Walnut Street and Liberty Place offer designer wares, jewelers and upscale boutiques. For edgy clothing, retro and designer furniture, try Old City. Nearby, Pine Street yields an eclectic mix of antiques, gifts and toys. For serious jewelry, Sansom Street shines.
Located on the north end of Midtown Village, Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates is a great place to pick up a sweet gift for a loved one or a tasty treat for yourself. The chocolate is made using locally and regionally sourced ingredients, including cream and butter from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and herbs and honey from nearby farms. Chef Marcie Blaine Turney, the co-operator of Little Nonna’s at The Independent Hotel, infuses her chocolate creations with bold, lively flavors like cardamom, fig, pumpkin spice, coffee and whiskey.
Stepping outside the borders of Midtown Village to the heart of Center City expands your retail horizons to include a vast array of stores, ranging from upscale to mass-market and everything in between. Walnut Street is to Philly what Fifth Avenue is to New York City: the best, brightest and biggest reside here. Spend an afternoon strolling Walnut Street and stop in at the Apple Store, Tiffany & Co., Holt’s Cigar Company, lululemon athletica, Anthropologie, and City Sports.
Just a few blocks away from Center City’s major retailers sits a decidedly different kind of store: Verde. A true local gem in Midtown Village, Verde specializes in women’s jewelry and accessories, along with a carefully curated selection of women’s clothing and home goods. Verde is a great place to stop during the holiday season — or any season — if you’re looking for a gift for a loved one — plus, it’s operated by Midtown Village luminary/restaurateur/chef/chocolatier Marcie Blaine Turney, who whips up fine Italian fare at Little Nonna’s at The Independent Hotel.
From jazz to hip-hop to indie rock, Philadelphia has served as an incubator for some of America’s most groundbreaking music. One of the best places to celebrate the living history of Philadelphia’s music scene is Rustic Music, a record store in Midtown Village. Pick up hard-to-find vintage vinyl, take a guitar on a brief test-drive, or just browse the racks at this classic piece of Philly’s cultural parchment.
