“We could walk everywhere,” said Kevin Diehn. “We’d even forget where we’d parked our car.”
This was Diehn’s tribute to the rich offerings around the Bella Vista trinity he bought in 2012 with his wife, Ariel.
But perhaps the most unusual is the path leading to their street, with mosaics by the legendary Isaiah Zagar. Diehn says it’s about 70 yards long.
The outside of the home sits along a brick path.
And “we loved the proximity to South Street,” he said.
But now the Diehns — he works in the pharmaceutical industry and she’s a Pilates instructor — have moved to Maryland for work.
From the 840-square-foot home, the Italian Market, South Street, Washington Square, Penn’s Landing, and Jefferson and Pennsylvania Hospitals are all easily accessible.
The bathroom has a tub and a window.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom house is tied together by a spiral staircase that wraps around all four floors.
The living room features exposed brick, wood floors, and a fireplace that could work if refurbished.
The kitchen is in the basement and has an adjacent pantry, stainless steel appliances, a gas stove, a laundry area, and tile floor.
The kitchen is in the basement.
The winding stairs lead through French doors to the first bedroom and a bathroom with a tub/shower combination and glass enclosure.
The primary bedroom is on the third floor with vaulted ceilings and two large windows. The upper floors have plentiful exposed brick.
The house is in the Meredith School catchment area.
It is listed by Pamela Rosser-Thistle of BHHS Fox & Roach at the Harper Rittenhouse Square for $319,000.
When a western diamondback rattlesnake sinks its fangs into your hand, and it swells up like a purplish water balloon for days in a Texas hospital, it might be a sign for a career change.
But Clyde Peeling, who was born in Muncy, Lycoming County, in 1942, had already been bitten by the proverbial bug long before the rattlesnake bit him while he was stationed in Texas with the Air Force. Peeling, 83, still loved snakes, despite that close call, and went on to become the reptile king of Pennsylvania.
“I’ve pretty much known what I wanted to do with my life since I was 14,” Peeling said recently, from his beloved zoo near Williamsport.
A snake-necked turtle is shown in an aquarium at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
It wouldn’t be the last time he’d be bitten, either, in a career that has spanned more than half a century.
“Let’s see, once by a copperhead, a viper, and four other rattlesnakes. I don’t say that with any bravado,” Peeling said. “That was a very serious bite.”
Today, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland is home to enormous Komodo dragons with uncanny eyes, poisonous Gila monsters, anacondas thicker than most thighs, and Aldabra tortoises that can live up to 150 years.
“Some of these tortoises were just five pounds when we got them,” he said, in their hot enclosure.
Today, the tortoises look like boulders.
Clyde Peeling, 83, talks about his experiences at his reptile zoo, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
Reptiland opened on US-15 in Allenwood, Union County, in 1976. It joined an American tradition of roadside attractions ushered in by the post-World War II auto boom and the urge to hit the highway.
U.S. Route 15 bisects Pennsylvania, from the Maryland border, north to New York, passing through Williamsport and Harrisburg. Still, Peeling said it was far from bustling back then.
“I remember sitting there hoping one car would pass by. I was too egotistical to think I’d made a mistake, but I had a lot of naysayers,” he recalled.
In the timeless tradition of late-night television, Peeling has brought wild animals to visit Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, and others.
Reptile parks, serpentariums, and alligator farms dot the American landscape. Peeling wanted to elevate Reptiland beyond those hokey roadside shacks.
In 1986, his facility received a key and difficult-to-obtain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and it’s held that status ever since. Peeling said the inspection process, which takes place every five years, is grueling and every facet of the business is scrutinized, everything from record keeping, to veterinary care, aesthetics, and visitor services.
“We would have been accredited in 1985, but we were hit by a tornado that nearly flattened us,” he said.
Over the decades, Peeling expanded with a parakeet-feeding aviary and a large, outdoor dinosaur exhibit. More renovations are in the works, too. If you’d like parakeets to land on your head, you’ll have a blast. The park hosts a “Wino & Dinos” event outdoors, during the summer, for adults only.
At Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, life-size animated dinosaurs give visitors a perspective on life in the Mesozoic Era.
Peeling, with his sons, has visited, lectured, and collected in dozens of countries.
“That skull is from a crocodile in Borneo,” he said in his office.
Peeling’s son Chad, a right-hand man in the family business, died from brain cancer in 2019. Peeling himself fought non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tornadoes have damaged the property, and the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt, too.
Peeling hasn’t guided a trip since his son died but won’t rule out doing it one more time.
It's been 30 years since I've been back to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland in Union County and I wish I had come back sooner. Thanks for having us, Clyde! pic.twitter.com/5RKP9AbuWM
“Jefferson How We Adore Thee” will be released to the university community at its annual gala Tuesday. The university held a contest during its bicentennial last year, and Barden’s piece was selected from dozens of entries, the school said.
Elizabeth Avril Barden, a customer-experience specialist at Jefferson Health Plans and recent summa cum laude graduate of Thomas Jefferson University, has written the school’s first alma mater song in its 201-year history. “Jefferson How We Adore Thee” will be released to the university community at a gala on Tuesday.
“Elizabeth really captured the essence of the Jefferson community,” said Jefferson President Susan C. Aldridge “Learning, collaborating and innovating are all part of our collective DNA and I couldn’t be happier that we finally have an alma mater which captures who we are as a university as we venture into our third century.”
Jefferson has had a handful of songs that students have written over the years and a processional theme that launched in 1974, but never an official alma mater song, said F. Michael Angelo, Jefferson archivist.
One reason could be that at its founding in 1824, Jefferson was a medical college and over the years evolved into a university. But it was always medically focused until the school merged with the former Philadelphia University, best known for its design, engineering, and health science programs, in 2017.
“Philadelphia University, as far as we can tell through their archives, never had an alma mater song, either,” Angelo said.
Barden, 32, who received her bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management from Jefferson this year, said a colleague encouraged her to enter the contest. She has written about 30 songs, she said, so it wasn’t an off-the-grid venture.
It took her just 25 minutes to write the lyrics and music for the one minute, 55-second piece, she said.
“If you’re creative, you just flow,” she said. “You flow like water because it’s already in you, and you don’t have to overthink what’s already in you.”
And with the help of producer Keegan Myers, who played the music while Barden sang, the chorus goes:
It’s the Jefferson strong and true, where innovation leads us through. Together we achieve our best, as we prepare for what’s next.
“In every step I was taking at the university, it was preparing me for the next level of life,” she said.
Barden has been singing in front of people since age 2 and wroteher first song at 7, she said. Her parents, both Christian pastors originally from Haiti, encouraged her musical talent as she grew up in Brooklyn surrounded by gospel music, she said.
“Me and my six siblings, we were essentially the choir,” she said.
In high school, she won a song-writing contest and got to meet Grammy-winning R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan, who, she said, encouraged her to keep writing. She had written her high school’s alma mater song, too. And when she was a student at Delaware County Community College, she sang the national anthem at two ceremonies.
“Any school I go to, I want to leave a piece of me there,” she said. “Music to me is connection. That’s how I connect to people.”
For winning the Jefferson contest, she received a $200 gift card to the school bookstore, lunch with Aldridge, and a Jefferson mug.
“But the greatest gift was my name being attached to this alma mater song,” she said.
Barden said her aim in writing the song was to give Jefferson a gift.
“Jefferson gave me a lot,” she said, including a scholarship. “There were moments where I needed to talk to professors because life was happening. They were always kind and patient with me.”
Barden attended community college in New York after high school, but left when she got pregnant. When she moved to Philadelphia in 2016, she enrolled at Job Corps and then moved on to the Delaware County college. She continued on to Jefferson, while raising her four children, now ages 2 to 13.
In 2023, she began working there, too. Her job entails focusing on the patient experience and helping patients navigate the system.
“For the most part, I’m kind of like a clean-up person,” Barden said.
She’s currently enrolled in a dual program at Bryn Mawr College and Jefferson to obtain her master’s degrees in social service and public health. She plans to become a licensed clinical social worker and to incorporate music therapy into her work.
As part of her studies, she’s doing research on how music therapy can help those suffering from post-traumatic stress.
“I do believe that the incorporation of music,” she said, “has the ability to communicate with anyone … and help them learn how to cope.”
Philadelphia is obviously a gift to the world, but what in the world do you give someone who is obviously in love with Philly?
If The Inquirer’s 2025 Very Philly Gift Guide helps you find something for everyone, this one’s just for the locals — and anyone who thinks a Sizzli snow globe is peak holiday magic. Consider this a love letter to Philly’s quirks: a collection of gifts that only true locals (and a few honorary ones) will fully appreciate.
As one of those people myself, I’ve compiled this list of some of my favorite recent Philly purchases and experiences, along with items I’m putting on my own wish list this year.
The selections here represent The Inquirer’s picks this holiday season. When you make a purchase through a link in this list, The Inquirer may be paid a commission.
Apparel
SEPTA ugly sweater
It’s no secret that Al’Lee Floyd, who manages SEPTA’s store, has elevated the agency’s retail outlet into a must-stop shopping destination for Philly transit lovers.
SEPTA’s ugly holiday sweater for 2025.
This holiday season, Floyd is really killing knit with a particularly snazzy ugly holiday sweater featuring a front-and-back design of SEPTA vehicles, the Philly skyline, and snowflakes.
So while all you may want for Christmas is for our state legislatures to permanently fund SEPTA, you can at least get this ugly sweater — which seems far less likely to unravel than our government.
🛍️ SEPTA’s holiday sweater is $49.95 and available at shop.septa.org.
‘Women’s Sports Town’ shirt
A collaboration between Go Hamm and Watch Party PHL, this shirt celebrates Philly’s forthcoming WNBA team.
If you want to score points with the sports fan in your life who’s hyped that Philadelphia is getting its own WNBA team in 2030, this year’s slam-dunk gift is a “Philly is a women’s sports town — Est. 2030″ T-shirt.
This wardrobe staple is extremely versatile — you can wear it while traveling or to court — and it’s been spotted on celebrities like Parks and Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza, who wore it to a WNBA game this summer.
Aubrey Plaza is spotted in the audience of a New York Liberties vs. Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., wearing Go Hamm and Watch Party PHL’s popular “Philly is a Women’s Sports Town” T-shirt.
The tee is a collaboration between Go Hamm, a Philly-based shirt company dedicated to women’s sports, and Watch Party PHL, a group founded by Philadelphia firefighter Jen Leary.
Called the “shirt of the year” by the Phillies’ social media account, the “Go Phils & Phillips” tee from Phillygoat is ridiculously random and a great gift for the Phils fan in your life who’s still salty at the actual team.
Phillygoat’s “Go Phils & Phillips” T-shirt celebrates the vast variety of Phils on this planet.
Emblazoned with the words “Go Phils” on the front and back, the T-shirt features an assortment of people, characters, and things named Phil and Phillip, or that have “fill” in their name. There’s Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, former St. Joe’s basketball coach Phil Martelli, Punxsutawney Phil, and a cavity filling.
Phillygoat also makes a “Go Birds!” shirt with images of Larry Bird, Tweety Bird, and a hand flipping the bird.
If you’re stuck on what to get the diehard Delaware County resident in your life, how about a holiday decoration that commemorates getting stuck in Delco?
The Route 420 “crash bridge” ornament, featuring a tractor-trailer stuck under a low-clearance bridge, nods to the Amtrak bridge on Route 420 in Prospect Park, where big-rig drivers keep getting stuck despite the warning signs.
This ornament by Rock and Russ Creations of Delaware County immortalizes the Route 420 “crash bridge” in Prospect Park.
The ornament is from Rock and Russ Creations, a company founded by lifelong Delconians, Stephen and Lisa Russell. The couple started designing locally themed ornaments in 2022, and they release a new one each year. Stay tuned to their website for this year’s very Delco decoration release.
🛍️ The Route 420 “crash bridge” ornament is available at select Delco gift shops and rockandruss.com for $25.
Wawa snow globe
Sleigh gift-giving this year with the Wawa snow globe.
For your Shorti who’s always going on a Wawa run, consider shaking up gift-giving this year with a Wawa holiday snow globe.
Is there any reason this had to be made? Nope, but I’m snow glad it was. The globe features an old-school Wawa store and a base that reads “Wawa Wonderland.”
If you’ve ever been to a Wawa after 2 a.m., you know it is a land of wonders, indeed.
🛍️ This Sizzli and snowy gift is $19.99 and available at gear.wawa.com (sold out as of Nov. 25).
Hallmark ornaments
Hallmark’s Jalen Hurts Keepsake Ornament is sure to be number one on your tree.
For those who dream of hanging in their living room with Jalen Hurts or Trea Turner, Hallmark can help make your holiday wishes come true.
No, you can’t buy your way into a Hallmark holiday movie with Hurts or Turner as your star-crossed lover, but you can buy official Hallmark ornaments of the Philly sports stars your friends will pine after, fir sure.
Hallmark’s Trea Turner Keepsake Ornament will slide its way into your holiday collection.
The Wanamaker Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village will return this year thanks to a fundraising campaign by the Philadelphia Visitor Center and the building’s new owner, TF Cornerstone. And for the first time, you can secure the “best seat in the house” by making a donation in a loved one’s name (or in your own, Scrooge).
The “Behind the Lights” blueprint is available for those who donate at least $250 to the “Save the Light Show” fundraiser.
As part of the “Save the Light Show” fundraiser, there are several donation gifts, including an 8-by-10 “Behind the Lights” blueprint for those who donate $250 and a “best seat in the house” experience for four to view the show from the second-floor mezzanine when you donate $500 or more. (Note: There are no plans for actual seats. It will still be standing room only.)
Obviously that’s a sack full of money, but it’s for a great cause, and the show is still free to the public.
The holiday light show at the Wanamaker Building in 2019, when it was owned by Macy’s.
I can’t believe it took me 18 years to go on the tower and building tours of our gorgeous City Hall, but after finally crossing it off my bucket list this year, I highly recommend the tours for the Philly-phile on your list.
Even though I’d walked in and around City Hall countless times, I saw so many details on the building tour I’d never noticed before, like City Hall’s cornerstone.
Philadelphia City Hall.
The tower tour, which is a separate ticketed experience, took me high up in City Hall and into a four-person elevator that dropped me off right below the statue of William Penn and onto a platform with an incredible 360-degree view of the city.
🛍️ Timed tickets for the tours are available at phlvisitorcenter.com/CityHall and range from $10 to $26 a person, depending on age and military status.
The Universal Sphere
Times are tough right now, and just leaving your house can feel expensive, so I wanted to include a free experience that doesn’t feel cheap — the Universal Sphere at the Comcast Technology Center.
The Sphere, a state-licensed attraction in the building’s upper lobby, is a 34-by-39-foot futuristic orb you step inside of for an immersive theatrical experience. For most of the year, it features a seven-minute film called The Power of I, about the power of ideas, but during the holidays you can see the short film Shrek’s Festive Flight, which features a roller-coaster-esque adventure to the North Pole that begins with a flyover of Philadelphia.
Audience members enter the Universal Sphere in the second-floor lobby of the Comcast Technology Center earlier this year.
Tickets are free, but timed reservations are recommended — that way, you don’t have to tell anyone it was free. Pair this with free visits to the nearby Comcast Center’s holiday show on its LED wall and the Wanamaker Christmas Light Show, and you’ve got a day that’s easy on the wallet but rich in memories.
Two of my favorite purchases this year were plushies of Gritty and the Phanatic that sit independently on my shoulders. When I wear them both at the same time, it’s the Philly version of having an angel in one ear and a devil in the other.
Called “shoulder buddies,” these plushies come with magnets in their bottoms and an additional flat magnet that goes inside of your shirt so the doll can attach to it. These stuffed mascots are so humerus nobody will give you the cold shoulder while you’re sporting them around town.
Gritty sports an itty-bitty shoulder version of himself.
🛍️ The Gritty shoulder buddy is $24.99 and available at shop.outphitters.com. The Phanatic shoulder buddy, which I bought at Citizens Bank Park, is harder to come by. The Reading Fightin Phils had it available online for $25 at fightinphils.milbstore.com recently, but it was unclear how long supplies would last.
Released this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the show about five megalomaniacs who run a skeevy Philly dive bar, the set also features Charlie in full conspiracy-theory mode, Flipadelphia Dee, Fat Mac, and Dennis demonstrating his D.E.N.N.I.S. system of seduction.
The “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Little People set from Fisher-Price.
🛍️ The Little People gang comes in a box made to resemble Paddy’s Pub and is available on Amazon for $29.95.
Books
‘Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century’
From the folks at the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia website and the University of Pennsylvania Press comes a hardcover book set, Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century, for the Philly history buff in your life.
The set features three books: The Greater Philadelphia Region, Greater Philadelphia and the Nation, and Greater Philadelphia and the World, which tell the true Philly stories behind everything from the topography and transit of the region to the Revolutionary War, the Odunde Festival, Gritty, and scrapple.
“Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century” comes in individual editions or as a three-volume set.
Timed to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary next year, these new encyclopedic books feature lovely images and loads of dense text about the city’s history and its place in the world.
🛍️ The books retail for $44.95 each or $125 for the three-volume set. They are available wherever books are sold and at pennpress.org.
‘Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern’
When it comes to mainstay establishments in Philadelphia, few have more street cred or more stories than McGillin’s Olde Ale House, which predates LOVE Park, Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, and even City Hall.
Now the tales of Philly’s oldest continually-operating tavern, which opened in 1860, have been gathered into one book — Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern — by the bar’s longtime publicist, Irene Levy Baker.
“Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern” traces the 165-year history of one of Philadelphia’s longest-running establishments.
The newly released book includes ghost stories, tales of love, sports celebrations remembrances, recipes, photos, and a foreword by former Gov. Ed Rendell.
🛍️ Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern is $29.95 and available at mcgillins.com, at McGillin’s Olde Ale House (1310 Drury St.), the McGillin’s Shoppe (123 S. Juniper St.), and wherever books are sold.
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which runs the popular Mütter Museum, announced plans on Monday to expand its footprint at 22nd and Chestnut Streets with a new, accessible entrance, larger galleries, educational and event spaces, an upgraded gift shop, and a renovated core gallery for the museum.
The oldest private society of physicians in the country, the College purchased the buildings at 2129 Chestnut St., a former Swedenborgian Church and Parish House, in 2023 for about $9.3 million.
The organization has since raised $27 million to initiate the first phase of renovations, which will occur in stages over the next few years.
A rendering of the sanctuary space at the former church located at 2129 Chestnut St. The College of Physicians plans to use it for events.
A large glass structure will serve as the new entrance and will connect the current College building and the adjacent church building. The latter will hold administrative offices, shared spaces for College Fellows, and public event spaces for both College and Mütter programming.
“We’ve been space constrained for a number of years. In our original building, we use pretty much every square inch of space, and so this allows us to increase the space, especially our educational offerings,” said CEO Larry Kaiser, a thoracic surgeon who was appointed in January.
The College typically welcomes about 5,000 students a year for STEM and museum programs. With more classroom space, they anticipate doubling the number of Philadelphia students that can be reached.
A rendering of how the College of Physicians building will connect to the adjacent former Swedenborgian Church at 2129 Chestnut Street.
The renovations will also increase the amount of gallery space for the museum. There will be greater square footage in the current galleries with the goal of showcasing more of the Mütter and Historical Medical Library collection of some 500,000 objects, from medical equipment to human remains.
Now, in place of a museum director, the Mütter is led by Erin McLeary, senior director of collections and research, and Sara Ray, senior director of interpretation and engagement.
A rendering of the Mütter Museum’s renovated core gallery, which will expand its footprint while retaining its Victorian aesthetic.
The core gallery of the Mütter, which showcases historical artifacts along with skeletons and organs that represent rare medical conditions, will undergo significant renovations to update the display cases and create more space for the exhibits on view.
The Victorian aesthetic will remain, but the casework and labels will be upgraded for better visibility and legibility. Those renovations are expected to begin in 2027.
“People love the look of the museum. They love walking into that space and feeling like they are transported back into time, they respond really positively to it. We really want to respect and honor that,” said McLeary. “However, when people walk up to look into the cases, they’re dealing with century-old glass that’s hard to see through … so we really want to honor the architecture of the building, the feeling of being transported to a different time and place, but really improve the visitor experience and the staff experience [with] strategic updates.”
From left: New Mütter Museum leaders Sara Ray, senior director of interpretation and engagement, and Erin McLeary, senior director of collections and research.
It’s likely that the exhibits will also change as staff rotates specimens and objects out so that museum staff can ensure preservation and conservation.
“I’ve been giving tours of this museum since like 2014 — it’s 11 years that I’ve walked through that core gallery with great attention to detail, and almost nothing has changed,” said Ray, who was once a docent. “There’s some things that have been in there for decades at this point, and they need to be rotated off display for the stewardship of that specimen.”
The Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden.
The hope is that the Mütter will be able to spotlight more of its historical holdings as only about 20% of the collection is currently on display.
Design firm MGA Partners and project managers Becker & Frondorf are partnering with the College on the expansion efforts, and construction will begin in early 2026.
An earlier version of this article reported that Mütter and the College’s expansion is a deviation from Mira Irons’ plans, and that there would be new galleries at 2129 Chestnut Street. The expansion is in line with the plans of Mütter’s former leadership and, for now, is limited to the existing galleries in the museum.
For the Nowell family, the outlets are an annual tradition.
Every Veterans Day, a dozen relatives venture to Limerick Township in Montgomery County, where they kick off their holiday shopping at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
Even this year, as bitter winds whipped through the outdoor plaza, the family was undeterred.
After a morning of shopping, the multigenerational group, which included two veterans, warmed up with their yearly food-court lunch, courtesy of matriarch Geri Nowell, 77, of Telford. Then, the men returned to the cars and dropped off dozens of shopping bags, which they’d been carting around in a wagon. The women walked on, hunting for their next find among the more than 130 shops.
The Nowell family poses in front of a holiday backdrop during their annual outing to the Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
“It’s super fun,” said Ann Blaney, 47, of Drexel Hill.
“We get great deals,” added Kim Woodman, 55, of Hatboro.
The tradition is an experience they say can’t be replicated online. The fact that the complex is open-air and contained in a 550,000-square-foot plaza somehow adds to the fun, they said.
As Kathy Nelson, 48, of Broomall, browsed the outlets with her friends, she said she also shops at the nearly 3 million-square-foot King of Prussia Mall, less than 20 miles away. But otherwise, she said, “there aren’t many indoor malls left” with the variety of stores she prefers.
Outlets have always accounted for a fraction of the in-person retail market, which is partly why there have been few headlines about dying outlet malls. But some of the country’s roughly 200 outlet malls seem to be downright thriving, with full parking lots on weekends, few vacant stores, and relatively strong revenue.
Shoppers walk by the tree at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on Nov. 11.
The Philadelphia region’s two major outlet malls — the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Limerick Township and the Gloucester Premium Outlets, both owned by Simon Property Group — are more than 92% occupied, according to a count by The Inquirer during visits to each location this month. Both outlets have found success despite being less than 20 miles from thriving indoor malls in King of Prussia and Cherry Hill.
Tanger Outlets, which has locations in Atlantic City and Lancaster, recently reported more than 97% occupancy across its 39 open-air centers and an increase in average tenant sales per square foot.
“Outlets do good in good times and great in bad times,” said Lisa Wagner, a longtime consultant for outlets, repeating a common refrain in the industry.
The centers have evolved amid the broader push toward more experiential retail and most now have a mix of discount stores and full-price retailers. But they have done so while embracing their reputation as the go-to destination for snagging deals, said Wagner, a principal at the Outlet Resource Group.
“Honestly no one knew what was going to happen after COVID, but [the outlets] came out incredibly strong,” she said. More recently, the retail industry has been rattled by tariffs and economic uncertainty. The outlets have not been immune to those challenges, but they have held strong despite them.
“People want value right now,” Wagner said. “They need it.”
The Philadelphia Premium Outlets has more than 130 stores in its 500,000-square-foot complex.
Outlet malls become one-stop shops
On a rainy, early November Sunday, hundreds of people descended on the Gloucester Premium Outlets.
Shoppers pulled up hoods and huddled under umbrellas as they made their way from store to store. Many balanced several large bags bearing brand names like Columbia and Kate Spade, Rally House and Hey Dude shoes. Some munched on Auntie Anne’s pretzels or sipped Starbucks from holiday cups. An acoustic version of Jingle Bells played over the speakers.
For some, the dreary, drizzly weather was even more reason to spend their afternoon at the 86-store complex in Blackwood, Camden County, about 15 miles outside Philadelphia.
With two young children in tow, Jessica Bonsu, 30, of Sicklerville, was on a mission.
“We came out to go to the indoor playground,” called Stay & Play, Bonsu said, pointing to her rambunctious kids. “Just to get some energy out.”
“And then we can also get some shopping done,” added her cousin, Taneisha Laume, 30, who was visiting from D.C. She needed a gift for her uncle. “Kill two birds with one stone.”
Shoppers peruse the stores at the Gloucester Premium Outlets in this 2019 file photo.
These kind of multipurpose visits are buoying outlet malls, which are increasingly becoming mixed-use destinations for dining, drinking, entertainment, and shopping.
“You’re coming for a little bit of everything,” said Gerilyn Davis, director of marketing and business development at Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
The Limerick Township complex recently welcomed a slate of new tenants, including Marc Jacobs’ first Pennsylvania outlet store, a BOSS outlet, an Ulta Beauty, and an outpost of central Pennsylvania’s Nissley Vineyards, which has an outdoor seating area.
Shoppers walk by the Nissley Vineyards store at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
New Balance, whose shoes are trendy again, is also opening stores in both the Philadelphia and Gloucester outlets.
Justin Stein, Tanger’s executive vice president of leasing, said the North-Carolina-based company is focused on adding more food, beverage, and entertainment options.
While overall occupancy at its Atlantic City center is lower than others, the complex has a Dave & Buster’s and a Ruth’s Chris steakhouse. The Simpson, a Caribbean restaurant and bar, is also set to open there in early 2026.
In Lancaster, Tanger is looking to add food and beverage options, Stein said. But that center is still performing well, with a 97% occupancy rate, according to an online map, and only two vacancies.
When there are places to eat and drink at the outlets, “people stay longer,” Stein said, “and when they stay longer, they spend more.”
Philadelphia Premium Outlets had a steady crowd on a bitter cold Veterans Day.
From ‘no frills’ to outlets of the future
Today’s outlet malls look vastly different from what Wagner calls the “no frills” complexes of the 1990s.
At the time, an outlet mall served as “a release valve for excess goods,” Wagner said. “There were some stores that had really broken merchandise.”
To comply with branding rules and avoid competition with department stores, outlet malls were often located along highways between two major metro areas, she said.
“What became clear is that customers loved it,” Wagner said. Soon, brands started overproducing to supply these outlet stores with products in an array of a sizes and colors.
This effort to bulk up outlet offerings was “a roaring success,” she said, with companies finding that more than a third of outlet customers went on to buy their products at full price at other locations.
Philadelphia Premium Outlets, which opened in 2007, has very few vacant storefronts.
As their popularity rose, more outlet malls were built across the country.
As the centers look to the future, their executives are continuing to hone their identity as “not just a discount-and-clearance center,” said Deanna Pascucci, director of marketing and business development at Gloucester Premium Outlets.
Center leaders are bringing in food trucks, leaning into rewards programs, and promoting community events, such as Gloucester’s holiday tree lighting,which took place Saturday. Starting Black Friday, the Philadelphia Premium Outlets will offer Santa photos after a successful pilot program last year.
And the complexes are finding new ways to attract and retain shoppers, online and in real life.
Tanger recently announced an advertising partnership with Unrivaled Sports, which operates youth sports complexes, including the Ripken Baseball Experience in Aberdeen, Md., an hour drive from its Lancaster outlets. Stein said the company hopes to attract families looking to pass the time between tournament games.
Tanger is also using AI and data analytics to email specific deals to customers based on where they’ve previously shopped, Stein said.
“We want you to start your experience online and end it in the store,” Stein said.
Shoppers walk by a new Ulta store at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
At Simon outlets, customers can search a store’s inventory online before they make the trip, Davis said.
“Online shopping at this point, it’s a complement,” Davis said. “It’s not viewed as competition.”
Wagner, the outlet consultant, said she thinks even more centers will be built in the coming years, with a focus on urban and close-in suburban locations that are accessible by public transit.
As for existing centers, she sees them thriving for the foreseeable future.
“As long as outlets continue to emphasize a value message and use their loyalty programs to reward customers,” Wagner said, “I think they will hold their own.”
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Hip Hop, the Sixers’ retired mascot, made his triumphant return during a game last week and was honored at halftime. What animal/character is the mascot supposed to be?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Bill Roth, who played Sixers former mascot Hip Hop — a rabbit — was honored during halftime of Saturday's game against the Toronto Raptors.
Question 2 of 10
Seaforest Bakery in Graduate Hospital is a new spot for baked goods and coffee that pays homage to this type of cuisine:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The bakery menu features riffs on classic Korean dishes, like gochujang scallion buns and doenjang caramel rolls. Seaforest is the English translation of owner Suerim Lee’s first name.
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There are two competing campaigns to rebuild and restore the Old City bar where the Marines were historically established 250 years ago. What was the bar called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Marines, famously, were established at the Tun Tavern in 1775, a brewery and watering hole that once sat, roughly, where the southbound lanes of I-95 are now.
Question 4 of 10
This Hall of Fame quarterback recently said he’s on the Eagles’ side when it comes to the Tush Push:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Peyton Manning made the Tush Push the subject of a Peyton's Places episode on ESPN, defending the controversial play's existence. "I'm on the Eagles’ side," he said.
Question 5 of 10
Sasha Suda, the recently ousted director and CEO of this institution, recently sued her former employer for wrongful termination:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Suda is suing the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her suit says there was no "valid basis" for her dismissal, and seeks two years' worth of compensation and other damages.
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Question 6 of 10
James Vaughen, a 26-year-old Curtis grad, has won the Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal trumpeter spot. How many times had he previously auditioned for the gig without success?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The hunt for a permanent principal trumpeter has been going, off and on, for several years. Vaughen, in fact, had auditioned for the position three times before without success. It was the fourth time that was the charm, said the 2023 Curtis grad.
Question 7 of 10
Bucks County native Sabrina Carpenter is up for six Grammy awards this year, including Song of the Year for this track:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Carpenter is competing for song and record of the year, pop solo performance and best video for “Manchild,” as well as pop vocal album for Man’s Best Friend. Earlier this year, she won Grammys for her breakout album Short n’ Sweet and hit “Espresso.”
Question 8 of 10
The vacant building on East Passyunk Avenue that most recently housed Bing Bing Dim Sum will become the home to this new restaurant:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Tako Taco, an amalgam of Japanese (tako is octopus) and Mexican cuisines, is one of two new projects in the works by chefs Biff Gottehrer and Kenjiro Omori — from Main Line destinations Refectory, the Ripplewood, and Izzy’s.
Question 9 of 10
The Philadelphia-based Freeman’s auction house will auction off this prized item owned by Marquis de Lafayette:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Showered with gifts on both sides of the Atlantic, the hero of Yorktown was awarded a timekeeper for the ages by the people of France. Embossed with images of Greek mythical figures Orpheus and Eurydice, the 18-karat tricolor gold pocket watch was engraved with Lafayette’s full name and image. A hidden image inside depicted Lafayette’s return to France from America. Now it’s up for sale.
Question 10 of 10
A new law going into effect next year will require Philadelphia shoppers to pay this much per paper bag:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Philadelphia shoppers will soon have to pay 10 cents per paper bag after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Thursday allowed a bill imposing the fee to become law without her signature. The law is expected to go into effect in January.
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Painter Peter Paone might have never experienced his seven-decade-long illustrious art career if he hadn’t tried breaking into the Barnes Foundation in the spring of 1952.
At 15, he traveled three hours from his home at Seventh and Dickinson Streets in South Philly out to Merion, taking several buses and getting lost along the way. The venerable institution was not yet a public museum, and in the wake of founder Albert Barnes’ death a year earlier, access remained severely restricted by invitation only.
When Paone, unaware of those rules, arrived at the gate, he found it locked.
“I was angry, so I did what 15-year-old kids from South Philadelphia do. I climbed over the gate — which was about 12 feet high,” said Paone, 89, who lives in West Mount Airy.
He landed on the other side, walked up to the stately building, and knocked. Arts educator Violette de Mazia, Barnes’ longtime assistant, opened the door, stunned and alarmed to see the teen in front of her.
“She said, ‘Go away. You can’t do that. Who are you? How did you get here?’” Paone recalled. “She was very taken aback and she wasn’t gonna let me in.”
Undeterred, Paone asked for a glass of water and de Mazia, somewhat begrudgingly, let him in while she fetched it. She returned to see the budding art student entranced by the impressionist works on the walls, so she relented and gave him a tour.
It was an unforgettable day that paved the way for Paone to take classes with de Mazia, setting him on a path that catapulted him into the art world.
For decades, Paone has served as an educator and mentor, becoming a father figure to Philadelphia artists while creating his own distinct body of work.
Now on the cusp of 90, he is in the midst of a career renaissance with two museum shows this season — and no signs of slowing down.
Artist Peter Paone’s West Mount Airy studio on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Philadelphia. Paone grew up in South Philadelphia. Though he retired from teaching in 2009, he returns to his studio to paint every day.
‘Promising talent’
Paone has been making art for as long as he can remember. The middle son of Italian immigrants who moved to South Philadelphia, he spent long hours playing in the streets and listening to the stories of hardworking families like his. They lived in a two-story rowhouse not far from a community center called Reed House, where he found his first art teacher at around age 8.
“My parents were supportive in the sense that they didn’t object, and I think mainly because they didn’t know what an artist’s life was like. There was no financial support and there was no discussion about it,” Paone said. “My father did what he could to help me build an easel and build storage racks because I had a little room in the basement.”
Peter Paone, “Fleeting Time,” 2021. Acrylic on panel, 20 x 16 inches. On view at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Fleisher Art Memorial was another haven for the curious kid in the neighborhood where he regularly attended art classes each week. Years later, when he was a teen, his name appeared in The Inquirer for the first time, in a short blurb about the school’s 1954 exhibit of young Philadelphia artists: “Explorative in their subject-matter, full of linear vitality and bold color this exhibition is refreshingly alive, though these are young students still groping for technical enrichment. … In [these works] we feel the contagion of promising talent in search of itself.”
He earned special permission to attend John Bartram High School, renowned for its creative arts program, and went on to study arts education at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art (later called University of the Arts) with a scholarship from the board of education that covered four years of tuition.
Artist Peter Paone pulls out his miniatures at his West Mount Airy studio.
Like many artists, Paone spent some years in New York, but he never left Philly for too long. He taught at the Pratt Institute and worked with two galleries for about 12 years, with a brief stint in Europe funded by a Guggenheim Foundation grant that opened opportunities for him to exhibit in London, Vienna, and Hamburg.
He was always thinking about Philadelphia.
“In New York, you know, you’re good for a season, then you’re done, just like vegetables — you start to smell and you get out,” Paone said.
He returned home in the late ’70s, taking a teaching position at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1978, where he soon established the academy’s first printmaking department. While he built a stellar reputation as an educator and mentor for generations of emerging artists, Paone did not have a major solo museum show in his hometown until about 35 years later, in 2013, at Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill, where he shared never-before-seen drawings and paintings in “Wild Flowers.”
“I don’t think I could have had the career that I had outside of Philadelphia, I think, because of the art schools, because of the life I had in Philadelphia, and the collectors, and the Philadelphia Art Museum,” he said.
A studio of wonder
For the last 50 years, Paone has lived in a quiet, wooded area on the edge of Wissahickon Valley Park with his wife, Alma Alabilikian. Surrounded by nature, the former carriage house home is both inviting and mysterious, like something out of a fairy tale.
Inside, it’s a delightfully busy studio on the first floor (the couple lives right above). There are wonders in every corner, from a windowsill covered with tchotchkes to towering shelves laden with tomes on art history. His collection of roughly 6,000 books, amassed over his lifetime, has been willed to the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Then there are the canvases, packed in by the hundreds — all different sizes, all distinct frames, with clowns, dolls, and creatures amid scenes that puzzle and enchant.
Peter Paone’s framed paintings.
Lately, Paone has been fixated on still life paintings — grumpy cats alongside decadent multitiered cakes, for instance — and portraits of what he calls snowpeople, with mouse ears and bird faces.
His subjects change, but a phantasmagoric splendor prevails throughout, evoking an uncanny, occasionally morbid vision.
It’s no surprise that for years Halloween has provided ample inspiration. One of his buzziest shows in recent years was “Reality Reassembled: The Halloween Paintings of Peter Paone,” which was at the Brandywine Museum of Art in 2019, about a decade after he retired from teaching at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Art books fill the library at Peter Paone’s West Mount Airy studio.
Paone likes to say his main subject is “the human condition.” There are no models here — his surrealist-inspired paintings come from his whimsical imagination.
He spends about seven hours a day in the sunny, crowded space surrounded by dozens of brushes, cans, and paints he makes himself.
“Everything comes from memory. Everything comes from my own skills. I don’t go out painting. I don’t set up still lifes. I don’t hire models,” said the artist, who wears round, thick-framed glasses and has a penchant for bow ties. “It all comes from my lifestyle and what I did and what I remember from childhood to now.”
“Peacock,” acrylic on panel, 2003, is a bird encrusted with all manner of exotic flowers and other creatures representing a life’s accumulation of experience. In this case, it’s the artist’s experience, but it could be any of us.
A spotlight long overdue
Today, Paone’s work is on view in two concurrent shows at the Woodmere (“Snowpeople,” through Feb. 15, 2026) and Doylestown’s Michener Art Museum (“Not So Still Life,” through March 15, 2026). For Michener chief curator Laura Igoe, it’s thrilling to present new works from a Philadelphia icon.
Peter Paone, “New Dust for an Old Toy,” 2023. Acrylic on panel, 30 x 24 inches. On view at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. Photo courtesy of the artist.
“He’s thinking a lot about division in society today, which it’s hard not to think about in our current political moment,” Igoe said. “Dolls and clowns will be arranged within the still life, but they won’t be engaged with each other — they’ll kind of be looking away from each other. He sees that as reflective of how we can’t always talk to each other in America today.”
Woodmere CEO William Valerio finds new treasures every time he visits Paone’s studio, and he’s consistently impressed by the painter’s relentless evolution. That was just one reason he ensured Paone’s portrait Peacock would have “pride of place” at the museum’s newly unveiled Maguire Hall.
“Peter is full of surprises and ideas. His creative imagination just gets richer and deeper, and he hasn’t stopped making art … nothing seems to slow him down,” Valerio said.
Artist Peter Paone stands near a self-portrait at his West Mount Airy studio.
For Paone, this recognition is an affirmation of his refusal to capitulate to the commercial expectations of the previous decades.
“On one side, I’m surprised. On the other side, it’s about time. I’ve had a long and very active career on so many levels. … So back then, when nobody wondered what I was doing, I was ahead of my time, and now I’m in my time,” he said.
“One of the things that came out of being a child in South Philadelphia is that under no circumstances do you compromise in those days, you didn’t talk to the police. [It was] that kind of mentality. So I didn’t succumb to being a pop artist so I could be more known … I just kept going. That’s the secret of anybody’s success, is, no matter what, just keep going.”
NEW YORK — As a group of Columbia women’s basketball players struggled to break a press defense and advance the ball up the court, Megan Griffith’s voice rang through the gym.
“I need more active participation with your voice!” the coach said. “Can you please get back to playing like us?”
That is one of the go-to phrases that Griffith, a King of Prussia native, reinforces during this October preseason practice. They are all designed to “make things sticky” and keep the team process-focused, Griffith said.
“How you do anything, is how you do everything,” Griffith and standout guard Perri Page will both rattle off within the same hour.
Those callbacks have fueled a remarkable turnaround as Griffith enters her 10th season as the head coach at her alma mater.
Columbia was one of women’s college basketball’s worst programs for decades before clinching at least a share of three consecutive Ivy League regular-season championships and winning its first NCAA Tournament game in school history last season.
And it received an at-large bid to the Big Dance in each of the past two seasons, typically unheard of for Ivy League programs. The Lions are 2-0 to begin the 2025-26 season, heading into a marquee home opener against reigning Atlantic 10 regular-season champion Richmond Saturday night.
Griffith, a finalist last season for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year award, has displayed her Philly roots while making breakthrough after breakthrough during this rebuild.
There’s the influence of her high school coach, Villa Maria Academy’s Kathy McCartney, whose motivational style Griffith describes in a way that her current players now talk about her. And her childhood being raised by a father from Delaware County and a mother who immigrated from Hong Kong, before they met at Villanova. The emphasis on running a high-powered offensive system spearheaded by dynamic guard play? A no-brainer for a 40-year-old who grew up watching the Allen Iverson Sixers era.
That culture has already elevated Columbia to historic heights, and a stability Griffith and players now strive to protect. Now, the coach has the Lions believing they can — again — become the best team in program history.
“She’s a force,” Page said. “Honestly, do not mess with her. She is going to go out and get whatever she wants. … I can’t see myself playing for any other coach in the country.”
‘A determined little bugger’
Diane and Bob Griffith still are in awe when they watch their daughter coach, or when she speaks during news conferences. She actually was a shy kid in everyday life, taking hold of Dad’s pant leg whenever the family was out in public.
But as soon as there were competitive stakes, Megan turned into “a determined little bugger,” Bob said. Diane remembers a T-ball game when a young Megan rounded third base, and the umpire told Bob, who coached Megan’s youth sports teams, that “this kid can slide better than most adult men can.”
“Once that light turned on or that game clock started, she was tenacious, even as a small kid,” Bob said. “ … When you look back on it, she was probably one of the most aggressive kids out there on the court.”
Megan concedes today that she probably should have pursued soccer (“Look at me. I’m 5-5,” she quips). But she gravitated toward the intimacy of smaller basketball rosters and how the game never stops moving.
Neither did she, because she was fast. When Griffith first arrived at Villa Maria, McCartney remembers the teenage point guard could not always control her dribble in transition … because she literally outran the ball.
King of Prussia native Megan Griffith played her high school ball at Villa Maria Academy.
So McCartney told a steely eyed Griffith that she was not ready to play on the varsity team as a freshman. She needed to learn how to mold those natural athletic gifts into a ballhandler who could anticipate the defense’s next move. Griffith clocked that, while being coached by a woman for the first time, she was receiving a similar combination of intensity and care that her father provided in those settings.
“When I started getting [that tough love] from somebody else, it was like, ‘Oh, this is also how other people do this,’” Griffith said. “And it just really resonated with me. … That allowed me to really gain the confidence as a young woman, to then take that next step in my career and play college.”
By her senior high school season, Griffith was the point guard and defensive menace for a team that won its first 21 games. She had chosen to play for Columbia, which does not offer athletic scholarships, over an offer from LIU-Brooklyn.
And the hug McCartney and Griffith shared as she walked off the court for the final time as a high schooler has “stuck with me for years,” the coach said.
“It kind of solidified in my head the difference a coach can make,” McCartney said. “And I think — I hope — it has helped her in some way. I remember whispering in her ear, ‘You’ve got big things ahead of you, girl.’”
A clipping from the Philadelphia Inquirer sports section of February 2, 2003, showing Megan Griffith driving to the basket for Villa Maria Academy high school. Griffith is now the head women’s basketball coach at Columbia University.
‘I can go prove everybody wrong’
Columbia’s program was in a tumultuous state during Griffith’s playing career, from 2003 to 2007. She had four coaches in four seasons. The Lions’ record during that span was 38-70.
But that is where Griffith learned how to “stack days,” not just with her on-court training but in daily habits such as nutrition and sleep. Bob watched his daughter morph from a “very predictable” freshman who was “trying to please her coach too much,” to a 1,000-point scorer and two-time all-Ivy League selection.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I’ve had it the complete wrong way,’” Megan said. “I was so focused on the results all the time. Starting. Trying to come in as a freshman and change the program. I was like, ‘Wow, if I can just focus on what I can control …’”
Megan Griffith was an 1,000-point scorer at Columbia. The King of Prussia native now coaches her alma mater.
She also had an Ivy League education and a job lined up at Lincoln Financial in Philly upon graduating with an economics degree. She turned that offer down to continue playing overseas in Finland and then the Netherlands.
Griffith called that experience “transformational.” She leaned into exploring her new surroundings and connecting with her local teammates. An assistant coach began involving her in game-planning and strategizing, which she said “channeled my competitive energy very differently.” She learned enough Dutch to help coach kids. When she came home during off-seasons, she held youth skills clinics.
“I could see just how these kids just looked up to her,” Diane said. “ … I think that was probably the first glimpse of her maybe, possibly becoming a coach.”
When Megan no longer found as much satisfaction in that daily grind, she knew it was time to pivot from playing. She was hired as the director of basketball operations at Princeton, and was intrigued by then-coach Courtney Banghart, who led the program to its first Ivy League title.
Banghart, now the coach at 11th-ranked North Carolina, quickly made Griffith the Tigers’ recruiting coordinator. Griffith was hesitant at first, instead wanting more tactical responsibilities. But she was organized and a people person.
“What I learned there is that, actually, the most important thing is relationships,” Griffith said. “You have to know things and be smart. But at the end of the day, everybody can learn an offense. But what do you do with talent? How do you get talent? How do you get people that are bought into a common language, and an ethos, and a culture?”
In 2016, Columbia’s head-coaching job came open. Griffith, then 30, went to athletic director Peter Pilling with a detailed plan on how she would run her alma mater. And she thought back to conversation in the car with her father, while she was still playing overseas.
“[I said], ‘Dad, I feel I’m meant for something, like, big and different,’” she said. “I didn’t know what that meant at that time. So when this opportunity came up it was like, ‘Wow, I can go prove everybody wrong.’
“And I love that. I love the underdog. That’s who I am at my core.”
Megan Griffith played professional basketball in Finland.
‘It’s why you do it’
Tyler Cordell was “a little intimidated” the first time she spoke to Griffith. While interviewing for a job as Princeton’s director of basketball operations when Griffith was promoted to assistant coach, Cordell left the phone conversation thinking, “I don’t know if I’m smart enough to follow up in her footsteps.”
Now, Griffith and Cordell have worked together for 14 years. Cordell said it was a “no-brainer” to join Griffith’s staff at Columbia. Griffith calls Cordell an example of the “builders” the program needed.
“You start with the people,” Griffith said.
That meant thorough — and unconventional — recruiting.
The coaching staff went into southern states, such as Florida and Georgia. And internationally, to Spain and Australia. Today, nine players on Columbia’s 2025-26 roster are from outside the United States.
And there was perhaps nobody better to pitch Columbia than Griffith, who experienced the top-tier academics, limited athletic resources, and basketball struggles firsthand.
“It’s not like we’re in the same sandbox as a lot of schools,” Griffith said. ” … But we’ve never been.”
Griffith needed to power through the early on-court woes as a coach, including back-to-back eight-win seasons from 2017 to 2019 that left Diane worried about Megan’s health. Still, accolades began to surface. Their first victories over programs from the Atlantic Coast Conference (Boston College) and Big East (Providence). Their first Ivy League Rookie of the Year in Sienna Durr. The commitments of Abbey Hsu and Kaitlyn Davis, who became “young, hungry freshmen” and, eventually, conference champions and WNBA draft picks.
Those players could emulate an on-court style — with athletic, guard-heavy rosters that could pressure defensively and get out in transition — that led to sustained success for other mid-majors. It evolved into a system that, from 2022 to 2025, averaged more than 70 points per game.
King of Prussia native Megan Griffith has built Columbia women’s basketball into an Ivy League power.
Griffith, meanwhile, strives to make people feel important, even when demands are high. She will get on a player’s case during practice, but then help them make their first resumé or ask about their dog. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Columbia’s 2020-21 season was canceled, the staff created a space for players to talk. Page actually took her recruiting “visit” on Zoom and was blown away by the staff’s energy and attention to detail in less-than-ideal circumstances.
“That’s what made me say, ‘Wow, they put a lot of thought and effort into everything that they do,’” she said. “ … I was like, ‘If you can make this look good, imagine what it looks like on the court, too.’”
Once the Lions returned to to play, the avalanche of checkpoints continued.
A 2021 signature comeback win at Clemson? Check.
Qualifying for the four-team Ivy League tournament for the first time? Check.
Four consecutive 20-win seasons? Check.
Advancing to the WNIT quarterfinals in 2021, then the championship game the following season? Check.
First Ivy League regular-season titles, as co-champions in 2023 and 2024 and then as the outright winner last season? Check.
First NCAA tournament appearance in 2024, when they lost a tight First Four matchup against Vanderbilt? Check.
“That’s what’s been so cool about our journey,” Cordell said. “Because we haven’t skipped one step.”
The most recent: Last season’s NCAA First Four. The Lions at halftime flipped how they were guarding Washington’s post players, and rallied from 13 points down to win and advance to the round of 64.
“It was just the next thing we had to do in our journey,” Griffith said. “I feel like we manifested it, but at the same time, it was supposed to happen. …
“When the buzzer sounded, it’s why you do it. It’s why I’ve coached the last nine years — to be in that moment and be able to share that with my staff and this team.”
Columbia head coach Megan Griffith (right) celebrates with assistant coach Cy Lippold after beating Washington in a First Four game in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
‘Coach-led, player-fed’
Those back home also have relished in Griffith’s rise.
McCartney still texts Megan and her parents, and loves telling friends “that’s one of my kids” while watching Columbia play. Megan’s godmother, who lives in Australia, wakes up at 4 a.m. to tune in to games. Supporters are in the stands whenever Columbia plays Penn in Philly, where Griffith takes pride in those who knew her as a player recognizing similar qualities in her teams.
And Diane and Bob are regular visitors to campus. While watching a recent scrimmage, they noticed Megan being “really tough” on the freshmen. Up in the coach’s offices, a veteran told one of those first-year players, “She’s tough, but you have to listen to Coach. She knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yes, she yells at you a lot,” Diane said. “She screams in your face. You think she hates you. But she really does care about you, and she wants to make you a better player and person.”
Columbia women’s basketball coach and King of Prussia native Megan Griffith (left) high-fives her niece, Carmen, who calls her Titi.
Like during that October practice, when new assistant coach Kizmahr Grell needed to tell Griffith to take a deep breath. The Lions have a taller roster and fewer ballhandlers this season, forcing some tweaks to their on-court identity. That was particularly apparent with Page sitting out this practice, prompting a direct challenge from Griffith to be a better leader from the sideline.
“It just gets me so fired up, too,” Page said of those interactions. “ … I take it, like, this is my program. This is my baby. When she gives a task, I am ready to attack it, always. Because I want to do right for her, but I want to do right for this program, as well.”
Columbia coach Megan Griffith talks to her team at practice last season.
That’s an example of another Griffith callback: “Coach-led, player-fed.” It’s why a practice that began with harsh words ended with everybody gathering at midcourt for a calm circle, where players individually spoke up to encourage and hold each other accountable. They snapped in agreement of each player’s input. When Griffith asked who got better today, every player raised their hand.
Those mantras have become sticky, establishing Columbia’s foundational culture. They have fueled the Lions’ historic rise.
So what is the next breakthrough, with Griffith’s 10th season underway?
“That’s my big challenge right now, is just continue to teach when the expectations are higher — and self-imposed,” Griffith said. “Nobody here is like, ‘Hey, you need to win more.’ Everybody is like, ‘Look at everything you’ve done,’ but that’s just not who I am.
“I don’t just think we can continue to win Ivy League championships. I think we can make deep runs into March. As long as we keep getting the right people here, why couldn’t we go to the Elite Eight?”
The gifts in the 2025 Very Philly Gift Guide represent The Inquirer's picks this holiday season. When you make a purchase through a link in this Guide, The Inquirer may be paid a commission.
You don’t need us to tell you Philly’s got everything — sports legends, world-class food, killer small businesses, weird little workshops, and soft pretzels that double as a love language.
So why settle for some generic gift set when you could give a hoagie room reservation, a Bird Gang varsity jacket, or locally made soaps crafted from coffee grounds and herbs?
We’ve rounded up more than 70 very Philly gifts for everyone on your list: your friend who’s still talking about the Super Bowl parade, your aunt who cries tears of joy every time she walks into the Franklin Institute, your coworker who judges your coffee order, even your dog.
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And because we know holiday shopping can feel like trying to find parking in South Philly on trash day, we turned this whole thing into a quiz.
Just answer a few questions, and we’ll point you to the perfect gift.
What’s their Philly vibe — Broad Street bold or cozy Fairmount calm?
If they could get out of town tomorrow, where are they headed?
When it comes to gifts, what gets the biggest “Oh my God, you nailed it”?
When Friday hits, what’s their move?
What’s the best part of the holidays for them?
What’s their favorite thing about Philly — besides complaining about parking?
If they’re spending a cozy day in, what’s the vibe?
When they’re hanging out, what kind of crowd are they gathering?
Which kind of Philly-themed gift would make them say “This is so me?”
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Tickets to an Eagles, Flyers, or Sixers game
For the friend whose blood type is Gatorade and pretzel salt
There’s no gift more Philly than game-day tickets. Let them scream at refs in person, feel the bass of the fight song in their chest, and high-five strangers like lifelong friends. Whether it’s the Birds under the lights at the Linc, the Flyers grinding it out on the ice, or Joel Embiid dropping 40 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, this gift guarantees goose bumps (and maybe a hoarse voice the next day).
For the friend who still yells “Step over him!” every time they hit a jumper
The Sixers’ iconic blue jersey from the Allen Iverson era is back — the one worn when A.I. led the NBA in points, steals, and minutes per game in the 2001-’02 season. This jersey brings The Answer back to the present day. It’s pure Philly: bold, scrappy, and impossible to forget. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who’s basically a walking sports bar
Whether they bleed green, red, orange, or blue, this gift lets them wear their Philly pride on their sleeve — literally. Fanatics has jerseys for every pro team in town: Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and the Union. From Jalen Hurts to Bryce Harper to Joel Embiid, it’s the easiest way to suit up for game day, no matter the season. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who believes true royalty bleeds Kelly green
Every Philadelphian knows the jacket — the one Princess Diana wore in the ’90s that somehow made the Birds look even more regal. Now, thanks to Mitchell & Ness, fans can finally own the officially licensed replica. The Vintage Full-Snap Varsity Jacket features heavyweight construction, a chenille throwback helmet patch, tricolor rib-knit detailing, and a big Eagles logo that’s pure nostalgia and attitude. It’s been spotted on Kylie Kelce, framed at Middle Child Clubhouse, and worshiped by anyone who knows fashion and football can share a locker room.
For the friend who still hasn’t stopped watching the parade highlights
If you didn’t snag a paper the morning after the Eagles’ 40–22 Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, here’s your second chance. The Inquirer “Big Easy” front page — featuring Jalen Hurts holding the Lombardi Trophy and other photo options — is available framed or unframed, in various sizes.
For the friend who can quote every postgame presser
From Week 1 in São Paulo to hoisting the Lombardi in New Orleans, What a Run! captures every play, player, and parade from the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning season. This 128-page commemorative book is packed with stories, stats, and full-color photos of Saquon Barkley’s breakout, Jalen Hurts’ MVP moment, and Vic Fangio’s lock-down defense. It’s the ultimate keepsake for fans who want to relive the season — minus the nail-biting fourth quarters.
For the friend who believes fourth-and-1 is a lifestyle
Celebrate Philly’s most unstoppable play with Rowen’s best-selling Tush Push Sweatpants — cozy, soft, and just cheeky enough. These 50/50 cotton-poly sweats feature a clean front with a drawstring waistband and a bold graphic on the back that proudly honors the Birds’ signature QB sneak.
For the friend who’d rather hear it straight from the GOAT’s mouth
Make their day with a personal video from a Philly legend — because nothing says “I care” like Brian Dawkins yelling “BLESSINGS!”, Shady McCoy shouting you out mid–Tush Push analysis, or Donovan McNabb pretending not to know what down it is. You can even have Bryson Stott say “Atta boy!”, Vince Papale drop a motivational speech straight out of Invincible, or The Philly Captain … well, just be The Philly Captain. Whether they bleed green, red pinstripes, or orange and black, this is the kind of gift that hits harder than a Dawkins tackle and lasts longer than a postgame rant from Jason Kelce.
For the friend who thinks the Phils’ skyline beats any sunset
Bring the magic of Citizens Bank Park home with this artist-designed Phillies stadium print — a stunning tribute to the home of Bryce bombs, rally towels, and “Dancing On My Own.” Available as a fine art print or canvas wrap, it’s the perfect upgrade for any Philly fan cave, office, or living room that could use a little more red pinstripe energy.
For the friend who wants to tailgate in full-on pinstripe swagger
These aren’t your average jeans. These Phillies bib overalls bring major team pride with full pinstripe styling, classic red, and a bold Phillies logo front and center. Whether they’re manning the grill, sprinting to the merch tent, or just rep’ing their fandom in style, these overalls are built for comfort and devotion. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who’s got Broad Street pride in their DNA
A backyard essential for any Philly sports fan, this custom cornhole set features the Sixers court — Eagles and other teams also available — printed on a solid wood background. Comes ready to play with a full set of bags.
Alex Eagle x J. Crew feather jersey colorblock T-shirt
For the friend who prefers a little sportiness with her fashion
London-based design trendsetter Alex Eagle has teamed up with J. Crew to create a capsule of classic looks that contain her smart tailoring and sporty touch. This retro-inspired jersey T-shirt has a 100% cotton finish for a supersoft, lightweight feel that happens to look right at home in Philly thanks to its Kelly green colorways.
For the friend whose gameday fit is as fierce as their fandom
Minor Details, the boutique known for its playful Philly flair, has the perfect lineup of locally inspired gifts for trendsetting sports lovers. There’s the Bird Gang Knit Crop Sweater, cozy with varsity stripes and vintage vibes; the Bird Gang Beaded Purse, decked out in Kelly green, footballs, and sparkle for the ultimate tailgate accessory; and the Phillies ice cream helmet hair clip, a cheeky nod to Citizens Bank Park treats that’s pure Philly fun.
This unisex puffer vest from Off Season in collaboration with the NFL features intricate Eagles embroidery, 3D silicone patches, and jacquard detailing. A corduroy lining and padded polyester fill bring serious warmth, while double interior pockets bring convenience.
For the friend who expresses her fandom in cozy style
Naadam’s new line of NFL-branded cashmere sweaters brings soft, plush, roomy feels to a fan’s wardrobe. Knit from 100% premium cashmere, this boyfriend-style pullover features bold chest lettering and an official Eagles team logo at the cuff.
For the friend who wears her Eagles pride in and out of the gym
Just released at the end of October, the new collaboration between the NFL, Lululemon, and Fanatics has apparel from all 32 NFL teams. But let's not kid anyone — you only need one. The oversize half-zip hoodie features an Eagles logo, convenient kangaroo pouch, and thumbholes for cozy comfort.
For the friend who still dreams about their favorite Philly meal
Brooklyn artist John Donohue has made it his mission to capture beloved restaurants through intricate, hand-drawn sketches — and his Philadelphia collection is a love letter to the city’s dining scene. From iconic spots like Zahav and John’s Roast Pork to cozy neighborhood haunts, each print is rendered in Donohue’s signature minimalist style, celebrating the charm and character of Philly’s food institutions. And every Philly print sale benefits the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Donohue also accepts custom commissions, so you can immortalize your favorite date-night spot or corner bar.
For the friend whose spirit animal is a wheel of brie
Help them level up their cheese game with a tasting experience that’s part class, part party. Philly Cheese School offers both public events — think “Cheese Basics: Extra Fancy Edition” — and private classes, where they’ll sip, snack, and soak up all things fromage. Not sure which to choose? Gift cards let them pick the vibe, date, and cheese adventure that suits them best.
For the friend who’s never met a roast they didn’t analyze
Philly’s own Bean2Bean is serving up small-batch blends that are as bold as they are beloved. Whether it’s the chocolatey-berry vibes of their Schuylkill Select, the rich, dark Italian Market Espresso, or the indulgent Franklin Reserve collabs, these beans are the real deal. Locally roasted in Harrowgate by a Puerto Rican-owned roastery, this is the brew behind espresso martinis at your favorite bar and the coffee at Philly-area staples like Schlesinger’s Deli and The Kibbitz Room. Start with the Franklin Reserve and brew on from there.
For the friend who’s running on vibes, caffeine, and zero meal plans
This isn’t your typical cookbook — it’s part pep talk, part survival guide, and 100% judgment-free. You Gotta Eat by Inquirer food editor Margaret Eby is for the person who stares into their fridge like it’s a hostile witness and still ends up eating peanut butter from a spoon. With tips tailored to your current energy level (from “I can open a package” to “I can maybe chop one thing”), it’s full of genius hacks, low-effort recipes, and the reassurance that yes, you can feed yourself — and maybe even enjoy it. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who wishes summer farmers market season never ended
Give them the gift of 21 weeks of just-picked, chemical-free produce from Urban Roots Farm, a 26-acre, first-generation farm in Newtown Square — and the same one that grows the tomatoes used in Middle Child’s iconic BLTs. Members of the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program get weekly boxes packed with seasonal vegetables, strawberries, and flowers, harvested fresh and ready for pickup at the farm from June through November.
For the friend who plans Sunday meals around kickoff time
Bring the stadium to the kitchen with this playbook of tailgate-worthy recipes from Tim Lopez, the longtime Eagles chef who spent 13 years feeding the Birds — including during their Super Bowl LII run. Kickoff Kitchen serves up two recipes for every NFL team (yes, even Dallas), from crab cake bites for Baltimore fans to Philly’s own roast pork sandwich and cheesesteak egg rolls. It’s part cookbook, part culinary field trip across America’s football cities — ideal for anyone who believes game day isn’t complete without great food. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who can taste the difference between Cape May Salts and Wellfleets
Give the gift of a little salt, brine, and Philly flair with Fishtown Seafood’s oyster classes, designed for every level of mollusk lover. In Oysters 101, beginners learn the essentials — from safe shucking technique to oyster anatomy and how to spot the freshest bivalves. Graduates can level up with Oysters 202, which explores regional terroirs, seasonal flavor profiles, and the subtleties that make each oyster unique.
For the friend who thinks cocktail hour should come with a foraging basket
This isn’t your average mixology book — it’s a whole vibe, and a James Beard Award winner, too. In Slow Drinks, South Jersey’s own Danny Childs (aka the ethnobotanist bartender behind Farm & Fisherman and Old City’s Almanac) shows how to turn garden weeds, wild herbs, and backyard finds into fancy drinks that taste like the season itself. From Dandelion Mead to Spruce Beer, this book proves that great cocktails start with curiosity — and maybe a pair of muddy boots. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who considers “just a little snack” a full meal
Philly’s charcuterie royalty has a gift box for every kind of snacker — from the Abbondanza Cheese & Charcuterie Box packed with their best-selling cheeses, meats, and truffle honey, to — our selection — the Philly Tailgate Bundle for the fan who thinks pepperoni and pretzel sticks are a food group. For more Di Bruno Bros. pantry recommendations, click here.
Beautiful Cookware Set by Drew Barrymore in Kelly Green
For the friend whose fandom starts in the kitchen
Bring some Birds pride to the kitchen with Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful 12-piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set in Kelly Green — the exact shade that’ll make any Eagles fan shout “Go Birds!” between bites. With sleek strainer lids, easy-clean pots, and serious style, it’s just right for the game-day host who treats tailgating like fine dining.
Philly brands Dietz & Watson and Jacquin’s collaborated on the new Dietz Dill vodka, available for the first time on Nov. 14 — National Pickle Day. The 60-proof, pickle-flavored vodka pairs Jacquin’s vodka with real Dietz & Watson pickle brine to give a dilly boost to your Bloody Marys and pickle martinis.
For the friend who believes soft pretzels are a love language
From her small-but-mighty kitchen in Northeast Philly, pastry chef Em Wilson turns out soft pretzels that redefine what “Philly-style” means — deeply golden, perfectly chewy, and kissed with just the right amount of salt (and heart). Known for her buttery croissants and “proper lye-dip” pretzels, Em’s small-batch bakes have become a favorite at local markets and pop-ups.
For the friend who won’t shut up about how “you can’t get a real one anywhere else.”
Forget the impostors, this is the real deal. Goldbelly ships legit Philly cheesesteaks straight from the region’s icons — Pat’s, Jim’s, John’s Roast Pork, Campo’s, Donkey’s Place, and more — to wherever they need to go. These sandwiches come cooked to order, packed on ice, and ready to reheat with the works: thin-sliced steak, soft rolls, and your choice of cheese: Whiz, provolone, or Cooper Sharp. No “Philly-style” nonsense, no soggy knockoffs, just the grease-dripping glory of the real thing. Start with Donkey’s Place — an Anthony Bourdain favorite. For more Philly foods you can ship, click here.
For the friend who’s always cooking — or always complaining their knives are dull
There are few gifts more practical (or more satisfying) than giving someone the sharpest knives in Philly. At Fante’s Kitchen Shop in the Italian Market, the pros will put a perfect edge on your blades while you browse espresso makers and pasta tools. For a higher-end tune-up, head to CM Neff Cook Supply Co. on East Passyunk, where chef and owner Cary Neff sharpens by hand with surgical precision.
For the friend whose bar cart is as Philly as their attitude
Raise a glass to local craftsmanship with Bluecoat Gin, the award-winning spirit made in Fishtown by Philadelphia Distilling. Its bright citrus notes and smooth, juniper-forward finish make it the ultimate upgrade to a gin and tonic — or a martini that actually deserves a toast. It’s clean, classic, and unmistakably Philly.
For the friend with kids who are already heckling the ump from the living room
Get your little Phils fan off the iPad and into the game with this bright, team-spirited 150-piece puzzle. It’s a fun way to keep them busy between innings (or at least until the post-game show starts).
For the friend with kids who keeps asking “why?” (and for the parent who’s run out of answers)
Turn curiosity into a year-round adventure with a Franklin Institute membership — your all-access pass to Philly’s favorite science playground. From the Fels Planetarium to hands-on exhibits that’ll have them building, blasting, and experimenting, this membership is a ticket to endless discovery.
For the friend with kids who love to press every button — just not yours
Give the gift of play — and peace of mind — with a Please Touch Museum membership. Kids can climb, splash, build, and explore their way through Philly’s ultimate hands-on museum. It’s part funhouse, part education, all chaos in the best way possible.
For the friend with kids who loves sparkle (and the friend who loves a statement piece)
Let them play designer for a day at Boxbar’s Charm Bar, where they can build their own one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet. With trays of glimmering charms — stars, hearts, initials, and even tiny Philly icons — and mix-and-match chains, they’ll leave with something that feels totally them. It’s part jewelry-making, part memory-making. Either way, it’ll shine.
Raise ‘em right, in Philly style. These adorable picks from Minor Details are perfect for the littlest Birds and Phils fans. The Philly Football Baby Sweater comes in a deep Eagles green with “Eagles” stitched across the front, a cozy knit that’s ready for Sunday naps or kickoff cuddles. The Baseball Stitch Onesie features red baseball seam embroidery and the Phillies’ Liberty Bell logo.
Show your Philly pride everywhere you go with this hand-drawn, screen-printed tote from local artist Paul Carpenter. His clever “LOVE” design doubles as a map of the city — from Roxborough to Fishtown, South Philly to the Great Northeast — making it a great everyday bag for groceries, books, or Wawa runs. Created and printed in Philly, it’s a functional little love letter to the city itself.
For the friend who’s always up in New York, down in D.C., or anywhere the rails will go
Sometimes the best gift is a ticket away — at least for a weekend. An Amtrak gift card gives your favorite traveler (or commuter) the freedom to hop a train to anywhere from Boston to D.C. without worrying about gas, tolls, or traffic. It’s perfect for the person who needs a recharge, a romantic getaway, or just an excuse to skip the Turnpike. You can load any amount, making it one of the most flexible (and stress-free) Philly gifts around.
For the friend who travels light — but never without team spirit
Fly like an Eagle with this sleek black hard-shell spinner suitcase featuring the team’s bold eagle-head logo. Built for durability (and swagger), it’s a 21-inch carry-on with smooth 360-degree wheels, interior straps, and pockets that make packing almost fun. Whether they’re heading to an away game or just the airport bar, this suitcase says, “Yes, I’m from Philly.” For more picks for Philly sports fans, click here.
For the friend who needs caffeine before conversation
If they start their day with an eye roll and a latte, this 12-ounce Nomad Sip from Philly’s own Rival Bros. will make their mornings a little smoother. Made for both hot and cold drinks, it’s double-walled and spill-resistant — excellent for commutes, tailgates, or late-night deadlines. Rival Bros., founded by Philly chef Jonathan Adams and barista Damien Pileggi, is known for roasting some of the best beans in the city, so it’s fitting that their travel mugs carry the same quality.
For the friend who can never feel too far from Fishtown's caffeine headquarters
Philly’s coffee pride and joy — La Colombe — nailed it when they canned their signature draft latte. These ready-to-drink cans deliver that same creamy, café-grade texture with a foamy top that somehow survives your morning commute. Available in classic, mocha, triple, and oat milk versions, they’re great for keeping in the fridge or tossing in your bag before work. Give them a taste of home (or a little taste of La Colombe on the go), because no one should have to settle for sad office coffee again.
For the friend who swears they’re “this close” to breaking 90
Give their swing the tune-up it deserves with a one-hour golf lesson at Five Iron Golf, the city’s sleek, high-tech golf hub with locations in Fishtown, Logan Square, and Rittenhouse. Each lesson pairs them with a certified instructor who uses simulator data, video playback, and real-time feedback to help fine-tune their form — or at least stop slicing into the screen. Whether they’re a first-time golfer or a fairway regular, it’s the kind of gift that says, “I believe in your potential … but maybe not your current handicap.”
For the friend who runs, walks, or is just trying to get their steps in
Help them hit the pavement in style with a Philadelphia Runner gift card, good for shoes, gear, and race-day essentials. Whether they’re training for the Broad Street Run, chasing their first 5K, or just need a comfortable pair of sneakers for dog walks, this local shop’s experts make finding the right fit easy. With locations across the city and an unbeatable local reputation, it’s a gift that goes the distance.
Stanley’s viral water bottles finally meet Philly spirit in this Kelly green edition — OK, it’s technically “meadow,” but close enough. The 30-ounce stainless-steel tumbler keeps drinks ice-cold for hours and fits perfectly in a car cup holder (yes, even when navigating Broad Street traffic). It’s durable, dishwasher-safe, and built for long days at work or tailgates.
For the friend who needs a facial more than another candle
If “self-care” in Philly had a headquarters, it would be Rescue Spa. Their gift cards can be used for everything from expert facials and massages to manicures and luxe skin treatments — the kind that make you feel like a brand-new person afterward. Services start at $35 and go up to full-on luxury treatments, so whether you’re gifting a quick glow-up or an all-day spa escape, it’s a loving way to say: “You’ve earned this.”
For the friend who blames Mercury retrograde for everything
Help them align their stars with a personalized astrology reading from Corina Dross, a Philly-based astrologer and artist known for her intuitive, poetic approach. Choose between a birth chart reading that explores life themes, timing, and purpose, or a relationship reading that dives into the cosmic dynamics between partners or friends. Corina’s readings are equal parts spiritual reflection and gentle therapy session — the kind that leave you journaling long after.
For the friend who keeps Philly in their heart (and on their tree)
Bring a little piece of the Parkway home with this porcelain LOVE Statue ornament, inspired by Robert Indiana’s iconic sculpture in JFK Plaza. Lightweight, glossy, and unmistakably Philly, it’s the perfect accent for anyone nostalgic for the city skyline or annual holiday strolls through Dilworth Park. It’s small, affordable, and the kind of thing that becomes a yearly “front and center” favorite on the tree.
For the friend who sees the future — and prefers it with a soft pretzel
This locally illustrated tarot deck reimagines classic cards through the lens of everyday Philly: the Chariot becomes the El, the Sun shines over FDR Park, and the Tower? Of course, the Comcast Center. The art is as gorgeous as it is clever, plus, it doubles as a conversation piece on any coffee table.
For the friend who’s impossible to impress — until now
Hidden behind the main dining room at Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown sits one of Philly’s most exclusive tables: the Hoagie Room. This two-hour private dining experience is part dinner, part show — and all Philly. You’ll start with cocktails and small plates before watching one of Beddia’s hoagie masters build sandwiches on house-baked bread. Then come the signature pizzas, a magnum or two from Joe Beddia’s wine stash, and a swirl of soft serve to finish. It’s intimate, over-the-top in the best way, and guaranteed to make any food lover lose their mind.
For the friend with a stack of prints still “waiting to be framed.”
Give their walls the attention they deserve with a gift certificate to Frame Fatale, South Philly’s beloved frame shop that’s as much an art space as it is a workshop. The team there can frame just about anything — vintage concert posters, sports memorabilia, even that old Phanatic photo booth strip. Whether they’re moving into a new place or just tired of leaning art against the wall, this gift turns “someday” projects into finished pieces.
For the friend who prefers caffeine with their trash talk
A Philly classic, now in mug form. This ceramic “F*ck Dallas” mug from Old City’s Verde boutique says what every Eagles fan already feels — proudly, loudly, and without apology. Whether it’s for game-day coffee or Monday-morning recovery, it’s an unforgettable kitchen companion. It’s durable, dishwasher safe, and locally made.
For the friend who’s ready to swap potholes for petals
When winter in Philly starts to feel endless, the Philadelphia Flower Show is pure therapy. Give them a dose of green with tickets to this annual spectacle of blooms, installations, and floral art that transforms the Convention Center into a full-on paradise. Rooted, next year’s theme when the show returns Feb. 28-March 8, will be a place to wander, breathe, and maybe start believing in spring again.
For the friend who’s always making something — or wants to start
Philly is full of creative corners where you can learn just about any craft, from needlepoint to natural dyeing. Rittenhouse Needlepoint hosts hands-on workshops for beginners, while Wild Hand in Mount Airy offers everything from wheel spinning to basket weaving. At Modest Transitions, students can explore the art of botanical fabric-dyeing using plants and natural pigments. Gift a class (or a gift card) and you’re not just giving a new skill — you’re giving a creative outlet, a reason to unplug, and maybe a few new friends.
For the friend who moved away but still talks about Wawa
Send them a care package that tastes (and looks) like home. The City of Brotherly Love Basket from the Pennsylvania General Store is overflowing with Philly classics — from Tastykakes, Uncle Jerry’s Hard Pretzels, and Melrose Diner Butter Cookies to Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, Mike & Ike’s, and Herr’s chips. There’s even a Philadelphia LOVE mug, a replica Liberty Bell, and a mini U.S. Constitution tucked inside for good measure. It’s the ultimate sampler of city pride — part snack stash, part nostalgia trip.
For the friend whose home always smells (and looks) amazing
Father-and-sons team John, Dane, and Luciano Luttmann of Artifaqt are masters of craft, creating some of the most beautiful (and delightfully weird) home goods in the region. Their hand-poured candles, shaped like hyperrealistic corn cobs, cheese, tomatoes, and other produce, are local favorites at the Rittenhouse Farmers Market. Each one is made with sustainably sourced, Pennsylvania-based materials, and the corn looks so real you’ll want to butter it. Beyond candles, Artifaqt’s hand-carved wood bowls and smallwares are functional sculptures — warm, organic pieces crafted from local woods that make every table setting feel thoughtful and one-of-a-kind.
Give their furry friend the supermodel treatment with a professional pet portrait session by Alexa Nahas, one of Philly’s top pet photographers. Known for capturing genuine personality — from head tilts to mid-zoomies — Alexa turns four-legged chaos into frame-worthy art. She'll come to your home, meet you outdoors around the city, and she works with dogs, cats, and even the occasional rabbit.
For the friend whose pet has love for the Birds, too
Let their dog or cat show team pride with this throwback Eagles jersey, complete with the vintage lettering. Available in multiple sizes for both cats and dogs, it’s the ultimate game-day look — or for getting compliments at the park.
For the friend whose Philly pup or cat who deserves a spa day
Treat your favorite four-legged Philadelphian to a fresh cut and a good scrub at Doggie Style Pets, with grooming services available for both dogs and cats. Their expert groomers handle everything from nail trims and baths to full-on makeovers, all while using gentle, pet-safe products. With locations across the city and a mission that supports local rescues, it’s a gift that pampers and gives back.
This Italian Market bakery is baking up treats fit for royalty — or at least the ruler of the living room. Melmo’s Dog Treats are handmade with natural ingredients and come in shapes ranging from bones to Phillies P’s, plus you can order custom dog cakes for birthdays, gotcha days, or just because they’re a good boy. It’s local, adorable, and guaranteed to get tails wagging.
For the friend who loves a challenge (and the skyline)
Give them a new way to admire the city with this 1,000-piece Philadelphia puzzle featuring an artful illustration of the skyline and iconic landmarks. Made in the U.S. by Lantern Press, the puzzle is printed on high-quality recycled board with crisp, vibrant color that’ll make them feel like they’re piecing together their own little Philly masterpiece.
For the friend who believes in happily ever afters
At Kiss & Tale, Collingswood’s beloved romance-only bookstore, every shelf promises a little escapism — from sweeping fantasy worlds to slow-burn love stories and everything in between. Whether you’re shopping for someone who likes their love stories full of necromancy or nerds, this shop has a swoon for everyone — plus knowledgeable booksellers who’ll hand over their next obsession faster than you can say “one-bedroom trope.”
For the friend who plays holiday music all year long
Hand-poured in Philly, this Old City Candle Co.’s Cranberry Birch candle blends tart cranberry, birchwood, and a hint of citrus for a clean, festive scent that feels like winter in the city — minus the parking struggles. Made with soy wax and a cotton wick, it burns slow and bright, filling any room with that just-right seasonal warmth.
For the friend whose home always smells like a good decision
Mount Airy Candle Co.’s small-batch soy candles have scents inspired by comfort, craft, and a touch of city soul. A standout: Figs & Pink Pepper, a rich, layered blend of caramelized brown sugar, pink peppercorns, and dark musk that feels equal parts sophisticated and cozy — like a dinner party that lingers long after dessert. Each Mount Airy candle burns clean and long, with fragrances that fill a room without overwhelming it.
For the friend who always says they need a new hobby
Loop, a cozy yarn shop on South Street, offers beginner-friendly knitting and crochet workshops where students can learn the basics (or finally master that tricky cable stitch). Each small-group class includes expert guidance, quality materials, and plenty of encouragement from fellow crafters.
For the friend whose kitchen always smells like good food and a good time
Nothing says Philly quite like a perfectly twisted, salt-covered soft pretzel — and this Soft Pretzel Tea Towel from Minor Details captures that spirit in style. The hand-drawn design breaks down every detail of the city’s signature snack — from the coarse salt to the figure-eight twist — all screen-printed in golden yellow ink on 100% organic, lint-free cotton. It’s as functional as it is fun: soft enough for drying dishes, sturdy enough for daily use, and pretty enough to hang on display.
At Cork & Candles, you don’t just buy candles — you make them. Guests sip wine or cocktails while choosing from more than 70 custom scents, blending their own signature fragrance, and pouring it into a jar to take home. With cozy, mood-lit studios in Center City, University City, Ardmore, and King of Prussia, it’s part creative therapy session, part night out.
Philly chef–turned–soap maker Melissa Torre founded Vellum Street Soap Co. on the belief that great skin care shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense. Her small-batch soaps, moisturizers, and candles are made using rescued ingredients from local restaurants and bakeries — think coffee grounds, herbs, and even upcycled animal fats — turning what would’ve been waste into something luxe and sustainable. Her best-selling Fat Marshmallow soap blends biocompatible tallow, vanilla bean, marshmallow root, and honey. Torre’s work proves that skin care can be local, ethical, and a little bit indulgent.
Crafted by Philly-based perfumer Alex Rodriguez, Freedom by RDZ Parfums is a daring unisex fragrance inspired by the Liberty Bell that walks the line between bold and subtle. With top notes that evoke open skies and base notes that rest on warm skin, it’s meant to be a signature, not just a spray. Encased in a sleek 100-mL bottle, it’s a local luxury gift that smells like confidence and leaves a quiet trail of intention.
For the friend who wears their Philly grit on their sleeve — and their shoulder
Handmade by Philly artist and former restaurant worker Katie Henry, Made by Hank bags have become a bona fide local obsession. Crafted from durable duck canvas (sourced from one of only two mills left in the U.S.) and adorned with Henry’s signature triangle patterns, each bag is stitched in her South Philly studio — and spotted everywhere from Palizzi Social Club to Paris. They’re the kind of accessory that tells a story: a little tough, a little soft, and entirely Philly.
For the friend who wears her heart and city in every piece
Lauren Priori’s collection is handcrafted in Rittenhouse and owned by women who know what real style means. Whether it’s earrings, rings, or layered necklaces, each piece brings modern elegance with personal touches — like subtle engravings, gemstones with local stories, or minimalist shapes that carry weight. Give them something that’s more than adornment — it’s identity.
For the friend who is a Swiftie and finds comfort in cashmere
Lingua Franca’s new hand-embroidered sweater is an ode to the love between Berks County’s most famous local — Taylor Swift — and Jason Kelce’s brother. The English teacher x gym teacher crewneck is made from sustainably sourced cashmere and comes in eight color options. The next-best thing to being invited to the wedding, basically.
For the friend who has a great view of the Ben Franklin Bridge
This vibrant, three-panel Philadelphia skyline print turns any wall into a love letter to the city. Each 16×16-inch canvas is stretched over a solid wood frame and ready to hang — no framing fuss required. The bold colors and crisp skyline lines make it a perfect statement piece for a living room, office, or that one blank wall begging for some Philly pride. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to clean (because life happens).
For the friend who treats skin care like self-care (and science)
Founded by Adeline Koh and based in South Philly’s Bok Building, Sabbatical Beauty blends the effectiveness of Korean skin care with the heart of small-batch, handmade production. Their products — including the favorite Cleansing Oil — are crafted with high concentrations of active ingredients designed to actually work. You can email the team for personalized product recommendations based on your skin type and concerns, making it feel like your own skin care concierge service.
For the friend who wears their story on their skin
This one’s for the ink lovers. The Philadelphia Tattoo Convention brings together hundreds of tattoo artists from around the world — plus live demos, contests, and enough buzzing needles to make your mom nervous. It returns Jan. 23-25 to the Convention Center. Whether they’re adding to their sleeve or just dreaming about their first piece, they’ll find endless inspiration (and maybe their next artist).
Our Philadelphia gift categories are defined by the specific interests, hobbies, and unique lifestyles of the recipients, often incorporating strong elements of local Philadelphia pride and culture. Our list curates recommendations based on the receiver’s likes and tastes, from gifts for kids and gifts for pet lovers to gifts for Philly sports fans and food fanatics. If you’re looking for a gift for your mom, you can find that here, but you’ll have to know what she likes. We asked our staff to recommend their ideal Philly gifts, and from that list, came up with nine different categories: the Foodie, the Sports Fanatic, the Homebody, the Trendsetter, the Traveler, the Fitness Buff, the Pet Lover, the One Who Has It All, and the Kid. We included a mix of items and experiences, but the common theme is that they all integrate local Philadelphia identity, businesses, and specific city experiences into every category.
