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Upon entering Philadelphia Vintage’s Locust Street location just west of Rittenhouse Square, you may be greeted by owner Jennifer Fitch’s cheerful dog and de-facto store mascot. His name? Jimi Hendrix. More importantly, you’ll also bump into racks upon racks of vintage clothing pieces, each looking as if they have their own stories to tell.

Adding to the shop’s eclectic mystique, Fitch shows a delightfully unique and chic personal style. On this particular day, she’s wearing a bronze, mod 1960s maternity dress despite her small frame, showing off the dress’ modern, architectural elements before sitting down to talk about her store.

Fitch, who opened Philadelphia Vintage in 2006, describes her ideal customer as a woman who is “willing to just try it on” and someone who trusts her taste. She also relies on repeat customers. And it isn’t really surprising that her customers keep coming back. The shop has a carefully selected, constantly changing inventory of designer clothing and shoes at extremely reasonable prices, as well as quirkier pieces: a vintage boy’s fringe-laden suede jacket and a pair of pumps with plastic watermelon heels comes to mind. And situated on the sidewalk on a nice day is Philadelphia Vintage’s famed “rainy day sale rack” that, when placed inside because of any inclement weather, allows for an extra 15 percent off items on the rack.

And with an upscale inventory, Fitch keeps the store feeling personal with an ambient, offbeat playlist of Francoise Hardy, Kimya Dawson and other artists, along with her and her staff’s ability to keep their customers looking stylish.

Philadelphia Vintage
2052 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 834-3733