Forge & Finish
Because it’s more fun to make it than to Amazon-Prime it, there are outfits like Kensington’s Forge & Finish, where you’ll create sculptural sterling silver pieces. forgeandfinish.com.
Erdon
Because when your – mostly black – clothes feature details like asymmetric drapes (tops from Japanese line Moyuru), funky drawstrings and ties (cardigans and blouses from Ivan Grundahl), and architectural knots and pleats (dresses and pants from Lebanese line Replika), there’s no need to mess around with it’ll-be-out-next-season color trends. 162 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, erdon.co.
ReDecor Home Consignment
If all of the Main Line got together and had a communal yard sale, it’d look something like this shop, where very gently used French marble sideboards, antique claw-foot dressers and rich leather love seats find fresh life in new – equally fabulous – homes. 880 West Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, redecorhome.com.
Sole Active
This activewear boutique popped up on the scene last year and has been slaying the stylish workout-gear game ever since, with graphic leggings, tanks, sports bras and shorts that you’ll want to wear long after you’ve left the gym. 107 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, shopsoleactive.com.
PhilaPets
Got a weekend trip? After-work event? Impromptu beach day? Don’t let your four-legged friend hold you back. PhilaPets dispatches a dedicated expert (the same person every time) to visit Fido multiple times a day and shower him with love, attention and pee breaks. (They’ll also water your plants and collect the mail.) Booking can be done online, and real-time updates are communicated via app. Services greater Center City. philapets.com.
Vetter Pet Care
If “make vet appointment” keeps falling to the bottom of your to-do list, take note: Vetter, a newly launched local service, will send a Penn-trained vet to your house (early, late, weekends, next-day) for a checkup, to administer vaccines or to provide ’scripts. And you’ll get a post-visit summary via email. Services parts of Philadelphia and the Main Line. vetterpetcare.com.
PlayArts
Three times a week, you can blow kisses to the littles before climbing the stairs to the wi-fi-and-coffee-equipped loft. You’ll get in some work (define work any way you want) while the kids are supervised and entertained in the giant play area. Register 24 hours in advance; the first hour is $18, and prices drop from there. 1241 North Front Street, Philadelphia , PA 19122, playartsphilly.com.
Enoteca Tredici
Why’d it take so long for the Main Line to get a pretty wine bar? The Main Line loves pretty things. And wine. Now, sure, the city location is great, but, Jesus, the one in Bryn Mawr? With its brunellos available by the half glass and its Moët happy hours and its stunning interior? It’s exactly where we want to drink. 915 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, tredicienoteca.com.
Gojjo
Instead of a late-night trip to Pat’s or Geno’s, head to this Ethiopian bar – open till 2 a.m. – where they transform Philly’s iconic sandwich with spicy berbere seasoning for a hybrid delicacy. 4540 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143, gojjos.us.
Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream
There’s a reason the best ice-cream shops are always located on farms. Peak strawberry season? Mix ’em into ice cream. Blueberries are plump and ripe? Blueberry ice cream it is. Pumpkins ready to be picked? Well, in Bucks County, the entire month of October is basically dedicated to Uncle Dave’s pumpkin ice cream. 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA 19067, uncledavesicecream.com.
Clam Tavern
Five-dollar Beefeater martinis every night of the week, plus $1 crab balls, clams casino, and house-made fried buffalo mozz. Someone save us a seat. 339 East Broadway Avenue, Clifton Heights, PA 19018, clamtavern.net.
Guisados Don Roman
These homemade Mexican stews have always been tough to find in Philly, even in our city’s deepest Mexican enclaves. Then came Roman Figueroa and Raquel Rodriguez’s little kitchen on South 7th, where everything is deliciously authentic, from the soulful pork ribs to the tortillas you’ll use to eat them. 1629 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, guisados-don-roman.business.site.
Tai Lake
The menu is mostly fried sea creatures, the bar serves tropical drinks, the dining room is frequented by chefs, bartenders, and Philly’s most fantastic night owls, and it’s open till 3 a.m. on weekends. 134 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, tailakeseafoodrest.com.
Vir tù Spa
Okay, it’s a little weird that this spa is on the backside of a medical center. But once you throw on a robe, kick back in the relaxation lounge, and wait for your anti-aging facial or hot stone massage, you won’t give two you-know-whats where you are. All you’ll feel is bliss. And – ready for this? – they’ll even arrange for free child care at the attached fitness facility while you relax. 401 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ 08057, virtua.org/services/virtu.