Megan Bridge
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, thefidget.org/directors/megan-bridge.
Jess Conda
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, bratproductions.org/about/brats/jess-conda.
Jesse Sani
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, balletx.org/dancers.html.
James Ijames
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, jamesijames.weebly.com.
Trophy Bikes
The shop's many loyalists use words like "trustworthy," "down-to-earth" and "unsnobby" when they talk about the place. Even curmudgeonly, bike-bashing Stu Bykofsky has admitted that cycling activist Mike McGettigan at Trophy does right by the city with his work. We're awed. 712 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, trophybikes.com.
Bloomsday
It’s a pretty all-day cafe and coffee shop. But it’s also a wine bar and bottle shop where noted Wine Guys Tim Kweeder and Zach Morris prove — with their natural selections — that wine doesn’t have to be fusty or fussy. 414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bloomsdaycafe.com.
The Blue Béret
Like walking into the pages of a Madeline, Paddington Bear or Winnie the Pooh book — or any other tome that’s European and ultra-sweet. What started as an online shop last spring is now a pop-up shop (open until January at least …) that’s shared with other local makers and artists. 122 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, theblueberet.shop.
Menagerie
Much of the outfit-making jewelry at this year-old shop is of owner Kate Lawson's own design; some of it is from boutique names like Coralia Leets; all of it will end up either in your shopping bag or on your wish list. Eagle Village Shops, 503 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, ajeweledmenagerie.com.
Quakertown Farmers Market
Inside this sprawling, out-of-the-way market that features a pinball arcade and a wrestling venue, amid a strange mix of shops selling VHS tapes, incense, military surplus and vintage porno mags, you’ll find dining options that include a hand-sliced gyro counter; not one but two empanada shops; a baker with irresistible sticky buns; a new Korean luncheonette offering soft tofu stew, bulgogi and homemade kimchi by the pint; and chicken-wing palace the Coop, just for starters. Go hungry and explore. 201 Station Road, Quakertown, PA 18951, quakertownfarmersmkt.com.
Joan Shepp
Joan Shepp — both the store and the woman behind it — has dominated the Philly fashion conversation since 1971. Whether filling the racks with unknown labels on the edge of global greatness (Maison Margiela) or launching a Y-3 shop-in-shop (a collab between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto) years before the concept would go mainstream, Shepp, along with daughter Ellen, seems to always be consulting a couture crystal ball. 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, joanshepp.com.
Cella Luxuria
As furniture shopping becomes increasingly big-box and catalog-focused, this growing local shop delivers exactly what we want: options. The Chestnut Street flagship has soft leather sofas and industrial-cool accent pieces; the next-door sister store is dedicated to mid-century modern, and the newest Queen Village annex has all the same great brands, plus more of those home-making accessories. 1214-1216 Chestnut Street and 331 South Street, 19107, cellaluxuria.com.
Cipolli Cannoli
Indulge your inner pastry chef and avoid the dreaded soggy shell with adorable kits from Cipolli. Inside the box: ready-to-squeeze filling, mini or full-size shells, toppings and powdered sugar to sprinkle, and a paper doily for proper presentation. Order online ahead of time the shop's only open for a few hours on Fridays and Saturdays. 1150 South Atlantic Avenue, Collingswood, PA 08108, cipollicannoli.com.
Verge Athlete at Verge Yoga
Here's your ticket to a less embarrassing round of golf with your boss: Former University of Pittsburgh baseball-player-turned-yogi Dan Williams can get your jump shot, backhand or chip shot in shape with his sports-focused yoga-and-conditioning class. With the help of an AeroSling suspension system, he can improve your balance, power and strength in the field or on the links. 250 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, vergeyogacenter.com.
Ali’s Wagon
Fairmounters heaved a collective sigh of disappointment when home and gift shop (and 2017 BOP winner) Division IV shuttered earlier this year. But we needn’t have despaired: Owner Jessie Menken simply moved all of her gift-able goodies down the block to sister shop Ali’s Wagon, so we can still buy those terrifically thoughtful hostess gifts – candles, tote bags, tea towels, olive oils, salt scrubs, simple syrups, mugs – for anyone kind enough to invite us over for dinner. 2017 Fairmount Ave , Philadelphia , PA 19130, aliswagon.com.
Vitality Meditation
Stressed about not meditating enough to deal with your stress? Drop into a class at Vitality, where a pro will guide you through a 30-minute unplug sesh in the cool, quiet, well-appointed studio. 1856 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, vitalitymeditation.com.