Vestige
When the novelty of wearing sweats 24/7 wears off, head to this shop, where casual-comfy-chic dressing was being elevated to an art form well before the pandemic. Everything here — from the cream-colored elastic-waist pants to the gauzy maxi dresses to the dusty blue foam-soled leather slides — is breezy, loose, and insanely wearable. 2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, shop-vestige.com.
Black Moth Tattoo & Gallery
Think tattoo shop and art gallery is an unusual pairing? It’s not for owner/tattooist Steve Martin, who has a BFA in painting and graphic design. Wander in and you’ll be blown away by the amazing fine-art shows he curates, which range from classic oil landscapes to pop-culture commentary collages to printmaking abstracts — often done by local talent. All art is available for purchase online, too. 18 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, blackmothtattooandgallery.com.
Settlement Music School
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. settlementmusic.org/music/settlement-digital.
The "Leave Philly Alone" T-Shirt
The “Leave Philly Alone” T-Shirt. Photograph by Ian Shiver Is it a message to the coronavirus? A silk-screened missive from our collective id? Our answer to “Don’t Mess With Texas”? Whatever it is, the “Leave Philly Alone” t-shirt from the tattoo-and-design outfit True Hand Society — purchasers of which have the option of donating $10 to one of numerous local businesses hamstrung by the shutdown — is the perfect fusion of cause and mantra. It’s struck a chord, raising more than $40,000. And we look pretty damned good in it, if we say so ourselves. leavephillyalone.com.
Rutabaga Toy Library
Rutabaga Toy Library in East Falls. Photograph by Krystal Cunillera The biz model at Krystal Cunillera’s cheery East Falls toy lending library is simple — and simply brilliant. Pay a $35 monthly membership fee, check out up to three toys at a time (options include everything from Kick & Play piano gyms to Frozen-themed scooters), then exchange whenever your kids get bored. Not only will you cut down on spending and clutter; you’ll also be doing your family’s part to cut down on waste. 3452 Conrad Street, C2, Philadelphia, PA 19129, rutabagatoylibrary.com.
The Motherchic
Villanova’s Lindsey Schuster has turned raising four little boys into a modish enterprise by giving her nearly 100K Instagram followers affordable ideas for looking cool while mom-ing out — and making them easy to buy. themotherchic.com..
Smak Parlour
This staple has a rotating collection of quick night-out finds (spotted on a recent trip: a striped jumpsuit and a knot crop top) that are mostly under $100, but of way better quality than what you’ll get at Forever 21. 219 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, smakparlour.com.
Spogue Kitchens & Bath
Yes, it’ll be hard to walk past the marble countertops and custom Shaker cabinets, but keep your eye on the real prize: the collection of 20th-century drawings and paintings procured directly from renowned art markets in France and waiting for your walls. 302 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, spogue.com.
3rd Street Hardware
3rd Street Hardware. Photograph by Jared Gruenwald It’s as hip as an art gallery and as cool as a record store, but this year-and-a-half-old shop still has all the Dremel tools, rat traps, HVAC filters, trash bins, tub caulk, etc., that a homeowner could ever need. 153 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, .
Harry’s World
You can smell the (organic) incense wafting from a block away. Inside, you’ll find all things transcendental, including ritualistic candles, smudge sticks and spiritual oils that are made in-house. 1210 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, harryspirtualworld.com.
Capa Shoe and Leather
They’ll fix your downtrodden soles and broken straps with the artisanship that has kept them in business since 1936. 1015 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, philadelphiacustomleather.com.
Bar Snacks at V Street
There are three snacks on the happy-hour menu: spicy cold chiu chow noodles, tacos with cured tofu and Peruvian chilies, and chocolate beignets. Order all three, then order them again. 124-126 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, vstreetfood.com.
Old Italian at Uncle Oogie’s
Simple, straightforward, perfected — this is pan pizza that doesn’t come with an agenda. No one wants to think too much about dinner on a weekday night anyway. Multiple locations. uncleoogies.com.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
There are always crowds outside of Angelo’s, a surefire sign that whatever’s being handed over the counter is worth a wait. If you’re smart, you’ll order a sandwich, the eggplant rollantini, and the monster square pies. 736 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, angelospizzeriasouthphiladelphia.com.
Aunt Berta’s Kitchen
Whole fried chicken, Cajun-spiced wings, fish and grits, pig’s feet with collard greens and potato salad — any home-style soul food you’re craving can be found at Berta’s. Additional location in Berlin, N.J. 639 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107, auntbertaskitchen.com.