Philadelphia Independents

I arrived too early for check-in and was looking for a luggage storage and luckily I found this place. When I entered I immediately understood that I could rest easy for my luggage because I was welcomed by a very nice and kind young lady. The luggage storage service is offered in this very nice souvenir shop where there are very particular things different from the usual souvenir shops with a really kind service.

I didn't enjoy my shopping experience there, albeit their cute inventory. We were monitored the whole time (they were just watching us without talking), and were even denied opening and seeing a tea towel's full pattern when we asked. We were very polite and respectful during our short visit (and we DID purchase things from them at the end), so their hostility and unwelcoming attitude might very much be racially charged. We did not do anything—other than existing—to deserve that kind of treatment. As a person of color, I didn't feel safe at Philadelphia Independents and would not recommend any minority groups to go.

Nice eclectic selection of artisan crafts and philadelphia themed souvenirs. A bit pricey, but some unique pieces great for gift- giving.

Outstanding customer service. I called wondering if my order would be here by Christmas, even though the kind woman on the phone couldn’t guarantee my order would be here, she did the best she could do talk me through my holiday stress shopping and after asking what she would do if she were me, I placed my order in hopes it will be here by the holiday. I received my confirmation email and not even 20 minutes later received notice that my order was shipped out. Even if my order doesn’t get here by Christmas, I know that Philadelphia Independents does their best to make their customers, like me, happy:) Thank you very much for your kindness and humanity. Will be placing many many more orders with them:) Happy New year to all at Philadelphia Independents!

Absolutely loved this shop! Stopped by last weekend after reading about them in 111 Places in Philadelphia That You Must Not Miss. Staff were friendly, and the shop was full of tastefully curated and Philly-themed souvenirs. Good variety, and lots of carry-on friendly gifts. They have that good jawn 😊

This is my go-to place for gifts for loved ones! I’ve gotten multiple candles here and every single person I’ve given them to says they loved it. They support and sell small artists work, so I love knowing I’m supporting small businesses by purchasing items here.

Superfun store stocked with great finds all from local Philly designers. Run by women who are equally fun and fascinating. Required stop for any gifting needs.

This place has great stuff! Some very creative interpretations of classic and modern Philadelphia icons on quality merch. The downside is that the lady who runs it is really kind of rude. The uniqueness of their offerings definitely makes it worth dealing with it though. Would have been a solid 5 stars, but the interaction with the lady behind the counter was less than desirable. Again though, they have unique, high quality inventory that is worth your business. 😉

Just a great shop, especially Philly centric things. I love the shirt selection with current themes, especially sports related. There is plenty offered here to find gifts or something for yourself. Place was crowded when I visited and staff was upbeat and helpful.

Independents popped up just in time before hitting 95 to head home. Just so you know, this isn't your usual and boring gift shop that carries the mainstream thimbles and magnets. The shop is quaint and ties in interesting locally-made, Philly-based posters, T-shirts, kitchen towels, art and other one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. Independents owner, Ashley was a total sweetheart and even filled me in on Philly's slang which I thought was damn hoot. This is a cute treasure trove that worked out nicely when I nabbed 2 unique T-shirts and kitchen towels to gift.

I buy gifts here, but I also buy stuff for me. I've gotten pillows, earrings, greeting cards, a cutting board, tote bags, and more. Prices are fair, and the selection is eclectic and interesting. It doesn't get more "shop local" for me than this place. When friends visit, we buy a Philly tote bag and fill it with a SEPTA key card and some Philly-themed gifts. Philadelphia Independents is a one-stop shop for that. Recommended!

I went out of my way to visit this store and I am so glad I did! Philadelphia Independents is a small maker shop located in Old City near a few other stores and maybe a block away from Old City Coffee. The shop features a vibrant selection of local artisans, handmade makers and more. The owners have curated a small but mighty collection of jewelry, artwork, candles, home decor, baby gifts, accessories, greeting cards, and more. The shop is small but filled with lots of great treasures. I absolutely loved their selection of local gemstone jewelry. I purchased a beautiful quartz crystal necklace made by a Philadelphia artist that is just beautiful! Shopping local is so important, and you can never beat the quality of something handmade with so much love. Supporting local is the only way to shop. The shop owner was present (I feel bad I forget her name) but very excited to talk about her store. They also had a great selection of unique cards and baby gifts. If you needed to assemble an impressive gift, you could absolutely do it here with ease! If I lived in the area, this would be my go-to spot for original and thoughtful gifts that sparkle. They also carry Philadelphia-branded items like pillows, mugs, etc. You can also shop their items online with shipping, which is amazing! You're going to love this shop.

I didn't enjoy my shopping experience there, albeit their cute inventory. The two staff, especially the tall brunette with a undercut and bang, were not friendly to say the least. We were monitored the whole time (they were just watching us without talking), and were even denied opening and seeing a tea towel's full pattern when we asked. We were very polite and respectful during our short visit (and we DID purchase things from them), so their hostility and unwelcoming attitude could very much be racially charged. As a person of color, I didn't feel safe at Philadelphia Independents and would not recommend anyone to go.

Excellent shop filled with local artisan gifts. Cute tees, hats, and more. Very affordable.

Had a great selection and unique gifts, a lot from local makers. Not your tacky tourist items. I went in looking for a postcard, ended up leaving with a pint glass with a unique design from a local artist illustrating all of Philedelphias most famous spots!

If you want to get your visitors some Philly souvenirs but don't want to go to the tacky tourist shops, go here. If you want to send something to your friends who moved away from Philly that make them nostalgic, go there. This little shop has everything item that only a true Philadelphian would get. To name a few: Wooder Ice, Jawn on Wawa background, Jawn with Tastycake truck, Love statue, Neighborhoods of Philly, Phanatic etc, etc. For people who are not so familiar with Philly, there prints with iconic restaurants, foods and and drinks available. Prices are higher than an average gift shop, but the reactions you get when you give these to people you care about are priceless.

Philadelphia Independents is a great spot to find Philly-themed and/or Philly-made gifts. They carry a ton of accessories, home accents, toys, and decor handmade by local craftspeople. If you've seen something at a craft fair and want to find it, they likey carry it. Want a necklace that says JAWN or a Tastykake pin? They have it. Amidst all the souvenir spots in Old City, it's a relief to find a non-souvenir shop carrying Philly-themed items. The prices resemble those listed on goods at craft fairs. Check out Philadelphia Independents on 3rd Street!

Love this store. Great for gifts (including gifts for yourself). I wander into this store every couple of weeks and it seems like every time, I find something that either appeals to me or would be a good gift for someone I know. I love the jewelry selection - maybe a little too much as I have bought things for myself that I certainly don't need. One of my favorite staple necklaces actually came from here, too. They also have seasonal items that come in - and now that we have embarked on the harvest and winter holidays, they have some great ornaments from Stanley, Chester and Albert and Ana Thorne that I couldn't help but purchase for myself and friends. I also love the Stanley, Chester and Albert planters... we have a few of these to go with our green thumbs acquired through the pandemic. The staff is always nice, the store is always clean and well organized. A great local boutique that I am fortunate to live near.

While small, this is an excellent place to shop, even if you are a resident of the city of Philadelphia. There was a person behind the desk but i didn't feel pressured to purchase anything. I did buy a t-shirt and card for a friend's birthday who lives in the city. There are a lot of other unique things to look at and buy. Please consider visiting these small, locally owned establishments as opposed to the larger box stores.

Bottom Line: A great store for Philadelphia inspired and made gifts, art and decor. Every town should have a store like Philadelphia Independents! Philadelphia Independents is a quaint retail store in the Old City that sells greeting cards, art work, jewelry, accessories, home decor, t-shirts and baby gifts that are all reminiscent of Philadelphia. Everything in the store is locally made so you are supporting small business and local artisans. For tourists wanting to take home a piece of Philly or for locals wanting to show their Philly pride, this is a great stop!

I love supporting small businesses and I really love supporting local artists. I equally love giving unique gifts they won't easily find anywhere. Enter Philadelphia Independents. It's a great little small shop in Olde City with all the handmade Philly swag you can handle, designed by locals! I recently purchased a bada** Gritty card and one of our favorite local artist's sports tees for one of my husband 's Valentine's Day gift. He was thrilled and I felt great giving something so special that I know he would love and was just his style. They wrapped it for me and the owner was super sweet, introducing me to new designers and showing me all of her fun items. All around it was a fantastic stop, one I'll be making the next time I need a cool gift for a Philadelphian, even a new baby Philadelphian, as they have the cutest onesies! *It's also a great place to stop for a non-cheesy souvenir for visitors! 2 hr Kiosk meter parking.

Perfect for all types of unique gifts! You won't leave empty-handed. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashley Peel, one of the owners of Philadelphia Independents for an interview! Check it out below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcKBNRqjGFg&t=30s

I'm born and raised in Philly but live in LA and come To this store specifically for my nieces and nephews. I will never come back here again.. I asked for a t shirt size and in reply I got if the kid next to me is mine I would know better than she would. Considering it's an independent artist store, I would think the people who worked there would be of more help in trying to sell their merchandise. If you don't see a size you need in a shirt, don't ask the girl at the front with the bad haircut whom I assume owns the place if they have another size in the back.

Philadelphia Independents is an adorable shop along Third, filled with kitschy and quirky gifts that make perfect gifts for pretty much any occasion. They have everything from adorable baby onesies to wall art to jewelry. Because everything is locally made, the prices are a bit higher than you'd find at a mass-retailer but you're also getting unique gifts that you wouldn't be able to find at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond.

So it bums me out to write this review, but they really bummed me out with the experience. Completely sucked the holiday spirit out of my trip specifically to their store. The good: Cute little store with a really great curated selection from Philly artists and artisans, mainly around Philly themes. I loaded up the kids and took a trip to Old City to go to this store specifically. The bad: Every other customer who was in the store was getting laughs, smiles, and eye contact at a minimum. We were in there for all of 4 minutes, I quickly picked the cards I wanted, and dropped $50 for two six-packs of holiday cards. The one person snapped at my kids (who are 9 and 7, not toddlers) for getting too close to something, so I tried to make a joke with her and got nothing but her back turned to me. Then I made the purchase with the other person who seemed more interested in getting us out of her store than having any kind of interaction. So, if you don't have kids, seems like you'll have a nice experience shopping from a wonderful selection of gifts. If you do have kids, don't take them to the store with you, and maybe you'll have a better experience than I did. I've never felt so bad for spending $50 on 12 holiday cards in my life. #holidaybuzzkill

Philadelphia Independents is one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood for gifts (and gifts for myself). The store is small but packs in a great selection of jewelry to kitchen tools to tshirts to baby things... almost all Philly-themed and locally made. I love the jewelry and tshirts and have several. The stock changes frequently so there's always something new and fun. For example, I got my fiancé a tie tack with the Philly Philly play shortly after the Eagles Super Bowl victory. There are a lot of neighborhood-specific items which are fun if you live in town or want a unique souvenir of your Philadelphia experience.

Very cool, hip store with items unique to Philadelphia. The store was neat, with items displayed well. The two young ladies running the store when I visited were very pleasant. I will definitely be back!

What a cool place! When I walked in, I recognized tees, art, books, coasters, mugs, etc., that were Philly-centric that I've seen in various boutiques across the city. To have them all carefully curated under one roof made it really hard to walk out without making a purchase. Perfect for housewarming gifts, and I imagine I'll be back for holiday shopping.

This is easily my favorite shop in Old City, and that's saying a lot! The store, as the name implies, is Philly-centric, with Philly-themed and Philly-made gifts, expertly curated. I have several of the shirts already and buy most of my greeting cards here! If I could decorate my apartment with all stuff from here I would! Check it out!

If you are a Philly native, Philly sports fan, or just visiting the city you HAVE to stop here for gifts and little knick-knacks. Philly themed dish towels, mugs, t-shirts, coasters, pillows... They have everything. I do have to say, it's a little pricey for a gift shop but everything is hand-made by local people and it isn't your typical gift shop. It's very "boutique-ish". Store location is set perfectly in Old City giving it that real Philly-feel.

Very nice stop. The owner was very helpful, and we got all the souvenirs we wanted for family and friends.

This little shop is great for unique gifts for friends and family and even yourself. My husband bought a liberty bell and bolt tshirt and loved it so much we went back and bought him another one in a different color. He always gets compliments on it and it's so soft I can see why he wears it all the time. I've gotten baby onesies that have cute patterns for my friends kids too and I known they're not going to be like any other gift they'd get from anyone else. The prices are a little high, especially for pillows and housewares, but I've yet to find designs that rival theirs so I'll probably back for some Philly themed pillows sooner or later.

My first stop whenever I need a gift for any occasion. Super cute, locally made things. I never walk out empty handed.

Great service and gifts with character make this a special shop. Nicely placed on a quiet street too, so the whole stroll is pleasant.

When I need to get a gift for someone I care about, this is the first (and often only) place I stop. They always have a great selection of unique items, all made by local artists. Yes, I know I'll end up spending a little more here than I might at a bigger chain store, or if I really spent time hunting around online, but I like being able to wander in and be surprised by cool items that I never would have even thought to look for. Many times, I have some idea of what I might want to get, but end up with something different and even more perfect for the person I have in mind. I always know that my friends will love what I get them--the gifts I find here are always met with excitement, and I end up recommending the shop all the time since people always want to know where I found something so unique and perfect. The shop has a warm vibe, and the ladies who own the shop are lovely. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by and seeing what jumps out at you! They also have a great Instagram game if you want to make sure you keep up with their always-changing inventory.

Was excited to return here to purchase a gift for a colleague who recently moved out of state and would love a Philadelphia-esque item. I've literally entered 3 physical stores since the start of the pandemic and this was shop 4 since March due to an abundance of caution. Upon entry was barked at to sanitize via the dirty pump at the door (welcomed since I had to touch their closed door handle to enter despite the 65 degree day that most would consider opening for air circulation) but when they realized I was with my 10 year old child (one who is more covid diligent than most adults) was told to please "avoid touching anything". Really? I welcome this if it's your actual policy but it's not- I'm certain you said this only because I had an adolescent with me (who generously sanitized at the door and actually wouldn't touch anything in non plague times!) There were no posted signs with this policy. And you were rude. I inquired about the item of interest and shipping options and again was rudely told "just order it online" - well had I known it to be an option then I never would have walked to the shop. Frankly, if touching items in the shop is an issue then take your entire business online! You were gruff and unwelcoming in a time when you probably need local neighborhood customers who have kids that actually behave and can demonstrate more class than you. We will take our business elsewhere.

Great shop, lots of neat finds by independent local artisans. Made a purchase as a Christmas gift after seeing the item on Etsy and figured buying in the city would be more convenient than having to have the item shipped. The markup on the item was pretty significant, but I chalked it up to helping keep small business in business even if purchasing from the vendor directly essentially would have been doing the same for a much more reasonable price. Debated returning the item and purchasing closer to the holiday when I had made the final determination on my gift purchases, but was informed that returns are only in the form of store credit. Kind of a bummer given that the purchase was made day of and that I was on the fence about the item to begin with. Great shop with lovely employees and terrific options, I would absolutely buy here again but only if I was 100% set on my purchase.

I found this store while exploring Old City on my first trip to Philadelphia. What a great find! I bought a t-shirt for my college-aged daughter as a souvenir that she just loved. This is not your typical gift shop, but one filled with artist's work that is original. Great place to find high quality, original souvenirs or gifts.

Stumbled upon this place when I was walking around the neighborhood. Very small but lovely. I think it's a fun "supplemental gift option" especially for your Philly friends who are leaving. If you're like me and you've come here for school, you've had a lot of good friends stay for a while and then up and leave me for residencies, fellowships, new jobs... So sad, but so nice to give them something to remember Philly by. I purchased this canvas where a local philly artist had painted different neighborhood logos-- like they had a Pennsport/Queen Village one that had Federal Donuts, Royal Tavern, Tatooed Mom's, etc... Very cute. They have lots of totes, philly-themed onesies, jewelry etc... A fun find!

My new go-to store for gifts! There's a wonderful selection of items, from original earrings and necklaces, to leather wallets, screen printed T-shirts and adorable baby gifts. All made locally, so you're not only supporting a local business, but also local artists. Very friendly customer service, too. I make a point of stopping here when I'm in Old City just to see what they have in.