Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs 2012: Goods & Services

Main Line Today’s readers and critics pick their favorites.

Readers’ Picks
(page 2-3)

Critics’ Picks
(page 4-9)

 

 

Readers’ Picks

Best Independent Music Store: Shady Dog Record and Disc Exchange (Photo by Jared Castaldi)Baby Boutique  âž™ One Stop Kid Shop
131 W. King St., Malvern; (610) 296-2225, oskspa.com.

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Bookstore  âž™ Chester County Book & Music Company
975 Paoli Pike, West Chester; (610) 696-1661, chesterco.indiebound.com.

Bridal Boutique  âž™ Van Cleve Wedding Pavilion
68 E. Lancaster Ave., Paoli; (610) 647-5085, vanclevecollection.com.

Clothing for Kids  âž™ Nurture
19 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; (610) 649-0424, shopnurture.com.

Clothing for Men  âž™ Joseph A. Banks
379 Lancaster Ave., Suite 9, Haverford; (610) 896-8500, josbank.com.

Clothing for Teens  âž™ Fiore Moda Italiano
104 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-1010, fioreofwayne.com.
 

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Clothing for Women  âž™ The Palm Tree
Depot Shoppes, 21 Plank Ave., Paoli; (610) 647-2775, mainlinehealth.org/thepalmtree.

Consignment Shop  âž™ Greene Street Consignment
Various locations, greenestreetconsignment.com.

Florist  âž™ Valley Forge Flowers
503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 687-5566, valleyforgeflowers.com.

Hardware Store  âž™ Paoli Hardware
16 Paoli Shopping Center, Paoli; (610) 644-2013, truevalue.com/hardwarecenter.

Home Furnishings  âž™ Hob Nob Home
308 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-1290, hobnobhome.com.
 

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Critics’ picks continued on page 4 …
 

Critics’ Picks

Clothing for Women âž™ Posh Collections
To say that Posh Collections’ Tina Corrado is selective when it comes to choosing the inventory for her intimate Malvern boutique would be an understatement. High-end lines include Trina Turk, Joie, Pink Tartan and Plenty by Tracy Reese, just to name a few. So whether you’re after something more casual for brunching with the ladies, or you’re looking to dress it up for the next Devon Horse Show Ladies Tea, Corrado and her team will nail just the right look while pampering you with the top-notch service you expect from a shopping experience this, well, posh.
103 E. King St., Malvern; (610) 644-7220, poshcollections.com.

Florist  âž™  The Bouquet Shop
Even if the order is as tall as four weddings and a prom, there’s nothing the Bouquet Shop can’t handle. From towering rose centerpieces to delicate floral accents, there’s never a petal displaced.
1045 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 525-2422, thebouquetshop.com.

Framing âž™ Coll’s Custom Framing
Everyone has that certain something they want to preserve and proudly display— whether it’s an autographed World Series jersey, a sentimental heirloom or a prized family photo. And once the good folks at Coll’s are finished with that certain
something, you’ll have a fresh new perspective on your cherished piece.
324 Fayette St., Conshohocken; (610) 825-7072, collscustomframing.com.

Garden Emporium âž™ Waterloo Gardens
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Waterloo Gardens has done just about everything right as an independent retailer to persevere in a big-box, chain environment. Its service-oriented staff is pleasant, patient and happy to work with those of us who aren’t blessed with green thumbs. Waterloo’s bigger-than-they-look facilities stock every gardening necessity you could think of, and seasoned pros are available for hire if you’d rather not do the work yourself. And, as always, there’s that impressive collection of outdoor furniture and decorative accessories.
136 Lancaster Ave., Devon, (610) 293-0800; 200 N. Whitford Road, Exton, (610) 363-0800; waterloogardens.com.

Independent Music Store âž™ Shady Dog Record and Disc Exchange
Digital music fans ought to do themselves a favor and stop into Shady Dog for a listening party. The store takes vinyl (and, yes, some CDs) and offers fair prices on new tunes. A place for passionate audiophiles, minus the condescending hipster vibe.
638 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn; (610) 644-1160, shadydog.com.
 

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Jeans Selection âž™ Frey BoutiqueFrey Boutique’s Lindsay Holloway offers denim in hues as diverse as those in an Essie nail polish collection. From bold brights and more muted pastels to crisp whites and traditional blues, there’s a style to complement every body type. High-end brands include AG, Hudson, M2F and Genetic.294 Main St., Exton; (484) 872-8826, freyboutique.com.

Kids’ Portrait Studio âž™ Little Nest PortraitsMain Line families really lucked out when Little Nest opened its second location in Wayne. Superior customer service and a kid-friendly atmosphere set this studio apart from its corporate competition. It’s also a major plus that owner and respected photographer Laura Novak Meyer puts her stamp of approval on every portrait. 134 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne; (610) 710-4330, littlenestphoto.com.

Local Institution Worth Rescuing âž™ Reader’s ForumUpon seeing his premature obituary, Mark Twain quipped, “rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” The same might be said for Reader’s Forum. While this quirky bookstore—a Main Line fixture for 40 years—is teetering, it’s not dead yet. Ed Luoma (who owns the store with partner Al Willis) says he lost about 40 percent of his business when big-box retailers opened nearby. Things got worse when Borders went bankrupt and publishers suddenly refused to ship books on credit, severely diminishing the Forum’s inventory. While Luoma and Willis continue to work through difficult business issues, the store remains a cherished source of refreshingly unusual titles.116 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, (610) 254-9040.

Man Cave Headquarters âž™ HiFi House
Real guys know that a man’s true worth is gauged by the size of his … TV. Well, not really, but there is immense masculine satisfaction to be gained from a man cave tricked out with the latest in audio and video gear—which the HiFi House experts have in spades. Looking to create that dream in-home theater experience? They’ve got what you need—even if all you’re looking for is a mounted flat-screen in your basement bar.
1001 Sussex Blvd., Broomall; (215) 247-7600, hifihouse.com.

New Boutique for Women’s Accessories âž™ Menagerie
At one of Eagle Village Shops’ newest tenants, women can find accessories and more to fit any occasion and budget. Owner Kate Lawson has the names you won’t find in every other shop on the Main Line. Highlights include clutches by Carrie Dunham and Dareen Hakim, a selection of statement jewelry pieces (including some designed by Lawson herself), plus skinny denim by Hudson and dresses by Calypso St. Barth.
503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 971-1769.
 

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New Home Accessories Boutique âž™ Willow
Willow’s streamlined collection of unique home accessories and Art Deco furnishings is a refreshing and much-needed addition to the region’s shopping scene. Even better, owner Jennifer Fuller is an experienced interior designer who can help translate the Willow aesthetic to your home.
385 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford; (610) 642-6555, willowhaverford.com.

Oriental Rug Experts âž™ Zakian
To vacuum or not to vacuum? What about those notorious red-wine stains? You never thought you’d have so many questions about rug care. Then you realize that experts are few and far between. Fortunately, there’s Zakian, with its lengthy list of Main Line clients who count on its specialized staff to handle just about any snafu, from stains to tears to restoration.
4930 W. Parkside Ave., Philadelphia; (215) 877-9000, zakianrugs.com.

Pet Treats âž™ Giggy Bites
Oatmeal peanut-butter cookies and veggie pizza—hard to believe these goodies are for the dogs. Giggy Bites pet treats are homemade and healthy, with something for every special diet, from diabetic to wheat-free. There’s even an option for coat care. Pop in for a visit, and you and your best friend will find much more, including samples, gift baskets and toys.
Olde Ridge Village, 100 Ridge Road, Suite 4, Chadds Ford; (610) 358-3647, giggybites.com.

Place for Gently Used Designer Duds âž™ Yesterday’s
Savvy Main Line fashionistas know that this upscale consignment boutique is the place to go for finds that make a girl hyperventilate (and not from the prices). Leslie Aitken’s homey 1,000-square-foot store is loaded with eye-popping bargains  bearing big names—labels like Tory Burch, Gucci, Prada, Burberry and more. With its ever-changing inventory, you never know what you’ll find. But isn’t that part of the fun?
1029 Old Lancaster Road, Berwyn, (610) 993-3355.

Place for Man’s Best Friend âž™ Pet Village of Wayne
We treat our pets like family around here. So is it any surprise that this place received such a warm reception when it opened last year? Five pet-focused businesses cater to every conceivable want and need for your four-legged friend. Tenants include the full-service Radnor Veterinary Hospital, Pets in Motion dog trainers; Radnor Dog Club indoor park and daycare, The Bark Avenue Boutique accessories shop, and Dogma Grooming Spa and Salon. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?
North Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, thepetvillageofwayne.com.
 

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Showroom for Special Events âž™ Tague Lumber
The jewel of this regional building-supply empire, the Malvern location’s classy, spacious new design showroom somehow manages to display a complete line of windows and doors, kitchen and bath cabinetry and tops, architectural hardware, moldings, mantels and built-ins—even decking, railing and pergolas—and still have ample room to host special events of all sorts.
181 Lancaster Ave., Malvern; (610) 640-4180, taguelumber.com.

Tech Girls (and Guys) âž™ TechWise Group
You’re getting neither a part-timer nor a call to who-knows-where when you tap TechWise for your technology solutions. Instead, most of its consultants are Microsoft engineers with certification from a host of big-name companies, including Intuit, Cisco and HP—and a long list of references to boot. We’ll take them over your typical geeks any day of the week.
992 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne; (610) 353-9010, techwisegroup.com.

TLC for Rover âž™ Unleashed Pet Spa & Boutique
After a run-in with an especially tempting mud puddle, Rover usually requires a little more TLC than a quick rinse. Unleashed has everything to get your pup squeaky clean from nose to tail, from its DIY dog wash to oatmeal baths for itchy skin. Once you get a load of these and other premium treatments, you’ll have to concede that it’s a dog’s life, after all.
7 Anderson Ave., Ardmore; (610) 645-6063, unleashed-spa.com.

Toy Store âž™ Pun’s Toys
Great toys stand the test of time, and Pun’s only bothers with the highest-quality inventory. Shopping for a gift? Name your budget—the expert staff will dazzle you with options. Or lose yourself in aisles filled with puppets and figurines, and play until inspiration strikes.
839 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 525-9789, punstoys.com.
 

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Unique Gifts âž™ Maureen’s Gallery
Get it here, and sleep well knowing that your lucky recipient will love your one-of-a-kind find. Maureen’s specializes in North American crafts, including artwork, pottery, jewelry and blown glass, plus other artisan gems and custom framing. Another bonus: The free gift-wrap is almost as pretty as what’s inside.
54 E. Uwchlan Ave., Exton; (610) 280-9929, maureensgallery.blogspot.com.

Unique Wedding Gifts âž™ Wendell August Forge
Champagne flutes are nice, and that blender will certainly come in handy. But the serious hardware at Wendell August Forge is keepsake material. Among the wide variety of handcrafted gifts to choose from, the Impressions plates are a funky
addition to any china closet.
103 Woodcutter St., Exton; (610) 363-2426, wendellaugust.com.

Vintage Home Furnishings âž™ Rose Hip Barn
There are treasures at every turn in this barn-turned-home-accessories-showroom. Rose Hip is owned by April Margera—mother of West Chester’s own celebrity stunt jokester, Bam Margera—and her daughter-in-law, Kelly. They’ve fashioned intriguing vignettes featuring furniture, various  household adornments and even hostess gifts. All were collected from buying trips throughout the region and beyond. Reasonable prices ensure that inventory moves quickly, so there’s always something new to see.
371 Glen Mills Road, Thornbury; (610) 558-1816, rosehipbarn.com.

Vintage Jewelry âž™ House of Evelyn
Alison Holsten has been jetting from coast to coast for years to amass her stunning collection of signed and unsigned vintage jewelry dating back to the 1940s. Holsten specializes in statement necklaces from designer names like Lanvin, deLillo, Trifari and Givenchy, but we also love her collars, bracelets, earrings and broaches.
114 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne; (610) 635-8600, houseofevelyn.com.

Vintage Women’s Clothing âž™ Malena’s Vintage Boutique
We don’t know how she makes it look so easy, but she does. Malena Martinez has a gift for assembling a mix of clothing and accessories that consistently inspires lust—from Chanel bags in pristine condition to timeless Lilly Pulitizer sheath dresses. Martinez recently moved to a larger space just steps away from her former location to accommodate even more inventory—an undeniable sign of success that makes her vintage-loving fans very, very happy.
101 W. Gay St., West Chester; (610) 738-9952, malenasboutique.com.
 

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Weekend Getaway for Pets âž™ Family Pet Resort
If you’re one of those pet parents who believes your furry friends’ vacation accommodations should be at least as nice as (if not better than) yours, this is the place for your little ones to bunk while you’re down the Shore. Private rooms, daily exercise, a full slate of activities, soothing music and high-end cuisine come together to make your pet’s stay as stress-free as possible. And if the real world does intervene? Your canine or feline friend can chill out with one of the in-house spa services.
3921 Miller Road, Newtown Square; (610) 325-7297, familypetresort.com.

Window Dressing âž™ Window Concepts
These pros understand that windows shouldn’t be an afterthought in the design process. Taking into account everything else that’s going on in the room—fabrics, colors, styles, etc.—they outfit windows in ways that pull together and enhance the entire look of a space. Just beware: The rest of your room may experience a serious case of treatment envy.
4653 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 325-2094, windowconceptspa.com.

Women’s Accessories âž™ Sorella Boutique
Sorella’s owners believe “accessories are necessities.” In addition to their vast collection of evening gowns, prom dresses and options for less formal occasions, they also provide all the finishing touches that make an outfit truly complete—jewelry,
and handbags of all styles, plus belts to tie it all together.
23 E. State St., Media; (610) 566-2393, sorellashop.com.

Women’s Clothing with Preppy Flair âž™ Skirtin Around
If Princess Kate ever came across the Connecticut-based clothing line Skirtin’ Around, she wouldn’t be able to resist its bright patterns, bold colors and inspired details. Meanwhile, Main Line womenhave already embraced this preppy-chic collection, which includes everything from versatile tunics to Bermuda shorts.
Eagle Village Shops, 503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 225-0000, skirtinaround.com.
 

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