The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co.
The retro drinks at this subterranean hideaway are inspired by those convivial pre-Prohibition days when making juleps was an art, and barkeeps really took care of their patrons. Should your mood dictate something classic, there's the rum daiquiri (served up); if it dictates something smooth, perhaps the Purple Prose (gin, dry vermouth, blueberry syrup, absinthe, orange bitters). But if your mood dictates a Red Bull and vodka, best keep moving this ain't your bar. 112 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thefranklinbar.com.
All That Jazz Sound & Security
It’s right there in the name: All That Jazz Sound & Security. This Lancaster Ave shop has spent its entire existence keeping Philadelphians’ trunks thumping and vehicles secure, but the electronic expertise here has kept pace with the trends, too, with remote starters, backup and dashboard cameras, LED lighting, whatever. While these might seem like bells and whistles — hey, they do custom horns, too — adding undercarriage lighting to your motorcycle is an increasingly popular way to stay safe on your bike. 4977 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, allthatjazzphilly.com.
Philadelphia Table Company
Sure, you could click around West Elm’s website to buy an overpriced table that most of your friends also have in their kitchens. Or you could buy a table right here in Philadelphia from Paul Mencel and his team of professional woodworkers, who make each beautiful piece to order, by hand. Visit the boutique furniture company’s Old City showroom and choose your shape, size and finish. Despite the name, they make other furniture, too, including custom beds and desks. 158 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, philadelphiatablecompany.com.
In Flow
When you step into Alli Cavanagh’s Fishtown space, you’ll catch your breath over its high-ceilinged industrial beauty. But there’s way more than meets the eye with this wellness incubator: a schedule of invigorating and grounding Pilates and yoga classes, journaling, meditation, and a candlelit sesh that incorporates somatic dancing, plus rotating holistic workshops in everything from cold-plunging to cacao ceremonies, led by local practitioners. We’ve been especially loving the just-opened heated pop-up studio. 1811 Frankford Avenue, #206, and 2019-21 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, inflowwstudio.com.
The Retreat at the Vault
Photograph by Jeff Fusco One floor above Matt and Sabrina Kelley’s dynamic Brazilian jiu jitsu school stands the Retreat. The aptly named, appointment-only recovery studio — home to state-of-the-art saunas, cold-plunge tanks, red-light therapy panels, and 6D massage chairs powered by AI — is so tranquil you’ll forget how much time has passed since your arrival, and that takedowns are happening right below you. Who knew a slice of Delco could feel like such a serene escape? 25 South Morton Avenue, Morton, PA 19070, vaultretreat.com.
Jake Blumgart, the <em>Inquirer</em>
Blumgart doesn’t have the flashiest beat (Eagles) or the most headline-grabbing (cops), but we’d argue that he has the most important beat in the city right now: real estate. With so many changes in the real estate market — post-pandemic blues, empty office buildings, shifting federal funding — we count on Blumgart to guide us through it. And he does it with a reporter’s eye for details and a novelist’s sense of narrative. If you’re ever wondering “What’s happening there?” Blumgart likely has the answer. inquirer.comauthor/blumgart_jake.
The Farm and Fisherman
Okay, we know the phrase farm-to-table has been boring you to death for five years now. But check out F&F, one of the restaurants that defined the style in Philly, and see how exciting Josh Lawlers tiny temple of head-to-tail, hedgerow-to-hedgerow, you-know-its-fresh-because-the-place-barely-has-a-refrigerator cuisine can be. Start with the bloody beet steak, but dont use that as an excuse to skip a grass-fed real one because when they have it, its the best in town. 1120 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thefarmandfisherman.com.
Smith & Diction
If the new look of a local brand has recently caught your eye, chances are it was designed by Smith & Diction. The Bok-based design studio led by husband-and-wife duo Mike and Chara Smith is behind some of the city’s freshest aesthetics, including logos for the Rail Park and block-cleaning service Glitter, packaging for Elixr and Càphê Roasters, and a shiny new suite of graphics for the Philadelphia Visitor Center. They approach each project with a sharp creative eye and a meticulous 10-step process — and deliver a logo design or an entire brand identity. 1901 South 9th Street, number 510, Philadelphia, PA 19148, smith-diction.com.
Mama-Tee Fridge
Since the pandemic, Michelle Nelson has been working to combat the city’s food insecurity problem with this Black women-led initiative that’s already garnered national buzz. The concept is simple yet powerful: Neighbors can donate and/or help themselves to the fresh produce stored at any of the designated fridges across the city. The project has seen rising success, with more than 15 fridges spread across the city, from Nicetown to Kingsessing. Donors have filled the organization’s GoFundMe coffers with nearly $80,000, which goes to stocking the fridges. Mamateefridge.com.
KMT Consulting
For those of us who break out in the math sweats at the mere thought of calculating a tip, tax time can be particularly challenging, but KMT Consulting will make you dread April a lot less. Led by experienced CPA Kirsten Toler, the whole team knows the minutiae of small-business finance. Emails are answered lickety-split, without even a hint of condescension. They take care to make you feel like a collaborator, like you’re capable of understanding your taxes, and maybe, maybe, even like you’re pretty good at math. kmtconsultingllc.com.
Gen3
By now you’ve probably heard all about energy-efficiency incentives — the credits and rebates the feds, local governments and even utility companies are giving out to people willing to modify their homes. The folks at Gen3 make this a piece of cake, doing a whole-home walk-through to determine just what array of heat pumps, mini-splits and other tech you need to green your house. And on your invoice they’ll lay out just what rebates and credits you’ll be eligible for, making that bill look just a little lighter. Grays Ferry, Glenolden and Melrose Park, PA generation3electric.com.
Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas and Kiran Musunuru
These two physicians led the CHOP and Penn Medicine team that, in May, made medical history by successfully using CRISPR gene-editing therapy to treat an infant born with a rare metabolic disease. Baby KJ was only months old when the team started administering the individually tailored therapy for his CPS1, or severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency. The landmark gene-correcting approach spares KJ the need for a liver transplant down the road and prevents neurological damage that could prove fatal. Doctors say he’s now growing well and thriving.
International House
Philly may not have a repertory cinema, but the weekly screenings at this University City complex for students come pretty close. There are fun flicks, such as cheesy sci-fi tales (Star Trek III: The Wrath of Khan, 8/23) and bad 80s movies (The Legend of Billie Jean, 8/30), foreign classics (The Red Balloon, 8/10), and more serious and obscure diversions, like the upcoming Jacques Rivette (9/5-7) and Sergei Parajanov series (9/14-17). I-House, as it is known, is for the film fan who is just not satisfied by Netflix. 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, ihousephilly.org.
Zakian Rugs
When you spend upwards of $5,000 on an Oriental rug, you don’t want to cut corners on its upkeep, so take it to the guys who have been doing this for more than 100 years. Pets? Red wine? Toddlers who make you question why you have nice things? They’ve seen it all. They’ll pick up your rug, give you a rundown on its condition, provide services from cleaning to restoration (they’ll match the yarn and then weave or hand-knot to mirror the style), and bring it back to you as good as new. 4930 West Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, zakianrugs.com.
Brad Ingelsby and <em>Mare of Easttown</em>
Guy Pearce and Kate Winslet act in Mare of Easttown. Photograph by Sarah Shatz/HBO The appeal of Mare of Easttown (the wild success of which landed Berwyn-native showrunner Inglesby a three-year HBO deal) transcends Kate Winslet and Jean Smart talking in our peculiar patois. While Mare was yet another detective series centered on a dead teenage girl, it was the only one the whole world was glued to this summer. We loved it for more than the accent work, but it’s also hard to overstate how validating it was to hear Winslet’s Mare utter, of the wet cast on her wrist, “Et arready etches like crazy en et smells like shet.” hbo.com/mare-of-easttown.