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’Tis the Season to eat, shop and be merry! This year, not only is the Shop Penn community bringing you the Fourth Annual SHOP PENN Days of Deals (Dec 4-15) featuring 12 days of sales and giveaways from our collection of eclectic stores and restaurants around campus, we are excited to announce the first-ever SHOP PENN Holiday Window Decorating Contest with shops throughout the district decorating their windows and adding to the festive cheer. Follow SHOP PENN on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (@shopsatpenn) for more details.

Check out SHOP PENN PRESENTS to find the perfect gift to purchase locally for your holiday list.


Celebrate the season with a SHOP PENN PLAYLIST of Holiday Happenings around the district.

 

Six Ways to Saturday in University City

An at-your-leisure guide to making the most of a weekend afternoon on Penn’s campus (whether you need a study break, a reprieve from the work week, or a fun neighborhood outing).
From a brief café stop for a signature hot blend or donut-steeped cold brew to a stroll through the lush urban parks to a spree inside a unique boutique and gift shop, here are six reasons to explore University City now.
1
dine
Dine
Breakfast
Lunch
Snacks
Address

4000 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

The best kind of Saturday begins alarm free. When you’re good and ready, amble over to 40th & Locust Streets for the opposite of your Monday through Friday, tepid-by-the-time-you-get-back-to-it black coffee. Smile back at the barista, scoot up to the bar, and say hello to a ‘pep talk’, ‘liquid courage’ or a ‘go-getter’ espresso coffee roast. You may even pair your coffee with a fresh and delicious pastry or brownie. New flavors are announced every Wednesday. This is where you slip your phone back into your pocket, soak in all the cozy coffee shop vibes, savor your beverage, and see what the day might hold.

2
shop
Apparel
Address

226 South 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Maybe you need a separate pair of shoes for the gym. Maybe you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of your last pair of Uggs. Maybe you’re desperate for something that will keep you comfortable all shift. The Natural Shoe Store — just a hop, skip, and a jump from the coffee shop above — has your name on it. Featuring Nike, New Balance, Clarks, Rockport, Dansko, Timberland, and more, this newly remodeled 40th Street shop has been serving the Penn community since 1978 and remains beloved for its family appeal, friendly service, and approachable pricing. Poke your head in the door — you never know what you may find.

3
shop
Furniture
Specialty
Address

3661 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

A short stroll down Walnut will bring you to Hello World, a home decor and lifestyle shop specializing in midcentury-modern furniture and gifts not easily found everywhere else. Hello World has a host of glowing Yelp reviews, and it’s not hard to see why. J, the owner and buyer, has been connecting the Philadelphia community to quality merchandise at a great price for over 20 years. And they’ve recently incorporated a gallery of local artists’ work to check out in a nook of the store.  Dogs are equally welcome to poke around — bring yours in for a chance to appear on the boutique’s Instagram account!

4
shop
Apparel
Address

120 South 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Sure, you know the LOFT, with its feminine and flattering looks for women of all shapes and sizes. But Store #1912 at Sansom Commons has two enormous floors to browse, with the latest from Missy, Plus, Lou & Grey, and Petite in addition to their standard collection and amazing sale section. Whether you’re looking to incorporate a stylish blazer into your wardrobe, take an outfit from day to night with a little added sparkle, or find a pair of pants that hugs all the right places, take a look around the LOFT to explore what’s new and now. To get there, head down Walnut until you hit 36th Street and take a left.

5
play

Arthur Ross Gallery

Play
Museums
Address

220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

University City isn’t all retail shops and restaurants — keep your eyes peeled and you’ll see world-class museums, galleries and sculpture tucked in among the storefronts and scenic parks. As you leave the LOFT, give your credit card a break and pop into the Arthur Ross Gallery. Located at the heart of the University of Pennsylvania, the gallery has featured art and artifacts from all over the world. It is an intimate space that provides thought-provoking exhibitions of art across cultures, media, and time. Exhibitions change throughout the year, so come early and come often. 

6
dine

POD

Dine
Lunch
Dinner
Address

3636 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

After a day out and about, finish your Saturday with a taste of Asia by enjoying a dinner at Pod, a restaurant that celebrates Japanese cuisine. The food is fresh and delicious with a touch of flair for fun. Enjoy classic, mouthwatering dishes like Wagyu Beef Hot Stone, Sunomono Seaweed Salad, Curry Udon or Yuzu Prawn Robata that satisfy the soul. Looking for something a little more modern? Treat yourself to signature items like Japanese Fried Chicken and Lobster Bao Buns. 

Next Saturday, ditch the car and enlist a friend (furry or otherwise) to enjoy the height of urban living. Whether you’re looking for a popular coffee shop, a neighborhood shoe store, a beloved bakery, a national apparel brand, a free museum, a local boutique, or all of the above – it’s all here, within a one-mile stroll on Penn’s historic campus.

 

Saxbys Penn

Natural Shoe Store

Hello World

Ann Taylor LOFT

Arthur Ross Gallery

POD