Spirit of the Artist Alive in Philadelphia’s Historic Antique Row
Unlike a gallery that focuses on one medium, SOTA features a myriad of wood, ceramic, metal and glass. From vibrant wall tiles and earthy hand-crafted wooden bowls, to delicate pieces of jewelry, SOTA offers a little bit of everything.
SOTA’s popularity has been noted by several industry and local publications. It was voted into the top 100 of American Craft Retail Galleries by Niche Magazine in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and best “reasonably priced cool gift shop” by the Philadelphia City Paper. This publicity has also attracted the attention of artists, who regularly contact Frank to see if he would be interested in displaying their pieces. “Word of mouth is national,” he explains. This thriving business owner has been forced to become increasingly selective when it comes to the items he carries, just because of space limitations. A small path winds around the store, which has items on display from floor to ceiling. Yet, this tightly packed approach does not feel cluttered or overwhelming, but whimsical. Frank refers to this as the “wow factor.”
He understands what people want and is motivated by a desire to offer unique and beautiful items, that are high quality and affordable. Everything in SOTA is American made. Nothing is imported or manufactured. “I believe that items made by hand embody the spirit of their creators,” which is how SOTA got its name. Despite the large quantity of items in the store, Frank knows each piece and each artist by memory. He could most likely give a detailed tour of the store blindfolded. It makes sense when he describes his love for what he does and how his store mirrors the evolution of his own artistic vision.
While it seems almost impossible to pick out just one or two favorite things in such an overwhelmingly diverse selection, a few items have stood out as best-of-the-best over the years and have developed a following by repeat customers. The ceramic wall tiles, which range in price from $24 to $66 are one of the most popular items in the store. According to Frank, one client went above and beyond the usually purchase of two or three tiles as gifts or decoration and recently purchased 290 tiles; enough to decorate a full wall in her kitchen. Business card cases from Kyle Design’s, make a creative, yet practical gift. They come in hundreds of styles from Celtic knots to martini glasses. A wedding or housewarming favorite is the wooden culinary accessories. This great collection, ranges from a basic hand-crafted wild cherry wooden spoon to spectacular, natural wood bowls that look like they was carved right out of a tree trunk, meshing natural imperfections and flawless craftsmanship. Additionally, SOTA will ship anything anywhere and provides gift boxes for free, making the gift stylish and convenient.
Antique Row, which sits on Pine Street between 9th and Broad, is the oldest continually running antique district in the country. It runs the gamut from family-owned antique shops which have been in business since the area’s first heyday in the 1950’s, to a new crop of hip, young boutiques.
SOTA is just one of several thriving businesses in the area that have attracted both locals and tourists to browse their unique wares. Frank’s dedication to the store, his customers and his art can make the sometimes tedious challenge of finding the perfect gift, an effortless and refreshing experience.
SOTA is located at 1022 Pine Street, and is open seven days a week. Call 215-627-8801 for more information.
