by Jessica Giordano
staff writer
About a half-hour drive from Cabrini’s campus lies a section of Philadelphia that is cozy, yet urban, where white lights illuminate the trees all year long, and where unique restaurants, shops and bars all reside – Main Street in Manayunk.
Along this stretch there is something for everyone. Whether it is shopping in trendy boutiques, buying unique gift items or sharing a drink with a friend. Everything is special on Main Street from the creative, eye-catching signs of the stores to the merchandise in the stores themselves.
Main Street is primarily filled with little shops where you can find unusual or handmade gift items or designer quality clothes.
There are various shops devoted to the style-conscious female who isn’t limited by money. Stores like Ma Jolie, Public Image and Smith Bros. are all places where you can find that perfect rock tee, sundresses or vintage pair of jeans. If you are the type of person who spends $300 on a pair of shoes regularly, then check out Mainly Shoes where they specialize in the newest Prada footwear.
Enhancing a living space with cool objects is something that many enjoy, and there are numerous shops to find unique household items on Main Street. Time Works has an impressive collection of watches, alarm clocks and wall clocks to choose from. You can hang a Scooby Doo clock on your wall or you can purchase an exercising pink hippo alarm clock that will sing until you awake in the morning,
There is the shop Down-To-Earth that only carries recycled and earth-friendly gift items. Handmade, hand-painted furniture and unique jewelry are specialties of the shop American Pie, which also has a shop on South Street.
Exotic items fill the shelves of Vision of Tibet where you can find traditional Asian jewelry, silk garments and objects related to the practice of Buddhism.
If you like to put your own special touch on the things that decorate your room, then Kilin’ Time is the perfect shop for you. Here you can paint and design your own pottery in a pleasant atmosphere.
One of the biggest attractions for college students on Main Street is the nightlife. One of these nighttime mainstays is the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant. The Brewery serves food and their own specialty beers in a fashionable and inviting environment.
One very popular club is Chemistry Nightspot. Here, those who like to get done up and dance to hip-hop and techno music have the perfect setting to enjoy themselves. A student’s money can be stretched very far Thursday nights at Chemistry. Chemistry’s Thursday night special is hard to beat – free admission with a college id and “2 for 1-drinks” from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. “It’s a good group of people, a good deal and good music,” Jenny Galbraith, a Temple University student, said.
Great drink specials also occur at The Bayou on Main Street, a bar that also serves food. On Wednesday, there are $1 drinks and drafts from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. and other specials throughout the week.
Live bands, and not drink specials, are the major draw for those who frequent the Grape St. Pub, which is right off of Main at 105 Grape St. The Pub showcases local bands in a no-frills setting. You can check out the upcoming bands scheduled or buy the compilation CD they have put together at www.grapestreetpub.com.
Main Street in Manayunk is a perfect place to go into the city for a night out with friends or a shopping spree for that hard-to-buy for individual. Eat, drink and browse along the engaging streets of Manayunk.
