Scarlett's Closet
The hours are spotty. The location doesn't seem like a sure thing. That tropical-scene-splashed circle skirt you just have to have is missing its price tag. And everything seems to bear a subtle trace of eau de ashtray. But odors come out at the dry cleaner, and nowhere will you find a deeper selection of well-preserved versions of things your Madison Avenue Nana wore in her day, from ladylike black dress suits (so Sterling Cooper) to jewel-adorned clutches to Mrs. Robinson-esque lounge-about-the-pool wear. 1034 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, .
Andrew Meredith
This 38-year-old Northeast native's debut work, a memoir called The Removers, is dark and bleak and funny and utterly Philly. The down-on-his-luck narrator joins his sad dad, a disgraced former La Salle prof, in the business of making house calls to pick up corpses for local funeral homes. Between encounters with the dead and those they leave behind, he meanders in and out of love affairs, observes the dissolution of his parents' marriage, and ponders why he can't seem to gain any traction. A tour de force that should be the hands-down choice for the next One Book, One Philadelphia campaign. andrewmeredith.net.
Todd Young
Whether you’re trying to restore your grandmother’s Royal Quiet De Luxe or just get the dust-covered Remington that’s been sitting in your attic working well enough to type some letters up old-school-style, this typewriter geek has the tools and know-how to get the job done — and more affordably than some other folks in the biz. Find him through Mount Airy’s W.P.M. Typewriter Shop, just across from Weavers Way. 6819 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119, wpmtypewritershop.com.
Proyecto Tamal
Pre-coronavirus, Ana Caballero was the chef at Lost Bread Co. But when disaster struck, she lost her job and turned her talents to protecting those being failed by our all-too-fragile social safety nets. This is how Proyecto Tamal was born. In partnership with Lost Bread and in collaboration with two families each week, Caballero does a weekly tamale sale, with recipes defined by the partner families and supplies covered by Venmo donations (@proyecto-tamal). All money raised goes to the families she works with. An average run of 400 tamales can mean $1,500 for a family in need. To Philly’s credit, the tamales have been selling out fast every week. lost-bread-co.myshopify.com/collections/project-tamale.
9th Street Bottle Shop
Buying wine (or any alcohol, really) in Pennsylvania is generally a pain in the butt. The Di Bruno Bros. Bottle Shop in the center of the Italian Market sweetens the deal with a curated selection at a range of price points, all of which can be opened and glugged across the street in DBB’s sunny piazza. Bring takeout from any of the surrounding restaurants, or grab some chips and tinned fish from Di Bruno’s shelves. 920 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, dibruno.com/9th-street-bottle-shop.
My Little Redemption
The clothing here ranges from whimsical to aggressively modern, but it's all refreshingly different, in part because all the items are from Israeli designers -- including Kidem Sassoon, Assaf Pelleg and Mizo -- so talented that they give Paris a run for its money. 126 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, facebook.com/MyLittleRedemption.
Dawn Staley
The hoops being played in South Philly when the pandemic struck were maddeningly inconsistent. The Philly hoops being played farther south were consistently euphoric. The South Carolina Gamecocks’ women’s team — helmed by Philly legend Dawn Staley — went 32-1, won their last 26 games, and in a season without a tournament were the consensus national champs. Staley rightly won the prestigious Naismith Coach of the Year award, making her the first such winner to have also previously won the Naismith Player of the Year award (which she did in 1991 and ’92). One wonders what madness March might have wrought.
Pizzeria Vetri
If the fior di latte soft-serve were any smoother, it would slide right out of the cup. 1615 Chancellor Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, pizzeriavetri.com.
Virtual Classes
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. We know you love those little rascals, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need some “me” time now and then. 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. Settlement Music School is offering Settlement Kids Live (settlementmusic.org), with free music and dance classes for children streamed live on Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday. If your offspring have energy to burn, InMovement Gymnastics Education (phillyinmovement.com) has online tumbling, karate and dance classes. Pick the one that’s right for your little one, and you may actually get the chance to use the bathroom without being interrupted. And the Philly Zoo at 2 (philadelphiazoo.org) introduces kids to all kinds of creatures every weekday at 2 p.m. via Facebook Live — and keeps an archive of past videos for hours of educational streaming.
Beck's Cajun Cafe
Sorry, DiNic's, but the authentic muffulettas and po'boys here (which are pretty much the only real-deal Cajun around) have stolen our love. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, beckscajuncafe.com.
David Jeffrey Harper
Di Bruno Bros. cheesemonger Harper delivers the right dinner-party recs without making you feel dumb for not knowing the difference between gorgonzola and Roquefort. facebook.com/Di-Bruno-Bros-150551229134172.
Cedric
Emcee Cedric from All-Around Entertainment (who often travels with a DJ) is the clever, personable, animated guy who keeps> your mitzvahs and weddings rocking. 470 A Veit Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, allaroundentertainment.com.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Surrounded by vintage Philly memorabilia (the old Wanamaker sign, for instance), you'll order cheap beers ($1 mugs on Tuesdays!) from friendly bartenders while being able to sit and actually have a conversation. 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, mcgillins.com.
Deconstructed Living
Being faced with a birthday party for a particularly persnickety co-worker is daunting. Finding him an inspired gift a chardonnay-scented candle in a reclaimed wine bottle at this cheery boutique is not. 201 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, deconstructedliving.com.
VinChelle
Beyoncé enthusiast VinChelle, one of Philly’s best drag queens / Photograph by Jonathan Hernandez Lots of drag queens pay tribute to Queen Bey, but VinChelle goes above and beyond. See for yourself at one of her Beyoncé-themed parties, the next being at Franky Bradley’s on August 12th. instagram.com/_vinchelle_.