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City Cast Philly

Marie Albiges

When William Reed first envisioned shutting down the corridor from Girard Avenue to Spring Garden Street for a neighborhood music festival, he approached it with a mission of trying to reduce the number of cars speeding down Second Street.

Reed, who opened the Northern Liberties tavern 

 in 2000, was tired of witnessing accidents and fighting with the city to get adequate traffic safety measures in place.

“I wanted to pedestrianize [Second Street], have people enjoy it in a different way,” he said. He joined forces with 

 Alexis Rosenzweig to bring the festival to life in 2008.

The first two years, Reed knew 90% of the people attending the festival. By its third year, that was no longer the case; it had expanded beyond music to include vendors and food trucks, and Reed realized it was becoming one of the city’s most significant festivals.

Now in its 16th year (the festival was postponed for two years during COVID), Reed is expecting over 40,000 people to experience the three-quarter-mile stretch of Second Street packed with local food trucks, artists, street performers, and vendors on Aug. 2.

“The festival has been really beneficial to bringing new eyes to the neighborhood,” Reed said.

It’s designed strategically to showcase Second Street’s 

, with food trucks in the middle of the street rather than on the sidewalk to avoid blocking the storefronts. Reed and his co-organizers put thought into curating a local experience in the vendors they select — there’s a waiting list for vendors every year — and received a special grant from the city this year to help pay for more street performers.

 is previewing a few recipes from his new slow-drinks-style bar Field Day, set to open in September inside the Cescaphe Ballroom.

As the festival winds down, North Bowl’s parking lot is the place to be, with Philly house music event company The Shakedown 

Tired of the crowd and heat but still want festival vibes? Reed recommends snagging a spot under a ceiling fan on Standard Tap’s second-floor porch to enjoy a plate of oysters and people-watch.

Over 40,000 people are expected to experience the three-quarter-mile stretch of Second Street packed with local food trucks, artists, street performers, and vendors.

2nd Street Festival Celebrates 16 Years on Aug. 2

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Keep It Local

The annual 2nd Street Festival may be the neighborhood's main event, but Northern Liberties' small businesses are the reason to come back. These are some of our favorite spots in NoLibs to shop year-round.

Beginning in 1993 as a record label in West Chester, this indie record store on Second Street has a wide selection of new and used vinyls, deep cuts, and $1 cassette tapes. Located within walking distance of live music venues like 

, Creep Records also gives away show tickets on its 

The North Fourth Street shop carries a wide variety of indoor tropical houseplants as well as outdoor annuals and perennials. The shop will occasionally host terrarium-making classes and is a 

pick-up site for the Lancaster Farm Fresh CSA

Owner Alané Dame has curated a collection of vintage clothing and accessories for all genders. Digging through the racks, you’ll find vintage items such as fur coats, purses from the 1950s, vintage Fendi leather pumps, and bomber jackets. Dame said in 

 that opening a store like this has been a dream of hers since she was 18 years old.

Low-waste sustainability company Ray’s Reusables started out of a van in 2020, doing the local farmer’s market circuit until it opened a storefront on Second Street in 2022. The store has everything you need to have a more sustainable home, with stations to refill everything in your personal containers from liquid dish soap to face wash. It also partners with 

We have a guide to the Northern Liberties shops that deserve a spot on your festival itinerary.


Our Favorite Places to Shop in NoLibs

There’s a few things that you can find at 

that you can’t at the big box hardware stores, starting with Carl.

Carl, the chillest black-and-white shepherd mutt I’ve ever met, greets you at the door with soft, watery eyes and a tail wag that tells you he’s happy you’re here, but he’d appreciate it if you met him on his level of chill.

Carl only has eyes for his owner, Jesse Prager, and upon meeting Prager, I understand where Carl gets his chill.

Prager points out a few more things you can find at Rittenhouse Hardware that you can’t find at the big box stores: knowledgeable, attentive staff that will give you free advice and find what you’re looking for within seconds; parts for older homes that many hardware chains don’t carry; and the convenience of having a hardware store you can walk to.

 Rittenhouse Hardware has received, “This store is stocked as if it was in Diagon Alley; not one inch of the wall/ceiling is wasted.”

If we’re sticking with the Diagon Alley theme, even the most obscure requests at Rittenhouse Hardware are handled with the same individualized care and attention that Ollivander gave Harry in the wand shop. The guys at Rittenhouse can tell you exactly what nut will hold a faucet to a supply line, what masonry drill bit mounts a television onto a brick wall, and they’ll help you find a replacement lightbulb in about 30 seconds (Prager even gave me some advice on how to handle a sticky front door).

Prager said he’s worked hard to train his employees to make even the most unknowledgeable customers feel confident about finding and using the right tool or part without making them feel inferior.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable coming in no matter where you came from,” he said. “That’s consciously brought up here.”

Like Prager, original owner Ken Kemp started working at a hardware store in college, fell in love with the business, and turned what was then a small market into Rittenhouse Hardware in 1994. Prager began working there in 2001 and bought the store from Kemp in 2021.

“This is one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had,” Prager said. “We have fun here. We’re always joking around, picking music, hanging out, it’s a fun environment.”

At Rittenhouse Hardware you can find knowledgeable, attentive staff; parts for older homes that many hardware chains don’t carry; and the convenience of having a hardware store you can walk to.

What Rittenhouse Hardware Does Better Than the Big Box Stores 

Philadelphians are a resourceful bunch! So it’s no surprise we’ve got an abundance of local hardware stores to rely on for everything from potting soil to shelving hacks.

This North Philly nonprofit shop and creative reuse center is a treasure trove of donated reusable materials such as art supplies, building materials, lumber, textiles, and furniture. The Resource Exchange also features a 

 whose artwork features a sustainability component, and offers monthly workshops and creative events.

This Germantown Avenue corner hardware store has been a staple in the Chestnut Hill community since 1913. Specializing in functional and decorative hardware for wood doors and windows, the store has a variety of housewares, garden supplies, and paint. Kilian’s also offers 

 for items like vacuums, windows, screens, and lamps.

Many folks still refer to Henry’s by its old name, 1540 Hardware (its black-and-white sign still hangs over the façade). Your typical small neighborhood hardware store, Henry’s offers a decent selection of tools, lightbulbs, gardening supplies, and repair items you might need in a pinch.

The family-owned South Street shop has been owned by three generations of Cohens. In addition to your typical hardware inventory, Cohen & Co. has one of the largest 

 in the South Street area for all your framing, window, and mirror needs.

Here's a list of independent hardware stores where you’ll find what you need, support a small business, and probably leave with some free advice.


Local Hardware Stores For Your Summer Projects 

Inside a bustling Center City corridor on Ludlow Street, there’s a place where immigrant entrepreneurs are thriving and cultures are coming together. You might have seen

 popping up at Reading Terminal Market, the Christmas Village, or Triple Bottom Brewing. Now the multicultural marketplace and nonprofit has its own pop-up storefront on Ludlow Street.

, a Philadelphia nonprofit that promotes inclusive economic growth, Immigrant Marché’s Ludlow Street storefront is open through the end of July. Layla El Tannir, director of entrepreneurship at The Welcoming Center, said she hopes to extend the pop-up through the end of the summer, and has plans to open another location soon.

The shop features products from immigrants representing Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Products sold include vegan nail polish, embroidered pillows, jewelry, art prints, coffee beans, and jam — all made by immigrants who now call Philadelphia home. Entrepreneurs must be residents of Philadelphia and have a business registered here, and must have previously participated in an Immigrant Marché pop-up.

The storefront — offered to The Welcoming Center rent-free — is part of 

 that is activating vacant storefronts along one of Philadelphia’s most significant urban corridors in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, Center City District, and local property owners.

“These businesses alone would have never been able to have the same entry point,” El Tannir said. “This whole project is giving them the opportunity to do that.”

She said the idea of the storefront is to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and learn how to operate storefronts. The entrepreneurs each take shifts working inside the store, which is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

El Tannir said she’s regularly asked how Philadelphians can support immigrants. Her answer: Shop at immigrant-owned businesses.

“Maybe we don’t feel it as much directly in Center City Philadelphia, but there’s a rhetoric that has been built against immigrants,” El Tannir said. “Sometimes that overshadows the great value that immigrants bring to our community.”

The shop features products from immigrants representing Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

Immigrant Marché Opens Pop-Up Storefront in Center City 

 combines the cultural tastes of Bishara Kuttab, who is Palestinian, and his wife Zohra Saibi, who is Algerian. Opened in 2022, the shop sells imported organic products from the Middle East and North Africa, including desserts, roasted nuts, spices, and soaps.

Julia De Burgos Bookstore (West Kensington)

, operated by the community-based cultural organization Taller Puertorriqueño, is the only bilingual bookstore in Philadelphia that specializes in Puerto Rican and Latin American cultures. It also sells locally made merchandise including stickers, jewelry, candles, and tote bags.

The Czerw brothers operate the legendary neighborhood spot on Tilton Street that has served kielbasa, pierogies, and other Polish fare since it was founded by Jan Czerw in 1938 (the shop has made such an impression in the neighborhood that Tilton Street was renamed Czerw Way last year). Catch me in line at 

International Foods & Spices (University City)

A family-owned Indian and South Asian grocery in University City, 

has been a cornerstone in the neighborhood since 1987. Best-known for its handmade samosas, the shop also sells a variety of spices, injera, bread, sauces, frozen meals, ice cream, and a selection of halal meats.

Chocolate Arts & Crafts (Passyunk Square)

Despite its name, you’ll find mostly handcrafted Mexican goods like pottery, masks, art, apparel, and gifts at Chocolate Arts & Crafts, which goes by 

. The colorful boutique boasts everything from wrestling masks to Día de Los Muertos decor.

After spending weeks hosting fans from every corner of the globe, it feels like the perfect time to explore the international markets, import shops, and specialty stores that make Philly one of the country's most diverse shopping destinations. 


Shop the World Without Leaving Philly 

” viral merch trend via the cute hats at 

, and I’ve been delightfully repeating that phrase to myself for weeks now (many hot dogs were consumed by yours truly down the shore last week). Minor Details is for the Phillies girlies — think beaded purses, bedazzled headbands, candles, earrings, tank tops, and crop tops. You’ll find cute merch for every Philly sports team, plus gifts for the Swiftie in your life.

South Philly locals and Temple University grads Tony Trov and Johnny Zito know all of the Philly lore, and they’re printing it on T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts at 

. My personal favorite Phillies T-shirt design on the rack right now: The Phanatic reimagined as Leonardo da Vinci’s 

. (Note: South Fellini’s summer hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-5 pm).

Shibe Vintage Sports (Gayborhood and suburbs)

 has an entire collection of All-Star game apparel, including hats and T-shirts that feature the 1952 and 1996 All-Star games in Philadelphia. They even have a display of items related to the 1952 game, including an 

 of the Philadelphia Athletics. In addition to carrying officially licensed merch, you’ll find vintage original styles from local screen printers and local artists.

Serendipity Shops (Chestnut Hill, Doylestown, and Avalon, NJ)

This is the spot to hit up for a gift for the hard-core Phillies fan in your life. Because they definitely need a 

. In addition to gifts and apparel from all of your favorite Philly sports teams, 

carries locally sourced goods from companies like Hank Sauce, Philadelphia Candle Co., and Dionis Goat Milk Skincare.

Five of our Phillies made the National League roster for the All-Star Game, so we’re sharing places to shop local and show your support for the Fightins at the game and all season long.

5 Places to Get Unique Phillies Gear 

The last time the MLB All-Star Game came to Philadelphia, John Foley was a die-hard 15-year-old Phillies fan. He couldn’t get tickets to the game at Veterans Stadium, so a buddy brought his television outside and the block gathered to watch. A lone Phillies player, pitcher Ricky Bottalico, had made the team.

“I remember the energy, the excitement around it,” Foley said.

This year Foley will be in the stands at Citizens Bank Park with his kids, watching MLB’s best players. He’s been enmeshed in the world of the Phillies his entire life, spending years covering the games part-time for local media outlets and independently on 

. But while working as a lawyer, he had been trying to figure out a way to turn his love of Philly sports and its fan culture into a full-time job. And in March, he saw the opportunity: Opening a store selling authentic, local sports apparel, merchandise, and memorabilia in a Graduate Hospital spot that was previously a smoke shop.

“I camped out, watched everybody who was coming by. Every other person had a Phillies hat on,” Foley said.

 opened in May. The shop sells T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, hats, accessories, decor, trading cards, and art designed by local artists like 

, as well as vintage sports memorabilia through 

. Foley’s also carries beaded bags, purses, and accessories from the female Philly duo behind 

Foley said he wants to ensure the shop is curated with Philly fans in mind and showcases the work of the artists who understand the unique fandom of this town. He’s also launching fan experiences, starting with a meet-and-greet with the Phillies’ new right fielder, Derek Hill, who will be signing autographs on July 17 at 6 pm.

“I don’t think you could do a store like this anywhere else,” Foley said. “Whatever it is that makes Philly sports so special, we want to capture it in the shop.”

The shop sells T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, hats, accessories, decor, trading cards, and art designed by local artists. 

The New Philly Sports Shop Every Fan Should Know About

 in Old City, you’re immediately hit with the smell of sweetness: melted chocolate, creamy caramel, the slightest hint of fruit.

You’re also hit with the feeling that you just stepped back in time: the creaking and original hardwood floors, the intricate blue-and-white fixtures, the old-timey cash register, the 19th-century stained glass. This chocolatey, nostalgic sensation feels right for a visit during America’s 250th celebration.

As she walks me through the storefront and into the kitchen, Pavia Burroughs, Shane’s creative director, rattles through a list of the confectionery’s owners since 1863: The Herrings, the Denglers (Daniel Dengler allegedly dabbled in the fireworks trade during the slow summer chocolate season), the Wescotts, and the Shanes, who held onto the business for 99 years before bequeathing ownership to the Berley Brothers (who had opened the nearby Franklin Fountain) in 2010.

“(The Shanes) had really made an impression in the city… and in order to pay homage to the really ingrained legacy at that point, the Berleys decided to keep it named ‘Shane,’” Burroughs said.

Today, all of the chocolate and ice cream at Shane Confectionery, 

The Franklin Fountain and The Franklin Ice Cream Bar

 next door is made in-house. The cocoa beans are ethically sourced from Uncommon Cacao, ground in the back of Shane’s, melted down and turned into everything from passionfruit caramels (Boroughs’ favorite) to the popular Schnickelfritz peanut butter crisp in dark chocolate (a crowd favorite). The packaging, also done in-house, is designed by Burroughs, who first started working there as a candy clerk.

In addition to buying chocolates, candies, and cookies, customers can drink seasonal hot and cold chocolate in the cafe between the storefront and the kitchen. The cafe’s 1880s wooden counters are all salvaged from shuttered local candy shops.

For America's 250th, The Franklin Fountain is serving up two patriotic specials: 

, named after the highly potent drink served at America’s oldest angling club that allegedly made George Washington hungover for three days (the Franklin version swaps brandy and rum for black tea, lemon, and peach), and a 

 featuring layers of lemon sorbet, vanilla ice cream, mango sorbet, and raspberry compote.

America’s Oldest Confectionery

Opened in 2010, Fairmount Bicycles sells new and used bikes and offers tuneups

and repair classes. The shop’s guided rides are super popular, including a three-hour 

 offers handcrafted, sustainable, and functional goods, intentionally partnering with artisans from diverse backgrounds. Inside you’ll find everything from a display of locally made hot sauces to handcrafted pottery, candle holders, and recycled clothing.

Queer Candle Company (various markets and festivals)

While this queer-owned candle company doesn’t have a physical storefront, you can catch it at various farmer’s markets, festivals, and events across town, including this weekend at the 

 (June 28). Nearly a dozen small Philly businesses also carry these candles, including 

South Philly Yarn and Craft (East Passyunk)

If you’re looking to put down your phone and pick up a craft, head to 

in East Passyunk, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of high-quality, sustainable yarn materials and tools. There’s also classes and workshops for learning to knit, crochet, and drop spindle, with various levels for beginners and more advanced crafters.

shopping

2nd Street Festival Celebrates 16 Years on Aug. 2

Our Favorite Places to Shop in NoLibs

What Rittenhouse Hardware Does Better Than the Big Box Stores

Latest articles

2nd Street Festival Celebrates 16 Years on Aug. 2

Our Favorite Places to Shop in NoLibs

What Rittenhouse Hardware Does Better Than the Big Box Stores

Local Hardware Stores For Your Summer Projects

Immigrant Marché Opens Pop-Up Storefront in Center City

Shop the World Without Leaving Philly

5 Places to Get Unique Phillies Gear

Latest articles

Local Hardware Stores For Your Summer Projects

Immigrant Marché Opens Pop-Up Storefront in Center City

Shop the World Without Leaving Philly

5 Places to Get Unique Phillies Gear

The New Philly Sports Shop Every Fan Should Know About

America’s Oldest Confectionery

4 Places to Support Pride in Philly All Year Round