Females at Penn are always on a mission. They're on a mission to use every tool at their disposal to get free drinks and to find just that one nice boy at Penn who is not so metrosexual that he knows the layout of Kiehl's better than she does. Aside from the aforementioned critical tasks, girls at Penn are constantly searching good shopping. This is a challenge that has vexed the average Penn female for some time, as a stroll down Walnut offers a selection that is clearly sub-par. But rest assured, because new-comer The Third Street Habit offers the answer to this long-standing conundrum.
Though it has only been open for six months, the nascent boutique is already getting plenty of word of mouth attention. Maybe it's because owner January Bartle has a knack for buying eclectic clothing from designers such as Anna Sui, Plenty, Yaya, and Alice and Olivia, as well as carrying a wide selection of jewelry and purses. She also has a small but impressive selection of vintage pieces.
The boutique lies nestled on a charming stretch of Third Street that lacks all the pretensions of Rittenhouse and instead, embodies the intimate appeal of Old City. The store itself has an incredibly warm atmosphere typified by friendly saleswomen who offer their actual opinions. Bartle furnishes the store with homey accents like wooden chests of drawers and a bowl of Hershey kisses at the register. The experience feels more like stepping into a friend's (very well stocked) closet rather than a fussy commercial store.
The cold weather, too much work, and general lethargy tend to prevent people from deviating from the traditional downtown fare of Center City. But these factors should no longer deter the female from her ultimate mission. Try out The Third Street Habit, and you'll get more than just a boutique, you'll get an experience; one which will definitely serve up a tasty alternative to Smith Brothers.
