The slogan of Scarlett Alley, a charming gift shop tucked into Old City, promises "statements" in art, furniture and giftware. Ambitious? Yes. Embellished? Perhaps. But maybe we should appreciate a store so determined to redefine its own genre.
Like most of its tacky, stuffy cousins, Scarlett Alley brims with superfluous, albeit beautiful, extravagances. It is crowded and familiar, but a slow perusal reveals an honest effort to fulfill the shop's mission. Its unique, surprising treats explain its lasting success in a rapidly evolving neighborhood. And Liz Scarlett, who opened the cozy shop with her mother 14 years ago, could not be more enthusiastic about the myriad products she "brings to Philadelphia."
The boutique's spa music may be overkill, but its d‚cor - two rooms washed in shades of grey and green with corners of exposed brick - serves as an effective backdrop for a sea of colorful goodies. Trinkets are arranged in intricate set-ups (a kid's bedroom, a desk, a kitchen shelf), and draped over furniture designed by Scarlett's father. His big, cheery pieces are often as interesting as the products atop them, and, like the $995 grandmother clock, some of the shop's most expensive items.
Perhaps the only common quality to the shop's merchandise is give-ability. From custom soaps to leather goods to stainless steel clocks, the majority of items can be personalized for any occasion. Scarlett describes her strength as "hands-on help for personal gifts." On a recent Sunday afternoon, Scarlett was helping a young bride finish her registry and pick gifts for her wedding party. "We just got these in," she says, handing over a pair of bamboo-fiber loungewear - "Feel!" She plucks pieces from every corner, truly amused by her new finds, but also points out various "classics," items such as an engraveable music box, custom pottery and a cozy robe. "I don't want to carry them anymore," she sighs, "but people just keep coming in for them."
Otherwise, products run the gamut. From $10 stemware and $20 "thank you" notes to $70 umbrellas and $140 robes (all enviable), the merchandise is not aimed at any one budget. Nor does it represent one region, as jewelry and embroidered pillows by local artists lie near beauty products by skyn and elizabethW, from Iceland and San Francisco, respectively. Traditional gifts with a twist-funky stationary, beaded photo albums, textured neckties, exotic coffee table books - as well as ribbon, carpets, gadgets and wrapping paper keep the shop nostalgic yet contemporary. Scarlett points out the trendy names she hopes college girls seek - HOBO bags, WASABI jewelry, and fresh skincare - and the displayed catalogues from which a shopper can order linens and flatware in any variation.
Ultimately, Scarlett Alley's success lies in its distinctive combination of classic and wacky. Scarlett sells kids' books, sure, but only those such as Saks Fifth Avenue's Cashmere If You Can. Through Pittsburgh's Plates With Purpose, morally conscious brides may register for flatware whose proceeds benefit various non-profit organizations. The next time you're at a loss for the perfect gift, venture down to Old City. The staff of this shop will surely have a suggestion for any person on any occasion, even if it is the Buddha pill box. As Scarlett explains, it's all "kinda irreverent"
