Cunningham Piano Company
People and institutions from all over the country ship their priceless Steinways to this 120-year-old shop for resuscitation. So Cunningham can certainly handle Nana's old upright. Don't have a piano? They sell them, too. 5427 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, cunninghampiano.com.
Kids 'N' Kribs
Shopping here is like going into one of the big-box kiddie stories with your been-there-done-that mom friend and having her point out the exact products you'll love, from cribs and monitors to car seats and teddy bears. 112 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, kidsnkribs.com.
Art Star Gallery and Boutique
Go because you love the non-brand-name charm, because shopping here gives you instant street-style cred, and because you want your friends to come here when it's time to buy gifts for you. 623 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, artstarphilly.com.
Alice Alexander
Mary Alice Duff of Alice Alexander. Photograph by Jillian Guyette Plus-size shopping is already hard. But finding ethical brands? Feels nearly impossible. Relax: Designer Mary Alice Duff is turning out classic-yet-contemporary pieces in sizes 0 to 30, all stitched together by well-paid local seamstresses. By appointment only. 4056 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129, alicealexander.co.
STUMP
Stump’s spare, curated shop looks more like a chic apartment than a nursery. Which makes sense, because the staff thinks about houseplants — lush fiddle-leaf figs, spreading philodendrons, elegantly trailing satin pothos — as design elements. 956 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, stumpplants.com.
The Philadelphia Fine Art Fair
Last April, a crew that puts on renowned fairs in the Hamptons and beyond transformed the 23rd Street Armory into an art collector’s shopping spree; 34 galleries displayed contemporary and modern works from more than 300 artists. And it’s happening again next spring. philfineartfair.com.
Bulk Vintage
Bulk is the depot that sells vintage to vintage stores. Pre-COVID, they’d open up their warehouse to the public once a month. They’ve since pivoted, and smartly so: You can now shop their site and buy by the bundle — as in, a collection of 12 blouses from the 1970s for $60. 4324 Tackawanna Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124, bulkvintage.com.
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse
Looking for something for the kids? Or to reminisce over your own comic-book days? Amalgam owner Ariell Johnson became the East Coast’s first Black female comic bookstore owner in 2015 when she opened her shop, now a nationally regarded treasure. 2578 Frankford Avenue, Phiadelphia, PA 19125, amalgamphilly.com.
Occasionette
When Sara Villari recently expanded her shop just so she could stock more paper goods, we let out a squeal, because an email will never pack the gravitas of a hand-scrawled greeting atop weighty cardstock. 1825 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, occasionette.com.
Believe
The last thing one expected to find on a random corner in South Philly: a jewel-box boutique for the under-10 set, flush with European lines of dresses, jumpsuits, tees and shoes that toe the line between too-cool-for-school and utterly adorable. 1226 West Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, believeachildrensboutique.com.
L. Priori
Trained gemologist Lauren Priori scours estate sales nationwide to pluck the very best baubles for her appointment-only studio and online shop. Case in point: A recent jaunt to Las Vegas unearthed a crop of 19th-century antiques, like a dreamy butterfly-crowned enamel ring. 1601 Walnut Street, Suite 1218, Philadelphia, PA 19102, lpriorijewelry.com.
Kirna Zabête
Come for the Gucci frocks, Marc Jacobs blouses and Saint Laurent jackets; stay for the tucked-away accessory room and endless outfit inspiration, courtesy of the shop’s trendy staffers. So cool, you’ll think you’re in SoHo. 915 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, kirnazabete.com.
United by Blue Sample Sale
Easy navigation (boxes are clearly labeled), rock-bottom deals ($25 canvas weekenders, $20 button-downs, $5 tees), and credit-card compatibility (a rarity on the sample-sale scene) make this annual shopping event (at the Old City location only) the ultimate stock-up occasion. 144 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, unitedbyblue.com.
Louella
Employ a smart strategy when shopping at this Main Line boutique: Grab as many whale-dotted Vineyard Vines shorts, Alice and Trixie tunics and Two Bees Cashmere sweaters as you can, and you'll never have to search for an occasion-worthy ensemble again. 227 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, and 335 East King Street, Malvern, 19087, louellastyle.com.
Trail Creek Outfitters
This outdoor emporium is as huge as a big-box chain but as welcoming as a tiny local shop, thanks to the community-oriented owners and staffers who have been hand-selecting and testing for themselves top-quality running, climbing, camping and sporting apparel and footwear for 30 years (and still love to chat about your adventures and needs). 487 Wilmington Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, trailcreekoutfitters.com/site.