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Just Opened
Millésimé, the self-defined "lifestyle store and showroom featuring collections for the modern home and person," has a new home on 41 S. Third St.
Open since July, this new location replaced the NoLibs birthplace of Jinous Kazemi's conglomerate of contemporary household accessories. Employee Jillian Collins explains that the store was looking to "focus more on furniture" and seek a new, older crowd. The overwhelming construction nearby is seriously cramping Millésimé's style, but thus far the sleek design store is holding its own. Business hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
View galleryGreen space isn't common in Center City and landmarks around Rittenhouse Square are slow to change. So don't be surprised when walking down Walnut Street that the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has taken over that odd vacant lot right across the street from Rittenhouse Square and turned it into a garden focused on growing food for the City Harvest program. City Paper went to the opening and took a few pictures.
Yesterday University City unveiled The Dirt Factory, its new trash-to-treasure composting facility that will convert organic neighborhood waste into compost with the help of fallen leaves, worms and a high-capacity Earth Tub system. The facility will be open for drop-off every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m., and UCD and the Pedal Co-op will also provide collection services for bagged leaves, wood chips and other organic material. The Factory held a party for its grand opening, filling the air with bluegrass music and the scents of locally sponsored refreshments, and we took some photos.
Queen Village Art Center has all the bases covered — in colorful marker, paint or blank drawing paper. Even the mirrors, which line the walls of the first floor children’s workshop, are fair game. They’re decorated with the budding creations of young students and, as founder and director Jill Markovitz explains, “We are all about exploring art. If you are constantly focusing on producing the perfect product, you miss the fun in exploring along the way.”
The Art Center, a sister branch of Fairmount Art Center, is in the former home of Philadelphia AIDS 
Thrift Store. With the help of architect Salerno Ziegler, Markovitz says they “completely gutted the place,” redesigning and remodeling the spot to provide an optimal creative atmosphere. For those who might have visited the previous location, cramped with long, disorganized racks, the renovations are enlightening, literally.
Large glass windows invite natural sunlight to the front studios, large workshops are suitable for adequate table space and spacious hallways of the gallery allow students and visitors to peruse the progress being made each day.
As Markovitz says, “We purposely designed it this way so that students can hear and see all parts of the artistic process.” As their mission supports, the more they see, the more they can explore. “These kids are full of creative ideas, we just try to hone in on what’s developmentally appropriate for the curriculum.”
Attention, slackers: Father's Day is Sunday, which means if you don't get a card in the mail today — or maaaaybe tomorrow if you're lucky — your dad is gonna feel so sad that you don't love him.
Skip the frantic trip to Target (those cards suck anyway) and head instead to Third and Bainbridge, where Tall Cow is stocked with fun, quirky Dad's Day cards with plenty of blank space inside for you to write a sappy message about how sorry you are you can't afford to buy him a paisley tie this year. (Among them: "Wise Guy" and "Here's Looking at You," pictured.)
Tall Cow, whose Queen Village shop opened in March, is the brainchild of Allison Mitchell, who tells us she's been selling her cards wholesale since 2004. "I moved to the neighborhood last year and decided it was time for a retail space," Mitchell says. "The spot on Third Street was empty for a while, and each time I walked by, I would envision it as the perfect space to start my brick-and-mortar."
After renovating (and de-odorizing, we'd guess) the former Chic Petique, Mitchell created a "warm, inviting space" — and she points out that dogs are still welcome to come sniff around.
In addition to her own line, she sells cards from Saturn and Yee-Haw Industries, as well as screenprints from Little Owl and our personal snark-tastic local favorite, Mean Cards (one of which proclaims, "I've Been a Constant Source of Disappointment," which would make for a great Father's Day card, but only if your dad has a sense of humor.)
Once you've checked Pops off your list, you may as well do some shopping for yourself — Mitchell's stocked the shop with tons of goodies both old and new, including Lucky Fish pillows, Scintilla lambswool throws and Melo hand-poured candles (a Philly local).
As for the vintage stuff? "It's composed of items my partner, Deanna, and I pick up as we see," Mitchell says — "salt-and-pepper shakers, state plates, candle sticks."
"I've also included stationery, plan books, artisanal wallets and eco-friendly baby toys," she says. "I've also incorporated some fine art from local artists to serve as a bit of a gallery on my walls."
It's about time this part of town had a small-scale, non-Hallmark-y card shop. Wander over on your lunch break, take a peek and make sure to thank Allison for saving your butt this Father's Day weekend.
Tall Cow, 616 S. Third St., 267-909-8195, tallcow.com.
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soo proud of u my sweet sister!!!
SO MANY CONGRATTZ, Lady Elaine!!! Looks Fantastic !!! Best of Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pam posted this website on Facebook so I had to check it out! Very impressive, we wish you the best of luck! You are so talented and creative I know your business will excel!
YEY!!!! See ya on the 12th! And get ready for a HUGE order!! I made need you to mark off a whole day 'cause you know I need undivided attention!!!
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| washcyclelaundry.com |
- making sure that the planet is better off
- making sure people are better off
- making sure that we turn a profit so that we can keep on growing
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| The Philly Pack Pet Store |
| Entrance and sales floor |
nice little shop... i wish you good luck..
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| Courtesy of Hotel Palomar |
What's likely the greenest hotel in Philadelphia opened its doors today, showcasing its new digs in the American Institute of Architects building. In shambles, the 80-year-old building was gutted to make room for the lavishly frivolous, but environmentally frugal Hotel Palomar (117 S. 17th St., 215-563-5006). As the only hotel in Philadelphia registered with the US Green Business Council, the entire edifice is decked with sustainable materials. The floor of the chic lobby is laid with recycled glass and 100 percent wool rugs; the organic-friendly restaurant, Square 1682, is covered by soundproof cork ceilings; and the 230 guest rooms are furnished with certified wood beds, tables and chairs. Also, guests will find snack bars stocked with organic and fair trade coffees, teas and treats in the rooms.
But enough about the technical stuff ' let's get back to the art. Hoping to maintain the Art Deco aura of the previous building, designers have worked to establish an 'Art in Motion' theme. The lobby, hallways and rooms are lined with a variety of original works, many of which were made by local artists. One of the featured pieces is a Warhol-esque image of Ben Franklin that greets you before entering the lobby.
If you're looking to spend a romantic weekend here with your honey, you better be ready to shell out some green of your own. Prices for the rooms range from $199 to $400. The hotel, however, is offering guided tours for those interested in just taking a peek.
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