SHOPPERS CAN EXPECT PERSONAL SERVICE AND NO SALES TAX ON CLOTHING IN PA
The Offerings May Be Different In Philly And Lancaster, But Service With A Smile Is Certain

Philadelphia, May 17, 2004 — On Philadelphia’s luxe Rittenhouse Row, local fashion doyenne Joan Shepp brings the catwalk to Walnut Street by offering clientele the latest from a veritable who's who of international fashion designers. Meanwhile, in nearby Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a quick 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, at Hannah’s Quilts, proprietor Hannah Stoltzfoos labors over meticulously crafted, magnificently colorful quilts in her home studio, featuring hundreds of quilts made by at least 50 different quilters.

What could these two towns possibly have in common when it comes to shopping? For starters, both Philadelphia and Lancaster are located in the state of Pennsylvania, where there’s no sales tax on clothing. And, while the offerings in both regions vary drastically for the most part, what visitors will find throughout the state are independently owned and operated shops, offering attentive personal service. Here is a sample:

PHILADELPHIA AND ITS COUNTRYSIDE

Clothing:

• Distante – Charlie Morrotta's amazingly tailored men's and women's wear is available exclusively at Distante. In addition, Morrotta, who is also a tailor and stylist, fits clients with dress shirts, custom made to order. 1506 Walnut Street, (215) 545-2850

• Inguz – This small and friendly corner shop houses the collection of local designer and co-owner Jennifer Bare, who creates conservatively offbeat, easy-to-wear fashions for women. 1927 Walnut Street, (215) 564-2944, www.inguzonline.com

• Joan Shepp – The eponymous boutique of local fashion doyenne Joan Shepp offers the latest from a who's who of international fashion designers: Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Jean Paul Gaultier and Yohji Yamamoto. 1616 Walnut Street, (215) 735-2666, www.joanshepp.com

• ME and Blue – Hard-to-find, amazing-fitting women's clothes from Bodybag, Blujeanious, Meghan Noland, plus select vintage finds, adorable A-line skirts (from the shop's own line) make fashion plate M.E. Ster's funky Old City shop a must-stop for fashionistas of all shapes and sizes. 311 Market Street, 2^nd floor, (215) 629-2347, www.meandblue.com  

• Skirt – What's pink and white and girly all over? This playfully chic Main Line boutique belonging to Coach alum Maureen Conallen, who specializes in culling the best of Nanette Lepore, Shoshanna and Tocca, of course. 907 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 520-0222

• Sparacino-Mens – Longtime local fashion force Anthony Sparacino adopts a low-pressure, high-style attitude at his men's boutique. Offering labels such as Ben Sherman, Parke and Ronen and Verge, plus the shop's own line, Sparacino is Philly's premier indie boutique for men. 13^th & Sansom Streets, (215) 922-4211, www.sparacinomens.com

• Studio 54 1/2 – Unique apparel, handbags, hats and jewelry fill the showroom at this Old City boutique. Most merchandise is made by crafty owners Sioux Zanne Messix and Alexsandra Zerillo-Stedman as well as other local designers. 54 1/2 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 928-9250

• Vagabond – Mary Clark and Megan Murphy's boutique just may be the hippest of the hip. With a generous smattering of indie designer labels, handmade vintage and modern designs, the shop's own line of fashion-forward skirts, scarves, dresses, sweaters, coats and a wall full of yarn and knitting supplies, this little shop has big ambitions. 37 N. 3^rd Street, (267) 671-0737

• Viv Pickle – Handbag designer Susan Murphy is the brains behind this girly and fun Old City shop, where customers choose from 150 new and vintage fabrics to create custom bags that are fashionable and affordable. 21 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 922-5904

Home and Gift Stores:

• Dane Decor Downtown – Located in a former textile plant, this family-owned furnishings store offers two floors of contemporary furnishings, with one floor filled with cozy, clean-lined Scandinavian designs, and another with cutting-edge beds, chairs, desks and accessories. 315 Arch Street, (215) 922-2104, www.danedecor.com  

• Hello World – Not your average corner stores, Hello World's two little locations are the quintessential neighborhood gift shops. Owner J. Lamancuso carries everything from funky Bakelite jewelry to handbags from local and international designers to splashy throw pillows for the beach house. 1201 Pine Street, (215) 545-7060; 2056 Locust Street, (215) 545-5207

• Matthew Izzo Shop – Artist and designer Matthew Izzo and partner Michael Anderer offer Antique Row shoppers a decidedly contemporary option with his gallery-like shop, where he features the work of emerging local artists and his own line of beaded jewelry, custom-scented candles, elegant pillows and modern furnishings. 928 Pine Street, (215) 922-2570

• Minima – With its glossy white vinyl flooring and reflective Plexiglas walls, this glamorous modern furnishings gallery belonging to the glamorous Eugenie Perret, offers works from a who's who of cutting edge designers. 118 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 922-2002, www.minima.us

• Scarlett Alley – Liz Scarlett's homey Old City boutique is the soup-to-nuts of home stores, offering everything from hot pink flatware to cuddly plush toys, earthy tea sets to delicate cordial glasses. 241 Race Street, (215) 592-7898, www.scarlettalley.com

• Town Home – This Rittenhouse boutique has home luxury down to a science, thanks to socially minded proprietor Dana Bank. Choose from cashmere pillows, glass serving pieces, even plush accessories for pugs and poodles. 126 S. 19^th Street, (215) 972-5100, www.townhomephila.com

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNTRY

Farmers Markets:

• Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market – This market in the heart of Amish country offers mouth-watering foods and more from 30 local vendors. Route 340, Bird-in-Hand, (717) 393-9674, www.birdinhandfarmersmarket.com

• Green Dragon Farmers Market – Open every Friday, this market extravaganza offers indoor and outdoor booths with more than 400 local farmers, craftsmen and merchants selling everything from food to clothing to household items. 955 N. State Street, Ephrata, (717) 738-1117, www.greendragonmarket.com

• Lancaster Central Market – The oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, Central Market offers the very best in local produce, meats, cheeses and breads, as well as a variety of gourmet coffees, fresh flowers and local crafts from friendly vendors. Open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Penn Square, Lancaster, (717) 291-4723

Antiques:

Renningers Antique & Market – One of the top antiquing/collectibles destinations in the country, Renningers has nearly 300 indoor stands selling antiques and collectibles and another 200 outdoor vendors doing the same, weather permitting. Open Sunday. N. Reading Road, Denver, (717) 336-2177, www.renningers.com

Ziegler's in the Country – Some 75 antiques dealers set up shop Thursday through Monday in a restored barn. In addition, lifestyle and gift shops sell their products in a gorgeous courtyard. Route 743, south of Hershey, (717) 533-1662

Local Shops:

• Bird in Hand Iron Works – This unique gift shop features metal items for the home and garden – everything from weathervanes and hooks to elaborate quilt racks and lamps. Route 340 between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, (717) 768-8101, www.birdinhandiron.com

• Classic Furniture – Discover the benefits of genuine hardwood home furnishings made locally by some of the finest local craftsmen around. Custom orders available. 1717 W. Main Street, Ephrata, (717) 721-3139, www.classicfurniturepa.com

• Hannah's Quilts – This in-home quilt shop offers meticulously crafted, colorful creations from at least 50 local quilters. 216 Witmer Road, Lancaster, (717) 392-4524

• Intercourse Canning Company – At one of Lancaster County's working canneries, shoppers can sample fresh relishes, jams, jellies, salsas and more. 3612 E. Newport Road, Intercourse,
  (717) 768-0156, www.intercoursecanning.com

• Lapp's Coach Shop – Locally handcrafted furniture, rocking horses, wagons and hope chests from some of the area's most talented Amish craftsmen are the specialties here.
  3572 W. Newport Road, Intercourse, (717) 768-8712

• The Pottery Works – Aspiring artists can design their own piece of pottery in this charming downtown Lancaster studio, where they’ll choose from nearly 250 pieces, including bowls, vases, frames, candleholders and more. 16 W. Orange Street, (717) 299-9963, www.thepotteryworks.com

• Strawberry & Co. – This quaint downtown Lancaster boutique is filled with art, jewelry, cards, and more created by a local arts couple. 11 W. King St., (717) 392-5345

• Sylvia Petersheim Quilts and Crafts – Shoppers can choose from more than 200 handcrafted quilts on display, or create their own pattern and color combination for a masterpiece all their own. 2544 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, (717) 392-6404

For travel package information, visitors should consult their AAA travel counselor or visit www.gophila.com/AAA or www.padutchcountry.com/AAA. 

The AAA state cooperative campaign is a multi-year program designed to encourage automobile travel in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Collaborating with the Pennsylvania Tourism Office are the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) and the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia’s regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region’s economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of www.gophila.com/pressroom

May 2004

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