Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Those looking to give truly unique gifts this holiday season will find plenty of inspiration in Philadelphia, where vintage finds are easy to come by. Across the city, fashion-conscious and environmentally aware shop owners offer the coolest in reconstructed, reformed and recycled merchandise and ensure that their client’s purchases stand out from the rest of the holiday gift pack. Here’s a look at the top 10 finds in town:

• Exotic Finds with Restored Purpose: The 70,000-square-foot warehouse housing Material Culture is a best-kept secret among area shoppers. The sprawling East Falls treasure trove offers, among salvaged Indonesian architectural elements and painstakingly handwoven Turkish rugs, great gifts: vintage, handspun wedding saris from the Indian subcontinent, empowered ceremonial objects from Africa, 80- to 100-year-old Mediterranean pottery once used to store grain, rice and olive oil (that make beautiful electric lamps) and hundreds of pieces of 20th-century Japanese pottery. 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, (215) 849-8030, www.materialculture.com
• Conscientious Community Art: Clothing artist/shop owner Jenny Tagle holds a five-times-a-week open house at Re:Source, a West Philadelphia gift gallery and boutique representing more than 50 local artists who work with reused and recycled materials. The shop’s catchall appeal comes from its variety. There are bowls shaped from old vinyl records, key chains of woven hemp, bracelets made of dominos, colander-shade lamps made of old percolators, wallets made of bike tubes and reconstructed clothing for all. 3620 Lancaster Avenue, (215) 387-3403
• Art-Driven Pieces for the Stylishly Edgy: Tucked into the back of Old City’s Vagabond is Honeymilk, an art-driven boutique with fashions and accessories that inspire imitation. Find here co-owner Julie Waring’s amazing leaf earrings: pressed gingko and Japanese maple leaves dipped in copper and plated in gold or silver. Snatch up old shirts fashioned into funky printed tunics, men’s shirts and hats by Philly’s own Kinked works and men’s ties created out of old heavy metal and hip-hop concert tees. 37 N. 3rd Street, (267) 322-4057
• Earth-Friendly Fashions: Organic cotton jeans and soy knit dresses are among the finds at Satya, a 100% environmentally correct shop that’s as cozy as a yoga studio and as stylish as any designer boutique. Owner Romy Sheroder has a knack for sourcing the latest, most sought-after merchandise, such as Kim White’s bright, chic bags made of “dead” automotive fabrics and English Retread’s durable belts and bags made of old tractor and truck inner tubes rescued from landfills. 701 S. 9th Street, (215) 627-3440, www.satyaboutique.com
• Revolutionary Antiques: Early Philadelphia side chairs, Lancaster County hanging cupboards and Pennsylvania German house blessing boards are among the 200-plus year-old finds at Philip H. Bradley Co. Antiques. For more than 50 years, this dealer has specialized in the finest regional art and furnishings, making it a major resource for serious decorators working on historic manses. 1101 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, (610) 269-0427
• Country Chic Home Furnishings and Accessories: Old-world sophistication and elegance are combined at Origin & Ash, a Main Line furniture boutique and gallery. The shop mixes graceful custom-made upholstery, romantic lighting, original paintings and antique one-of-a-kind treasures with handmade furniture by artist T.R. Risk, who uses reclaimed lumber, vintage hardware and antique glass to build original, timeless furniture. 876 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 527-6627, www.originandash.com
• Crafty-Chic Clothing and Accessories: Some of Philly’s most up-and-coming indie designers sell their wares out of the basement of South Street’s Antiquarian Delight, a hodgepodge antique mall. These chic crafters turn discarded and old material into new creations. Find wristlets and tee-shirts appliquéd with vintage fabric cutouts by Lolo & Gretch, wallets reconstructed from old calicos by the Ladies’ Auxiliary Club and skirts made from old silk ties by Tomato. 615 S. 6th Street, (215) 592-0256
• Guitars, Steels and Amps that Rock On: A big red Bucks County Guitar Barn is the perfect setting for swapping, selling and buying 60s-era Martin guitars, secondhand amps, flame-painted steels and circa 1929 mandolins. Owner Karl Huf has been strumming his whole life, and imbues his store with a rock and roller’s love for music. 2 Sherman Road, Ottsville, (610) 847-2749, www.guitarbarn.com
• High Fidelity Finds: Long before John Cusack made the indie record shop movie, Chester County’s cozy Mad Platter was selling obscure to classic tunes to rock and jazz aficionados. The 30-year-old shop still stocks vintage vinyl (and CDs) and has been the setting for scenes from MTV’s “Viva La Bam.” 111 W. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 431-1509
• Books with History: For more than 30 years, bookseller Peter Hiller has dealt in never-been-read to gently worn pre-owned books, vending bestsellers and obscure tomes alike from one of the least organized, best-loved stores in the area. Old City’s Book Trader specializes in no one genre, but among its thousands of volumes are hundreds of out-of-print classics, including amazing finds in the spirituality, art and photography and gay and lesbian sections. 7 N. 2nd Street, (215) 925-0511

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside™ a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit http://www.gophila.com/ or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Caroline Bean, (215) 599-7433