American Trench
This brand first earned our praise in 2017 for their namesake Ventile fabric trench, but since broadening their horizons with even more menswear items — plus a few things for women — such as hats, heavyweight hoodies, and socks seen on the likes of Bad Bunny, and opening a brick-and-mortar in Ardmore, the company has garnered our attention yet again. We’re fans of its transparent sourcing practices (all of its products are made in America, though materials may be sourced elsewhere) and attention to quality, like that 100 percent cotton Panama cloth shirt we’ll be wearing the rest of summer. 15 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, americantrench.com.
Reclectic
Yes, it's in the depressing Philadelphia Mills mall. But trust us — this year-old “concept store” (basically an outlet) from URBN is worth the trip. You’ll find countless racks of steeply discounted clothes from Urban Outfitters, Free People, Nuuly and Anthropologie; thrifted and vintage pieces URBN’s design team uses for inspiration; and decor and furniture. Be warned: Everything is final sale, samples may not be perfect, and you’re technically not allowed to try on clothes. That said, if we see you crouching behind racks to see if a sweater fits, we won’t tell. (We’ve done the same.) 1455 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, PA 19154, instagram.com/reclecticphl.
Shannon Wellington Weddings & Events
A maximalist tablescape that melds punchy colors, textures and patterns that shouldn’t work together but do. A place-card flower garden from which guests pluck their reception seating assignments. A cake suspended in a macramé hanger. These are a few of the ways the Chadds Ford-based boutique planning studio ensures that you (and your guests) are delighted by every aspect of your celebration. We’ve seen couples’ reactions to the results — you’ll be impressed, too. shannonwellington.com.
Clara’s Groovy Deliciousness
There are cakes, and then there are cakes, like the ones crafted by Brookhaven baker Samirah Williams. She’ll take your initial idea and run with it, layering buttercream, ganache, hand-shaped petals, sugar leaves — a little dash of everything sweet — to create a tiered confection that will draw almost as much attention as you will on your wedding day. For favors? Her LoveCrunch caramel corn in one of her limited-edition flavors — like honey-candied rosemary. groovydeliciousness.com.
Enswell
Photograph by Ed Newton When the co-founders of Rival Bros. Coffee opened this Art Deco jewel box on Spruce Street, we figured they’d have the morning latte on lock. And then they partnered with New Liberty Distillery to add a bar program — the marriage perfectly expressed in the Haymaker, a take on the ubiquitous espresso martini served in a lowball and made sweet with orgeat. And then a dinner menu … and then brunch and lunch. Did we mention it also has a front-of-house New Liberty bottle shop, saving you a trip to the state store? This place does everything. Except for reservations, so be prepared to wait. 1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, enswellphilly.com.
Dreamworld Bakes
When Patti LaBelle celebrated her 80th birthday, there was only one bakery bold enough for the Godmother of Soul: Dreamworld. Adorned with fresh flowers, glitter, and broad swirling strokes of vibrant icing, every creation by owner Ashley Huston is a statement piece. The flavor combos are just ambitious. Cardamom-spiced sponge filled with mango-chai mousse; matcha cake with lavender-strawberry jam; and for LaBelle’s birthday, brown butter cake topped with — what else? — lemon marmalade. dreamworldbakes.com.
Honeysuckle Provision’s Vegan Scrapple
Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate are known for exploring the culinary crossroads of the African diaspora and how they intersect with Philadelphia, and this is the dish that perfectly expresses that. The black-eyed pea patties are seasoned and prepared in a way that matches the peppery flavor and crispy-yet-silky texture of classic scrapple — plus they’re vegan. 310 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, honeysuckleprovisions.com.
Perrystead Dairy Cheese Dispensary
Sure, you can purchase Yoav Perry’s award-winning cheeses at dozens of shops in and around the city (and the country, for that matter). But since we’re now one of the only U.S. cities with a cheese vending machine, you can have the uniquely Philly experience of buying his fluffy Intergalactic, semisoft Atlantis washed with seawater, tangy schmear and everything else you’ll need for an artisanal charcuterie board whether the mood strikes at midday or at midnight. 1639 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, perrystead.com.
Val’s Lesbian Bar
Philadelphia hasn’t had a lesbian bar worth going to since Sisters closed in 2013. But South Philly couple Julia Harris and Clover Gilfor are working to change that by opening one in Old City, hopefully within the next year. Meanwhile, the pair hosts a bevy of pop-up parties, mixers and other events for the sapphically inclined, whether you’re into poetry, DJs, flea markets or live music. @Valslesbianbar. instagram.com/valslesbianbar.
Orchestra After 5
Show up at the Kimmel Center at 5 p.m. for drinks and surprises like acrobat performances and scavenger hunts. At 6:30 p.m., proceed directly into Marian Anderson Hall for an hour-long concert of masterworks. Stick around for casual conversations with Philadelphia Orchestra players. It’s perfect for those with short attention spans. These special events happen a few Thursdays during the season, so check the website for the ’24-’25 schedule. 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ensembleartsphilly.org.
Lindley Gray
Photograph by Alain Simic This Kensington-based jewelry brand features genderless designs handcrafted from recycled metals, Fairmined gold and ethically sourced diamonds, often reclaimed from vintage pieces. The namesake designer’s aesthetic combines traditional craftsmanship, Art Deco influence, and a focus on the subtlety of natural materials. We’d say “I do” to those black-diamond stacking rings any day. lindleygray.com.
Pennsport Barbershop
At most barbershops, you can tell as soon as you walk in what kind of clientele they’re going to serve. Silver-haired Italian men, little kids who desperately don’t want even the slightest trim, guys who are about to spend $150 on whatever new style they scrolled past on Instagram. Not so at Pennsport Barbershop. Here you’ll find Mummers waiting patiently next to metalheads, fathers and sons in matching Phils gear, and restaurant industry folks getting in a cut before the dinner shift. It’s a neighborhood place — though they’ll take you no matter where you’re from. 146 McKean Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, pennsportbarber.com.
Gen3
By now you’ve probably heard all about energy-efficiency incentives — the credits and rebates the feds, local governments and even utility companies are giving out to people willing to modify their homes. The folks at Gen3 make this a piece of cake, doing a whole-home walk-through to determine just what array of heat pumps, mini-splits and other tech you need to green your house. And on your invoice they’ll lay out just what rebates and credits you’ll be eligible for, making that bill look just a little lighter. Grays Ferry, Glenolden and Melrose Park, PA generation3electric.com.
Deputy Sheriff Justice
In April, the Inquirer uncovered hundreds of problematic checks written by Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s office. But one of those purchases was just too bizarre to be believed: $9,000 for a mascot — ironically named “Deputy Sheriff Justice.” That’s right: The city office charged with conducting sheriff’s sales and transporting prisoners to court decided it needed a mascot — and that the public should foot the bill. Just like the checks in the notorious row office, it appears the jokes there also write themselves.