Chestnut Jewelry

Located on Chestnut Street between 19th and 20th streets, Chestnut Street Jewelers offer jewelery repairs as well as a large selection of sterling silver, gold jewelery and watches. I was pleasantly surprised at not only thier selection, but at the speed that my jewelery was repaired. I had a very delicate cold chain with my name engraved in cursive writing- I had a chain that was very thin and difficult to match. Chestnust Jewelry did it and within a day. It cost around $21.99 and I was very pleased with the promptness- they called me to alert me when it would be ready.

PROS: Great repairmen
CONS:

Robinson Luggage Co

Robinson luggage is located right off the Broad Street high speed line on Broad Street and offers a wide range of varying types of Luggage. I purchased some very nice Vera Bradley bags for gifts for graduation a few years back and recently purchased a very nice leather, laptop carrying case that was chic and of great quality. Robinsons also has many more luggage items ranging in size and price. At the time I was there, they had scarves on sale as well and some very nice leather handbags. If you are looking to purchase quality luggage than Robinsons is the place to go.

Joan Shepp Boutique

If you wish to pluck some of hte outfits out of your latest Vouge or Elle- than Joan Shepp is the place for you. It offers only the highest end fashion in the industry. I am forever admiring their window displays that have the best put together styles and newest designer creations. In the winter, the store fronts are decked in gorgeous furs of different styles. Twice a year Joan Shepp offers a fashion shower- once at the Rittenhouse Row festival during hte spring and once I believe in the store during winter to show off their new line. If you want toa look like high end New York fashion than Joan Shepp is the place to be.

PROS: The best in fashion
CONS: High end merchandise = high end prices

Erogenous Zone

Located on South Street, amoung other lingerie shops on the strip - I enjoy this store's selection the most. Although expensive (a corset outfit is over $59.99) the store does offer sales at times and has different pairs of knee highs and an assorted selection of those extremely high heeled, extravagant shoes. It can be a store for those of the exotic dancing trade, or it can simply be a store for a girl in search of some bedtime play items or sexy lingerie wear for a special night or weekend. They have a very plentiful selection.

The Pleasure Chest

This is a lovely adult store on Walnut street, located below Wonderland. Although quite small, they offer everything from erotic games to lingerie to lotions and lubes. I picked up bachelorette presents for two of my girlfriends' bachelorette parties here, as well as a few discount holiday lingerie items slightly after Christmas. The selection of lingerie is small and does not accomodate all sizes. The store's selection overall is quite small. If you're looking for something with a larger selection in everything, I would go to the Mood on South Street, but for a quick erotic shopping spree- Pleasure Chest is great. Also great for sexy Halloween costumes.

PROS:
CONS: Small selection

From Belly to Baby

Admist becoming pregnant immediately after being married and moving into their new home, my brother and his wife were going through a chaotic time. Being new to the city and beginning to show, my sister-in-law asked if I knew of any Maternity stores that didn't require extensive travel to get to. I had once had an apartment on Pine street right next to Belly, but had only seen the display window- never ventured inside. When she came by for lunch one day, en route to going out we stopped by Belly to take a look at what they had available and my sister-in-law fell in love. Her approaching birthday also allowed me to get her a few more maternity shirts that she adored but couldn't afford at teh time. Belly offers stylish and trendy outfits - the fashion magazine clothing but in maternity form.

PROS: Trendy and fabulous
CONS:

Knit Wit

The clothing items and handbags at Knit Wit are lovely. As I have mentioned in earlier reviews, I am all for purchasing from small shops that have trendy and quality clothing. However, I once tried on an outfit that I did not like. The sales associate spent alot of time with me in the beginning, almost bordering on hounding, which is something I find detestable in small stores where the clinentle is few. After I tried on the outfit and did not care for it and told her that it just wasn't for me, she seemed huffy and did not even offer a goodbye upon me leaving the store, nor did she even ask me if there was anything else she could help me find. While the clothes are great, the staff isn't top notch.

PROS:
CONS: Snooty staff

Au Bon Pain

Located within the 30th Street Train Station, this is a well-known coffee shop in the same category as Starbucks, although with plentiful pasteries and other assorted fruit items. THey also offer sandwiches that are made fresh daily, as well as two soups that change each day. I have had the pleasure of enjoying the soup on a cold winter's day and have also had the pleasure of purchasing Low-fat muffins for my co-workers for morning meetings. Au Bon also allows you to purchase large coffee in the dispensers for meetings as well which is extremely convinient. Slightly expensive, but worth it.

PROS: Delicious bakery items
CONS: High prices

Details Inc

I am a frequent shopper at Details- who have many services to offer including gorgeous, classy stock stationary and note cards, along with small trinkets and memo books, party favors and invitations (always supplying the latest holiday decorative cards & trinkets) and they also offer gorgeous gift wrapping. Their upstairs has even more merchandise and I always enjoy browing in such a lovely space. My signature stationary and thank you notes come from Details- with an eloquent H on the front of a heavy stock note card. Great for gifts as well and not only has notecards in bulk also has a selection of greeting cards in the back.

PROS: Classy stationairy
CONS: Not inexpensive

Guacamole

A friend told me I would love this store and introduced me to it while we were having one of our monthly shopping outings on South Street. I loved the selection that Guacamole had- up and coming designs and cute tops, outfits and plentiful selection of shoes- especially Puma's and Vans which I love. They also have handbags, accessories, some makeup and perfume, belts and other accessories. They also sell name brand items as well, bordering on the trendy/althetic side. The only quip I have about the store is that their merchandise is very highly priced. I realize that being a small store, they cannot afford to sell name brand items at low prices, but it definitely was a factor in me buying nothing more than a lipgloss.

PROS: Great selection
CONS: Overpriced