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How to Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden in Philadelphia And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

In a city like Philadelphia, where green space can be limited and urban development continues to expand, creating a pollinator-friendly garden is more than just a trend — it’s a vital act of environmental stewardship. Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are essential to healthy ecosystems. They’re responsible for pollinating more than 75% of flowering plants and over a third of the crops we eat. However, habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change are putting these hardworking insects at risk. The good news? Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or a few containers on your stoop, you can make a difference. By planting native species that attract and sustain pollinators, you’re helping to rebuild crucial ecosystems right in your neighborhood.

“Every home gardener can do their part to increase pollinating insects, moths, and butterflies in the greater Philadelphia area by planting native pollinator plants,” said Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture at PHS. “Increasing the number of native pollinators contributes to greater biodiversity. In addition to being great plants for pollinators, they are all very ornamental plants as well.”

Butterfly Milkweed in Kensington. Image by Stephanie Aviles.

If you are new to pollinator plants and are overwhelmed by the choices, bring your questions (and small potted plants you wish to swap) to the PHS Pop UP Plant Swaps. Bring plants, plant cuttings, or any garden-related items (i.e., books, tools, vegetables from your garden, etc.), meet fellow garden enthusiasts, and go home as a new plant parent! They also offer lite bites, beer, and cocktails for sale which you can enjoy while swapping your plants and plant-related items.

Zinnia flowers attract a monarch butterfly. Image: Stephanie Aviles.

Solo Real Estate is proud to sponsor these free events and is giving away complimentary pollinator mix seed packets at the swaps! This curated blend of annual flowers is designed to attract honeybees, bumblebees, and other native bees. Healthy, well-fed pollinators are more resilient to disease and parasites, so planting this mix helps boost local bee populations while adding color to your space.

Solo Real Estate’s Pollinator Mix Seed Packets for 2025. Artwork by Gregory Dyson.
Photo: Deborah Solo.

Our Pollinator Seed mix for this year includes: Forget-Me-Not, Siberian Wallflower, Purple Coneflower, China Aster, Corn Poppy, Lance-Leaved Coreopsis, Blue Flax, Baby Blue Eyes, Indian Blanket, Globe Gilia, Tidy Tips, Coreopsis, Alyssum, Lavender, Daisy, Aster, White Rockcress, and Bergamot.

Seed packets we’ve given away at past plant swaps. Image: Stephanie Aviles

Want an extra incentive? If you pre-register for a swap event, you’ll automatically be entered to win a special plant, courtesy of Solo Real Estate. Winners will be announced at the start of the event.

Butterfly and Bee Gardens: What to Plant in a Philadelphia Pollinator Garden

Not sure where to start? Here is a deeper look at five native pollinator plants Bunting recommends for urban gardens in Philadelphia:

Little Redhead, Spigelia Marilandica, is a very versatile perennial that grows naturally in either sun or shade and is a good choice for container gardening. Its dark red tubular flowers with yellow interiors are produced on top of an upright clump of dark green, wedge-shaped leaves. It requires good drainage to thrive, 

Butterfly Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, not to be confused with Butterfly Bush, gets it name from the brightly colored butterflies that are attracted to its orange flowers. This showy plant is frequently grown from seed in home gardens. Fact: It’s root was chewed by indigenous communities as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments. As a result, Butterfly Weed was given its other common name, Pleurisy Root. This colorful plant requires sun and prefers dry, sandy soil. It can be grown from seeds and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Mountain Mint,  Pycnanthemum muticum, exudes a mild minty aroma which attracts butterflies, bees, moths, etc. In the spring and early summer, its flowers are white, but from mid to late summer, the foliage is adorned by clusters of small pinkish white flowers. This perennial likes full to partial sun, medium dry soil, and grows to be 3 feet in height. It blooms from July to September. Mountain mint plant leaves were once used to make mild teas. Native Americans brewed the leaves for treating colds, fevers, and stomach aches.

Pale Coneflower, Ecninacea pallida,this butterfly magnet has pale purple flowers that grow on a stalk that can reach 2-4 feet in height. So keep this beauty in mind for your yard or community garden and not a window box. It blooms in early summer and should be planted in well-drained soil in full to partial sunlight. Most Coneflowers dislike soil that is kept excessively moist or has poor drainage. In the past,  Purple Coneflowers were used as medicinal plants by the Native Americans. There is still a market for the roots, which are used to make herbal medicines and tonics.

Rattlesnake Maste, Eryngium yuccifolium. A member of the parsley family, this plant matures to a height of 4 feet with thistle-like, ball-shaped flower heads on stiff stems, which make an interesting contrast to your other pollinator plants. It likes full sun and dry soil. (i.e,. a beach house garden in Jersey.) Don’t expect bloom until July.

Other local favorites? Phlox, with its showy clusters of white, blue, purple, and pink flowers, and the ever-popular Black-Eyed Susan, known for its cheery yellow-gold petals, which we’ve also given away at previous plant swaps.

Whether you’re planting in containers, a backyard, or a shared community garden, you’ll find a wide selection of pollinator plants at local nurseries. These shops are also great resources for advice on soil, sunlight, and watering.

Happy planting and happy pollinating!

A Novelist’s Nest: Breathing New Life into a Newbold Rowhouse

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

When novelist and Philadelphia native Leah Franqui returned to the city in the Spring of 2024, after eleven years living in New York, Mumbai, and Atlanta, she knew what she wanted. Point Breeze seemed affordable, exciting, and a new neighborhood for Franqui to explore, having grown up in Northern Liberties. Additionally, “My brother Alex and his wife Rebecca live in Passyunk with their daughters, so I knew the area a little from previous visits. Being close to public transportation was also important,” said Leah who teaches at Saint Joseph University on City Line Avenue. 

Her choice? A two-story, brick row house at 1613 S. Bancroft Street located in Newbold. A subdivision of Point Breeze, Newbold is bounded by Tasker to the north, Passyunk Ave. to the south, S. Broad St to the East and 18th St. to the west.  After spotting the property online, Leah asked her mother, Deborah Solo, to scout out the house while Leah was still in Atlanta. Although they settled on the property, Leah did not get a chance to tour the place herself until a month after settlement.

“I saw the house in person in April of 2024, after I’d already bought it! It was just a shell but I knew I was going to love it,” said Leah who shares her mother’s passion for renovation.

“I was very relieved when she finally walked through and could see beyond the carpeting and paneling,” said Deborah.

Built sometime between 1910 and 1920, the house had some original details Leah loved, including the archway separating the living and dining room, the tiled entryway, and the original banister on the stairs. She also liked the original wooden floors when they revealed themselves under layers of wall-to-wall carpets and vinyl. 

However, a lot had to go! “I created an open-floor plan by getting rid of the wall separating the living room from the dining room, along with the small kitchen and a powder room on the first floor,” she said. Leah also had to remove the 1960s wooden paneling in the mudroom and convert that into a new kitchen.  By demolishing the old kitchen, she created space for a backyard, South Philadelphia style, a cement-paved square with Eastern-facing light. 

“I’m so excited to finally have outdoor space! This spring, I’d like to build some big planters and grow tomatoes and flowers. Maybe have a table, some chairs, and a small grill,” said Leah.

Rather than being frazzled from all the construction, Leah has been energized. 

“It’s been fantastic,” said Leah. “Underneath the carpet, there were three layers of vinyl. Under that, there were pine floorboards which were sanded and refinished.” Meanwhile, her contractor found some interesting wooden doors from another property under renovation in Narberth to supplement the only two doors that came with the house when Leah bought it, French doors she also kept and re-installed. There were no closets on the second floor. No problem. In renovating and re-designing the bathroom, with Deborah’s help, Leah converted an enormous bathroom into a large one with room for an ample closet. 

With the renovation, Leah tried to be mindful of sustainability as well as repurposing and reusing as much as possible. “My mom always says the best thing you can do is use what already exists,” said Leah. 

In addition to repurposing doors and refinishing the existing floors, she had a mini-split HVAC system put in to be more energy efficient and installed ceiling fans throughout to reduce the need for an A/C in the warmer months. She hopes to install a rain barrel next. 

 “I think Leah made some smart renovation decisions,” said her brother, Solo agent Alex Franqui. 

Leah moved in last July, with some things still on her to-do list, including new windows. Meanwhile, her cat, Peter Paul Rubins, who she originally adopted in Mumbai and brought to Philly via Atlanta, approves of the home’s design. He especially likes to perch in the first-floor window where he keeps an eye on the street. 

“I wanted a place where I would be comfortable writing,” said Leah. The author of three published novels, she is working on a new one based on her PhD dissertation, a novel about Anne of Cleves, one of Henry VIII’s more fortunate wives who left her marriage with her head intact. 

Leah created that comfort by decorating her home with furniture and rugs from her grandparents and splashes of color, including a turquoise sofa. Other forms of comfort come from discovering the friendliness of her neighborhood, including dining at Hardena, a nearby Indonesian restaurant, or checking out the new shops on East Passyunk.

Leah’s renovation of the property is emblematic of the neighborhood’s long history. Newbold, and all of Point Breeze, was not developed until 1895 when Philadelphia experienced an influx of Eastern European Jews. Before then, it had been an industrial site. Irish and Italian immigrants moved into the neighborhood and later, in the 1930s, African Americans settled in the area. 

For the next thirty years, the neighborhood was integrated, peaceful, and thriving. The business district along Point Breeze Avenue was booming. However, in the 1960s, racial tensions developed and many store owners relocated. Then came the drug traffic of the 70s through the 90s. Many residents fled and property values fell.

In the 2000s, revitalization efforts developed properties along S. Broad Street, attracting immigrants from Southeast Asia. The 2000 Census showed that Point Breeze contained the highest concentration of Vietnamese people in the City. Today there is a diverse population and a growing number of young professionals, like Leah, who see the value in restoration and seek to be a part of the community. As time passes, Newbold remains a neighborhood where history and modern living intersect.

For Leah, her thoughtfully renovated rowhouse is more than just a home, it’s a space for creativity, comfort, and connection. With every design choice, from repurposed materials to energy-efficient updates, she’s not just restoring a house but shaping a home that reflects her values. And as she settles in, balancing teaching, writing, and city life, one thing is clear: this chapter in Newbold is just beginning.

The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia: History, Landmarks & Legacy

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

The Underground Railroad wasn’t a literal railroad, but for thousands of enslaved African Americans, it was a path to freedom. Philadelphia played a crucial role as one of the most significant stops on this secret network. With a thriving free Black population, abolitionist leaders, and dedicated safe houses, the city became a beacon of hope.

Philadelphia: A Hub for Freedom Seekers

By the 18th century, Philadelphia had the largest free Black population outside of the slave states. By 1860, over 22,000 Black residents called the city home, many actively working to help freedom seekers. More than 8,600 African Americans from Pennsylvania later served in the Civil War, continuing the fight for justice.

Alongside this vibrant community, Quaker abolitionists, who were among the first white religious groups to condemn slavery, helped create an environment where those escaping bondage could find shelter, resources, and a path forward.

Key Figures of Philly’s Underground Railroad

Lucretia Mott & the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society

Quaker minister and women’s rights advocate Lucretia Mott turned her Cheltenham home, Roadside, into a stop on the Underground Railroad. The surrounding area, La Mott, is named in her honor. She also founded the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society in 1838 at N. 5th & Arch St., alongside Robert Purvis, a leading Black abolitionist and son of a wealthy cotton broker.

The society provided legal aid, financial support, and coordinated safe passage for freedom seekers.

William Still: The “Father” of the Underground Railroad

If Philadelphia’s Underground Railroad had conductors, William Still was its chief engineer. A free Black man and meticulous record-keeper, Still worked at the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, documenting the stories of those escaping slavery. His book, The Underground Railroad Records, remains one of the most important firsthand accounts of this movement.

Harriet Tubman’s Connection to Philadelphia

Perhaps the most famous freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman, made frequent stops in Philadelphia while rescuing enslaved people. She worked closely with the city’s abolitionist network to carry out her daring missions. You can see a powerful tribute to her, the Journey to Freedom statue, on the northeast side of Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Underground Railroad Landmarks in Philadelphia

Many sites across Philadelphia preserve the legacy of the Underground Railroad. Here are a few must-visit locations:

  • Mother Bethel AME Church (419 S. 6th St.) – Founded in 1794, this historic Black church provided sanctuary for freedom seekers.
  • Johnson House Historic Site (6306 Germantown Ave.) – A former Underground Railroad station that still stands today.
  • Belmont Mansion & Underground Railroad Museum (2000 Belmont Mansion Drive) – The former home of abolitionist Judge Richard Peters, now a museum dedicated to Underground Railroad history.
  • African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St.) – Features the Audacious Freedom exhibit, showcasing African American history from 1776–1876.
  • National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.) – Home to exhibits featuring Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and the fight for abolition.
Mother Bethel. Image: R. Kennedy for Visit Philly
Belmont Mansion. Image: Jason Smith for VisitPhilly
Johnson House. Image: Rusty Kennedy for VisitPhilly

The Lasting Impact of Philadelphia’s Underground Railroad

Operating the Underground Railroad was extremely dangerous, especially after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which allowed slave catchers to operate in free states and imposed harsh penalties on those who helped freedom seekers. Yet, the people of Philadelphia persisted. Through secret codes, nighttime escapes, and a vast network of trusted allies, they kept hope alive.

Today, the city honors this legacy through historical landmarks, museums, and educational programs that ensure these stories continue to inspire future generations.

Explore Black History in Philadelphia

With Black History Month here, now is the perfect time to explore Philadelphia’s rich history. Learn about the heroes of the Underground Railroad, visit these landmarks, read about Philadelphia’s Legendary African-American Jazz musicians in our post on Philadelphia Jazz history, and reflect on what true freedom means.

Start Your Home Search for the New Year

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Get a head start on finding the home of your dreams in the New Year! January and February are the ideal months to research the market, define your priorities, set a budget, and be ready to spring into action when availability blossoms in the Spring. We want to share insider tips on navigating Philly’s real estate market.

Timing is everything. It’s no surprise that housing prices tend to be lowest in January, as well as inventory availability. Both are at their highest come April. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until Spring to begin researching prices, locations, and availability.

If you are a first-time buyer, you want to focus on your ability to secure a mortgage first. Without that first step, going to open houses is like asking to see the menu in restaurants where you can’t afford the tab! Another reason to line up a mortgage first? You want to know how much house you can afford before you start to look.

According to Realtor.com, the median sale price of a Philly home was $260K and the median listing price was $270K in November 2024. However, Zillow reports that the average home value in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area stands at $343,102. When you think about price, think of location. While there are row houses in an affordable price range in Pennsport, Greys Ferry, and West Philly, prices are higher closer to Center City and in trendy neighborhoods such as Fishtown, Kensington, and East Passyunk. If you work remotely, the best values are just outside Center City where you can get more houses (and yards) for your money such as Lansdowne, East Falls, Germantown, Roxborough, etc. For instance, a BelLa Vista 3 bed, 3.5 bath home with a roof deck and yard is asking $739,900 while the median purchase price in Roxborough is $249,267.

A Philly home in the winter. Image: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.
A Philly home in the spring. Image: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.

Once you know how much house you can afford, cast a wide net to start. Look at listings in various neighborhoods. If you are unfamiliar with an area, go there during the day, at night, and also on weekends to get a feel for the community. Is it quiet, noisy, well-lit, or dark? Engage homeowners in conversation. 

On the other hand, if you are currently renting in a neighborhood you love and are ready to buy, you’ve saved a lot of time. In Philly, the cost of renting is higher than the cost of buying a home (and building equity). 

Knowing what kind of community you prefer is key. Condo owner Stephen Tenner moved here from Brooklyn. “I made my way specifically to West Mt. Airy. It has a progressive, liberal feel just like Park Slope where I lived. I love the old houses, Weavers Way Coop, and that it’s interracial and inclusive. Wissahickon Park is nearby and I walk miles every day.” When he doesn’t want to walk, a SEPTA train station is around the corner.

Howard Silver, on the other hand, has no regrets about his two-bedroom condo at William Penn House. “Everything I want is here. Di Bruno’s is across the street. Rittenhouse Square is a block away. I walk to the Kimmel, Wilma, and Suzanne Roberts. What’s not to like?”

Before you talk to a realtor, make a list of your priorities. What are some musts and what are some things that would be a nice-to-have?

  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Garage or off-street parking
  • Roof Deck
  • Energy-efficient appliances or sustainability features
  • Yard
  • Access to Public Transportation
  • Walkability
  • Closeness to dog parks, schools, eateries, cafes, etc.
  • A fixer-upper or in perfect condition?

Remember, not every house will be “staged” like a reality TV show!  Unless you are looking only at newly renovated, unfurnished homes, be prepared for furnishings, rugs, and light fixtures that may not be your style. Or a bathroom that reminds you of your grandmother. The ability to re-imagine the house with the changes you require (and their cost) will save you money and time.

The City of Philadelphia’s Philly First Home Program offers a grant of up to $10,000 (or 6% of home price) to help first-time, home buyers with down payments and closing costs. You may also ask your lender about state grant programs.

Rather than chatting with mortgage lenders or Nerd Wallet on your cellphone, start with a financial institution with which you have a relationship. That could be your credit union or bank. They will walk you through your options, including conventional mortgages, VA mortgages,  FHA Home Loans, and USDA Mortgages. They will also introduce you to mortgage calculators.
For instance, current mortgage rates in Philadelphia, PA are 6.692% for a 30-year fixed, 5.785% for a 15-year fixed, and 7.164% for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). 

Finally, working with a qualified real estate agent – one who knows the neighborhoods that interest you –  will make the process of buying your first or second home easier. Reach out to one our agents to get started!

Pennsylvania’s Holiday Markets

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Drive through the Pennsylvania countryside to experience Holiday Markets beyond Philadelphia’s Christmas Market where the spirit of the season is joyous and the crafts are irresistible. You’ll find plenty of stocking stuffers, glass ornaments, and maybe that special necklace to wear on New Year’s Eve.

“Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” won’t be lying still this holiday season. Starting in mid-November, Bethlehem, PA celebrates its thirty-second, iconic Christmas Market also known as Christkindlmarkt featuring handmade gifts by the nation’s finest artisans, German ornaments, and for the kids – an ice skating rink. Ranked as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure, this Bethlehem Christmas market will transport you to a European holiday market without going through airport security. Bethlehem is a 2-hour drive from Philly.

Kennett Square Holiday Village Market, at the Creamery of Kennett Square, Dec 14-15, is a free event with artisanal crafts, original art, and local food trucks. It also promises to be one of the classiest holiday markets, if only because of the location, in the heart of Kennett Square’s Historic District where you’ll find upscale shops and restaurants. There will be a free shuttle during the holiday market (11-5 pm) taking people from the market to the downtown, running on a 10-minute loop. Kennett Square is a two-hour and fifteen-minute drive from Philly.

Or head north to visit the more than 60 specialty shops in Peddler’s Village, in Lahaska, a pleasant one-hour drive from Philadelphia. A highlight of your visit will be the Gingerbread Competition & Display (November 15, 2024, to January 19, 2025), featuring dozens of handcrafted gingerbread creations on display for free. When you’re done shopping, it’s just a 10-minute drive to New Hope for more shopping and charming restaurants.

On Dec. 13 and 14, discover the charm of the Historic Schaefferstown Christkindlmarkt. You can explore a delightful selection of handmade period gifts crafted by more than 20 skilled artisans from the region. With ample shopping space and convenient off-street parking, this enchanting market invites visitors to immerse themselves in a festive atmosphere while uncovering unique treasures. This is a little over a 2-hour drive from Philly.

If your idea of holiday shopping is a step above candy canes and gingerbread, consider visiting the King of Prussia Mall where Dior, Fendi, and Cartier await, along with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Eileen Fisher, and Chanel. The halls are decked with lights and holiday decor. Hungry? Morton’s Steakhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, and Shake Shack await. Just remember where you parked! 45 minutes and a couple of credit cards from Philly. 

For a more relaxed, small-town feel, the charming shops and restaurants of Chestnut Hill offer a reprieve from the commercialization of Christmas. Here you will find independently owned, gayly decorated shops offering tasteful clothing, accessories, and jewelry for men, women, and children, as well as kitchenware, fine art, and antiques. Don’t miss browsing at Booked, Robertson’s gift shop, lunch at Cake, or poking around Kilian’s Hardware, a Century old store, which has everything you never knew you needed. Santa will be there along with live music and carol singers. The Chestnut Hill West SEPTA train will take you to the heart of the shopping district in 25 minutes. Or you can drive there at the same time.

Chesnut Hill's Holiday on the Hill flyer featuring Christmas vignettes like a truck, caroling, families and holiday decorations like wreaths, garlands and more. White text over a red color block spells out Chestnut Hill Holidays on the Hill and in smaller letters below November 23-December 25.
Chesnut Hill’s Holiday on the Hill runs from November through December 25th. Image courtesy of the Chestnut Hill Business District.

Also, close by is Yuletide at Liberty Hill at Union League of Philadelphia Liberty Hill, which runs through January 5, 2025. Located in Lafayette Hill, this is a decidedly upscale holiday market featuring 30 high-end booths, ice skating, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, live music, and visits with Santa, plus a Brauhouse, a whiskey room, and a beer garden. Admission tickets are $23 per person.

Image courtesy of Longwood Gardens. Photographer Hank Davis. The Peppermint Palace in the music room at Longwood Gardens features holiday decor like faux cakes, trees, garlands, and other decorations red and green decorations for the festive season.
Blue Christmas trees light up the conservatory. The Peppermint Palace in the music room at Longwood Gardens features holiday decor like faux cakes, trees, garlands, and other decorations red and green decorations for the festive season.
Images courtesy of Longwood Gardens. Photographer Hank Davis.

Tired of shopping and looking for a fun holiday experience with your loved ones? Longwood Gardens, a year-round favorite for lovers of botanical gardens, goes all out for the Holidays! Enjoy early-morning Gardens access during a three-hour, in-person painting experience inside the Conservatories with your choice of medium, easel, and tools. The wonderful Garden Railway will enchant model train fans of all ages. Meanwhile, the famous Longwood Garden organ will play holiday music throughout the day and the fountains will “dance.” Longwood also offers an unforgettable holiday dining experience in their Fountain Room. Reservations are required.

However you choose to celebrate the holidays, we wish you the warmth of family and friends, with plenty of joy and laughter. Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? Check out our sustainable holiday shopping guide.

Featured Tenant: Trashed Vintage

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

Countless online retailers dream of building their online hustle into a physical store and a successful retail business. Kelli Piell, founder and owner of Trashed Vintage is one of the rare talents who did it. In just a few short years, Piell has worked tirelessly to turn her passion for thrifting and upcycling into a thriving business collecting and selling vintage gems, stylish classic pieces as well as rare sports and brand merchandise perfect for collectors, brand and team enthusiasts, and style mavens. 

LEFT: Brick building with two windows RIGHT: Display of red signs reading “TRASHED” and “VINTAGE

Growing up in Bucks County, Piell learned about thrifting as part of a family tradition, combing thrift stores with her mom looking for hidden gems and upmarket brands. The thrill of a good deal coupled with the way thrifting made items from designers and companies accessible to Piell cemented her love of thrifting as she started attending college at St. Joseph’s University, where thrifting helped her assert her unique aesthetic identity around her fashion-minded peers. Piell recognized how empowering thrifted clothing could be in college, allowing her to dress herself the way she wanted in one-of-a-kind looks despite limited funds and to copy trends from Free People and Urban Outfitters with a few DIY hacks. 

However, the addictive nature of hunting down great clothing in thrift stores left Piell with more clothing than she knew what to do with, leading her to start selling her excess pieces on Poshmark, a resale marketplace, as a college student. After college, trying to figure out her next move, Piell started bleach-dying thrifted items, a DIY trend at the time, and bringing them down the shore to wear with her friends and sell to other beachgoers out of the trunk of her car. Leveraging social media to reach more customers and specializing in vintage Eagles merchandise snagged from area thrift stores, Piell started reaching out directly to the wives of NFL players, who were delighted with her unique pieces. As Piell noted, “People have such Philly pride, and they love the one-of-a-kind sports merch, going to the stadium and feeling like no one else has what they have.” She traded that to grow her online business, but when the demand for Eagles-themed items outweighed her supply, she realized it was time to pivot towards a wider vintage market. 

A green sweatshirt with a large eagle logo is hanging on a rack in a thrift store. A price tag attached to it displays $20. Various other clothing items hang in the background.

By this point, Piell had become a Philadelphia resident herself, moving first to Point Breeze and then to Fishtown, and bringing all her vintage inventory with her. Her sales on DePop, another resale marketplace, had grown, and her social media presence was strong. It was time to think about moving into a physical retail space of her own. While thrifting was a tradition Piell shared with her mother, it was her father who helped her make the Trashed Vintage Boutique what it is today. Though she’d had great success in digital sales, she knew for her parents, the physical retail space was more meaningful. “I think different generations have a different sense of what something looks like and no matter how successful you are doing in an incredibly successful business that lives in the digital space, they want brick and mortar.” While her father felt she was taking a big risk in transforming the retail space she leased at Marlborough and Girard, he also supported her and helped her with the renovations, which have yielded a boutique space that serves Piell’s vision perfectly. 

LEFT: A clothing store with racks of assorted clothes like jeans, shirts, and jackets hanging neatly. RIGHT: A hallway with a neon sign above reading TRASHED VINTAGE.

And the store seems to be serving the neighborhood, too. “Everyone has been so positive and welcoming over here. I heard the space was vacant for some time, and the neighborhood just seemed excited to have something new in the neighborhood and to fill the space. I think the neighborhood loves this stuff. The people who walk in off the street are very hip and trendy and seem to respond to my stock. So I kind of feel at home,” Piell said.

LEFT: A rotating display rack featuring mini sneaker keychains in various colors and buttons with the phrase Getting Trashed. MIDDLE: A black shelf filled with various mugs and decorative items. RIGHT: A mannequin dressed in a football helmet and a view from inside the store looking out

For Piell, the goal for Trashed Vintage was “for it to be a store that I would enjoy being in, presenting a curated group of items so you don’t feel like you’re being bombarded with too much.” Accessibility was also a key factor, that helped Piell’s customers feel comfortable buying vintage clothing. “I wanted to make it affordable because I think a lot of vintage stores get carried away and only are selling hundred-dollar t-shirts. It is just not accessible to everybody and I don’t think the general public understands why a t-shirt is being sold for a hundred dollars. That doesn’t encourage people to engage with vintage clothing.” Engaging with thrifting and selling vintage items has also transformed Piell’s relationship with fast fashion. “As a thrifter, I see a lot of fast fashion clothing in the thrift stores now, which is upsetting because that stuff is pure plastic. That stuff falls apart so quickly, but better-made clothing will stand the test of time.” If that better clothing happens to have a Philadelphia sports team logo splashed across it? Well, for Piell, and most of us here in Philadelphia, so much the better, right? 

LEFT: A white wall displays four football jerseys with names and numbers. Below, a rack holds a variety of sweaters and shirts. RIGHT: A display of vintage sports sweatshirts featuring Philadelphia-themed designs

As the holiday season approaches, Trashed Vintage might just be the perfect place for you to find one-of-a-kind thrifted gifts for the fans, and phans, in your life. Shopping at boutiques like Trashed Vintage is a sustainable choice that supports a local business and contributes directly to the Philadelphia community, a forever classic choice no matter the micro trends that abound.

For more places in Philadelphia where you can shop locally and sustainably read our our sustainable holiday shopping guide.

Shop Local: Sustainable Philadelphia Stores for Eco-Friendly Holiday Gifting

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

To make this year’s holidays sustainable, start by buying gifts from local shops specializing in natural, cruelty-free products that do not harm the planet. Philadelphia is blessed to have an abundance of shops featuring a wide variety of handcrafted gifts made by area artisans. We hope the below guide helps you discover some of Philadelphia’s small businesses and sustainable shops.

Visit Holiday Markets and Maker Spaces

Support local makers by shopping at the Philly Holiday Market at Dilworth Park (West side of City Hall) featuring local artisans, designers, crafters, and jewelers. Check out the hand-blown glass demos. Open Sun.-Thur. 12-8 pm; Fri-Sat 12-9 pm. Pick up a hot beverage to keep warm and some French macarons while looking over the huge selection of gifts for everyone on your list. Your purchase supports a local craftsman! To avoid crowds, shop on a weekday afternoon.

Bok, 1901 S. 9th St, is filled with makers and they all have a mission. We particularly like the mission of Franklin & Whitman who donate a percentage of every sale to dog rescue organizations and pledge that every single ingredient they use is cruelty-free and plant-based. As if that wasn’t enough, they also participate in a glass recycling program in coordination with Remark Glass. Oh, so what do they sell? Wonderful little products like Vitamin C Eye Serum reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and reduce fine lines. Unlike similar products sold at Sephora or CVS, the ingredients of Franklin & Whitman products are all-natural and devoid of harsh chemicals. 

Home Goods, Crafts, and More

Be prepared to spend time at Moon and Arrow, 742 S. 4th St. on historic Fabric Row. This is a swoon-worthy shop filled with handmade jewelry, crafts, apothecary, home goods, and clothing for women of all ages, along with infants. Plus some accessories for men. The most difficult person to please on your list, including your mother who swears she “doesn’t need anything” will melt when she sees the delicate gold necklace you bought her. While there, pick up a pair of tapered candles for yourself. 

Good Buy Supply, 1737 E. Passyunk Ave. is the ultimate sustainability store. They even sell the perfect book for someone just starting a sustainable lifestyle, entitled The Sustainable Home. For gift bags, your recipients will use again and again, buy Recycled Newspaper Gift Bags made from actual newspapers from around the world! 

Shop owner Ray stands at the entrance of Ray’s Reusables in Northern Liberties. Image: Cory J Popp for Solo Real Estate.

Ray’s Reusables, an eco-friendly general store in Northern Liberties also has great little gifts from vegan soaps to beeswax candles in the shape of snails, owls, rabbits, etc. You can shop in-store, online, or at one of their weekly pop-ups. For the most sustainable option, shop locally in person. 

Clothing and Textiles

Fishtown’s Modest Transitions, 312 E. Girard St., a natural dye and textile studio offers yarns in an astounding assortment of natural colors for weavers, knitters, and crocheters, as well as workshops. If you know a crafty person, buy them a gift certificate for a workshop in dyeing, sewing, and knitting or to make the sweater of their dreams. Or perhaps an Indigo Block Printing Kit for an aspiring textile designer or printmaker.

Lobo Mau Clothing. Image courtesy of Lobo Mau.

For sustainable clothes for men and women at Bok, visit Lobo Mau (Bad Wolf in Portuguese). A Zero Waste, Slow Fashion company run by sister and brother team, Nicole & Jordan Haddad, they turn recycled sweatshirt fabric into stunning fashions. Their best seller is a 1940s-style, open-front “Pom Jacket” with deep pockets and cuffs.

Wellness

Stressed out over the holiday mayhem? Dope Botanicals, 257 S 20th St has the answer! Their Mellow Mood Box is designed to nurture the nervous system and uplift the mood. It includes Don’t Fret Tea, Love Bomb Elixir, and Rose Gold Powder. Together, these products offer a holistic approach to mental and physical well-being, helping find balance and enhance their mood.  Know someone who has been feeling under the weather? Buy them an Immunity Box, containing everything to support the immune system, enhance recovery, and promote overall well-being. This exclusive box includes four premium products designed to elevate your health.

Dope Botanicals’ herbal shop is located at 257 S 20th St in Philadelphia. Image: Cory J Popp for Solo Real Estate

Thrive Pilates & Yoga, 2016 Walnut St., has an assortment of gift ideas that are as exciting as a box of chocolates but will get the recipient in better shape. Choose from gift certificates for Private Plates or Yoga sessions, Healing Sound Baths, Breathwork, or a beginner’s Reformer Pilates Workshop.

Sound Bath at Thrive Pilates & Yoga. Image courtesy of Thrive Pilates & Yoga. Photographed by Patrick Bartal.

Non-Physical Gifts

Speaking of gift certificates, you should also consider non-physical gifts, such as a workshop for a crafty friend, tickets to a local event, or a meaningful experience that creates lasting memories. By choosing to gift experiences, you’re not only keeping stuff out of the landfill but you’re also sharing unique presents that will be memorable for years to come. 

Want to warm up a friend’s holiday? Buy them (and yourself) tickets to the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, March 1-9. Your gift will support the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s efforts to create healthy living environments and increase access to fresh food for those who live in Philly’s food deserts.

Is there someone on your gift list who lost a beloved pet this year? Make a donation in their pet’s name to PAWS which allows you to create a custom gift card, $25-$500. Your donation will support foster programs, advanced vet care, and your choice of many caring pet services. These virtual gifts make a real difference for Philadelphia’s homeless pets.

This holiday give gifts with a purpose and support local artisans and small businesses that are dedicated to protecting our planet. Whether you’re shopping for eco-friendly beauty products, one-of-a-kind home goods, or wellness treats, Philadelphia’s vibrant local scene offers plenty of options to make your gifts thoughtful and impactful.


For more sustainable shops check out our featured business series highlighting places like Fishtown Seafood, STITCH & DESTROY,and more.

Creating a Colorful Winter Garden

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

If you experienced climate whiplash this month transitioning from t-shirts to coats overnight, think of how your garden felt! To keep your urban garden vibrant through the colder months, let us introduce you to some winter-hardy plants that can bring color, texture, and greenery to your space. Plus, we’ve got some tips for an easy, low-effort winter garden.

Colorful winter garden plants. Image courtesy of PHS.

How To Bring Color Into Your Winter Garden

Whether you plant in containers or window boxes, your winter garden does not have to be devoid of color. Consider the many varieties of ornamental peppers which come in red, yellow, orange, purple, and black. Or coleus which thrives in full sun and partial shade and comes in red, burgundy, gold, or burnt orange. Another good option for Philly is ornamental kale and cabbage which come in luscious shades of lavender, green, and purple. Perfect for window boxes! Don’t forget ornamental kale likes well-drained soil and full sun which is why it is a window box favorite. Berries are another great source of color, especially red Holly berries or golden winter berries.

Golden Winter berries. Image courtesy of PHS.

All thumbs and none of them are green? Not to worry. City Planter in Northern Liberties at 814 N. 4th St, offers consultations for creating container gardens and window boxes that meet your preferences and specifications. South Philly residents will find an equally large selection and landscaping service for roof gardens, container gardens, and window boxes at Urban Jungle located at 1526 East Passyunk.

Festive window boxes in Center City, Philadelphia. Image: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.

Unsure of what works best for your amount of sunlight or shade? Take the below list to the plant shop of your choice:

Winter flowers

  • Edgeworthia chrysantha – Paper Bush
  • Camellia – Rose of Winter
  • Hamamelis – Witch Hazel
  • Helleborus – Lenten Rose
  • Galanthus – Snow Drops

Shrubs with colorful berries or bark

  • Ilex verticillate – Winterberry
  • Myrica Pennsylvanica – Bayberry
  • Cornus Sericea ‘Cardinal’ – Red Twig Dogwood
Winterberry. Image courtesy of PHS.

Hardy perennials

  • Heuchera – Coral Bells
  • Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ – Sedge

Leave The Leaves!

Before you pile autumn leaves for trash removal, consider keeping them out of the landfill system and using them to mulch winter garden beds. A thick layer of mulched leaves can insulate perennials and help keep your soil warm. Leaves also offer an invaluable source of carbon, balancing the nitrogen-rich material in your compost pile and worm bins. 

Plant Your Bulbs

November is also your last chance to plant bulbs before the ground becomes too hard. Before you buy bulbs, squeeze them gently; if they feel like paper, that means they are dried out and might not sprout. 

To protect your bulbs from feisty squirrels, plant your tulips deeper and daffodils above them. Critters don’t like the taste of daffodils and that may deter them from digging deeper to reach the tasty tulips beneath. 

Philadelphia stoops with winter holiday window boxes. Images: Cara Stapleton for Solo Real Estate.

Winter Container Gardens of Philadelphia

Looking for container winter garden ideas? We suggest you take a leisurely walk in Center City to peruse decorative window boxes and containers for inspiration. The 1900 block of Delancey and Spruce Streets is a good place to start. Bring your camera! Then share your photos with your neighborhood plant nursery. They will be happy to help you recreate these lush container gardens just in time for holiday gatherings!

Neighborhood Walking Tour: Germantown

Posted on by Stephanie Aviles

If you love architecture, American history and tree-line streets where the Fall Color continues to dazzle through November, put Germantown on your list of neighborhoods to explore. Located in the Northwest section of Philly, just a 20-minute drive from Center City, Germantown is bordered by Wissahickon Avenue to the west, Germantown Avenue to the east, Johnson Street to the north and Roberts to the south. This is where Quaker roots, a rebellious spirit and a passion for the arts come together to form a vibrant community. To see what it’s all about, we’ve planned a walking tour for you and the kids.

Start in Germantown’s Tulpehocken Historical District, six square blocks of architectural fantasy built in the last half of the 19th century. The styles include Gothic, Italianate, High Victorian, Second Empire and a few that defy classification. They were built for the new upper middle class who desired grand mansions with room for their extended families and servants. The district is bounded by McCallum Street on the north, the train tracks on the south, Tulpehocken Street on the west, and Walnut Lane on the east. 

Left: Tulpehocken District SIgn. Right: Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion. Images: Stacia Freedman.

Stop at the Tulpehocken Train Station, built in 1878 and refurbished in 2007. The advent of a commuter train was the inspiration for Philadelphia’s first planned suburban community for those who wanted “country living” while working in the City. Cross Wayne Avenue and walk up Tulpehocken Street where you’ll discover an amazing collection of architectural styles.

The Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion on the corner of Tulpehocken and Greene Street is a prime example of the era. It has been converted into a museum and is open for tours, musical presentations and Victorian Black History performances. Lovers of Victorian style will be charmed by the mansion’s interior where every detail is authentic, from the hand-printed wall paper to the ornate infant’s crib.

Continue your walk up Tulpehocken all the way to Germantown Avenue, then turn right for just one block where you’ll find Wyck Historic House and Garden, 6026 Germantown Avenue at the corner of Germantown and Walnut Lane. Wyck was the ancestral home of one Quaker family, (1690-1973), established as an historic site in 1973. Tours of the house are available and you are welcome to stroll through their garden and community farm.

Continue back down Walnut Lane where just about every home is worthy of your attention, however, there are a few standouts. They include the Van Dyke Residence, 150 West Walnut Lane and the Kimball House, 144 West Walnut Lane, built in 1860. It’s up to you to find your favorite, one that arouses your imagination and perhaps even your interest in living here. 

Left: Van Dyke Residence at 150 West Walnut Lane. Image: Stacia Freedman

The oldest planned community in Germantown is Penn-Knox which dates back to the 17th century and contains five square blocks of historical treasure. Named after two small streets that run through it, Penn-Knox is located between Germantown Avenue to the northeast, Wayne Avenue to the southwest, Maplewood to the northwest and Hansberry to the southeast. 

This is where the original Quaker settlers built their first Meeting House, 6119 Germantown Avenue. It is where today, their descendants attend Green Street Friends School. It is also where you will find many Colonial buildings in the Federal style, including the Germantown White House, 5442 Germantown Avenue, the oldest surviving presidential residence where George Washington lived during the Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia.  Directly across the street is Germantown Historical Society 5501 Germantown Ave., a good place to pick up maps and info.  Just a few blocks down the Avenue is Grumblethorpe, which sounds like a Harry Potter school but is an historic home built in 1744 for the Wister family who remained there until 1904. It is now a museum and arboretum.

Firehouse Arts, a repurposed former fire station that is now an art space in Germantown. The symbol on top is the greek symbol for fire and water, which closely resembles the star of David. Image: Stacia Freedman.

Decades before Fishtown and Northern Liberties were an artist enclave Germantown attracted artists and musicians. “Germantown has always been a melting pot of creative diversity. It’s a community of both inspiring and talented human beings.” said Mikel Elam, one of 19 visual artists who maintain a studio at Firehouse Arts Germantown, 5231 Germantown Avenue. Originally a Fire Station from 1920-1958 and later a Coca Cola Bottling Co., it opened as an art space in 2019 responding to a growing need in the community. 

Nearby is Greene St Artists Cooperative, 5225 Greene St., an artist-owned and operated live/work building. This former 1919 warehouse provides housing and studio space for 15 diverse artists. Herman Street Studios, 20 E. Herman Street, is yet another space for visual artists and craftspeople. 

However, these artist studios barely skim the surface of the number of creatives who have called Germantown home for decades. In the late 1960s, when housing priced plummeted due to “White Flight”, Germantown attracted jazz legends Sun Ra, Byard Lancaster, Buddy DeFranco and Gerry Mulligan, among others. 

Where there’s art, there’s good coffee, books and conversation. Uncle Bobby’s Coffee & Books, 5445 Germantown, is a community hub, serving up sweet potato pie, bagels, vegan treats and Au Fournil croissants. Since its founding in 2017, Uncle Bobby’s has featured famous authors, including Ta-Nehisi Coastes. Don’t be dissuaded if there’s a line out the door. It’s worth it.

Left: Uncle Bobby’s, a bookstore and cafe. Image: Stacia Freedman

Along this historic Penn Knox corridor, you’ll find other shops that serve as communal gathering spaces. Owners Joe and Lenore Gaffney opened Gaffney Fabrics, “The Fabric of the Community,” 5401 Germantown Avenue, in 1978. “These are my people,” said fashion designer Ty Brooks who regularly travels here from his home in University City. “I used to go to Fleishman’s on 4th Street, but I’ve been coming here since 2014. Once they know your style, they save fabrics for you.”

Bargain Thrift Center and Perfectly Flawless are just some of the shops in the Penn Knox corridor. Images: Stacia Freedman.

Who doesn’t love a bargain? Bargain Thrift Center, 5261 Germantown Avenue, is a mammoth store where locals go for vintage clothing, art, jewelry, furniture, home goods. If you can’t find it here, it doesn’t exist!

Fashionistas duck into Perfectly Flawless, 5312 Germantown Avenue, to peruse proprietor Crystal Jackson’s unique mix of one-of-a-kind designs and vintage clothing.

Time your visit for a Saturday in early November while the trees are still blazing with color and autumn leaves crunch under your feet. Drive, bike or take SEPTA.