About Philadelphia's Northern Liberties

Penn Herb Company has been around since 1924, but it wasn't always at the familiar 2nd Street location. The original location was at 163 West Girard Avenue, which is now Posh Nail Studio. In 1995, the Betz Family opened up the north 2nd Street store, and Penn Herb became a neighborhood institution for natural remedies, essential oils, vitamins, spices, and herbs. If you can't find it elsewhere in town, you can almost bet that Penn Herb stocks it. The staff at Penn Herb is very knowledgeable about what they carry, so if you've been having any symptoms, they can suggest the right herb or treatment to alleviate your issues.

At the Piazza Farmer's Market a few weeks ago, I discovered that Penn Herb is the only place in the country where you can find Olbas, a natural herbal remedy from Switzerland. The product, which comes in oil, balm, lozenge, tea, or syrup form, provides soothing relief for cold symptoms and body aches. It will also boost your immune system. They gave me some samples to try, and as I massaged the Olbas oil into my temples the other day, I felt a headache melt away.

Penn Herb Company

603 North 2nd Street

(215) 632-6100

Looking for a home in Northern Liberties? Search Northern Liberties listings here.

Now that Romancing the Walk and other Northern Liberties specials are in full swing, we'd like to point out that Girard Avenue is also vying for your Valentine-time attention. Love on Girard is coming on strong this week with the independent businesses and neighborhood anchors that line West Girard from Frankford Avenue to Franklin Street. So if you're still in need of gifts or beauty treatments, you'll find plenty of options here. Members of Hyperion Bank should enter the drawing to win a $50 gift certificate for nearby restaurants. Quince Fine Foods will include a handmade card with an order of chocolates. It's a Cupcake has recently moved its shop to Girard Avenue and will celebrate its grand reopening today. Enjoy 10% off a dozen and take them in for your coworkers. Our favorite? At Bonnie & Clyde Tattoo, if you purchase one tattoo, your partner's tat will be half price. That sure beats a dozen red stems.

Looking for a home in Northern Liberties? Search Northern Liberties listings here.

It was the Friday night of the approaching snow storm that was predicted to hit Philadelphia hard. It had been a long and busy week and to top it all off, THE SNOW was approaching.

The flurries falling down from the sky made me recall memories of my childhood, like invisible tattoos on my conscience. Once upon a time, in a land far far away, I used to love the snow. The more, the better, and the kind that was wet made the best snowmen. As my boots crunched across the parking lot, I knew instinctively. This was good snowman snow.

Heading home the short way, rounding the corner around the back of the Piazza on N. Hancock Street, with our heads still spinning from the week, something caught my eye. A flash of light! A bolt of lightning! A dark figure! I squeezed my eyes tight and opened them again to see if I was imagining things. On this quiet Northern Liberties street filled with swirling white snow and dark shadows, I saw something amazing.

It will be here until March 15.

“The Land of Love and No Fear”, a new work by Eric Eaton

Eric Eaton is known as an accomplished tatoo artist and it is clear that his creativity has no limitations.

Pure Gold Gallery at 1001 N Hancock Street in Unit 57

Over at North Bowl this weekend, the lanes started to fill with locals just after we left. Word on the $3.95-per-game Snow Day Special was out. Every time I've bowled there, it has been packed and for good reason: not only is North Bowl the only nearby lanes that doesn't require finding parking downtown, it's a step above most other lanes, and exactly what Northern Liberties needed. So even though the usual crowd was not around on Saturday, we still had a great time and felt like we could really slow our pace because nobody was waiting for a lane. The family-friendly alley turns into a competitive but still neighborly arena for real pinheads. Even if you're less than skilled at knocking 'em down, there's still something about a post-brunch or late-night game here. Both the upstairs and downstairs bar provide beer and snacks that you wouldn't find at most alleys, and the music is always fun. Head upwards and get in a game of air hockey or pool in case you didn't fare so well on the lanes. Nobody leaves North Bowl without proving themselves. North Bowl 909 North 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19123-2301 (215) 238-2695

Stocking up on milk, eggs, and bread before the winter storm? Do it the right way, by heading over to neighborhood grocer, Almanac Market in Northern Liberties, for fresh and local staples. We're talking Dutch Meadows organic raw milk from Lancaster County, sold in returnable glass bottles. Arm yourself for the weekend with crusty baguettes, shiny brioche, and multigrain loaves from Artisan Boulangerie in South Philadelphia. As for eggs, you won't find a prettier dozen anywhere else. That, and you can always count on a daily soup special, like today's Senegalese Chicken with Peanuts, with complimentary bread for a complete meal.

You can bet on Almanac for excellent produce from nearby farms, the best cheese selection in the neighborhood, and plenty of healthy lunch specials, as well as all of your baking necessities and basic needs. They're also good for a thought-provoking quote or factoid, as their chalkboard is updated daily and is the first thing you see when you enter the door. Check out their specials on Almanac Market's Facebook.

Almanac Market

North 4th & Poplar Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19123

215-625-6611