Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Special gift picks along the 15

Riding on the route 15 trolley, recently renamed the G, can sometimes feel like a time capsule. Although most riders now experience the 15 as a bus, every now and then the green President Conference Committee (PCC) street car still trots down Girard Avenue. 

Starting at Richmond and Westmoreland streets, the trolley passes through Fishtown, Francisville, Sharswood, Brewerytown, around Fairmount Park, and other neighborhoods like Mill Creek, and Carroll Park. The route ends just before the Overbrook neighborhood. 

Sharswood is a neighborhood rich with Civil Rights history. Along the 15 route starting at Girard and Corinthian streets, sits Girard College, a school which endured a near two-decade long battle for desegregation long after the ruling of Brown v. Board of Education. 

Brewerytown, where most of our business recommendations live, is famously named after the fact that this area of the city was home to many breweries in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Though most locals just refer to it as North Philly or North Central. 

In recent years the neighborhood has seen gentrification, yet Black businesses continue to thrive. And along route 15, many of the Black-owned businesses focus on health, wellness, and clothing.

Retro Rewind Vintage & Thrift 

Address: 2804 W Girard Avenue 

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Retro Rewind Vintage and Thrift is a Black woman-owned vintage and thrift store located along 28th and Girard Avenue. Customers will typically be greeted by shopkeeper and owner Tia Whitfield. Whitfield gets majority of her products from estate sales and traveling. Around this time of year, Tia says her fur coats, sweaters, and flannels are typically what’s flying out the doors. 

Every day she has color-coded deals starting at $10 for yellow tags to $25 for pink tags. Retro Rewind started in a traveling pop-up van that Whitfield “blinged out.” The van, which also included a fitting room, would typically station itself on college campuses. Then she found her current location which her husband, son, and a team of construction workers ripped out the inside to create Tia’s vision. 

Whitfield has a Love sticker at her door and she says she tries to lead with love when it comes to her business. She explains that she curates everything in the store. She also does closet clean-outs in Philly for customers where she will assess someone’s closet and take clothes and add them to her shop’s collection. 

The Blended Boutique 

Address: 6331 W Girard Avenue 

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon to 9 p.m. (Sunday and Monday closed for private events.) 

The Blended Boutique is a Black woman-owned boutique where customers can find virtually anything they need. The store is owned by five women: Sierra Marrero (Indigo Stardust Candles), Qiturah Kelly (Kelly’s Klothing Boutique), Najibah Beasley (Barakat Bracelets), Leeona Lenon (Lavish Jewels) , and Cynthia Morris (Mommy Dollars).  Each co-owner spend about two days a week in the shop. They often have private events where they teach or invite other small businesses to teach people how to do their craft all while promoting their businesses. In Marrero’s case,  her candle-making began in 2020 when she lost both of her parents. 

“I started making candles to escape reality,” said Marrero, “ I never expected to build a clientele and start a business but here I am.” 

Herbology 

Address: 2610 W Girard Avenue

Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Herbology is a Black woman-owned herbal shop located on 26th and Girard avenue. Shopkeeper, and owner, Marilyn Belizairi, opened the store last July. Her favorite thing to sell around this time of year is gordolobo, a type of mullein, which helps alleviate the symptoms of colds, flus, and fevers. Their herbal teas and capsules start at $14. Belizari notes that customers sometimes bundle capsules and teas.

“Health is always important,” said Belizairi, “Gifting someone natural herbs that they didn’t know about could help save a life.” 

Remedy Spa Day Spa 

Address: 1208 N 29th St. 

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Remedy Spa is a Black woman-owned day spa and wellness center located off of 29th and Girard avenue. They offer massages, facials, saunas, cold plunges, and private events. Owner Cari Young opened this location in August of 2022 after closing her Germantown location. 

“I always knew I wanted to help people improve their state of wellness,” said Young, “ I understood that wellness of the body and wellness of the mind went hand in hand. 

Upon entering the space, customers can expect to see a sprawling monstera plant and the ambience of the tropical oasis far away from Philadelphia, even though it’s right off Girard Avenue. Remedy will soon begin offering their seasonal massage package for $175 for a 90 minute service which includes their Swedish massage and a body polish in which customers get to choose their own scent. 

They also have a $200 gift set which includes a $75 gift certificate, 15 oz candle, and a Remedy robe. 

Sistah Scents 

Address: 1433 W Girard Avenue 

Hours: Thursday and Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, by appointment

Sistah Scents is a Black woman-owned health and beauty shop located near the intersection of Broad street and Girard avenue. Owner Desiree Rivers sells natural body butters, scrubs, candles.

“I knew another business that were selling the same things but I wanted to do it with natural ingredients,” said Rivers, “My body butters have lasting scents but no carcinogens.” 

Rivers also hosts monthly events where customers can come and create their own products. Customers are also welcome to host their own events. Currently Sistah Scents is selling gift boxes which include a soy candle, body butter, and exfoliant scrub for $49. 

Holistic Jawn

Address: 1218 N 29th St

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Opened in 2020, Holistic Jawn is a Black and Muslim family-owned herbal and holistic shop. Holistic Jawn offers homemade CBD juices, handmade jewelry, crystals, and yoni steaming. 

Their number one sellers are their soursop, which is a tropical fruit with noted health properties, and sea moss in different flavors. They also sell books on how to eat healthier. 

“If you need a spot for your healing journey, there’s one right here in Philly,” said owner Diamond El. 

For the holidays, they offer 10% to 15% off items in store.

Blkberry Juice Bar 

Address: 1213 N 29th St

Hours: Sunday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Blkberry Juice Bar  is a Black woman-owned juicery and smoothie bar located off of 29th and Girard Avenue. Blackberry Juice Bar sells natural fruit juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls and coffee drinks. Owner Jamisha Ryans opened her shop in June of 2023.

“Growing up here there weren't many healthy options,” said Ryans, “ So I wanted to bring health to the neighborhood.” 

The menu features unique flavor combos that may include housemade syrups, like their sweet potato cheesecake matcha.

Their smoothies and food range anywhere from $10 to $20. 

Their flavorful Blue Bowl brings together  pineapple, banana, granola and cocoa beans, while their Ultimate Wellness smoothie includes immune-boosting ingredients like the herb ashwagandha, hemp seeds, and blue spirulina coconut cream. Blkberry Juice Bar has gift cards starting at $5.