Rose Lemonade Popsicles at Lil’ Pop Shop
Rose lemonade popsicles at Lil’ Pop Shop. Photograph by Ted Nghiem Summer on a stick (sans the dairy stomach pains). Additional location in University City. 229 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lilpopshop.com.
Field
A planter from Field. Photograph by Ian Shiver If a plant’s container is like the shoes that complete an outfit, consider this shop a succulent’s dream closet. 2032 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Delsette
While most shops focus solely on statement garments, this treasure chest pays just as much (or more!) attention to its accessory assortment. Evidence: tables rife with pendants and chokers; shelves lined with shoes and carryalls. 47 Saint Georges Road, Ardmore, PA 19003, delsette.com.
Dispatches from Elsewhere
Jason Segel’s Dispatches From Elsewhere started streaming in March. Photograph by Jessica Kourkounis/AMC Look, we love Rocky, but there comes a time in every city’s life when it needs to diversify its film reel. Jason Segel’s Dispatches From Elsewhere, with its sultry montages from Rittenhouse and Fishtown and South Philly, helped us do just that, at a time when we couldn’t actually experience our city because of lockdown. Segel may have chosen Philly over other cities in part because of tax incentives, but we’re tickled by the results, regardless. amc.com/shows/dispatches-from-elsewhere.
Cake Life Bake Shop’s Nanaimo Bar
Trudeau isn’t the only thing Canada got right: Inspired by Cake Life co-owner Nima Etemadi’s Vancouver roots, this specialty from our neighbors to the north is a chocolatey coconut biscuit on the bottom, vanilla bean custard in the middle, thick ganache on top, and totally delicious throughout. 1306 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, cakelifebakeshop.com.
Di Bruno Bros. Bottle Shop at the Franklin
Carved out of Di Bruno's 9th and Chestnut location, this beer store encourages customers to stop and linger with excellent cheesemonger-approved pairings. If you're just stopping in to get a six-pack on the run, they've got you covered with wrapped and ready-to-eat hoppy cheese plates to take with you. 834 Chestnut Street, Washington Square West 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, dibrunobottleshop.com/#about.
ToBox
Take your dull, beat-up shoes, bags, belts and briefcases to his men's footwear shop, and they'll restore and repaint the leather by hand. Note: They do briefcases and belts, too. 25 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/Toboxshoes.
Princeton
We locals spill much ink over summertime escapes down the A.C. Expressway. But take a straight shot up 95, and you’ll see a very different New Jersey — one full of art, history, shopping and natural thrills. Revel in Revolutionary history at Princeton Battlefield State Park, pick your own berries at Terhune Orchards, or take a kayak tour at Mercer County Park. You’ll find shopping and dining in Palmer Square, just outside the eponymous university’s gates — favorites include Princeton Record Exchange, Small World Coffee, toy store JaZams, and farm-to-table Agricola.
Expect Lace
Shaw Lewis launched Expect Lace to provide an inclusive, safe space in which to shop for intimates. The store carries sizes from 30A to 42J, whether they’re fancy underthings or workhorse basics. Also on offer: sequined one-piece swimsuits and travel-size vibrators. 4403 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, expectlace.com.
Metro Men's Clothing
Dudes. You're kind of miserable when it comes to shopping, yes? And when you can dress yourself in one fell swoop from the jacket to the tee to the denim to the shoes this makes you less miserable, correct? Go here. Be less miserable. 1615 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, metromensclothing.com.
The Sable Collective
This Fashion District shop has two main missions: to be welcoming to Black women and women of color, and to showcase products made by artisans from Black and marginalized communities. How does that translate? Into a place that’s got a little mysticism (crystal kits), a little beauty (Zen in a Jar shea butters), a little fashion (stunning bronze hoop earrings), a little sass (“Take No Shit” totes), and a whole lot of authentic community. Shop online, too. 901 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thesablecollective.com.
Duross and Langel
We'll try not to gush too much but these guys are everything that's right with the city. It's not just the products (though truly, there isn't a soap, lotion, candle or hair-care product we haven't nearly tried to eat). It's what's in them (preservative-free ingredients derived from botanicals), how they're made (in small batches, in the in-house soap kitchen or nearby lab), how they're done up (in 100 percent recyclable packaging), and how they're sold in a way that totally builds up the community the store is part of (joining with other Midtown Village businesses for sales and events, and employing local Service and Help), that make this a model for how to run an independent shop in Philadelphia. So, the gushing thing? Yeah, we take it back. 117 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, durossandlangel.com.
Haddonfield
It's just so freakin'cute. Seriously like,How could I swing moving here? cute. But besides the ridiculously charming, friendly, bucolic atmosphere along Kings Highway East, the shopping is simply divine. There's everything from kid stuff (Pipsqueak) to women's wear (Maxwell James) to sporting equipment (Haddonfield Running Company) to jewelry (McNelis and Sherry) to art galleries (Accent Studio) to gifts (Serendipity) to home furnishings (The Upholstery Shop) to lingerie (Georgie Girl Boutique) to music (Siren's Song) to spas and salons (Salon M Design) to ... Oh, we're tired. Just go, already. 00000, shophaddonfieldnj.com.
Rittenhouse Sports Specialties
The running world is rife with high-tech gear, logos and marketing flash, but sometimes, don't you just want to focus on the basics of your feet hitting the pavement? That's why buying shoes (and browsing through a manageable selection of accessories like water bottles, and some shorts and tees) is so refreshing at this low-key shop, where the owner is a runner herself and totally gets it. 1729 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rittenhousesports.com.
Minimal Chaos
On family trips to the Middle East, Sarah Naji’s father spent hours scouring the souks for the perfect rug. The Point Breeze-based entrepreneur is following in his footsteps with her pandemic-born business. Naji sources hand-knotted works from Turkey and at local antique shops, prizing age (some are 100 years old) and clever colors. She even walks the walk: Her shoes are made from salvaged kilim rugs. minimalchaos.pink.