It's that time of year again: Street's annual Best of Penn issue is here. You voted on your favorite food, drinks, shops, occasions and communities and the results are in. Click here to see the rest of our winners.
Best Gift Shop Penn Choice: Penn Bookstore
Probably the first place you ever went to on Penn’s campus, the Penn Bookstore is the home of all things Red & Blue. Filled with Penn apparel, the bookstore is the best place to feed your Penn pride. With the clothing inventory constantly changing, you can always find something new and turn any item into a special gift for a fellow Quaker. Although the merchandise is typically on the more expensive side, the bookstore has great sales almost every week, making even the higher–priced sweatshirts affordable! In addition to apparel, the bookstore has Penn branded accessories, school supplies, dorm essentials, and more! While many of us equate the bookstore with Penn branded merch, believe it or not the bookstore actually has an incredible selection of books! From inspiring memoirs to delicious cookbooks from local Philly restaurants, a book can make for a great thoughtful gift!
Address: 3601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Second place: ICA
Third place: Urban Outfitters
Best Gift Shop Street Choice: Hello World
With an entrance on 36th and Sansom and another connected to the Penn Bookstore, Hello World is a unique home–decor shop with everything from kitchen wear to shot glass tic–tac–toe! The shop is filled with high–quality products at a reasonable price, with many smaller gifts ranging from $10–$20. If you’re looking for a gift that’s not Penn–branded, this is the place for you! The shop creates a warm and relaxed energy that gives you a break from Penn while staying right on campus. Whether you’re shopping for a friend or looking to jazz up your dorm room, there is something for everyone and every occasion. This is definitely a place you mother would obsess about!
Address: 3610 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sat–Sun: 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Best Sex Shop Street Choice: Danny’s Midnight Confessions
Recently rebranded as Danny’s Midnight Confessions, this sex shop has been specializing in leather, lingerie, and exotic novelties at reasonable prices for almost 40 years. Danny’s boasts consistent five–star Yelp and Google reviews for excellent customer service, cleanliness, and a wide selection of products. But the thing that really puts Danny’s over the edge is the fact that they never close. Open 24/7 in the heart of the gayborhood, Danny’s Midnight Confessions reigns supreme as Street’s choice for Best Sex Shop.
Address: 133 S 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours: 24/7
Best Sex Shop Penn Choice: Pleasure Chest
Founded in 1974, Pleasure Chest offers a boutique–style experience for patrons looking to satisfy all their potion, lotion, lingerie, novelty, and sex toy needs. Being the first store of its kind, Pleasure Chest strives to harness their expertise and product knowledge to offer a safe, informative, and pleasant experience for all, while staying up to date on cutting edge innovations. Located in the middle of Rittenhouse Square, Pleasure Chest shines as Penn’s choice for Best Sex Shop.
Address: 2039 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Tues–Sat: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sun–Mon: Closed
Second place: PLEASUREcation
Third place: Condom Kingdom
Best Thrift Shop Street’s Choice: Retrospect Vintage
Have you ever spent hours sorting through a thrift shop searching for that perfect item? At Retrospect Vintage, you don’t have to. The store is owned and operated by Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, and the best items from the area are chosen by experienced buyers and get put into the shop. The buyers also inspect every piece of clothing and furniture that is in the store.
Since Retrospect has such a large selection of pieces that they can choose from, the things you can find in here are not average by any means. They have clothes that are dated not even just from before the 2000s, but from the 1970s and 1980s, so you can find that retro look Urban Outfitters is selling for a fraction of the price. Other than clothes, they have gorgeous accessories, like shoes, sunglasses, and bags, that can add a bit of pizzazz to any look. If you’re not in the market for something to wear, there are plenty of amazing vintage furniture and home goods in this shop for a great price.
Address: 508 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Hours: Sun–Sat: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Best Thrift Shop Penn’s Choice: Philly AIDS Thrift
Shopping at Philly AIDS Thrift makes you feel good for buying clothes because all money from sales goes to local organizations dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. The shop is a Philadelphia institution by this point, and anyone who vintage shops in the area knows about it. Since the store takes almost every donation, so you may have to sort through lots of items to find the one you want. However, the feeling of finding an amazing piece is completely worth it.
At Philly AIDS Thrift, you can find amazing vintage tees, sweaters, and jeans for a great price. This store is great if you are looking for items to take your fall look up a notch, or just pick up a few pieces. They have selections of nice dresses and suits, if you need pieces for a special occasion. Other than clothing, this store has a great selections of books, records, and home goods. As you wind your way through the rooms in this store, you can pick out amazing items, while feeling great about the money you’re spending.
Address: 710 S 5th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Hours: Mon–Thurs: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri–Sat: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Second place: Buffalo Exchange
Third place: Second Mile
