South Street: Something to do

byAmy Gassen

Where do all the hippies meet? South Street.

Aspiring DJs and fans of vinyl can find a plethora of sports editor records at 611 Records. Hidden a half a block off of Fourth staff writer

This hot spot for hippies in the times of peace, love, and war, is now a hot spot for many walks of life. Stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, tattoo parlors and piercing parlors, populate the street targeted to serve a spectrum of social classes and cultures.

The heart of South Street, that beats rapidly with eager shoppers and sight-seers, runs from First Street through Seventh Street The Delaware River, which is decorated with many nightclubs, runs perpendicular to the famous strip.

There is an array of posh boutiques and fancy restaurants splattered throughout the area that attracts pop-cultures yuppie crowd. Balancing a college budget, however, requires shopping at the more wallet friendly stores offered.

Beyond the Wall, a cheap decorator's dream, sells posters of all sizes, colors, genres, and prices. A black and white large-sized Rocky poster can be bought for under $20, while a framed imitation Monet can be purchased for over $200. The store also sells an eclectic mix of post cards for those who like to frequently mail home. All posters and other items are dorm room friendly.

Music lovers have many stores to choose from while taking a stroll up and down South Street Tower Records, a music giant, houses a three story store in the middle of the shopping district. This store, however, is very pricey with CDs ranging around $18. Repo records, a much smaller music store, sells used CDs for $6.99. The store will also buy old CDs. Disco Round, another cheaper music store, sells used CDs for $5.99. Repo has a very impressive rock selection.

Street, this store contains a nice selection of hip-hop and drum and bass. Across the street from 611 Records, there is 611 Records clothing store. Sanrio accessories and UFO clothing are often on sale at this store.

American Pie Contemporary Crafts is by far the best store on the street. Each item sold in the store is both a common day appliance and a piece of art. For example, a colorful hand crafted table and chair set is for sale covered in inspirational quotes and pictures of people. A lampshade made out of spoons rests on top of a lamp. Dirty girl soap, handmade from vegetable glycerine, can be purchased for $6.95.

Quakerhead brings out the inner-child in every shopper. A huge selection of Anirne movies and action figures in addition with Sanrio knick-knacks sits on the shelves closest to the front door. Deep into the store, however, Simpsons and Star Wars action figures are displayed, at a very reasonable price. Twinkie the kid, Toucan Sam, The Beatles, and other nostalgic items are also sold at this store.

If you have a hot date and are too cheap to splurge for flowers, a dozen roses can be bought on the weekends for around $6. Other exotic and common day flowers also go on sale during the weekend rush.

If you get homesick for Cabrini, WAWA nestles nicely between Eckerds and Xando a half block off of South St. on Second Street.

Hippies can still be found in abundance. Imagine, a thrift store combined with new merchandise such as peasant blouses and corduroy dresses, contains attire and accessories that speak to the inner-hippie in all of us.

Nightclubs, restaurants and shopping. Considered one of the hippest streets in Philadelphia, South Street provides entertainment for many. But have you ever wondered how South Street became the South Street that we know of today?

Before the late •60s. South Street did not contain any of the above mentions. It instead housed junk stores, small eateries, and churches, as mentioned by Dennis Sheridan at openair.org/maxwelJ/psher.html,for a mostly black population.

These stores, eateries and churches lined the streets. Singing was common on South Street at the time. With many folk, blues, and non-mainstream acts playing at local clubs around the area, any one of black or southern decent came to South Street and was taken in by everyone.

During this time, South Street reeked of poverty, but the people did not show it in their heart. Many of the musicians loved South Street because they could find any food that they desired. Many were poor, but everyone united All of this changed in the late '60s. It was at this time that the city decided that South Street desperately had to change. In a short amount of time South Street was reconstructed into a place for people of other decent to come for entertainment. The junk stores, diners and churches were all torn out. Many of the stores put in are what you see today, but the street has changed with the times.

Today South Street offers greatentertainment to people of all ages, races.and sexes. Maybe in a little way, both South Streets have combined.