Dope Botanicals
The brainchild of sisters Nakia and Taahirah Stith, Dope Botanicals is what they call an “a ‘plant’ecary” — a hip urban apothecary carrying tinctures, tonics and teas made from organic and ethically foraged herbs. Don’t know where to start? Opt for an herbal consult with the Stiths, or have them make you a custom smoothie or adaptogenic latte — like the stress-reducing, mood-stabilizing “Happy Pill” — at the shop’s blend bar. 257 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, mydopebotanicals.com.
Paikoro Botanicals & Boutique
Everything in this wellness enclave has a story, like natural deodorants introduced after the maker’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. Or the clean-burning coconut-blended candles made by integrated-wellness-certified owner Zaje Richardson, who has run the brick-and-mortar with husband Seafus since February. Even the name has a tale, honoring Richardson’s South African heritage. 202 West Baltimore Avenue, Media, PA 19063, paikoro.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.
Philadelphia Distilling’s Vigo Amaro
Philadelphia Distilling’s Vigo Amaro. Photograph courtesy Philadelphia Distilling The amaro craze has officially hit Philly: We now have a homegrown version of the sweet-bitter botanical after-dinner liqueur that’s as good as a mixer as it is on its own. 25 East Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, philadelphiadistilling.com.
Franklin's Secret at W Philadelphia Away Spa
Eighty minutes of pure facial bliss: a botanical steam, two masks for exfoliating and soothing, all the face-care works (serum, cleanser, toner, vitamin C eye treatment), a massage with a rose-quartz roller, and a bonus hand and foot coffee-sugar scrub — all enhanced by products from local vegan skin-care brand Franklin & Whitman. It’s Philly’s best-kept beauty secret. Well, until now. 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, na.globalspa.marriott.com/phlwh/49779414/home.
Rowhouse Gin
Complex but not overly botanical and crafted in small batches by a microdistillery on Frankford Avenue, it makes for a great gin and tonic (or any cocktail, really) and is one of those incredibly rare, non-infused gins that can even be drunk straight, over rocks, with nothing but a squeeze of lime. rowhousespirits.us/rowhouse-spirits-distillery/brands/gin.
Tonewood’s Slow Saison Series
In a world flooded with IPAs, Tonewood Brewing’s Slow Saison collaboration with beverage consultant and forager Danny Childs stands out as an exciting exploration of our region’s terroir through the seasons. From the piney notes of the staghorn sumac in the fall’s release to the powerful punch of persimmons in the spring, each beer in the series showcases locally foraged botanicals presented in a way that will make you think differently about nature and beer. Locations in Barrington and Oaklyn, New Jersey, tonewoodbrewing.com.
Dumpster Juice Vermut
During the pandemic, Bloomsday Cafe’s Zach Morris and Tim Kweeder started selling their own small-batch fortified wine through the state’s since-repealed to-go cocktail laws. They flavored their vermouth with seasonally varied botanicals; sold it in bottles, pouches, cans, whatever; and dubbed it “Dumpster Juice,” the most Philly name anything has ever had. The resulting quaff makes a transcendent manhattan, is delightful served neat, and, as of batch No. 7, is now official with the PLCB. 414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, instagram.com/dumpsterjuicevermut.
Bartram's Garden
Head down to Southwest Philly and stroll the meadows and trails of the nation's oldest surviving botanical garden, shaded by the Franklinia trees that John Bartram named for his good bud Ben Franklin. Self-guided tours are free; bring a fishing pole and hang on the docks, admiring the views of the Center City skyline. 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143, bartramsgarden.org.
The Pathfinder Hemp & Root
This new Philly-born N/A spirit is made with fermented-then-distilled hemp (sans cannabinoids) and infused with botanicals. On its own, it kind of tastes like a can of root beer picked you a bouquet of flowers — which is to say, a little sweet, floral and surprising. Drink it like an amaro by itself, or mix about two ounces with lemon juice and seltzer for a very good N/A spritz. And if you’d rather have a bartender make a great cocktail for you, the Volstead in Manayunk is this year’s best zero-proof bar. drinkthepathfinder.com.
Hope Chest
This past fall, the lovely ladies of this pretty-little-something boutique, Donna Goetz and Jen Rosen, were kind enough to expand their operation from Haverford into Center City, so that we now have two outposts at which to uncover silk and lace femininery that makes us feel like Gisele. 1937 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, hopechestshop.com.
Juliet Hope Wayne
This cool West Philly seamstress will come to your house and teach your kids and their friends how to make stuffed animals, messenger bags and doll outfits. Before her visit, she'll talk through design ideas with the kids, and once she arrives, you can sit back and have a glass of wine: She brings all the fabric, scissors, rulers and real sewing machines, not those silly starter models that don't work. Service areas include Philadelphia, Delaware County and the Main Line. Juliethopewayne@gmail.com. Philadelphia, PA
Juliet Hope Wayne
You wouldn't know it to look at her petite frame and cute smile, but this neurotic 35-year-old Havertown native is funny as hell-and also a masterful storyteller, which gives her the edge over her (mostly male) competition. Catch her at various stand-up spots around town or as a frequent guest storyteller at the First Person Arts StorySlams at World Cafe Live and L'Etage. 00000, twitter.com/juliethopewayne.
Blackfish
Chef Chip Roman has done more than just open a couple of restaurants Blackfish is extraordinary, and Mica shows great promise. What's more: he and Mica partner Jason Cichonski have brought culinary hope to the many diners living in areas overlooked by Starr, Garces, Vetri and Billy Penn. 119 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428, blackfishrestaurant.com.
Mica
Chef Chip Roman has done more than just open a couple of restaurants Blackfish is extraordinary, and Mica shows great promise. What's more: he and Mica partner Jason Cichonski have brought culinary hope to the many diners living in areas overlooked by Starr, Garces, Vetri and Billy Penn. 8609 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, micarestaurant.com.