Sweetflag
In the age of designer weed (and loose laws), it seems only fitting that this Camden-based e-shop is turning out an artful line of rose-gold grinders, crystal pipes and opal ashtrays. Who knew lighting up could look so chic? Sweetflag.club.
iPartz USA
This tiny company operating out of a cluttered space above a pizza shop is actually one of the largest cell-phone parts wholesalers in the Northeast, so they have the real Apple screens (not the knockoffs others use) dirt cheap. We recently brought them a badly shattered phone: Ten minutes and $60 later, it was like new. 299 Levering Mill Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, ipartzusa.com.
Bob and Barbara's
There's rarely a cover at this Philly dive bar, where a shot and a beer still cost just $3.50. And the talent lineup is always intriguing, from a twice-monthly country music hoedown and a funky Saturday-night guitar trio to the lounge-y sounds of Dena Miranda and the Mellowtones. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Purenergy Studio
You can hop from the TRX bands to the spin studio to an aerial yoga or barre class thanks to Paoli's new one-stop-shop fitness studio. The idea is to keep your mind and muscles busy with lots of workout options, accomplished (and then some) by way of more than 90 stellar classes a week. 21 Plank Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301, purenergystudio.com.
Du Jour
With steakhouses and burger shops crowding the city's noontime dining scene, we appreciate that Du Jour has put heart and flair into this zingy veggie option, a lusty mix of brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, feta and Moroccan harissa sauce. Take note, burger kings. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, dujourmarket.com.
Morey's Piers, The Wildwood Boardwalk
It doesn't matter if you're looking for shriek-inducing roller coasters, the 140-foot free fall of AtmosFEAR or the absolutely insane SpringShot; no place else has as many extreme thrill rides in one place. Eat the funnel cake after you ride. 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, moreyspiers.com.
Stateside under Elijah Milligan
When lauded chef George Sabatino abruptly left this award-winning restaurant for his tour of duty at Morgans Pier, Phillys food scenesters were worried no one else would be able to fill his shoes behind the line. Now they can stop fretting and just go eat. 1536 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, statesidephilly.com.
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.