The Penn Bookstore: Books, Gadgets, Apparel, Accessories, Coffee, Events…
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 30, 2009
The Penn Bookstore, as anyone who’s walked by the mammoth building on the corner of 36th and Walnut knows, is a lot more than just a bookstore. Sure, it has books – lots and lots of them. Anything that an ordinary Barnes & Noble carries can be found on the first floor, including a cute kids’ book nook. Since this is a university bookstore, head upstairs and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of neatly organized course books.
But the store is filled with tons of other less bookish goodies, too. The first floor houses the Penn apparel section, which is filled with Red & Blue paraphernalia for proud Penn students, alums, and families. The hoodie selection alone will make you swoon as winter approaches. If sweats aren’t your thing, there’s a seemingly endless assortment of t-shirts, cashmere sweaters, water bottles, bags, bumper stickers, and cold weather gear of all sorts – hats, gloves, scarves, you name it. There’s also more expensive keepsake merchandise, like watches, glassware and chairs all emblazoned with the Penn logo. Next to the apparel, running through the center of the store, are tables overflowing with note cards, beautiful appointment books and diaries, hot items, and gift ideas. Upstairs you’ll find the well-appointed café (hot and cold beverages, snacks and energy boosters to keep you well-fueled while browsing), comfy chairs for reading, and dorm essentials, electronics, notebooks, binders, ink, paper… you get the idea....
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Related Destination: Penn Bookstore »
Related Categories: Coffee Shops, Retail, Universities + Colleges
Second Mile Thrift Stores
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 10, 2009
Oh, Second Mile, how I love thee. Lest I forget you, now that I don’t live just a block away, I’m reminded of your wonders every time I open my closet or walk into my living room. Swoon.
So, I like this place. A lot. ”The Second Mile Center” is not just a thrift store, but a whole thrift compound, taking up the entire block on 45th Street between Walnut and Locust. There’s “Second Mile,” the original sprawling store which is packed to the gills with insanely cheap clothes and shoes, “Second Mile Too,” full of bric-a-brac, jewelry and accessories, “Second Mile Also” (books and electronics), and finally “Second Mile Furniture” (self-explanatory, I hope!). Second Mile is easily the most popular consignment destination in West Philly, and for good reason. The huge selection and rock-bottom prices ...
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Related Destination: Second Mile Center »
Related Categories: Goods + Services, Retail
Furniture Lifestyle: Penn's New Go-To Spot for Classy House Wares
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 5, 2009
There's a new store in town: taking up residence in Eastern Mountain Sports' old spot between Cosi and Urban Outfitters on 36th Street, Furniture Lifestyle is a sprawling mixture of stylish furniture and budget-friendly home accents. The store is dedicated to the Penn community, with the mission of furnishing your home on a budget. ...
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Related Destination: Furniture Lifestyle »
Related Category: Retail
VIX Emporium: Local Crafts and Baltimore Avenue’s Most Unique Gifts
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 9, 2009
VIX Emporium is an adorable little shop on 50th and Baltimore – actually, its name derives from its address: VIX is Roman numerals for 5009. The store boasts entirely handmade crafts from local artists and other individuals, and everything lining the walls and cluttered shelves of this former 1940’s millinery is completely unique.
There’s tons of funky jewelry made from glass, metal, beads, and everything in between, eye-catching pottery, and colorful trinkets of all sorts. There’s also a great selection of fun totes and shirts displaying slogans of West Philly pride, and (in a nod to the store’s hat shop history) an array of classy one-of-a-kind headgear. Bottom line: this is an awesome place to find a cool, arty gift – be it for someone else or yourself! Super-friendly owner Emily is always a smiling face behind the counter, ready to tell you anything you’d like to know about the shop’s wares.
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Related Destination: VIX Emporium »
Related Categories: Retail, Culture
The Last Word Bookshop: A Bookworm’s Paradise
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 17, 2009
The Last Word is one of the best bookstores in the city. It sells only used books, and the shelves are lined with meticulously organized titles (by section and author), so you can always hone in on what you’re looking for – even if you can’t find a particular title. On the flip side, though, you might just find that out-of-print book you gave up looking for 3 years ago! The selection is truly eclectic, but vast enough to offer many volumes on every subject, from academic to classic to esoteric.
Hand-written signs, stacks of books on the floor, and tables and chairs for reading give the store something of a ...
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Related Destination: The Last Word Bookshop »
Related Category: Retail
Natural Shoe Store
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 7, 2009
This little gem is my favorite shoe store in the city. I wandered in randomly a few years ago, drawn by their huge "BLOW-OUT SALE!" sign in the window (which I’ve since learned is always there…), and I bought the most comfortable pair of sandals I’ve ever owned. I then went back a couple years later to buy the same pair again after I’d worn through the soles by donning them every day all summer!
In addition to stocking insanely comfortable sandals and funky shoes of all sorts, the store also lines its walls with lots of cool and colorful sneaks and even reasonably priced leather work shoes for both men and women ...
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Related Destination: Natural Shoe Store »
Related Category: Retail
Marvelous + More!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on July 8, 2009
Ever wonder about that music that you hear on 40th Street when walking past Smokey Joe’s? For years I walked right by, never really thinking about it, figuring it was coming from the bar. Once I stopped to think about it, though, that didn’t make any sense – Smoke’s would never play anything this good!
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Related Destination: The Marvelous »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Retail
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