While the pandemic is not officially over, and may never be, consumer spending has been on the rise, a good sign for local business owners. But other factors, including the rate of inflation, are keeping area shopkeepers from throwing confetti in the air. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices are up 7.1% from a year ago, an improvement over last month’s 7.7 percent, but that may feel like little relief to families paying mortgages, sending kids to college and trying to save for their own retirement.

We asked merchants how they did

“This was the largest wedding year since 1985, so things were very good for us,” said Kimberly James, owner Kimberly James Bridal, 15 West Highland Ave.  “Plus, every bride now wants two dresses, one for the wedding and another for the reception.” James plans to eventually expand into mother-of-the-bride gowns and, hopefully, transition to a larger space on the Avenue. There’s another reason for James to celebrate 2022. In October of this year, she had her second child.

“Crazy busy” is how Wendy Weinstein, owner of My. Airy hair salon Ground Zero, 7119 Germantown Ave., described the past year. “Even though I was out of the salon for six weeks in May 2022, and two more weeks in the Fall, recuperating from a double mastectomy, my team – Erin and Toby -  took care of my clients who have been with me for 20 years,” she said. “I came back full steam and, in the coming year, I want to give each client even more attention, lengthening appointments from [45 minutes] to a full hour. Making each client feel they are the most important is something I learned when I studied at Vidal Sassoon in London.”

Tom Amodie, co-owner of Chestnut Hill Sports, Inc., 8628 Germantown Ave., thanks the Phillies for a good year. “Now we’re hoping the Eagles take us through February,” he said. Fly Eagles fly!

“Thanks to the last few weeks, we are finishing 2022 really strong,” said Starr Osborne, owner of Tailored Home, 8528 Germantown Ave.. “Our interior design component on the second floor is really exploding with projects, from recovering a single chair to project management for an entire home.” But it’s the display of seasonal home goods on the first floor, including mohair throw blankets for cozying up to a fireplace and holiday tableware that make this a popular stop on Stag & Doe Nights. 

Skin care mavin Chrissy Dress, owner of CURE de Repose, 8439 Germantown Ave., said, “This was our first full year in our new location. We added the popular garden infrared sauna and new laser treatments to our menu, in addition to facials, massage and dermaplane. We launched a new updated website that is easy for online booking. I also graduated with a state recognized [esthetician] teaching license and started teaching advanced skin treatments to other estheticians. Not to mention, our team has grown; there are now 15 of us. We look forward to continued growth and seeing what 2023 presents.” 

The 2022 holiday season has been good to The Bone Appetite. “Our decorated holiday doggie cookies are very popular,” manager Natalie Gladish said. This is where stylish pooches come for a self-service dog wash and professional grooming services.

When we peeked inside McNally’s at lunchtime on a sunny December day, it was packed to the rafters.  Co-owner Anne McNally apologized for not having time to comment, but it was obvious the smoke-free area eatery and bar is thriving and not just because it’s the home of the “Schmitter.”

At Kitchen Kapers, 8503 Germantown Ave.,“Business has been pretty solid,” manager Melissa Fendelman said. “We have a nice local customer base and weekends bring in new clientele. Stag & Doe Nights have been especially good.”

Laura Cohn, owner of From Bali to US, has done an incredible job of setting up her holiday pop-up shop, now located between Campbell’s Place and Ten Thousand Villages, filled from floor to ceiling with artisan handcrafts.  “The highlight of 2022 was my first trip back to Bali since the pandemic started. It was wonderful to return and discover the new creative projects of Bali craftsmen,” said Cohn who also appreciates the return of in-person shopping and hosting special events in her shop.

For the Local staff, this year has been an opportunity to become better acquainted with the merchants, restaurants, organizations and residents who add vitality to Northwest Philadelphia. Wishing you a safe, healthy, happy New Year!