Fishtown’s Favorite Shops

Kraftwork

Fishtown | 541 East Girard Avenue
The just-comforting-enough fare at this corner resto-bar is a prime example of how the food scene is truly the backbone of Fishtown’s resurgence. Bearded servers happily shuttle chef Stephen DeLorean’s elevated pub fare about the coolly industrial space (envisioned by local sculptor Andrew Jevremovic); the great beer selection is a bonus.
Go here for: Brunch: potato pancakes stuffed with caramelized onions and smoked salmon, and from-scratch biscuits.

Mid-Century Furniture Warehouse

Fishtown | 1701 North 2nd Street
It’s the kind of shopping experience scenesters clamor for, evidenced by the line of people waiting to get into the bi-monthly three-hour flash sales. (This place is normally only open to the trade and by appointment; movie-set decorators are regulars.) Once inside, shoppers can find impeccable furniture, art and home goods from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, like Lane side tables, Danish Modern credenzas and chrome arc lamps.
Go here for: The thrill of the hunt, and an amazing array of well-priced finds.

Adorn

Fishtown | 1314 Frankford Avenue
Sarah Lewis is a prolific jewelry maker with an earthy style; her triangular turquoise rings, dangling crystal pendants and tribal earrings are sold at places like Urban Outfitters. She’s also a globetrotter who sleuths out fair-trade goods like vibrant macramé friendship bracelets from Ecuador and leather journals from Bangkok. She owns this shop, so those tethered closer to home can still scoop up all her far-flung treasures, plus soft graphic tees and weekend dresses.
Go here for: Clever, inspiring vignettes, like necklaces hanging from floating antlers.

Bottle Bar East

Fishtown | 1308 Frankford Avenue
Here’s the beauty of a true bottle bar: instant gratification. After carefully selecting from the impressive 600-plus craft beer collection, grab a table and pop open your new purchase. Servers will provide the right glassware, along with a menu of snacks and sandwiches. Or simply grab a draft pint from the back bar and catch the Phils.
Go here for: Laid-back imbibing with the locals. On Tuesday nights, if you beat owner “Uncle” Mike at foosball, you win a bottle on the house.

Karlie

Fishtown | 1309 Frankford Avenue
Where does a neighborhood of modern lofts and rehabbed rowhomes find the oversized vintage signs, antique globes and tarnished metal stools to decorate them? Enter Karlie, an emporium of ephemera and up-cycled home stuffs. Denis Boyce has actually owned this shop for 27 years, but recently decided to shift his collection from recession-unfriendly art to in-demand architectural salvage; buyers from Urban and restaurant designers have been scooping the stuff up in droves.
Go here for: ­Double-duty perusal. Boyce’s daughter, Heather Karlie Vieira, owns 20th Century by HKFA, another great vintage shop right next door.