If this year has taught us anything, it’s that when things get tough, and it’s time to step up for our friends, neighbors, community & loved-ones -- we do exactly that. We wanted to share some of our favorite local small businesses. Some owned by friends, and some we’re just big, huge fans of. Shop small & encourage your friends, family, even people you’re just passing on the street, to do the same.
FOR CLOTHING, SHOES & ACCESSORIES WE LOVE:
Photo by @roomshop
Shop Kin
one of our go-to's for trendy threads in Philadelphia. Tucked in a cozy little corner of Washington Square West, this gorgeous boutique puts us in our best mood as soon as we walk in the door!
Shop Toile
A Fishtown gem! We come for the handmade clothing by owner Bianca & we stay for the gifts and vibes! We love popping to browse their gorgeous selection of vintage as well as little home decor things, beauty products, jewelry & more.
Room Shop
We can't gush over Roomshop enough. Obviously, we're big fans of their crowd-favorite Cloud Scrunchies (which we carry at Ritual Shoppe!). Their showroom is a dreamworld filled with colors we didn't even know existed & vintage to absolutely die for!
Joan Shepp
The best in fashion! Located in Rittenhouse, right down the street from us at Ritual, we love popping into Joan Shepp and admiring their incredible selection of designer pieces!
T Tribe
Our neighbor at Ritual on Walnut St. This cozy shop has an amazing selection of in-house designed clothing and vintage pieces that are drool-worthy to say the least!
Bus Stop Boutique
This Queensvillage cutie is the only shop we trust with our footwear! Not only do they have an amazing, beautifully curated selection of shoes, Elena & the team at Bus Stop are the most wonderful people! So much respect for these ladies following their passions & working their way to successful entrepreneurship -- check out Aubrie Costello's work @xoaubriecostello & Aubrey Loftus' original designs at Modern Misfits.
Downerss
Another Frankford Ave, Fishtown fave...say that five times fast! Cutest clothing and gifts that don't drain your wallet. We love it!
The Cactus Collective
Vintage, but make it trendy......but also, make it badass cowgirl! Tons of fabulous independent artisans featured in this quaint little shop in Queensvillage, right down the street from Bus Stop Boutique!
FOR ALL THINGS THAT MAKE OUR HOME A HOME:
Photo by @helloyowie
Ritual Shoppe
Of course we had to give a sister brand a shout! Ritual is located on 20th & Walnut in Rittenhouse Philadelphia & it's magical dreamland filled with the best humans Philly has to offer. In addition to jewelry, home goods, beauty & wellness products, at Ritual, we make it a point to carry small independent artists & makers & give them the spotlight they deserve! Check out our artist highlight this month, our very beautiful inside & out, Kaye! Kaye recently launched her jewelry line, so shoot her a congrats on Insta & take a look at her work here.
Yowie
No one is a bigger fan girl for Yowie & Shannon than us! Yowie is one our favorite brands of all time for so many reasons. The most perfect collection of candles, tote bags, t-shirts, books, home decor & so many other great gifts to give this season. Shannon is just a curation genius!
Moon & Arrow
For the boho, earthy clothing, accessories, home goods & beauty productsEarthly treasures
Omoi Zakka
Too many reasons to love Omoi, we can't pick just one! Inspired by Japanese culture & lifestyle, Omni offers the cutest, quirkiest little knick knacks, stationary, accessories, books. It's just an absolute dream to step into & we highly recommend paying them a visit when shopping for friends & fam!
Harriett's Book Shop
Who doesn't love a good bookshop! And it's a Black-owned business! Why get books anywhere else....ever? Stop in for the beautiful atmosphere & stay for the warm fuzzy feelings that radiate from this Philly small biz.
FOR BEAUTY + WELLNESS THAT WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:
Photo by @marshandmane
Marsh and Mane
Marsh + Mane achieved their mission of creating a beauty supply store that women actually look forward to visiting! This beautiful, Black-owned small business in South Philly hosts a warm, inviting environment where women can come to be themselves, while pampering themselves.
Duross and Langel
Duross & Langel offer local, handmade skincare and wellness products. For everything you need to relax & refresh, stop in for some perfect holiday gifts!
Nirvana Health & Beauty
Located in Fishtown, Nirvana Health & Beauty offers integrative health coaching, facials, massages, Reiki & acupuncture...so basically...our own personal heaven!
This Corner
This salon & shop-duo nestled in the Rittenhouse-area is filled with fun little home decor items, books, candles & tons of knick-knacks for your favorite corner of your home. You can get the best haircut of your life & leave with a candle & a good book. Doesn't get much better than that!
STREETWEAR
Photo by @paratodoco
PARATODO
If you're sleeping on Paratodo, wake up!! Not only are the designs both unique & innovative, this philanthropic Streetwear brand has a social initiative! Each season, Paratodo partners with a different charity or non-profit to design a collection around their cause. At the end of the season, 25% of Paratodo's profit is donated back to the organization.
Ps & Qs
If you live in Philly, it's very unlikely that you haven't at least heard the name. Ps & Qs offers a carefully curated collection of both established brands & locally designed, newer streetwear brands. If you're not stopping in for the clothing, stop in to say hello to the wonderful team behind the scenes on South Street!
All Caps Studio
A Philly fave for many reasons. All Caps Studio is a local, Black-owned streetwear brand that incorporates innovative messages in their designs. If you see something in stock, act fast! Everything sells out so quick!
RESTAURANTS + COFFEE SHOPS
Photo by @oneshotcafe
Tria
Menagerie
One Shot Cafe
Cry Baby Pasta
Franny Lous Porch
Loco Pez
Ultimo
Mission Taqueria
To be blunt, restaurants desperately need our business right now. With the new covid guidelines being so strict on restaurants in particular and the colder weather compromising the appeal of outdoor dining, it’s likely that some of our favorite go-to spots won’t make it out of this pandemic. If you’re able we’d like to encourage you to purchase gift cards & order straight from the restaurant as often as you can. Is it fair that the responsibility of our community’s small businesses & staples of our city surviving falls on us? Not at all. But this is our reality, and when times get tough, those who are able support those who are in need & to the best of our ability, we protect & uplift our community.
Remember that big corporations, ESPECIALLY the A-word, do not need you this holiday season. Our local small & family-owned businesses do. Not just now, always. Shop Small. Shop local. Shop Black-owned, shop POC-owned, shop Trans-owned, shop Family-owned, shop womxn-owned. SHOP PHILLY!