This New Gift Shop Wants to Banish Crappy Philly Souvenirs

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Joining the likes of Nice Things Handmade and VIX Emporium, a new all-handmade gift shop, Philadelphia Independents, is coming to Old City with a fresh batch of wares and wearables from local creatives. We're talking jewelry from Racked Philly favorite Stitch Prism, whimsical prints and stationery from Exit 343, sweet-smelling bars from Mamoucha Soaps, plus baby gifts, handbags, home decor, candles, and the like.

Taking over the former home of Hana & Posy, the Old City location will put Philadelphia Independents right in the path of its target audience: sightseers hoofing it around Philly's historic district. "Tourists love buying local, handmade [souvenirs]," says co-founder Ashley Peel Pinkham, a veteran of Philly's indie craft market scene. "[Something] different from a typical souvenir that's usually not even made in this country, let alone Philadelphia."

That's not to say that the store doesn't intend to appeal to the locals. In fact, the 800-square-foot shop, sandwiched between Jonathan Adler and Vagabond, will designate 200 square feet to an in-store workshop (or "craft corner," per Pinkham), which will function as a creative hub for the neighborhood. The store is still in the middle of merchandising, but you can swing by and see Philadelphia Independents for yourself when the shop hosts a grand opening fete 5pm to 8pm Friday, May 2.
· Philadelphia Independents [Official Site]
· Philly's 20 Best Gift Shops [Racked Philly]
· Remember Your Visit to Philly With These 18 Awesome Souvenirs [Racked Philly]
· Pilot & Captain Is Coming in for a Landing at PHL [Racked Philly]