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Best Record Store

Vinyl Chickie

Photograph by Jeff Fusco

Glenside’s Lisa Schaffer has always been a music fan: She’s professionally photographed pop stars such as Taylor Swift and worked at a Chestnut Hill record store for six years. Now she’s opened this adorable record paradise with a tightly curated collection of new and near-perfect-condition used vinyl that includes a local section, plus turntables and all sorts of fun music gifts, like Grateful Dead tarot cards and song lyric stickers. 2256 Mount Carmel Avenue, Unit 2, Glenside, PA 19038

Best New Boutique

VIRIDA

It was nothing short of lightning in a bottle when florist Hannah Spivak and creative director Sarah Leonard teamed up to convert a shed into what they’ve deemed their “botanical playhouse.” Spivak’s installations hang in the lush space, where you’ll find dried bouquets as well as vintage goods, housewares, jewelry, and vases. Want to take one of Spivak’s designs home? You can do that — or tap her for a custom creation. And don’t miss out on the array of workshops on subjects like bookbinding and making herbal bath soaks. 1800 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Best Indie Eyewear

SeeSharp

You could walk into the nearest America’s Best and choose from the array of conventional frames, or you could risk ordering from one of those online glasses retailers. Instead, try this dry-eye specialist, where you’ll get great treatment and a choice of frames from bold, stylish independent eyewear brands — like OVVO Optics and French designer Thierry Lasry — plus advice from the team on what specs fit your face best. And depending on your prescription, you might even get them the same day. 524 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Best Shop for Elevating Your Life

The Meanings of Things

Walking into this nearly three-year-old lifestyle boutique makes you want to be the sort of person who uses Italian brass paper clips, who tucks kitchen sponges into hand-painted stoneware dishes, who gives friends special gifts like candles that look exactly like real lemons and fancy Umé Studio soap, who lights Wild Yuzu incense with matches from a fancy pewter matchbox, who meditates with a jade eye mask, and who jots things down in tiny handmade notebooks with deckle edges. And who knows? Maybe you can. 19 North Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938

Best Place for Miniature Art

Another Corner

There are so few good surprises when you’re an adult, which is exactly what makes the Mini Print Vending Machine so freaking delightful. Philly’s first machine — there are more than 60 across the U.S. — is tucked inside Bella Vista bookstore Another Corner. Drop four quarters in the coin slot and out pops a random collectible print from Portland-based printmaker Anastasia Inciardi. It’s a palm-sized reminder of the best money you’ve spent since the third-grade school store. 612 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Best Small-Batch Jewelry

Tshatshke Jewelry Studio

Owner Maddy Hirsch brings both her years of experience working alongside experts on Jewelers’ Row and a sense of approachability to her full-service store and workshop, which has caught the eye — or should we say hands — of folks like Mannequin Pussy frontwoman Missy Dabice, who donned Tshatshke’s pieces for New York Fashion Week in September. The store carries jewelry from various independent artisans, and all design, fabrication, wax carving, and stone setting of Hirsch’s custom creations are done on-site. 3176 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134

Best For Gritty Everything

Gritty’s Chaos Factory

The Chaos Factory at the soon-to-be-renamed Wells Fargo Center is like a Build-A-Bear Workshop for Gritizens, where kids — and, let’s be honest, adults — can customize their own 15-inch Gritty plushies. The space is packed with baskets of the “Itty Bitty Gritty” dolls and a selection of costumes (and belly buttons!) to dress them in, like classic Flyers jerseys or swim trunks with ducky pool floats. Everything, from the displays and signs to exclusive tees and enamel pins, seems like it was concocted by Gritty himself. 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Best Hotel Room

Hotel Anna & Bel

Photograph by David Ohl for Anthropologie

The Anthropologie Home–designed Anna suite at Hotel Anna & Bel is a gem, from the poodle umbrella stand that greets you at the door to the absurdly gorgeous vanity area in the primary bedroom. There’s greenery by Terrain and a teeny patio, and, oh yeah, you can shop everything. 1401 East Susquehanna Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Best Hotel Preservation

The Gas Lamp Hotel

The original wallpaper at the Gas Lamp Hotel inspired interior designer Abigail Shapansky’s revamp of the 1845 rowhome overlooking Elfreth’s Alley. That paper now lives on in artistic ways — not only in the five-room hotel’s rich color scheme, but also in framed original patterns and salvaged pieces strategically displayed in the space. So does the hotel’s history as the former HQ for the Austrian Gas Lamp Company. All rooms are named for lighting innovators, and a copper gas lantern hangs outside. 140 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Best Hotel Theme

The Bookhouse Hotel at Faunbrook

Step inside the Bookhouse Hotel at Faunbrook and you’ll immediately see why it gets a nod for Best Theme. Each room has walls (literally) of books (5,000 of them are in the hotel), and various corners inside and out beckon you to curl up with your next great page-turner. Check in for a reading retreat and you might never leave. 699 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382

Best New Bookstore

Mavey Books

At Nadia Alawa’s lively Ardmore shop — which she runs with her daughter Deema — you’ll find shelves jam-packed with titles carefully curated to reflect diversity, from classics like Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street to new releases like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count. You’ll also discover in-store events like author talks, book bedazzling (exactly what you think it is), and themed club meetings (thrillers, romance, sci-fi — take your pick). 8 Cricket Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003

Best Jewelry Shop for Swifties

Exceptional Finds

If we had to guess where Taylor Swift shops for jewelry in the Philly area, we’d guess Main Line boutique Exceptional Finds. The space carries Three Stories, the couture jewelry collection the Berks County native was spotted in not once but twice during last year’s NFL season. We also think she’d swoon for playful designs by Sydney Evan, from heart wrap hoop earrings to a mosaic horseshoe charm necklace. 101 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 201, Wayne, PA 19087

Best Socks and Hats

Allen Paca Knitwear

You love alpacas. We love alpacas. So does Robby Kedra, founder of this West Chester brand, whose pieces are hand-finished by Peruvian artisans from alpaca wool, which is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant and amazingly adaptable to the climate. So your head and toes will stay warm in the winter with the beanies and heavy wool socks, and your feet won’t overheat in the summer while working out in the low-cut athletic socks. Up next? A new sweater and fleece vest. All hail the alpaca.

Best Menswear

Junior’s

Photograph by Jeff Fusco

This men’s clothier takes inspiration from classic American style, with a little British and Italian flair. Expect made-to-measure suits as well as casual items like half-zips, field jackets, and crepe cotton polos. It’s giving old-school Ralph Lauren ads — and we’re here for it. 260 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Best Art Selection

South Street Art Mart

This is a haven for anyone who loves artsy, punk, and pop culture. Nearly everything sold here is made by a Philly-area artist — 165 of them are represented — with indie zines, funky earrings, and piles of vinyl stickers. (One Philly Mag staffer has oodles of the latter, including one of Gritty dressed up as David Bowie.) There’s also a diverse collection of adult-only artwork tucked in the back. Owners and wives Nicole Wiegand and Nicole Krecicki have run the store, which was supposed to be a seasonal pop-up — originally located around the corner — since 2018. It’s stuck ever since. 530 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Best Footwear

Clove

Made for health-care workers but good for everyone, Center City–based Clove’s sneakers, boots, and slides work hard so you don’t have to — they’re lace-free, waterproof, cushy and supportive (hello, 12-hour shifts), and oh-so-stylish. You’ll end up reaching for your Stradas, SuperBoots, or Fortes before whatever’s collecting dust in your closet.

Best Curated Gift Baskets

CORK

The best gift baskets are the ones that are too pretty to rip open, and you may never bring yourself to unpack the ones from CORK. The Rittenhouse bottle and gift shop pulls from its elevated selection of goods for the gourmand to create eclectic baskets that go beyond tired fruit and crackers. Whiskey Business, Movie Night, and A Sardine Dream are a few of our favorites to give (and get). 253 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Best Shop for Chic Cowgirls

Vanner House

Photograph by Jeff Fusco

Main Liners didn’t know how badly they needed a boutique catering to all things equestrian until Vanner House trotted into Villanova in December. Horsey hostess gifts abound (pewter napkin rings designed like English saddles, anyone?), and serious riders will be pleased to find smart essentials like breeches, riding gloves, and sustainable knitwear worthy of any afternoon spent at Radnor Hunt. 601 Conestoga Road, Villanova, PA 19085

Best Antidote to Online Shopping

The Merrygold Shop

Browsing this corner boutique is bewitching: At every turn is a delightful treasure, be it a vase shaped like a hand, a bracelet full of vintage charms, or a puzzle that’s a work of art. But equally inspiring is what’s not for sale. Owner Sammi Bateman, an artist herself, goes above and beyond to create changing displays worthy of a Fifth Avenue window that will make you want to return each season. 721 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Best Place to Shop For Jeans

Rebel

It’s a bit ironic that a boutique that got its start as an activewear mecca is now our go-to for hard pants, but it’s impossible to deny Rebel’s rise. The store now stocks chic womenswear — a surprisingly vast selection, given the small Rittenhouse footprint — and we trust them to help us navigate the ever-changing post-skinny-jeans landscape with a curated collection including brands like Pistola, Hidden, and RbLpuppeT. 116 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Best Worldly Goods

The Silk Tent

Photograph by Jeff Fusco

Owned by West Philly native and art curator Rashida Watson (pictured here with daughter Inshirah Kenya, who assists in the shop), this boutique specializes in jewelry, decor, textiles, and other one-of-a-kind gifts originating from around the globe. In just one walk through, you might find a carved Ethiopian headrest or an Indonesian woven bamboo box embellished with cowrie shells. Even better: Ultra Silk Gallery, its sister company mainly focusing on art from the traditional to the contemporary, is now under the same roof. 3859 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Best Pasta-Shaped Handbags

Modern Misfits

Where else can you snag a tote shaped like farfalle? Modern Misfits turns vintage, recycled, and locally sourced fabrics into one-of-a-kind pieces that are wonderful and wearable, thanks to South Philly’s Aubrey Loftus. This is slow fashion with a wink — and just the right amount of sauce. Bring the fun to you by booking an iron-on workshop for your event (we loved them at the Flower Show this year) and create custom totes and shirts.

Best Cottage-Core Essentials

Meadowsweet General Store

Live out your Little House on the Prairie daydreams at this new venture from Stacy Morris, who previously ran women’s vintage shop Meadowsweet Mercantile. The general store, which operates out of Kensington’s historic Star Carpet Mill building, offers plenty of textile goods such as cozy knits and washed-canvas jackets, as well as goodies for the home like hand-dipped beeswax candles sourced from a Lancaster farm. 1801 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Best Romance Bookstore

Cupid’s Bookshop

Photograph by Linette Messina

You may have heard that romance is dead. It was likely while you were socializing with single people, eavesdropping on married couples, or watching any reality show with the word real in the title. Allow Cupid’s Bookshop owner Tina Long to change your mind — or at least offer a few book recommendations. You could also just snap a picture with the store’s life-size cardboard cutout of Fabio. Six days a week, customers drift in and pose with the flaxen-haired model who personified the genre in the ’90s, then thumb through one (or more) of the roughly 1,000 titles that line the shelves of the cozy space. Some shoppers settle into one of the plush pink armchairs and read for a while. Others peruse the cute merch (think stickers, hats, and bookmarks) Long has displayed around the store. No matter what they’re doing, everyone is eager to share book recommendations. Read more in our Best of Philly spotlight. 106 Grape Street, Front A, Philadelphia, PA 19127

Best Hair Gems

Nuggie Bear Co.

Sure, you could use the super-soft 100 percent merino wool scrunchies made by owner Sarah Hahn to tie up your hair. Or, if you’re one of the short-haired set, you could stack ’em like bracelets around your wrist. Another thread? Hahn’s creating made-to-order crochet bikinis — flirty looks for that summer festival or hitting the beach.

Best Traveling Collectibles Shop

Dial V for Vintage

Photograph by Theresa Regan

Artist-owners Celeste Giuliano and David Seidman are lovers of oddities and bold, eclectic finds — think a circa-1980s faux alligator skin landline telephone. You can find them at the traveling Clover Market, among other outdoor events around New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Best Heritage Menswear

Odd Folk

Photograph by Theresa Regan

Sure, it’s menswear, but according to husband-and-wife owners Sean Magee and Rachael Smith, their shop has something to suit any body. It’s what Magee calls a “unisex look” built from high-quality, timeless American heritage brands and Western-inspired pieces. A Wrangler wool-lined denim vest fit us perfectly. 579 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108

Best Retro Styling

Dorit Avganim

Photograph by Theresa Regan

Set up a visit with Manzanita’s owner extraordinaire. She’ll present you with pieces (a silk polka-dot jumpsuit, a leopard-print blazer) you might never have selected yourself but obviously (to her) should rock. She’s also watching current trends and making them work for vintage apparel — her recent Museum of Butter event attracted lovers of the hue of the moment. 4206 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Best Throwback Sports Gear

Jawn Supply

Photograph by Theresa Regan

The next time you need a Phillies Starter jacket from the ’80s or an Eagles hoodie from 1993, take a cue from celebs like Miles Teller and Bradley Cooper and turn to this airy boutique and its über-popular Instagram account, where the latest finds are posted before they’re almost instantly snatched up. 40 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382

Best All-Black Vintage

DRK MTTR

Photograph by Theresa Regan

Score designer pieces like an Alexander McQueen knit cutout dress (brand-new, with tags) or something homespun — but always in black. “Some of my favorite pieces were hand-stitched by someone’s mother in the 1950s,” says owner Courtney McGee. “I am not saying that labels don’t matter in vintage, but that they’re not all that matters.” 128 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380

Best Kids Street Style

munchKIN

Leave it to the team behind Wash West’s beloved KIN Boutique to ensure that the next generation will be as fashionable as their parents by opening a nearby storefront offering the chicest children’s clothing in sizes newborn through 7. You’ll find cozy European-inspired knits and outerwear from 7AM, hypoallergenic cotton separates in serene pastels from Colored Organics, food-inspired board books and onesies from Chunky Deli, and bright, whimsically graphic clothing and nursery decor from treasured Australian brand Halcyon Nights. 1014 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Best Clothes for New Adults

August Moon Boutique

If you’re a few years out of college and ready to start dressing like it, but you’re not quite sure how to dip into mature styling, stress no more. This shop offers a keenly curated selection of cute, trendy picks and real adult staples for both the everyday and all kinds of special events, from garden parties to galas. Maybe the question “What should I wear?” won’t be so torturous anymore. 1729 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Best Kids Resale Shop

Little Palm Children’s Resale Shop

When Springfield Township parents Quiana and Kyle Smith opened Little Palm, they simply wanted to provide their community with a children’s resale shop and keep unwanted items from ending up in landfills. They’ve more than succeeded — this charming go-to boutique is stocked with a curated selection of preloved gear and clothing in newborn to size 12, plus a small selection for moms and teens. (You can sell, trade, or consign with them year-round.) Expect cool, high-quality brands like Misha & Puff, Patagonia, the North Face, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren. Can’t make it to shop in person? Look out for their Instagram story sales. 1505 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031

Best Charm Bar Pop-Up

Yay Diff

Philly’s charm queen, Erika Diffendall, reigns supreme with Yay Diff, the queer- and woman-owned pop-up that turns any event into a full-on sparkle fest. With her arsenal of chain links and more than 300 cheeky charms sure to highlight your personality, these build-your-own jewelry bars are equal parts nostalgic, stylish, and abundantly fun. Look for her pop-up parties around town on IG, or book her for your own soiree.

Best Wedding: New Bridal Boutique

Her Bridal Collective

Photograph by Juliana Tomlinson; florals: Nicol Floral Design

If you want a runway look for your walk down the aisle, head to this Main Line shop owned by model Gabrielle Paoletti. Offerings include sleek pieces by designers like Antonio Gual as well as billowing, avant-garde looks such as a high-low gown with flower embellishments — with matching veil — by Senstudio. 113 South Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087

Best Wedding: Planner

Elegant Events Planning + Design

The parties in Donielle Warren’s portfolio are as varied as they are spectacular: a multiday Ethiopian celebration for CNN anchor Rahel Solomon, a Japanese–Indian fusion celebration at the Bellevue Hotel, a Hindu and Jewish union at Bartram’s Garden, a Liberian American soiree at the Switch House — all lushly layered, thoughtfully designed, and expertly executed.

Best Wedding: Photographer

M2 Photography

M2 — led by wife-and-husband duo Melissa and Michael McManus — captures your shared joy with whimsy, sharp eyes, and a love for, well, love. They make naturals out of the camera-shy crowd and works of art out of your journey, whether that’s by snapping an intimate moment with moody elegance and raw emotion, hyping up your dance floor, or even getting you to jump in a swimming hole for an engagement session.

Best Wedding: Florist

Arrangements Unlimited

While this 50-year-old King of Prussia–based event production biz does a little of everything, we’re particularly impressed with its floral arrangements. Those pressed-flower chargers make such a beautiful statement at a celebration, and it’s the only vendor in the Philly area that offers such a thing for your Big Day.

Best Wedding: Caterer

12th Street Catering

Photograph by Stephen Recchia

When the salad course impresses, you know you’re in for a good night of eating. And when the dessert is a mascarpone mousse made to look like caviar and toast points, you know you’ll never forget the cuisine. (The drinks are tops too!) That’s what you get with this 43-year-old woman-owned catering business, which focuses on sustainability — via carbon-neutral menus and produce grown within 100 miles, including in their rooftop garden — and just added the brand-new Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in South Jersey to its already stellar list of venues. We’re coming to your tasting.

Best Wedding: Registry Alternative

Home Tonic

Out: basic registries. In: using wedding money to select goods for your new life together at a locally run boutique, like this beloved home and gift shop. Here, you’ll find treasures for your attendants (like jewelry and cute trinket boxes), pieces for your pad (from furniture to small accessories like vases and candlesticks), and inspiration for your wedding decor, courtesy of the store’s tablescapes and interior design vignettes. 28 South State Street, Newtown, PA 18940

Best Wedding: Invitations

TPD Design House

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin Photography

What do Google, Pottery Barn, and Christie’s all have in common? They’ve all worked with TPD Design House, a Main Line creative agency centered on event branding and custom invitations. It’s no surprise that the firm has been a hit with couples who want original, high-concept stationery suites, made with alternative materials such as linen, leather, and wood, and print processes like letterpress, foil stamping, and laser-cutting. 108 West Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087

Best Wedding: Bridal Hair Stylist

Aimee Beam On Location Bridal Hair

Every soon-to-be-wed needs a trusted confidante on the Big Day — and we’re not talking about the maid of honor. Thanks to the rise in concierge beauty services, a future marrier can have a hair stylist on hand from morning-of until the last dance. Princeton-based Aimee Beam — who works primarily in the Philly area — offers three hours of extended touch-ups with every booking and an hourly rate for anything after.

Best Wedding: New Venue

The Pump House

Photograph by Julia Lehman-McTigue; furnishings: White Barn Vintage Rental; florals: Matlack Weddings; styling: Flourish Events and Design

An underground speakeasy. A massive industrial-chic bar. An even bigger reception space. Plenty of (free) parking. A hotel to put up your guests for the weekend. Flexibility to work with the vendors of your choice. Gorgeous views of the Schuylkill. Oh, and cuisine by famed chef Nicholas Elmi and his team. So, when’s your wedding at the Pump House? 605 Righters Ferry Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Best Wedding: Immersive Entertainment

On It Productions

This live entertainment company — the year-and-a-half-old sister brand of BVTLive! — is a one-stop shop for all your experimental, over-the-top Big Day needs. Want photo booths? They’ve got ’em. An interactive on-demand champagne wall? Got it. Live musicians performing in tandem with a DJ? Got that too. As for venue enhancements, the company provides state-of-the-art ceiling and wall lighting design, and even a specialized fog effect. It’s your day — lean in to the drama.

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