Di Bruno Bros. Bottle Shop at the Franklin
Carved out of Di Bruno's 9th and Chestnut location, this beer store encourages customers to stop and linger with excellent cheesemonger-approved pairings. If you're just stopping in to get a six-pack on the run, they've got you covered with wrapped and ready-to-eat hoppy cheese plates to take with you. 834 Chestnut Street, Washington Square West 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, dibrunobottleshop.com/#about.
Zoey Smith
Michael Smith was a basketball player as a kid, but he taught himself the game of golf when his daughter Zoey showed an interest in the game as a four-year-old. When Michael died unexpectedly in 2019, Zoey abruptly quit golfing — it just wasn’t the same without him. But the athletic director at her high school, the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, coaxed her to pick up her clubs again, and last fall, she became the only player on its spanking-new girls golf team. How’d that work out? Pretty darned well: The sophomore won the Public League individual championship despite being the youngest competitor there. Fore!
Delsette
While most shops focus solely on statement garments, this treasure chest pays just as much (or more!) attention to its accessory assortment. Evidence: tables rife with pendants and chokers; shelves lined with shoes and carryalls. 47 Saint Georges Road, Ardmore, PA 19003, delsette.com.
ToBox
Take your dull, beat-up shoes, bags, belts and briefcases to his men's footwear shop, and they'll restore and repaint the leather by hand. Note: They do briefcases and belts, too. 25 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/Toboxshoes.
Princeton
We locals spill much ink over summertime escapes down the A.C. Expressway. But take a straight shot up 95, and you’ll see a very different New Jersey — one full of art, history, shopping and natural thrills. Revel in Revolutionary history at Princeton Battlefield State Park, pick your own berries at Terhune Orchards, or take a kayak tour at Mercer County Park. You’ll find shopping and dining in Palmer Square, just outside the eponymous university’s gates — favorites include Princeton Record Exchange, Small World Coffee, toy store JaZams, and farm-to-table Agricola.
Expect Lace
Shaw Lewis launched Expect Lace to provide an inclusive, safe space in which to shop for intimates. The store carries sizes from 30A to 42J, whether they’re fancy underthings or workhorse basics. Also on offer: sequined one-piece swimsuits and travel-size vibrators. 4403 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, expectlace.com.
Metro Men's Clothing
Dudes. You're kind of miserable when it comes to shopping, yes? And when you can dress yourself in one fell swoop from the jacket to the tee to the denim to the shoes this makes you less miserable, correct? Go here. Be less miserable. 1615 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, metromensclothing.com.
The Sable Collective
This Fashion District shop has two main missions: to be welcoming to Black women and women of color, and to showcase products made by artisans from Black and marginalized communities. How does that translate? Into a place that’s got a little mysticism (crystal kits), a little beauty (Zen in a Jar shea butters), a little fashion (stunning bronze hoop earrings), a little sass (“Take No Shit” totes), and a whole lot of authentic community. Shop online, too. 901 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thesablecollective.com.
Duross and Langel
We'll try not to gush too much but these guys are everything that's right with the city. It's not just the products (though truly, there isn't a soap, lotion, candle or hair-care product we haven't nearly tried to eat). It's what's in them (preservative-free ingredients derived from botanicals), how they're made (in small batches, in the in-house soap kitchen or nearby lab), how they're done up (in 100 percent recyclable packaging), and how they're sold in a way that totally builds up the community the store is part of (joining with other Midtown Village businesses for sales and events, and employing local Service and Help), that make this a model for how to run an independent shop in Philadelphia. So, the gushing thing? Yeah, we take it back. 117 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, durossandlangel.com.
Stump
This plant shop may have gotten its start in Ohio, but it’s put down firm roots in Philly. Since opening its first area location in NoLibs in 2018, Stump’s footprint has grown exponentially: A University City shop opened in 2021, followed a year later by outposts in Bella Vista and Devon, each one chicer than the last. Visit any one of these for houseplants, vessels, repotting services, and all the green-thumb know-how you’ll need — or just stop in for pure inspiration. stumpplants.com.
Haddonfield
It's just so freakin'cute. Seriously like,How could I swing moving here? cute. But besides the ridiculously charming, friendly, bucolic atmosphere along Kings Highway East, the shopping is simply divine. There's everything from kid stuff (Pipsqueak) to women's wear (Maxwell James) to sporting equipment (Haddonfield Running Company) to jewelry (McNelis and Sherry) to art galleries (Accent Studio) to gifts (Serendipity) to home furnishings (The Upholstery Shop) to lingerie (Georgie Girl Boutique) to music (Siren's Song) to spas and salons (Salon M Design) to ... Oh, we're tired. Just go, already. 00000, shophaddonfieldnj.com.
Minimal Chaos
On family trips to the Middle East, Sarah Naji’s father spent hours scouring the souks for the perfect rug. The Point Breeze-based entrepreneur is following in his footsteps with her pandemic-born business. Naji sources hand-knotted works from Turkey and at local antique shops, prizing age (some are 100 years old) and clever colors. She even walks the walk: Her shoes are made from salvaged kilim rugs. minimalchaos.pink.
Short Range Missiles at Hop Sing Laundromat
High-end liquor at ridiculously low prices (starting as cheap as $3.50), served alone and unadorned at a spot famous for mixed drinks? This is basically the bar's gift to its regulars (and those comfortable with drinking shots before the sun goes down), so find yourself some nice shoes, leave the cell phone in your pocket (it's the owner's biggest rule), and go take advantage between 5 and 7 p.m. (sometimes 8 p.m.). 1029 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, hopsinglaundromat.com.
Rittenhouse Sports Specialties
The running world is rife with high-tech gear, logos and marketing flash, but sometimes, don't you just want to focus on the basics of your feet hitting the pavement? That's why buying shoes (and browsing through a manageable selection of accessories like water bottles, and some shorts and tees) is so refreshing at this low-key shop, where the owner is a runner herself and totally gets it. 1729 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rittenhousesports.com.
Distrito
Authentic Mexican this isn't. But order the los hongos huarache (mushroom flatbread) or the camarones and chorizo tacos, and you'll fight your friends for the last bites. But take heed: No matter how many Cabo Wabo shots you've had, control the urge to try on one of the Mexican wrestling masks. 3945 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, philadelphia.distritorestaurant.com.