Press Release

THE FREEDOM TO SHOP IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA
Owner-Operated Boutiques Embody Historic Philadelphia’s Independent Spirit

PHILADELPHIA, April 3, 2008 - Historic Philadelphia’s Shane’s Candies, America’s oldest candy store, epitomizes the spirit of Philadelphia independence that is reflected in many of the businesses in the neighborhood. The family-owned shop started in 1876 and continues to maintain its reputation for old-fashioned service and tasty treats. Since Shane’s Candies opened its doors, many other entrepreneurs have followed, making the area between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets a haven for independently owned clothing, jewelry, home furnishings shops and more. (Best of all, clothing shopping in Pennsylvania is tax-free!) Here are just a few of the places where discerning shoppers can indulge in their favorite pastime:

Smak Parlour

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

 

• Charlie’s Jeans – Short or tall, thin or curvy—no matter what body type, the staff at Charlie’s has an uncanny knack for selecting the right jeans with the perfect fit. Two locations—one for men and one for women—stock an impressive selection of high-fashion denim. Women’s, 233 Market Street, (215) 923-9681; Men’s, 212 Market Street, (215) 627-3390, www.charliesjeans.net
• Smak Parlour – Racks of vintage treasures are accented by the latest fashion trends and accessories. Sometimes the owners let shoppers take a look behind the magic curtain to see the original designs they whip up in their workrooms. 219 Market Street, (215) 625-4551, www.smakparlour.com
• Third Street Habit – Style mavens flock here for edgy designs and high-style fashions by Betsey Johnson, Cynthia Rowley and other top runway names. And it is the only boutique in the city featuring Karen Zambos and Sonia Rykiel designs. 153 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 925-5455, www.thirdstreethabit.com
• Three Sirens – Trendy dresses, chic tops, miles of denim and style advice from the owners make this boutique a fashionista favorite. 134 N. 3^rd street, (215) 925-3548, www.threesirens.com
• Vagabond – Shoppers can’t get enough of the owner’s hand-knit sweaters and trendy accessories along with styles from emerging designers and new labels. Do-it-yourself stylists snap up the selection of unusual yarns. 37 N. 3^rd Street, (267) 671-0737, www.vagabondboutique.com

• Fivi – Accessory-philes find lots to choose from in this diminutive shop packed with affordable handbags and jewelry by local designers. 138 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 965-8685
• J. Karma – Shoes? Yes. Handbags? They’ve got ’em. Silver jewelry? It’s their specialty. Any outfit looks better with their stylish and affordable ethnic jewelry and accessories. 62 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 627-9625
• Sioux Zanne Messix – Accessory maven Sioux Zanne Messix never met a bead, gem or bit of fabric she didn’t like. And she has turned them all into trendy handbags, jewelry, hats and other accessories at her tiny boutique. 54 ½ N. 3^rd Street, (215) 928-9250
• Tony – The funky jewelry and trendy handbags earned Tony City Paper’s award as “Best Store for Accessories.” But don’t overlook the designer threads, all at very “un-boutique” prices. 47 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 592-8669, www.tonyonthird.com
• Viv Pickle – Viv’s custom-designed handbags have shown up in Hollywood and in the top fashion magazines. Hundreds of fabrics and dozens of shapes mean every bag is a one-of-a-kind creation. 21 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 922-5904, www.vivpickle.com

• Jewelers’ Row – Strolling along its brick-lined streets, shoppers can find diamonds, pearls and all manner of bling in the nation’s oldest—and one of its largest—diamond districts. Hundreds of merchants offer precious stones and settings at discounted prices. Sansom Street between 7^th & 9^th Streets, www.wherestherow.com

• Bruges Home – Inspired by the Belgian tradition of combining nature and design, this décor shop specializes in contemporary international home furnishings, tableware, design accents and gifts. 323A Race Street, (215) 922-6041, www.brugeshome.com
• Foster’s Homeware – Whimsical design accents, gadgets and accessories for every room turn any house into a home. Foster’s modern and classic styles can be incorporated into almost every décor. 399 Market Street, (267) 671-0588, www.shopfosters.com
• Host Interiors – Furnish a room or simply select a few accent pieces that add charm to any space. The selection of contemporary and classic pieces is dizzying at this sleek and hip home interiors shop. 108 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 925-3377, www.hostinteriors.com
• More Than Old – This eclectic interior design shop inspires creativity with its collection of period furnishings, modern barware and retro accent pieces. 144-46 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 922-0246, www.morethanold.com
• Okooko – A dreamy, good night’s sleep is as close as this bedroom shop, which features furnishings made from sustainable New Zealand woods, accessories and bedding. 205 Arch Street, (215) 667-8240, www.okooko.com

• Chic Afrique – Using earth-friendly, skin-friendly ingredients, the owner makes all her lush skin care products by hand in small batches in her onsite laboratory. 703 Walnut Street, (215) 592-9023, www.chicafrique.biz
• Pileggi on the Square – Part spa and part boutique, this little gem is all about style. With hair care, makeup and spa products alongside designer sportswear and elegant day and evening wear, this spot is a one-stop destination for all things beauty. 717 Walnut Street, (215) 627-0565, www.pileggisalon.com
• Scarlett Alley – Packed into this homey boutique are tasteful and funky home accents, trendy jewelry and lush body creams and lotions. Although there is always something new, many items have become classic and are always in stock. 241 Race Street, (215) 592-7898, www.scarlettalley.com
• Terme Di Aroma – Creams, perfumes, candles and a wide selection of face and body products make this a one-stop shop for do-it-yourself spa treatments. 32 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 829-9769, www.termediaroma.com

• Big Jar Book Store and Café – The user-friendly layout and big selection of books is just part of the appeal of this store. Readers can browse through selections over a cup of java and may even be lucky enough to catch a live music performance. 55 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 574-1650
• The Book Trader – Thousands of new and used hardcover and paperback books grace the shelves of this two-story gem. In addition to newer titles, avid readers can also find rare and out-of-print selections. 7 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 925-0511

• Lore’s Chocolates – The family here has been turning out handmade sweets for two generations. They even make custom designs for special occasions. 34 S. 7^th Street, (215) 627-3233, www.loreschocolates.com
• Shane’s Candies – America’s oldest candy store still makes candy the old-fashioned way. Handmade, hand-dipped chocolates in traditional and novelty shapes have been tempting palates since 1876. 110 Market Street, (215) 922-1048, www.shanecandies.com

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Cara Schneider, GPTMC
(215) 599-0789, cara@gptmc.com

Related RSS Feeds

Topic	XML Feeds
What's New This feed will be updated whenever any new content is added to Gophila.com’s Press Room. It includes all topics.