A huge congratulations to the 10 South Street Headhouse District businesses who have been named Best of Philly 2022!
Our district businesses represent one Food & Drink winner, one Helpers & Fixers winner, five Shopping & Style winners, three Health & Self winners, plus two honorable mentions! ✨
FOOD & DRINK
Best Late-Night Bar Snack
Pickle Fried Chicken Sandwich at Tattooed Mom
“You go to Tattooed Mom for bright, boozy drinks and the come-exactly-as-you-are vibe — not necessarily expecting great food. But that’s where you’re wrong. The pickle fried chicken is brined, double-fried, and stuffed into a sweet potato brioche bun along with house-made fried dill pickles and Crystal hot sauce mayo. There’s an equally standout vegan version, too. Either makes for a surprise when you realize this is one of the best sandwiches in the city.”
📍: 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
HELPERS & FIXERS
Best New Shop for Tricking Out All Your Parties
Wallflower Paper & Party Shop
“We’ve all pulled up to Target, resigned ourselves to spending too much money, and then wandered around the drab, cookie-cutter party decorations aisle. (Florals …. for spring …. groundbreaking.) One spin around Wallflower’s Kodachrome shop, though, will restore whatever will to decorate you’ve lost. Sift through the gift wraps, napkins and cards — and be reminded that parties are supposed to be fun.”
📍: 723 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
SHOPPING & STYLE
Best Sandals for Showing Off Your Freshly Painted Toenails
Bus Stop Shoe Boutique
“Not going to lie: We snapped up a pair of the bright green Peridot mules as soon as they launched this summer as part of designer and boutique owner Elena Brennan’s new 15th anniversary Bus Stop X Loud collection. The collab with All Black includes Brennan’s first toe-baring creations in fresh colors and styles that sing of summer — like a kicky pink topaz sandal with suede, gold recycled fish skin, and a pearl metallic patent heel. We painted our nails a magenta hue and sported them around Portugal and Spain in June.”
📍: 727 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Vintage Shop
Philly Vintage Bazaar
“Located in Queen Village, this year’s best vintage shop is run by Tracy Feldman, Jen Zimmerman and Abby Codrea, who have been peddling groovy pieces from the ’60s through Y2K since opening last fall.”
📍: 744 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Shop for Curating Your Knicknack Collection
Eye’s Gallery
“Famed Magic Gardens artist Isaiah Zagar and wife Julia established this Latin American folk-art epicenter on South Street in 1968, covering its ceilings and walls with his signature mosaics. Despite being around for decades, the gallery today remains fresh and exciting, and its three floors contain a one-of-a-kind mix of decor — paintings from Guerrero, Mexico-based La Familia Lorenzo, painted glass pieces from Peru, carved wooden statues from Guatemala. Say hello to Julia at the front when you visit.”
📍: 402 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Bookstore (City)
Head House Books
“As Philly’s local bookshop scene shrinks — Shakespeare and Co. and Joseph Fox Bookshop both shuttered this year — Head House Books is turning the page on 17 years in business. Owner Richard De Wyngaert’s self-proclaimed “fiercely curated” selection resonates with his fiercely loyal customers, who line up for the latest thought-provoking titles and author events from the likes of Jennifer Weiner.”
📍: 619 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Vintage Tees That Are Actually Vintage
Suplex Vintage
“Before there was concert merch, as the kids call it, there were just plain old concert tees. There’s nothing plain or old about the retro t-shirts here, where a random mix of sports, music and Harley-Davidson tops from across the decades lines the racks. The authenticity of the goods is in the hearty cotton fabrics, the Made in USA tags, and, most of all, the single-stitch construction that characterized clothing until the mid-’90s.”
📍: 720 South 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
HEALTH & SELF
Best Mini Self-Care Shop
Moon + Arrow
“The “apothecary” at Moon + Arrow just keeps getting bigger and better. From shelves lined with Bathing Culture face and body oils to jade rollers and gua sha tools to Los Poblanos salves and soaps to Fiele perfumes — plus beeswax and soy candles that smell like “Catskills,” “Sunday Morning” and “Fern + Moss” — they’ve got pretty much everything for the most blissful Friday night in.”
📍: 742 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Hairstylist
Tori McCutcheon of Tori Did That
“Focusing exclusively on curly hair, McCutcheon’s Salon Tori Did That was a runaway hit when it opened in June 2021. (She books out months in advance, and she’s doing international consultations with clients from Dubai and Paris.) Now, she’s upping her use of more indulgent pampering services, like sea salt scrubs, hydrating and clay detox masks, and a Spa Mist machine, making a session at this salon dreamier than ever — if you can nab a spot.”
📍: 401 South 2nd Street, Studio 7A, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Salon For Rainbow Hues
Be Nue
“Forget the DIY Manic Panic dye jobs of your youth. Jennifer Bisicchia Farrell and Kait Gannon, who opened this petite luxury salon in 2021, are turning out rainbow locks in contrasting tones of the same color — making bold shades like flamingo pink, shimmering amethyst and steely blue-gray look totally grown-up. A vibrant crown of emerald green strands just may leave onlookers with a hint of envy.”
📍: 401 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Best Comedy Night (Fun & Games)
Next In Line Comedy
(Honorable Mention: Monthly comedy showcase at Tattooed Mom)
“If you want to see the best up-and-coming local comedians paired with out-of-town jokesters who’ve appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix and HBO, look no further than this collective, which stages its shows at chill venues like Franky Bradley’s and Tattooed Mom each month — all for $20, with no drink minimum. A nice change of pace from places like Helium.”
📍: 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Best Way to Really Get To Know Yourself
Inner Light Aura
(Honorable Mention: 7/31 Pop-Up at Tattooed Mom)
“In the 15 minutes you spend getting your aura (the unique energy you give off) photographed by Sara Silverstein, you’ll feel like you’ve simultaneously affirmed and discovered the kind of person you are. Silverstein dissects the captured psychedelic colors surrounding your portrait and offers insight into your strengths, your aspirations, and how you make others feel. Go forth, you kaleidoscopic goddess.”
📍: 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
