Garces Trading Company
Is it a gourmet grocery? A BYOB? A coffee shop? Who cares? Customers can't get enough of the convenience of a PLCB wine store plunked directly inside this market/cafe or of Jose Garces's pan-European fare. Could this be one tiny step for the modernization of the state store system and one giant leap for wine-lovers (and diners) in PA? Here's hoping. 1111 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, garcestradingcompany.com.
West Elm Market
You will literally want everything from West Elms new store-in-a-store kitchen shop. If you have the cabinet room, stock up on fire engine-red enamel cookware, glazed porcelain canisters (with adorable painted labels), monogrammed stemless glassware and pretty gold-plated utensils. On second thought, get it all and just make the room. 1330 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, westelm.com/shop/market-general-store.
Philadelphia Salvage
Greening your home takes on a whole new meaning at this dusty shop where old doors, claw-foot tubs and antique tile are rescued from crumbling spaces and repurposed for modern pads. If owner Chris Stock doesn't have exactly what you need, he'll keep an eye out-and chances are he'll see it soon enough. 542 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119, philadelphiasalvage.com.
Le Virtù
It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
The Sexploratorium and Passional Boutique
The Sexploratorium offers toys, classes, art openings and expert advice for sexual enthusiasts of all manners, genders and preferences, and its partner store, Passional, can provide you with any necessary unmentionables, silky or otherwise. The atmosphere is welcoming, the offerings are endlessly diverse, and the staff is approachable but not pushy. (Because who wants pushy help in a sex shop?) 317 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, passionalboutique.wordpress.com.
Rittenhouse Square Farmers' Market
EXPERT PICK: "Open year-round every Saturday, this market packs so much into a single block. With the amazing produce from Beechwood Orchards, the swoon-worthy Buttercup Brie from Cherry Grove Farm and fresh scallops from Shore Catch, I can easily do a weeks worth of grocery shopping." — Marisa McClellan, local blogger author of the canning cookbook Food in Jars. 18th and Walnut streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103, farmtocity.org/FarmersMarkets.asp.
True Blue Bakery
The simplest pie at this Australian shop in the western suburbs is treated like the national treasure it is — flaky-crusted and filled with delicious gravy, ground beef and onions — but True Blue only starts there. It would be unforgivable to leave without some pasties for lunch, a vanilla slice or Lamington cake for dessert, and a couple sausage rolls just to keep you going through the day. 324 Main Street, Royersford, PA 19468, truebluebakery.com.
Philly's Fake-Injury Cops
As if the police department needed any more PR problems, the Inquirer reported that more than 650 officers — 11 percent of the force — are out on full-pay injury leave, many of them spending their “recuperation” doing things like running a roofing business or winning an MVP award in a slow-pitch softball league. This is the same department that just received a $30 million budget increase, mostly to cover — what else? — rising officer salaries.
Fast Local Locksmith
There are home services where response times don’t especially matter, like furniture assembly or hanging pictures. (Come on, they’ve been leaning against the wall since the day you moved in.) And then there are times when you’re locked out of your home with three whining kids. And it’s snowing. Fast Local is professional, clear at communicating, and, most importantly, super-speedy. 1526 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, fast-locallocksmith.com.
70Six Boutique
With more than 15 businesses set to debut through 2022, NoLibs is in the midst of a neighborhood renaissance. 70Six, a trend-focused women’s-wear shop with a Cali-cool slant and affordable prices, was among the earliest to open its doors, in May. The first retail concept of its kind in the area is already a fast favorite for best-friend birthday gifts, self-care essentials (read: candles), and vacation-worthy going-out tops. 215 West Laurel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, shop70six.com.
Yum Yum Bakeshop
Go ahead, judge these treats on how they look. You won’t be disappointed. Multiple locations, yumyumbakeshops.com.
Nakashima Woodworkers
George Nakashima was one of the best woodworkers and furniture designers of the 20th century. He was born in 1905 in Spokane, where he began his career, and in the ’40s relocated to New Hope, where he set up shop and produced some of his finest creations. Nakashima died in 1990, but his daughter keeps his legacy alive at his workshop, where the craft continues to this day. Tours of it and the grounds are available by appointment only. 1847 Aquetong Road, New Hope, PA 18938, nakashimawoodworkers.com.
Farina Di Vita
Since evolving from an online operation to a brick-and-mortar, Farina Di Vita — which translates to “flour of life,” and rightfully so — has quickly earned a rep as the new Italian-grocery darling. The shop sells everything from a very good tuna hoagie to olives and peppers to portioned entrées like handmade stuffed shells and what are easily some of the best chicken cutlets around. 250 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, instagram.com/farinadivita.
Note to Self
The vision behind Note to Self — the women-owned mini spa that opened in November? Slowing down with your wellness. That’s why there’s a menu of restorative services (relaxing massages, nurturing facials, acupuncture, an energy-healing experience) plus beauty services from waxing to makeup sessions. You’ll come in for one treatment, then add on another and another and another until before you know it, you’ve passed the whole day in pure bliss. 1401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19122, notetoselfwellness.com.
Bravado Philly
Because you can’t shop for a BVI vacation at 9 p.m. the night before you leave, Pamela Caruso and Jennifer Rossi will bring the racks (and plenty of coordinating accessories) right to you. The concierge stylists have also sourced $55 black-tie gowns and held meetings in day-care parking lots — they can even arrange for a tailor to come to your home or office. bravadophilly.com.