Thunderdogz
Michelle MeGill of Thunderdogz. Photograph by Jeff Fusco We’d be lying if we didn’t say part of the reason we love this company is because we love saying THUNDERDOGZ over and over. But owner Michelle MeGill’s positive reinforcement style is what really keeps us coming back.
Epic Mobile Detailing
On their days off, Philly firefighters Tyrone Thomas and Cleveland Jones bring their industrial-strength vacuum and half a dozen crates of potions and polishers to you. They’ll spend hours erasing coffee spills, buffing out the evidence of a swipe with a suburban mailbox, and whisking away every last speck of dirt, making your ride as close to perfect as it’s been since you drove it off the lot.
Philatuner Piano Works
Owner, technician and pianist Tom Rudnitsky is rebuilding an 85-key piano that survived the Holocaust (it’s the subject of an upcoming documentary), and he once repaired a piano seen on HBO’s Westworld. When he’s not in his workshop, he’s out tuning up to 16 instruments a week using traditional methods developed in the 1800s. 1901 South 9th Street 215B, Philadelphia, PA 19148
South Philly Time Capsules
Is this technically a helper or a fixer? No! Absolutely not. But this IG account highlights the best (or worst, depending on your thoughts on shag carpet) that South Philly real estate has to offer, and for that, we’re grateful. The name says it all: Think lemon yellow toilets, Kermit green kitchens, and enough mirrors to make you think you’re at the state fair.
Philly Fixers Guild
That boombox with the fuzzy left speaker. The vacuum cleaner that just doesn’t suck as much as it used to. Time was, you’d leave them on the curb and buy new ones. Philly Fixers Guild is trying to change that by using volunteer fixers to help Philadelphians “repair rather than replace.” The group holds fairs to which you can bring your janky items and walk away with them as good as new. Don’t toss that alarm clock just yet.
Keystone Sign & Company
Keystone Sign & Company at work. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Even if you don’t know the name, you know the work. DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market. Love City Brewing. Garage in Fishtown, Primal Supply Meats in Brewerytown, K’Far, and scores of other signs, all hand-painted by Christian Cantiello and his crew. The next time you walk into a restaurant, bar or shop, look a little more closely at the logo out front — there’s a good chance it’s Cantiello’s work.
Home Appétit
Sick of having to plan, shop for and cook freaking dinner? Also sick of takeout? Home Appétit delivers enough precooked meals to your doorstep at the start of the week to feed your family through the weekend. No meal kits with shrink-wrapped garlic and complicated instructions, no pizza boxes — just a fridge full of food that actually tastes good.
Fitted
Reid Moncada had a “visceral” reaction to laundry day while attending Penn State, so in 2018, he and Brian Vargas launched this mobile wash-and-dry service. The biz is now in 17 cities and partners with local cleaners to do your dirty work. Pay by the pound or via a subscription; schedule a pickup, and your clothes will be returned refreshed.
Mole Street Baker
When she’s not churning out vegetarian versions of Chilean classics at Kampar Kitchen’s Bok pop-ups, Cote Tapia-Marmugi moonlights as the city’s most in-demand custom cake designer. Towering bat mitzvah cakes topped with feathers, pink-frosted confections that you’d swear were real flamingos — there’s nothing Tapia-Marmugi can’t do.
Neil’s Sharpening Service
It’s tomato season, and there’s nothing worse than having the Brandywine for your BLT mangled by a dull knife. Swing by Chestnut Hill’s Market at the Fareway (and a rotating collection of farmers’ markets), and Neil Jacob will spark that blade back to life.
Ferrarini & Co.
Ferrarini & Co. only accepts a few projects every year, prioritizing what matters most to each homeowner. You won’t just cook in your kitchen — you’ll actually enjoy it. 110 South 20th Street #202a, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Good Buy Supply
Good Buy Supply in East Passyunk. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Bring your own jar to this East Passyunk storefront to fill up on laundry powder, dish soap, shampoo, and other household staples. This “low-waste” shop features everything you need to lessen your footprint, from muslin produce bags to bamboo toothbrushes. 1737 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Exact Solar
This Newtown company has been in the solar game for years, helping thousands of Pennsylvania and New Jersey homes convert. In addition to homes, they hook up solar pool heaters. 1655 Fairfield Road, Yardley, PA 19067
The Rounds
The Rounds uses the power of collective buying to help eliminate wasteful cardboard and plastic packaging. Instead of landing a dozen delivery boxes at your door — which then head right into the recycling bin or trash can — the Rounds delivers your toilet paper or dog treats in a reusable canvas tote. The company has already teamed up with 20 apartment buildings across the city.
Philly’s Circular Non-Delivery Decal Program
You know all those menus and supermarket inserts scattered in your storm drains and whipping into a twister every time the wind blows? Now there’s a way to get rid of them. Sign up for the city’s Circular Non-Delivery Decal program, and they’ll send you a shiny decal to let companies know you don’t want their handbills.
Rabbit Recycling
This city’s recycling program isn’t great, and that’s even after we stopped secretly burning our recyclables. Rabbit Recycling aims to fix that, by collecting and — novel concept — actually recycling or reusing the items they collect — and they collect a lot. Sometimes that means painstakingly removing the plastic caps from dozens of milk cartons; other times, it’s pulling the foil from contact-lens packages. The best part? You can swing by their shop and snag bottle caps or boxes or whatever else you may need. 1518 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Squirrel Family Out of Your Chimney
Wildman Wildlife Solutions
You’ll be forgiven if you confuse “Wildman” Mark Prusaitis with Bigfoot; after all, he created a swole Bigfoot with his own face as his company mascot. Anthropomorphic mythical creatures aside, no one’s better at humanely removing raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and whatever else you got living rent-free on your property.
Christina Henck of Henck Design
This Philly designer has produced spectacular aeries for Eagle Rodney McLeod and ex-Eagle Malcolm Jenkins as well as for regular folks in less palatial estates — each time capturing her client’s unique personality. Her Fabric Row boutique is designed to put ideas in your head. 733 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Artistic Pools
Has your backyard turned into a weedy dumping ground for bikes and unfinished home-improvement projects? Try something new. Illustration by Liam Eisenberg It’s hard to spend a few minutes on the Artistic Pools website and not walk away thinking, “Why don’t I have a pool?” If you’re trying to scratch that itch, look no further. Designs here stretch from tiny 14-footers all the way to 45 feet. 2312 Wallace Boulevard, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Meadow Creek Barbecue Supply
It’s a bit of a drive, but the folks at family-owned Meadow Creek Barbecue Supply have everything you need to grill, smoke, roast and baste your heart out. True enthusiasts should sign up for one of their classes as well — who doesn’t need to know how to butcher a deer? 140 West Main Street, New Holland, PA 17557
EcoLandscapes
No project is too big or too small for the wizards at EcoLandscapes. This organic company employs native plants to help your landscaping contribute to the local ecosystem, whether that’s a small rowhouse patio or a suburban meadow.
Maidencreek Co.
Don’t have space for a garden? Try a window box instead. Maidencreek Co.’s seasonal creations let clients appreciate the natural flora around them instead of mass-produced flowers flown in from the Netherlands and South America. Their pop-ups at Di Bruno Bros. locations across the city have been a smash. 1022 Buttonwood Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Groundwork
Couple Brian Foster and Ernie Sesskin have been making custom furniture for close to 30 years. Using locally sourced and salvaged wood, they craft ideal outdoor benches, tables and even planters. 717 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146