Philadelphia Info
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 Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:47 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN PHILADELPHIA / PHILADELPHIA SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia has a beguiling mix of small, homegrown boutiques and antiques stores, plus glossy designer shops along Rittenhouse Row, as Walnut Street's shopping corridor is called. You'll find unique gifts for the kids in a triple-story all-children's department store, and modern home accessories in an Old City neighbourhood warehouse-turned-boutique. Especially in the past decade, Philadelphia has become a sophisticated and diverse place to shop (sleek Lagos Jewelers, upscale national chain Anthropologie, and teenagers' favourite Urban Outfitters were all born here, and have flagship stores in Center City). Though downtown has few major department stores (look for Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom at the wonderful, huge King of Prussia Mall about 20 minutes west of the city), you can still find anything from Jimmy Choo sandals to Tiffany & Co. diamonds to the softest teddy bears imaginable in Center City Philly. As Ben Franklin's Autobiography put it, telling of his surprise upon coming to breakfast one morning to find a china bowl and silver spoon in his very own Colonial kitchen: "Luxury will enter families and make a progress in spite of principle."
The Shopping Scene
This section concentrates on Center City stores that carry unique, special, or unusual items. The best places to look for chic fashion, cosmetics, and international wares are the specialty shops around Liberty Place and Rittenhouse Square. You'll find some SoHo-style art, antiques, and crafts in the Old City area, north and east of the historic landmarks, and unique home and antiques stores along Pine Street. Manayunk, several miles up the Schuylkill River to the northwest of town, has some home stores and boutiques, plus chains such as Pottery Barn. The once-funky area on South Street, just south of Society Hill, is best suited for teenagers or fans of Gothic, multizippered clothing.
It's useful to note that the outskirts of Philadelphia contain prime examples of the enormous malls now ubiquitous at the interchanges of American superhighways -- the 21st-century version of Colonial village squares. You'll find luxury chains and department stores at King of Prussia Mall -- a 450-store behemoth, with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, J. Crew, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton, it's second only to Minnesota's Mall of America. Franklin Mills, a hugely popular and sprawling outlet mall that includes Off Fifth, a low-priced outlet of Saks Fifth Avenue, draws four times the traffic of the Liberty Bell.
There is no sales tax on clothing; other items are taxed at 7%. Most stores stay open during regular business hours, from 10am to 6 or 7pm Monday through Saturday, and later on Wednesday evening. Some are also open on Sunday.
Shopping in Manayunk
This neighbourhood, 8 miles up the Schuylkill from the Art Museum and Center City, soared in popularity in the 1990s. It houses casual restaurants and shops, and though it's no longer a hot spot, it's still a pleasant place to stroll and browse Main Street for contemporary crafts, clothing, antiques, and galleries. Getting there is easy: From the Belmont Avenue exit (north, crossing the Schuylkill River) off I-76, turn onto Green Lane, then right onto Main Street. Or from 1 block south of the Green Lane SEPTA stop, just follow Main Street east alongside the river from the 4400 to the 3900 addresses. A cohesive local development group runs a continuous series of weekend festivals and events to attract business. Parking can be difficult, but inexpensive lots are available and store hours tend to run late to match dinner reservations.
Arts, Crafts & Gifts
In recent years, quality branches of national brands like Restoration Hardware, 4130 Main St. (tel. 215/930-0300), selling everything from tea strainers to leather couches, have moved in. Among specialty stores, I like Xcessories Inc. by Design, 4321 Main St. (tel. 215/483-9665), for its elegant candlesticks, updated Tiffany-style lamps, and contemporary frames. Owen Patrick Gallery, 4345 Main St. (tel. 215/482-9395), has interesting glass and ceramics, as well as bigger furniture and sculptural art, and carries American West/Urbana upholstered pieces from California. Belle Maison, 4340 Main St. (tel. 215/482-6222), offers pretty French provincial home accessories in a roomy setting.
Fashion
In 6 years, Nicole Miller, 4249 Main St. (tel. 215/930-0307), has become the high priestess of high fashion, with little black dresses, cool sportswear, and whimsical men's neckties, formal wear, and boxers. Public Image, 4390 Main St. (tel. 215/482-4008), has two stories of hip designer labels such as Product, Vivienne Tam, Diesel, and Freelance; Smith Bros., 4430 Main St. (tel. 215/508-2450), has the coolest jeans, including Seven for All Mankind; and Touchables, 4309 Main St. (tel. 215/487-7988), has a very extensive selection of lingerie and night wear, including Swiss cotton and silk loungewear and peignoirs. Banana Republic Women, 4313 Main St. (tel. 215/508-0772), offers the best of every season's collection (for the girls only), and has great sales.
Antiques
With its tradition of fine furniture-making since the 1700s, Philadelphia is a trove of antiques, which range from fine locally made chairs and desks to beautiful French, English, and Swedish pieces sold in intimate shops. Pine Street from 9th to 12th streets boasts some 25 antiques stores, some of which do their own refinishing and silver restoration. Old City stores mostly specialise in Deco and mid-20th-century modern pieces, and Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill also has several fine antiques shops. As in any antiques market, you'll have to bring your own expertise to the store, and you'll have to trust your dealer. April brings several high-end antiques shows, including the prestigious Philadelphia Antiques Show, held at the 33rd Street Armory. There are usually dozens of antiques markets every week in the Delaware Valley. Consult the "Weekend" section of the Philadelphia Inquirer for details.
Art Galleries
The line between art "galleries" and art "shops" is more blurred here than in many cities, and the Old City scene is similar to New York's SoHo after the Pottery Barn invasion. But a few galleries stand out for quality, and it's fun to stroll along Second and Third streets on the "First Friday" night of every month, when galleries stay open after hours and draw crowds with free wine and snacks.
Wine & Liquor
After the repeal of Prohibition, Pennsylvania decided not to license private liquor retailing but to establish a government monopoly on alcohol sales. You can only buy wine and spirits in state stores (or at a vineyard), which are usually open Monday and Tuesday from 11am to 9pm, Wednesday through Saturday from 9am to 9:30pm. Thanks to new Liquor Control Board chairman Jonathan Newman, selections have improved greatly in recent years, but the system is widely regarded as an anti-consumer nuisance. Beer, wine coolers, and hard cider are exempt from the system; pick them up at some delis such as the Foodery at 10th and Pine streets, Kitchen USA at 19th and Spruce streets, or distributors.
In the Independence Hall area, try the Wine and Spirits state store at Society Hill Shopping Center at 5th and Delancey streets (tel. 215/560-7064). In the City Hall/Convention Center area, there is a Center City "super store," one of a few extra-large stores featuring up to 5,000 varieties of liquor, open from 9am to 9pm Monday through Saturday at 1218 Chestnut St. (tel. 215/560-4381).
Around Rittenhouse Square, there is a Wine and Spirits shop at 1913 Chestnut St. (tel. 215/560-4215). In University City, there's a state store at 4049 Walnut St. (tel. 215/823-4709).
Jewelry & Silver
Philadelphia is known for all types of jewelry -- traditional, one of a kind, heirloom, and contemporary. Many of the city's jewelers can be found within a couple of city blocks at Jeweler's Row, centering on Sansom and Walnut streets and 7th and 8th streets, which touts itself as offering 30% to 50% off the retail price. This area contains more than 350 retailers, wholesalers, and craftspeople. Particularly notable is Sydney Rosen at 714 Sansom St. (tel. 215/922-3500). Robinson Jewelers, 730 Chestnut St. (tel. 215/627-3066), specializes in Masonic jewelry and watch repair. |
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