Todd Young
Whether you’re trying to restore your grandmother’s Royal Quiet De Luxe or just get the dust-covered Remington that’s been sitting in your attic working well enough to type some letters up old-school-style, this typewriter geek has the tools and know-how to get the job done — and more affordably than some other folks in the biz. Find him through Mount Airy’s W.P.M. Typewriter Shop, just across from Weavers Way. 6819 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119, wpmtypewritershop.com.
Eastern Airlines
If you were traveling abroad when the coronavirus landed in the U.S., there was good reason to panic. Fear of spreading the virus brought international travel to a sudden halt, making returns to North America nearly impossible. Just when things couldn’t look more bleak or uncertain, there came the tiniest glimmer of hope from the least-expected source. Eastern Airlines, a small Wayne-based carrier (think 10 planes and a staff of about 200), came to the literal rescue. Through careful coordination with the State Department and local officials, Eastern organized rescue flights, and to date, they’ve flown nearly 24,000 once-stranded American citizens from Central and South America back to the States. goeasternair.com.
MainLine Pet Sitting
The choosiest of Main Line dog lovers trust MLPS with their Preciouses, and their homes P.O. Box 115, Gladwyne, PA 19035, mainlinepetsitting.com.
The People Who Run Businesses
They already put themselves on the line. Then came a catastrophe. Read the full write up here. phillymag.com/news/2020/07/16/philadelphia-business-owners-coronavirus.
Sapphira Cristál
An operatic drag queen with a six-octave range and some of the most fabulous costumes around? Hell yeah! instagram.com/sapphiracristal.
Oyster House
With lump Maryland meat and no filler, chef Aaron Gottesman has returned some dignity to this clichéd menu item. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, oysterhousephilly.com.
Aneu Kitchen + Juicery
Home in on the “healthy shots” part of the menu for straight-to-the-system shocks of goodness like lemon with ginger, turmeric, black pepper and grapeseed oil. Additional location in Paoli. 1225 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, aneucatering.com.
Pinball Gallery
Here, you pay an hourly rate for dozens of machines, including some very cool vintage specimens from the '60s and '70s. 81 Lancaster Avenue (edited), Malvern, PA 19355, pinballgallery.net.
Mango Tree Bistro
No fish head curry here, but the more traditional varieties are well done at this Thai joint in a converted home right on Ridge Pike. 3120 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA 19403, mangotreethai.com.
Women’s Wellness Spaces
Philly’s female-health-focused wellness spaces are absolutely popping off. In Rittenhouse, VSPOT Medi Spa (vspotmedispa.com) focuses on intimate treatments for women, from a golden vagina facial to orgasm injections — as well as open conversations on issues like incontinence. Contour Body Studio (contourbodystudio.com) in Kensington offers V-steams, body contouring, and simple cosmetic services like teeth whitening. And in King of Prussia, Main Line Health (mainlinehealth.org) opened a $64 million medical center with Axia Women’s Health (axiawh.com) in March with six floors of primary care, ob-gyn services, cardiology, and behavioral health offerings, all focused on women — plus a cafe, an apothecary-style boutique, a space for yoga classes, and an under-construction rooftop farm.
Sherman Brothers
Brothers have been in the shoe biz since 1953, and it shows: Their solid selection (Red Wing, Cole Haan, Wolverine, Alden), frequent sales and helpful staff turn casual shoppers into regulars. Call or see website for locations, 00000, shermanbrothers.com.
The Little Apple
The Paddywax candles and locally made jewelry here are easy crowd-pleasers, but it's the one-of-a-kind vintage home goods that will score you an invite to the next soiree. The one after that is up to you. 4353 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, thelittleapplestore.com.
Go Fox
The perfect solution for anyone too busy, important, lazy, fancy, rich or cool to wait in line anywhere. And honestly, who doesn't fit into one of those categories at some point? Call or see website for consultation, 00000, gofoxonline.com.
Farley's Bookshop
There's no Starbucks at Farley's, just maze-like aisles, shelves teeming with books, and quiet corners for reading. It'll remind you why you loved books before they came with lattes. 44 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938, farleysbookshop.com.
Body Cycle Studio
There's no boring workout a good soundtrack can't cure. Add in some costumes (theme rides!), awesome instructors and pretty surroundings, and you've got a recipe for a workout you'll actually look forward to doing. 1923 Chestnut Street, second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, bodycyclestudio.com.