There’s something about finding a gift in a neighborhood shop that just feels better.
Maybe it’s the card that makes you immediately think of someone, the locally made piece you’d never stumble across online, or the gift you went in to buy for someone else and somehow ended up taking home for yourself. After our recent Maker’s Story on Ali’s Wagon, we started talking about the local shops we turn to when we want to give something that feels a little more thoughtful.
So, naturally, we asked the PHC team to share theirs.
From Fishtown and East Passyunk to Chestnut Hill and the Main Line, these are a few of the shops we keep coming back to when there’s someone special on our list.
Zoë: Good Buy Supply
Zoë’s pick is Good Buy Supply at 1737 E. Passyunk Avenue, a refill and sustainable home goods store where even the practical things manage to be gift-worthy.
She loves their playful candles, including tomato and corn-shaped ones, along with eco-friendly home goods, books, tools, and beautifully designed everyday essentials. Even something like a countertop compost bin can feel like a surprisingly good gift here.
And one particularly charming detail? They keep kid-sized brooms alongside the regular ones, which might just inspire little ones to help sweep.
As Zoë puts it: “SO CUTE, MUST GO.”
Joe: Remark Glass
Joe’s go-to is Remark Glass at Bok, where artists transform recycled glass into entirely new pieces.
What he loves most is the variety of colors and designs the artists are able to draw out of something as basic as a used piece of glass. They see the potential in an everyday object and turn it into something completely different.
There’s a personal connection, too. Joe’s son manages a local swim club that has an arrangement with Remark to send its empty wine and liquor bottles to their facility at Bok. As Joe puts it, since he may have helped “empty” a bottle, it’s fun to think he might have played a small role in getting that future goblet made.
Remark has been his go-to for team holiday and gift exchanges for years, and someone in his family gets a piece every year as well.
A PHC Favorite: Occasionette
When Kristin, Missy and Sarah all name the same shop, it probably deserves its own spot on the list.
With multiple locations, Occasionette has become a go-to for gifts that feel fun, local and easy to personalize. The selection covers a little bit of everything, from local sports gifts and kids’ items to cards, home goods and, as Missy puts it, “every single fun home tchotchke you can imagine.”
Missy is especially partial to their coasters and tea towels, while Sarah and Kristin both count Occasionette among their favorite places to browse when they need a gift.
It’s the kind of shop that works equally well when you know exactly what you’re looking for or when you need a little inspiration.
Amy: Darien & Co.
Amy was also ready to nominate Occasionette, particularly the original East Passyunk location, but when it comes to shopping closer to home, she loves Darien & Co. in Wayne.
The tiny but mighty shop has a beautifully curated mix of gifts, cards, cookbooks, and specialty food finds. Amy is particularly enthusiastic about their marinated dirty olives, which might be the ideal hostess gift... assuming you can resist keeping them for yourself.
Julie: Ali’s Wagon
Julie’s pick is Ali’s Wagon, a neighborhood favorite filled with colorful, thoughtful, and often unexpected finds.
It’s the kind of shop where you can walk in without a clear idea of what you’re looking for and still leave with something that feels just right. With a mix of gifts, home goods, cards, and playful pieces, it’s an easy place to find something with personality rather than something that feels generic.
After getting to know the story behind Ali’s Wagon for our recent Maker’s Story, it felt only right to include it here.
Kristin: Serendipity
With Sarah already claiming two of Kristin’s Chestnut Hill favorites, Occasionette and Robertson’s, Kristin added Serendipity to the list.
It’s a fun stop when you’re searching for something with a little local personality, particularly sports-themed and Philadelphia gifts. It’s the kind of shop that comes in handy when you want to give someone a little piece of Philly without reaching for the same old souvenir.
Sarah: Robertson’s + Ember
Sarah also loves Robertson’s and Ember in Chestnut Hill.
Ember may push the gift budget a bit, but Sarah says the shop always smells amazing, which feels like reason enough to wander in and see what catches your eye.
Stefania: Lore’s Chocolates + Fante’s
Stefania’s approach to gift giving is to make it personal to the person, or even to the neighborhood they call home. And when food is involved, even better.
For something sweet, she recommends Lore’s Chocolates, a family-owned Philadelphia chocolate shop that makes a great stop when you want to bring someone a locally made treat.
And for the person who loves spending time in the kitchen, Fante’s Kitchen Shop in the Italian Market is her pick for authentic cooking essentials. It’s an especially fun way to lean into the Italian Market and give something that feels connected to one of Philly’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Cristina: Proper Goods + Open House
When I’m looking for something a little different, Proper Goods in Fishtown is one of my first stops. Their selection has a fun, slightly emo edge to it, which I love, and it’s the kind of place where you can find something for the person who isn’t necessarily easy to shop for.
I also love Open House in Center City. It’s especially good when I’m looking for something Philly-related that still feels unique, but they have a little bit of everything. Cute baby gifts, locally made jewelry, home goods, cards, and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you spotted them on the shelf.
Shop Small, Give Thoughtfully
What we love most about these places isn’t just what’s on the shelves. It’s that each shop feels connected to the neighborhood around it.
Shopping locally turns a simple gift into something with a little more story behind it, while supporting the independent businesses that make our neighborhoods interesting places to live, wander, and call home.
And if you happen to pick up something for yourself while you’re there? We fully support that.
