Philadelight Magazine (philadelight.com) is a Philadelphia magazine that focuses on the far South Philly. As updates from Far South Philly are rare, please visit Philadelight for the latest news and events in the deep south of Philadelphia.
Metropolis Farms, the first vegan-certified farm in the US, is located right in our Far South neighborhood of Whitman. Metropolis Farms boasts using 98% less water than traditional farms by filtering and recycling water after use. Read more about the farm of the future via Technical.ly.
Philadelphia Magazine just published the list of Best Shops in Philadelphia and 8 local South Philadelphia shops were listed among them. Shopping in South Philadelphia has become even more convenient with PhillyMag's short list of must-shop stores!
It’s one of South Street’s best hidden gems, a four-year-old lifestyle boutique that proves streetwear, sneakers and, yes, South Street can be sophisticated. The vibe: Floor-to-ceiling blond wood; slick modernity. Go here for: Elevated streetwear from brands like Norse Projects, Herschel and Publish, alongside sneakers, raw denim and a colorful wall of bags. Need to know: The shop also carries an impressive selection of Taschen coffee-table books, which make perfect gifts for the hard to impress. Coming soon: The owners plan to launch a handful of shops across the city. First up: a women’s and kids’ store on Pine Street that just opened its doors.
609 South 4th Street, Queen Village
What began in 2004 as a t-shirt, art and specialty toy store has since ballooned into a five-location brand that’s recharged Philly’s vintage scene with its unfussy business model: bulk buying, rock-bottom prices, whip-quick turnaround. The vibe: Unstuffy flea market. Go here for: Vintage housewares and furniture. Need to know: The selection at each outpost is determined by the size of the space. Fishtown is the largest (dressers, bedroom furniture), followed by West Philly, the Piazza, East Passyunk and, finally, 4th Street (dining chairs, little antiques). Insider tip: Every day, Jinxed posts the best, newest pieces from all five locations — along with full item descriptions, prices and store phone numbers — on its Instagram feed. The first to call gets the goods.
Some shops make this list for the fact that they could only really be in Philly. Eye’s Gallery makes this list for the way it transports you out of the city, to Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, or some secret artist’s cave far from this neon stretch of South Street. The vibe: The tri-level bazaar is a heady whirlwind of colors, patterns and textures, with sloping carved ceilings, a ribbon-like spiral staircase and artwork everywhere. Go here for: Folk art, housewares, jewelry and furniture from more than 15 countries. Fun fact: Julia Zagar and her husband, master mosaic artist Isaiah, opened the shop back in 1968; it’s the site of Isaiah’s first mosaic. Insider tip: Julia leads trips to places like India, Peru and Cuba during which she’ll take you to insider spots you’d never find on your own.
Chelsea Pearce’s store unfurls slowly, an inviting tactile emporium that brings a fresh boho bent to Fabric Row. The vibe: Bohemian artist’s enclave. Go here for: Handcrafted and vintage jewelry, bags, cards, clothing, housewares, and artisanal goods and gifts. Must-buy: Graphic brass jewelry, all handmade by Pearce, that starts at $22. Standouts: Geometric marble trivets by Fort Standard ($96) that are more like sculpture than mere kitchen necessity. Coming soon: An expanded children’s section with gifts and gear starting at $12, ideal for moms who’ve tired of big-box offerings.
Sara Villari’s gift shop is movie-set cute, a rock star on the indie scene that doubled in size just a few weeks ago. The vibe: Handmade Etsy charm. Go here for: Cards, party gear, jewelry, candles, barware, gift wrap, stationery, and everything else that lives on your “Entertaining” Pinterest board. Must-buy: Anything from Girls Can Tell Gift Company, Villari’s in-house line that features her own adorable sketches (annotated rowhouses, soft pretzels and Boathouse Row) on dish towels, onesies, bibs and wine totes.
This tiny atelier is the brainchild of two friends, Anna Bario and Page Neal, who create some of the most beautiful jewelry in the city, all made from reclaimed metals and ethically sourced stones. The vibe: Part jewel box, part workshop. Go here for: Delicate organic-looking rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, as well as custom pieces. Need to know: The duo offer an amazing selection of men’s jewelry, particularly wedding bands.
In Elena Brennan’s beloved Fabric Row boutique, a roster of funky designers gives shoe-lovers a refreshing reprieve from toothpick stilettos and ubiquitous red soles. The vibe: Whimsical, with a sharp dose of London edge. (Brennan’s from Britain.) Go here for: Shoes that are unconventional and colorful, rendered in odd shapes and unexpected colors. Standouts: Curved-heel booties by John Fluevog and futuristic sandals by United Nude. Must-buy: A pair of supremely comfortable lace-less oxfords ($250) from Brennan’s second shoe line, a collaboration with All Black.
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| Winner of best jewel box / workshop in Philly, Bario Neal (700 South 6th Street, Bella Vista) |
Ps & Qs
820 South Street, Bella VistaIt’s one of South Street’s best hidden gems, a four-year-old lifestyle boutique that proves streetwear, sneakers and, yes, South Street can be sophisticated. The vibe: Floor-to-ceiling blond wood; slick modernity. Go here for: Elevated streetwear from brands like Norse Projects, Herschel and Publish, alongside sneakers, raw denim and a colorful wall of bags. Need to know: The shop also carries an impressive selection of Taschen coffee-table books, which make perfect gifts for the hard to impress. Coming soon: The owners plan to launch a handful of shops across the city. First up: a women’s and kids’ store on Pine Street that just opened its doors.
Jinxed
1835 East Passyunk Avenue, East Passyunk609 South 4th Street, Queen Village
What began in 2004 as a t-shirt, art and specialty toy store has since ballooned into a five-location brand that’s recharged Philly’s vintage scene with its unfussy business model: bulk buying, rock-bottom prices, whip-quick turnaround. The vibe: Unstuffy flea market. Go here for: Vintage housewares and furniture. Need to know: The selection at each outpost is determined by the size of the space. Fishtown is the largest (dressers, bedroom furniture), followed by West Philly, the Piazza, East Passyunk and, finally, 4th Street (dining chairs, little antiques). Insider tip: Every day, Jinxed posts the best, newest pieces from all five locations — along with full item descriptions, prices and store phone numbers — on its Instagram feed. The first to call gets the goods.
Eye’s Gallery
402 South Street, Queen VillageSome shops make this list for the fact that they could only really be in Philly. Eye’s Gallery makes this list for the way it transports you out of the city, to Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, or some secret artist’s cave far from this neon stretch of South Street. The vibe: The tri-level bazaar is a heady whirlwind of colors, patterns and textures, with sloping carved ceilings, a ribbon-like spiral staircase and artwork everywhere. Go here for: Folk art, housewares, jewelry and furniture from more than 15 countries. Fun fact: Julia Zagar and her husband, master mosaic artist Isaiah, opened the shop back in 1968; it’s the site of Isaiah’s first mosaic. Insider tip: Julia leads trips to places like India, Peru and Cuba during which she’ll take you to insider spots you’d never find on your own.
Moon + Arrow
754 South 4th Street, Queen VillageChelsea Pearce’s store unfurls slowly, an inviting tactile emporium that brings a fresh boho bent to Fabric Row. The vibe: Bohemian artist’s enclave. Go here for: Handcrafted and vintage jewelry, bags, cards, clothing, housewares, and artisanal goods and gifts. Must-buy: Graphic brass jewelry, all handmade by Pearce, that starts at $22. Standouts: Geometric marble trivets by Fort Standard ($96) that are more like sculpture than mere kitchen necessity. Coming soon: An expanded children’s section with gifts and gear starting at $12, ideal for moms who’ve tired of big-box offerings.
Occasionette
1825 East Passyunk Avenue, East PassyunkSara Villari’s gift shop is movie-set cute, a rock star on the indie scene that doubled in size just a few weeks ago. The vibe: Handmade Etsy charm. Go here for: Cards, party gear, jewelry, candles, barware, gift wrap, stationery, and everything else that lives on your “Entertaining” Pinterest board. Must-buy: Anything from Girls Can Tell Gift Company, Villari’s in-house line that features her own adorable sketches (annotated rowhouses, soft pretzels and Boathouse Row) on dish towels, onesies, bibs and wine totes.
Bario Neal
700 South 6th Street, Bella VistaThis tiny atelier is the brainchild of two friends, Anna Bario and Page Neal, who create some of the most beautiful jewelry in the city, all made from reclaimed metals and ethically sourced stones. The vibe: Part jewel box, part workshop. Go here for: Delicate organic-looking rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, as well as custom pieces. Need to know: The duo offer an amazing selection of men’s jewelry, particularly wedding bands.
Bus Stop
727 South 4th Street, Queen VillageIn Elena Brennan’s beloved Fabric Row boutique, a roster of funky designers gives shoe-lovers a refreshing reprieve from toothpick stilettos and ubiquitous red soles. The vibe: Whimsical, with a sharp dose of London edge. (Brennan’s from Britain.) Go here for: Shoes that are unconventional and colorful, rendered in odd shapes and unexpected colors. Standouts: Curved-heel booties by John Fluevog and futuristic sandals by United Nude. Must-buy: A pair of supremely comfortable lace-less oxfords ($250) from Brennan’s second shoe line, a collaboration with All Black.
This map shows the major shopping centers in the far south of Philadelphia. The shopping plazas all have ample parking for those driving their cars or riding their bikes.
Most of the shopping centers are conveniently located near public transportation. SEPTA's Broad St orange line runs south through all the major streets, including stops at Walnut-Locust, Lombard-South, Ellsworth-Federal, Tasker-Morris, Snyder, Oregon, and Pattison ave (AT&T station).
Most of the shopping centers are conveniently located near public transportation. SEPTA's Broad St orange line runs south through all the major streets, including stops at Walnut-Locust, Lombard-South, Ellsworth-Federal, Tasker-Morris, Snyder, Oregon, and Pattison ave (AT&T station).
Everyone knows Rittenhouse Square houses some of Philadelphia's most elite and top earners. But did you know that some of the most highly sought after homes are located in South Philadelphia These include the out-of-sight hidden neighborhoods of South Philly where homes are seldom on sale. Our real estate sources cite waitlists on some of the homes in which buyers earnestly await homeowners to sell.
"Money is not the issue here. Many of the prestigious and quiet neighborhoods are rare gems that South Philadelphians are unwilling to let go of. They won't sell even though they no longer have the people to fill the home."
Where are these places? They're the hidden driveways; the crooks and nannies in South Philly that you wouldn't think to go to because they're just driveways. In reality, these hidden neighborhoods house some of the most beautiful homes in South Philadelphia. Lawns, parking, garages, access to public transportation and shopping centers; these homeowners do have it all.
"They're the secret no local wants to let new buyers know about. They are so few of them left that people just keep hush about them and wait their turn to get in."
Some of these hidden neighborhoods were revealed to be in our own far south Philadelphia: Saint Christopher Dr and Saint Michael Dr of the Whitman neighborhood. The Whitman and Pennsport neighborhoods received accolades for being located near public transportation and Center City, yet remained close enough to shopping plazas and the 'burbs.
"Money is not the issue here. Many of the prestigious and quiet neighborhoods are rare gems that South Philadelphians are unwilling to let go of. They won't sell even though they no longer have the people to fill the home."
Where are these places? They're the hidden driveways; the crooks and nannies in South Philly that you wouldn't think to go to because they're just driveways. In reality, these hidden neighborhoods house some of the most beautiful homes in South Philadelphia. Lawns, parking, garages, access to public transportation and shopping centers; these homeowners do have it all.
"They're the secret no local wants to let new buyers know about. They are so few of them left that people just keep hush about them and wait their turn to get in."
Some of these hidden neighborhoods were revealed to be in our own far south Philadelphia: Saint Christopher Dr and Saint Michael Dr of the Whitman neighborhood. The Whitman and Pennsport neighborhoods received accolades for being located near public transportation and Center City, yet remained close enough to shopping plazas and the 'burbs.
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| Google images captures a view on Saint Michael Dr in a walkable neighborhood in South Philadelphia. |
2230 S 7th St
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 334-8505
Located in the Lower Moyamensing neighborhood near Cambodia Town, this unassuming and locally owned Vietnamese cafe seats at most 20 people. The Vietnamese hoagies (banh mi) and coffee are authentic and made fresh to order.
Learn more about street cleaning in Philadelphia.
