When I first moved to Philly I noticed that the street art scene was mostly relegated to stickers.  I figure this may be because we have so many historic old buildings and local artists had the respect to not mess them up.  It could also be because we don’t have a very active transit system.  Either way it leads to a fun game of hide and seek.  Artists throw their work up on the back of signs, on the sides of newspaper boxes, and in the hidden spots that you only find if you’re really looking.

My two faves are El Toro and Bob Will Reign.  Great character design, always changing it up, and all over town. Frost (El Toro) – Bob Will Reign

So, obviously, I found his stuff on flickr.com one day.  Browsing through I found and decided to buy it.  We met briefly, I handed over some cash and the painting was mine!  It’s been up in my place for the last couple of years.  Time passes…

I started brewing beer and had the idea that El Toro could make me some labels for my brew, just for kicks. A painting called El Borracho seemed perfect. And so El Borracho Homebrew was born. We drank it all very quickly and called it good. Our girlfriends met and seemed to get along very well. Again we called it good.

Fast forward again and I’m up in Chinatown one day when I spot (the ducks are fake). I was driving and couldn’t stop but food and and sneakers are a holy union for me. See Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C and oh, I guess most of this blog.

When I finally got back to the shop I was beyond impressed. Killer design and a fun setup. I introduced myself to the guys and mentioned in passing that they should have an art show with El Toro. To make a long story short I told Frost, he went over, introduced himself to , and last night the whole thing went down in great form. I had a few cases of homebrew lemongrass wheat beer with a Frost-designed label. They were “free gifts” to go along with the purchase of a can. The show was a big success and the art will be up for the next month, so get over there if you’re in the area! I’m guessing the t-shirts are all sold out (but Karen and I got ours!).

[flickr matt.ohara 72157607556729419]

Fat Jack’s (google local)

Fat Jack’s is great. It’s over on Sansom and 20th right across from the west-side Capogiro , around the corner from Tinto, right beside the Homebrew store and down the street from some cool BYOBs, a great movie theater, a sushi joint and a music store. Basically one of the coolest shopping blocks in the city! The shop is nicely laid out and has great product and a large back issue selection.

Atomic City Comic Books (AKA Showcase Comics) (google local) is right on the heart of South Street. Another great couple of blocks of shops and stores! I don’t have pics yet but will very soon (I wanted to get a new post up this week).
Update!

You’re waiting for the meat of the post right? You want to find out about the secret comics stash in Center City? Here it is:

Can you see the street signs? It’s at 12th and Market. Admittedly it doesn’t have a huge selection and it’s mostly the mainstream stuff, but here is a little newstand guy making it happen! Can you dig it!?

What I found:
A lone ranger on the comic book scene. A maverick newstand that sells comics in Center City. Support and Respect due!

More pics as I edit this post later in the week.