Francis the Duke
There are only a handful of barbers in the entire region we'll trust with a straight razor, and at this trendy Piazza-based shop, the shaves are the smoothest and most comfortable we've had. The $50 one-hour executive shave will leave you feeling like a million bucks. 1001 North 2nd Street, #77, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thedukebarberco.com.
Johnny's Hots
Out of a shop the size of a studio apartment: chopped, just-greasy-enough meat packed in wit' diced fried onions and a generous layer of Whiz (or prov, if you like) on a torpedo roll, for a change. Totally worth the trek to Fishtown to savor on one of the few outdoor benches. 1234 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Verde
Whether you bring her a dainty bouquet, house-made artisanal chocolates or a light-as-air scarf, if you're buying it from Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney's latest 13th Street shop, one thing is for sure: You'll be invited back. 108 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, verdephiladelphia.com/verde.
40+ Double Dutch Club
40+ Double Dutch Club’s expert footwork / Photograph by Jeff Fusco This year’s Best Pastime winner started from a 2016 gathering of friends in Chicago and is now a nationwide women’s fitness movement. Sharon Hatcher and Iesha Jackson steer the Philly chapter. “It started off with two friends who wanted to do something that was just for them to have fun,” Hatcher says. “They were in their heads about different things — divorces, kids growing up, all that. They thought back to how they jumped rope when they were kids and how much fun they had.” From that original duo, the club has amassed more than 30,000 members across the country. 40plusdoubledutchclub.com.
Boxbar
The newly renovated space from the Chick Invitations team is a bride-to-be’s dream come true: There’s a bright retail shop in the front and an assembly bar in the back, and you can rent out the entire thing for your shower. You’ll spend the morning with your BFFs, picking out chic pearl clutches and getting-ready attire (like satin robes and pom-pom slippers). Afterward, fill gift boxes with a personalized selection of monogrammed luggage tags, eye pillows, and other special somethings. 241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, boxbarphilly.com.
Boricua #2
The original shop in Northern Liberties is more of a takeout place, but with his new spot in Port Richmond, owner Hector Serrano encourages customers to sit in the dining room. Order the Boricua platter, with arroz con gandules (yellow rice and beans), pollo guisado with potato salad, and some pastelillos and relleno de papas, too. Before you leave, get some kola champagne from the fridge. It’s the soda you find around the way at the papi store. 3843 Aramingo Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19137, .
Monarch Yoga
This energetic, community-minded space has it all: a range of all-levels practices, from heated power flow to yin yoga and slow flow; roof-deck, garden and pop-up classes across the city; and regular $5 classes. Plus, the dynamic, rotating event roster includes live DJ sets, journaling, meditation and sound baths. 171 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, monarch-yoga.com.
M Concept
Shopping here is like taking a crash course in Philly’s design scene. Owner Ethan Nguyen will alert you to colorful local finds like Alexandra Damiano silk slip dresses, Tesoro handcrafted leather bags, and West Oak Design lightweight linen shifts. Then, once you’ve outfitted your closet, he’ll point you across the street to his new home-goods store, Weekend, to do the same for the rest of your house. 1540 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, mconceptshop.com.
The Vaccinators
This past year and a half, we’ve asked a lot of health-care workers. And as every level of government failed repeatedly, they stepped up. Ala Stanford saved the Kenney administration by vaccinating Philly’s communities of color. Pharmacist Mayank Amin worked until midnight delivering and administering vaccines throughout the Philly ’burbs. We could go on. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call them superheroes — and not just because Amin went around giving shots in a cape.
Black Shed
This 28-acre day-trip destination is a wonderland for frolicking amid garden lounges; encountering animals (pygmy goats! Chickens!); shopping for perennials, tropicals and vessels; and sipping an adult libation at the same time. Opened last October, it’s a relaxing source of inspiration for indoor-outdoor living. Don’t miss the apothecary-inspired bar, where a vintage seed-drawer unit displays wine bottles. 343 County Road 519, Stockton, NJ 08559, blkshd.com.
The Nesting House
Jen Kinka is what she calls an “anti-consumer,” with a longtime aversion to the throwaway retail economy. So the sustainable children’s shop the mother of three runs with husband Chris is an ideal marriage of work and personal ethics. The couple trade and sell gently used, kid-tested clothes for newborns up to eight-year-olds, along with new toys, books and other kids’ stuff from like-minded businesses. 542 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119, thenestinghouse.net.
Pure Barre
There are only about 50 items at the mini-shop inside this fitness studio, but you'll want every single one of them. The well-curated collection includes hard-to-find brands like Splits59 and Karma Wear, with a special emphasis on pieces equally suited for class and happy hour. And, yes, this is where to get those Pura Vida charm bracelets all your yogi friends are sporting. 1701 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, purebarre.com.
Blossom
Blink and you'll miss this little shop, which from the sidewalk looks as though it vends orchids only, but then reveals itself to be unrivaled when it comes to imaginative and sophisticated arrangements incorporating all sorts of blooms. We've tried DIY here; it doesn't quite work. Let owner Kevin Kim do his thing. You'll be happy. 225 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, .
Flowers and Company
Of all of the items on our very long list of Things Philadelphia Needs, "Cute Parisian flower shop staffed by adorable florists and stocking super-fresh flowers for last-minute centerpieces" can now be checked off, thanks to man-about-the-Square Jonathan Makar and his brilliant move to buy the old Million Farms and give it that certain je ne sais quoi it needed. 119 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/FlowersCompany.
Capones
This pantry-size bottle shop is tucked behind Capone's Restaurant, with its own separate entrance. It's dark. It's damp. It's lined floor-to-ceiling with dusty bottles of international craft beers. And it's the place to get your beer geek on, with rare one-offs from Russian River and barrel-aged picks from Founders. Did we mention it's open 365 days a year? 224 West Germantown Pike, Norristown, PA 19401, caponesdraftlist.blogspot.com.