10 Affordable Boutiques in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, but when you start planning a trip to this historic American town, you might not be feeling the love when you get a glimpse of the hotel prices. Luckily, once you’re actually in the city, there’s plenty to do and see for an affordable, budget-friendly price — including the shopping! 

Every neighborhood in Philadelphia boasts its own fun style and the same can be said for its neighborhood boutiques (Photo: Holly Riddle)

Philadelphia isn’t quite known as one of the shopping capitals of the world. We’ll leave that title to destinations like New York City and Paris. However, it certainly holds its own when it comes to quirky, fun and one-of-a-kind boutiques that are also budget-friendly. On your next visit to the City of Brotherly Love, make sure you add these 10 Philadelphia shopping spots to your itinerary. 

Art in the Age 

This Old Town boutique is the perfect spot for the home mixologist or just anyone passionate about the art of spirits. The boutique boasts a tasting room, but also sells all the things you might need for your home bar, from cocktail kits to bar tools. The boutique hosts workshops, all cocktail-themed, of course, but with further focuses like non-alcoholic cocktails for Dry January and a flower power cocktail workshop in conjunction with the famous Philadelphia Flower Show.

116 North 3rd Street

Jinxed

Jinxed is everything you need when it comes to vintage accessories and home items. There are a few locations around town, but this one on Frankford Avenue has the bigger selection. Not your average antique shop, Jinxed is highly secretive about where it sources its goods and has a strict no-buy policy when it comes to customers walking in off the street to hawk their wares. Check out the Jinxed Instagram account before you visit, to reserve an item for purchase ahead of time. 

1331 Frankford Avenue

Eye’s Gallery

Eye’s Gallery is right at home on eclectic South Street, where you’ll find many more galleries, shops, restaurants and, of course, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, an extensive display of murals (Photo: Peter Miller via Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Eye’s Gallery has been a staple for quite a while. Started in 1968, it was born out of a love for Latin American folk art, and has expanded to include a wide array of clothing, jewelry and all kinds of interesting gifts with roots back to Central and South America. 

402 South Street

United by Blue

This boutique really seems like an all-out national brand, it’s so well done, but believe us when we say it’s boutique. The brand offers lots of great outdoor clothing and accessories, as well as camping gear and home items. The selection really runs the gamut. For every product sold, the brand removes one pound of trash from the ocean.

144 North 2nd Street

Retrospect Vintage

Though operated by Goodwill Industries, Retrospect Vintage is hardly your average Goodwill shopping experience. Each item is hand-picked to offer only the best of the best to the vintage hounds that come through the door. Everything in the space is for sale, from the displays to the artwork. Plus, every item you purchase benefits local residents with job training and career services. 

508 South Street

Omoi Zakka

Cute and cozy describes this boutique filled with creative gifts for yourself and others (Photo: David Hilowitz via Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

Gifts, special occasion cards, books, coffee, candles, stationery — you’ll find it all at this boutique in downtown Philly. Filled with products lovingly curated by creative tastemakers, this shop will give you plenty to look at and peruse for hours on end. You’ll definitely have a hard time picking just a few things to take back home in your suitcase. 

1608 Pine Street

Moon + Arrow

Located in Queen Village, this truly aesthetically appealing shop offers furnishings, jewelry, handmade items and apothecary picks. The socially-responsible and environmentally-conscious boutique is dedicated to the handmade, designer and vintage. The boutique also hosts workshops and events, like tarot readings and tin type portrait sessions.

754 South 4th Street

Briar Vintage

This mens shop features vintage fashions, collectibles and oddities, from as far back as the 1800s. The exclusive store front is only open Saturdays, 12–6 p.m., but you can also book a private shopping appointment for some personal styling. And if you’re wondering what exactly “oddities” entails, well just think vintage pins, matchbooks and postcards. 

618 South 6th Street

Duross & Langel

Any item your skin, hair or face could need, you’ll find it at Duross & Langel (Photo: chrisinphilly5448 via Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

This laid-back boutique features all kinds of all-natural body and beauty products — soap, lotions, shampoo, body wash, scrubs, perfume, candles. You name it, they’ve got it. The boutique additionally hosts its own hair salon and a yoga studio. You’ll want to stop by and stock up on gifts for yourself, everyone you know and even your furry friend (because yes, the shop does sell hand-made dog products like shampoo and paw balm). 

117 South 13th Street

Gorshin Trading Post & Supplies

Gorshin Trading Post & Supplies describes itself as “man cave meets general store.” You’ll find a bit of it all here, with an obvious trend toward the masculine. The products range from hats to tobacco pipes, backpacks to boat shoes. The prices range as well, depending on what you’re after. You can easily find affordable just-because gifts for the guy in your life, as well as more splurge-worthy items that are best saved for special occasions.

125 Kings Highway East

By Holly Riddle