Publisher’s Picks: East Passyunk Avenue Edition
Ten post-holiday treats – to give yourself!
On a cold, sunny January day, Passyunk Post publisher Joseph F. Marino and East Passyunk BID Executive Director Adam Leiter took a walk along East Passyunk Avenue to explore the shops now that the holiday rush has passed. “Having spent the past month buying gifts for family and friends, it’s the perfect time of year to buy a pick-me-up to speed along the gloomy winter days,” noted Marino.
Here are ten items that caught Marino’s eye, from the economical to the sublime, in no particular order.
1) This Wooden Wallet Card Holder, outfitted with an industrial strength band, is compact, strong, and holds your cards and cash securely. A perfect grab-and-run gift and an interesting alternative to a bulky wallet. Shoppers shouldn’t neglect the striking artisan watches for which their store is named, either.
Analog Watch Company
1737 E. Passyunk Ave.
(484) 808-5831
Tuesday – Saturday 9am-5pm
2)
Beyond the sentiment, these Love and Home pillows make a bold statement in any room. They add a pop of color in contemporary and chic way. They’re also soft and comfortable – perfect when you’re settling down for a long (or short) winter’s nap.
Gypsy Rose
1514 East Passyunk Ave.
(267) 767-6475
Hours by appointment.
3) “Orange is my favorite color and these Zyl Frames by Philly Eyeworks jumped out at me as the sun set,” says Marino. “They can be filled as prescription eyeglasses or as sunwear.” Innervision also offers limited-edition cleaning cloths designed by Philadelphia artists.
Innervision
1815 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 575-5188
Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm
4) Paddywax Library Candles include different candle scents based on classic authors like Tolstoy and Dickens. The Oscar Wilde candle is cedar, thyme and basil. Perfect to light on cold winter nights as you pull a book off your shelf (or out of your electronic device).
Occasionette
1825 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 465-1704
Monday – Friday 11am-8pm;
Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 10am-6pm
5) Board and dice games, coupled with cocoa or coffee, are the perfect combination for snow-day fun! Tildie’s specializes in games that are educational, fun, and build community. Ticket to Ride is a favorite, as is the dice game Tenzi.
Tildie’s Toy Box
1829 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 334-9831
Monday – Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
6) “I won’t buy anything that isn’t 100% cotton,” says Marino, “and this Cobalt Age of Wisdom Ready-to-Wear Cotton Quarter-Zip Sweater with leather accents fits my style and frame. Anything goes under it, and because it’s brown and blue it complements everything. The quality fabric won’t wear or fade prematurely.”
A Man’s Image
1841 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 755-7100
9:30am daily. Check website for closing times.
7) Felt Creations based on the Little Mermaid or Noah’s ark are colorful, whimsical and a perfect way to accent a gray or otherwise dark bookshelf or settee with color. Sustainable, socially responsible and non-toxic.
The Nesting House
1605 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 755-1575
Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm
8) Grab-and-Go Bouquets will brighten up any home during the moribund days of January. Handcrafted bouquets of seasonal flowers are a reasonably-priced way to pick oneself up. These are a wonderful thing to give somebody else for any reason or no reason at all. Marino quips: “It’s like a non-edible tiramisu – that’s colloquial Italian for a pick-me-up.”
Creations by Coppola at Floral + Fauna
1724 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 399-9754
Sunday – Thursday 10am-7pm;
Friday – Saturday 10am-9pm
9) This Shacket hides a multitude of holiday sins with a clean, linear look. A chic upturned collar gives a retro accent to a contemporary piece. It’s perfect for an early spring or late autumn day and wipes clean.
Metro Men’s Clothing
1600 E Passyunk Ave.
(267) 324-5172
Monday – Saturday 11:30am-8pm;
Sunday 11:30am-5pm.
10) The herbal Kosha Salt Scrub activates, stimulates and brings vitality to the skin, promotes healthy blood flow, and increases circulation. Rachel, the proprietor of Palo Santo, makes them herself. Not just for pre- and post-yoga replenishment – they’re unusual and perfect for someone who has everything.
Palo Santo Wellness Boutique
1707 E Passyunk Ave.
(215) 952-0360
Open daily until 9pm
