train yourself — or make the case that your block should be next. gojumpstart.org/jumpstart-for-individuals.
O’Neill Masonry
Specialist Jimmy O’Neill knows that masonry is both an art and a science. He’ll cure what ails your crumbling mortar and can handle brick, stucco and concrete, too. Services Philadelphia and its Pennsylvania suburbs. oneillmasons.com.
J. Brite Cleaners
All the convenience of a suburban spot — one-day turnaround, friendly workers, on-site cleaning, after-hours drop-off, a drive-through, parking! — but in the thick of the concrete jungle. 617 South 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
The Closet Works Inc.
Lazy Susans, corner pie shelves, slide-out linen drawers … the pros at this Montgomeryville outfit use every trick in the book to get you the most space for your sundries, and they’ll top ’em off with whimsical door and drawer hardware. Services Greater Philadelphia. Closetworksinc.com/pantry-design.
United Club
It’s not the biggest or the newest, but wood-paneled walls and other clubby touches make it feel more private. And because PHL isn’t a United hub, it doesn’t fill up as fast as all of the American options. C/D Connector. united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/locations/default.aspx.
Heather McBride
Can you say relaxed? However you define family, McBride will make you and your crew feel so chill you’ll forget the camera is even there. Keep reading here. Heathermcbridgephotography.com.
Read & Return Program at Heritage Books
You can get a 50 percent refund on the paperback you picked up by returning it to this bookstore (or any of the other 850-plus Paradies Lagardère-owned airport shops throughout North America) within six months of purchase. Terminal B/C Connector. heritagebooks.com.
Sweet Nina’s Banana Pudding
New Reading Terminal eating game plan: Start at this stand, which has Nina Bryan’s eight varieties of superior pudding. Actually, you might want to end here, too. 51 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, ninasgourmetpies.com/,.
Harper’s Garden
You know how you’re always looking for that perfect place to eat outside with your friends? That imaginary space full of twinkle lights and growing things that will transport you to Napa or Portofino? Yeah, well, Harper’s Garden is that place, with seating for 80. 31 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, harpersgardenphilly.com.
Amma’s South Indian Cuisine
South Indian cuisine is a rarity in the middle of Philly, which you’ll realize is ridiculous after you taste the ginger and turmeric spikes of the lamb Chettinad, the aloo bonda and the mango lassi. 1518 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ammasrestaurants.com.
Sulimay’s Restaurant
Sulimay’s existed well before Fishtown’s culinary renaissance, and yet most people in the city still don’t know it’s there. But that’s cool; more scrapple-heavy Benedicts, pancakes and corned beef hash for the rest of us. 632 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .