Robbini Bespoke
Rob Fung of Robbini Bespoke. Photograph by Linette and Kyle Kielinski A month after he shows up at your home or office with his measuring tape and look books — plus a massive array of Italian fabric samples (the Super 180s are oh-so-divine) — 38-year-old Rob Fung will return with a blazer, suit or trousers that will make everything else in your closet look sloppy and sad. Just ask his regular customers — a whole bunch of Philadelphia Eagles. robbini.com.
JKo Beauty
Last year, JKo Beauty founder Jennifer Kochenour launched virtual personalized makeup tutorials so that those of us who wanted to offset our masks with the perfect smoky eye could learn how from the safety of our own homes. This year, as one of the region’s top bridal makeup artists, Kochenour is busy with all those rescheduled weddings. But she still makes time — and is the best in the game — for makeup how-tos. jkobeauty.com.
Michael Gagliardi
Ultra-runner Michael Gagliardi. Photograph by Jeff Fusco When Somerton’s Michael “Gagz” Gagliardi set out to run the perimeter of Philadelphia, he was just looking to keep himself busy during stay-at-home orders. But he mapped his route turn by turn, then released those directions publicly (find ’em at phillymag.com/fourcornersrun), thereby setting a new, extremely hype running goal for every Philly runner out there, the likes of which Philly’s fitness community hasn’t seen since the Rocky 50K Fat Ass Run. phillymag.com/be-well-philly/2020/04/27/perimeter-of-philadelphia-run/.
Headlong Dance Theater
In 1993, three local dancers got together to form this company, dedicated to creating groundbreaking original works that span nearly a dozen styles and offer commentary on the world we live in. In September, they make their fifth Live Arts Festival appearance with This Town is a Mystery, which takes the notion of site-specific work to the extreme-Headlong convinced four real Philadelphia families to perform original dances in their own homes. For audiences. 1170 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, headlong.org/.
Prodigy Pest Solutions
Owner Matt Kelley worked as a service technician with one of the big exterminator companies for many years, killing every bug in sight. But the impersonal nature of the job was killing something in him. So he started his own company, specializing in treating homes infested by the notoriously hard-to-kill bedbug. Giving his cell-phone number to customers, personally answering calls well after dinnertime, and utilizing the newest, most effective heat-technology, Kelley has built a company, Prodigy, that is both folksy and, for bedbugs, fatal. 231 Printz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19029, prodigypestsolutions.com/.
Sea Devil, Point Pleasant Beach
There are plenty of fishing boats in South Jersey, but on Captain Bob Pennington's Sea Devil, you and 17 of your best friends can spend 23 hours (5 p.m. to 4 p.m. the next day) tuna fishing with a pro. After 39 years of commercial fishing in these waters, Captain Bob knows how to find the fish, so expect to bring your cooler home packed with sushi-ready yellowfin. Cost is $325 per person, tackle included; rod rental is $20 each. 405 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, partyboatnj.com.
iRepairWorks
iRepairWorks will replace the screen — or broken home button, speaker or battery — on your iPhone or iPad in a half hour or less, using only authentic, brand-new Apple parts. Can't pull yourself away from the office for a measly 30 minutes? No problem. They'll send a courier to fetch your phone and return it later. 1358 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, phillyiphonerepair.com.
Johnson's Corner Farm
The pick-your-own experience at Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford has become a bit Disney-fied (something your three-year-old probably appreciates), but the giant farm market at the end is your grown-up reward: The fruit is still warm from the sun, the just-fried cider doughnuts are legendary, and the chef's home-cooked savory items (pulled pork, lasagna, sandwiches) are unexpectedly great. 133 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055, johnsonsfarm.com.
Yards Brewing Company
When Yards moved its flagship from Delaware Avenue to Spring Garden, we were all a little shook. We just didn’t know what to expect, and change is scary. But the new Yards feels like it always has – a beer-nerd paradise where friends and family flock to throw down on crispy pale ales, Love stouts, and wings tossed in long hot pepper sauce. You know, home. 500 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, yardsbrewing.com/.
Philly Zoo at 2
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. facebook.com/philadelphiazoo/videos/?ref=page_internal.
Omoi Zakka Shop
Some of the office accessories at Omoi Zakka Shop. Photograph courtesy Omoi Zakka Shop The supplies here are often ingenious (pen holders that clip onto notebooks, an ergonomic package cutter), clearly high-quality (Blackwing pencils, a goat-leather all-purpose carrying sleeve), and always display-worthy (brass rulers, soft leather journals). But mostly, they’re fun (see: cat-shaped paper clips, Pac-Man sticky notes). Because if you haven’t embraced the fact that your home office is possibly your permanent office, it’s time. 41 South 3rd Street; 1608 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106; 19103, omoionline.com/.
Yowie
Picture an of-the-moment art gallery: minimalist white walls, colorful sculptures, a painfully cool curator. Now, imagine everything is for sale. That’s Yowie—except the sculptures are eclectic homewares (Felt + Fat ceramics, Dusen Dusen throw pillows) and the curator is owner Shannon Maldonado, who opened the tiny home and lifestyle boutique after a year of buzzy pop-ups all over the city. 716 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, shopyowie.com/.
Life's Patina
Imagine if Terrain and Restoration Hardware had a European baby and you've got Life's Patina,a 19th-century barn that's packed with a jaw-dropping spread of salvaged and restored furniture and home goods. While the barn is open by appointment year-round, the seasonal sales are what you really should go for, with ticketed, catered preview parties the night before so you can get first dibs. (Psst: There's one next month!). 1750 North Valley Road, Malvern, PA 19355, lifespatina.com/.
ReStore of Philadelphia
What happens to the gorgeous original finishes that are ripped out of historic Philly homes when they undergo renovations? They wind up in this two-story salvage warehouse, which is teeming with ornate crystal light fixtures, glass doorknobs, boxes of real subway tiles, carved wooden mantels and porcelain sinks and tubs. (Do with them what you will!) 3016 East Thompson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, re-store-online.com/.
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/.