VIX Emporium

While it was the sign outside of Vix Emporium advertising they were selling Girl Scout cookies that reeled me in, I couldn’t help but notice all the other items they had for sale – from clothing, jewelry, and accessories to housewares, bags, and even nail polish, Vix definitely has something for everyone! I’m sure I’ll be back for more Girl Scout cookies before the end of cookie season and to check out the rest of their merchandise!

i’ve been a west philly resident for 25 years and when this place opened, it has been my «go to» spot for any gift on my list. i love that their items are hand crafted and local. they have an impressive variety of jewelry, pottery, t-​shirts, cards… gifts for anyone and any occasion. it has served me well over the years, providing me with many beautiful presents for friends, family and loved ones… birthday and christmas gifts to welcoming baby. i also find that when i am there, it is pretty much impossible for me to resist the temptation to pass up a sweet treat for me.

VIX offers a variety of handmade goods including prints, ceramics and jewelry. The prices are reasonable and I love that I am supporting local artists, some of whom I know.
The store itself is rather small, so you will be surprised by how much time you can spend there. It is one of those places where, just when you think you’ve seen it all, something new will pop out of nowhere.
VIX is also the type of place that is great for finding a unique gift. However, be warned, it is difficult to leave there without purchasing a second gift for yourself.

Great little shop! A lot of great hand made jewelry, prints, nail polishes, ceramics, house ware, bath/​body goods, notebooks, you name it– all one of a kind because they are made from local artist. I love coming here when getting gifts or when a friend comes to visit philly. If you live in Philly and love shopping on etsy come out to vix emporium, saves you the shipping cost and it’s supporting local!!!

I didn’t realize that VIX was on Unilocal until I just chanced on it now. This is a fun place if you’re looking for new items and selections of crafts and jewelry. I’ve always found something cool to take back home. It’s been a blast to whoever I give it to. I like how all of the items here are made by local artists so you can easily appreciate the care and effort that goes into each product. There’s a story behind each piece. Everything here is in a cramped space though, and it would help if they had some more open concept to their décor. But it’s very gratifying to buy and help make it a part of someone’s life.

Stopped in during the Dollar Stroll and found this place to have some great unique items. As others have said its like a brick & mortar etsy.

I was so curious to find out about VIX Emporium after the über-​hip DesignSponge website listed it on their must visit list for West Philly. I finally had a chance to pop in today on my morning walk to the Cedar Park farmer’s market. The store has had a cute display of West Philly t-​shirts in the window all summer and I was hellbent on purchasing one. However, when I went in the store to browse the t-​shirt section I was met with a brusque «Can I help you?» in a tone that made it sound like I was doing something wrong by simply skimming through the shirts. When I asked about hoodies, the shop keeper pointed out where they were but in a tone that sounded beyond annoyed. Despite the fact that I loved the hoodies, I left the store immediately. Maybe the shopkeeper was just having a bad day, but sending out such negative vibes to curious patrons surely couldn’t make it much better. Service with a smile goes a long way for this shopper and for me, the VIX Emporium experience wasn’t a good one.

VIX is the best. I am lucky enough, or I should say my friends are lucky enough, that I work walking distance from here and stop in rather frequently. They have a range of adorable, mostly hand crafted things that range from prints to clothes to jewelry made out of recycled tires to candles. I’m also a huge fan of their cards. It reminds me a lot of Verde but less expensive and a bit better since nearly everything is made from local artists.
This is the place to get your friend that perfect, unique present you’ve been looking for. The woman who works there (owner?) is so pleasant. Going here is lovely. Branch out of center city and make your way west to check it out!

Small store, chock full of lovely goodies — cards, t-​shirts, baby stuff, jewelry, pottery, lots more — all made by local makers. Warm and welcoming owner, prices fair and reasonable, perfect place for a gift for just about any occasion, big or small. And it’s right in the neighborhood, and she’s a big booster of the neighborhood and the city. I’ve never gone in for a gift without leaving with something for myself, too. And without breaking the bank. Yay!

I’ve lived down the street for a year, and just ventured into VIX for the first time. I’ve definitely been missing out! Lots of fun jewelry and ceramics, but this trip I was completely engulfed in their selection of prints. I went in just to browse, but left with 3 prints! I will definitely make an effort to pop in this place more often.

So glad I work near here! I never miss a birthday anymore. Always gives me an excuse to browse among the handicrafts. Some of my faves include weird little buttons, like ones with Pee Wee Herman and Daria and Jane. I also appreciate the craft fairs they host in the little park up the street. Granted, I’m sure they carry a lot of stuff that could be DIY but who has the time?! Let one of VIX vendors DIFY (do it for you) and pay little for it. Win.

Being a guy, there wasn’t too much that jumped out at me. I had been by this place, but never inside and decided to check it out. Interestingly enough, there are some cool ties in here. I have to get back to grab one when I’m shopping on impulse again. Otherwise, there’s a wide of variety of things to choose from… they just don’t suit me in particular.
I think this is a place tourists might be particularly fond of, but what they would be doing in this area remains to be seen. The owner assured me that she gets an interesting mix of people in there so more power to her.

Even better than black cat! Love this cute neighborhood shop, and love buying locally made goods. Highly recommend!!!

Once I made it into the store (pesky doorknob thingy!!) I was quite excited to find a shop full (and I do mean full) of a bunch of awesome stuff. They have a little bit of everything– clothes, jewelry, art, etc. This is a great place to find gifts for pretty much everyone. The staff was really friendly and easygoing. I spent a really long time here, and I am still looking forward to going back. One thing that I really appreciated is that the things here are affordable. Little artsy boutiquey places like this often charge much more, but Vix seems to want to actually sell their items.

This place is fun. A little bit of everything. It really is a unique little spot. I have lived in the area forever and a business in that spot never seemed to last long. The gentrification in the community is what it is and this seems to be a positive blip on the map.
You would have to go downtown or to the burbs to find something similar. You know what? It reminds me of a boutique on the Main Line. Same airs. I guess they need that though to make sure it remains classy. The prices however match the wares. Quality goods and I’ll go back.

this adorable space is what a gift shop is meant to be. filled with local artisan creations — everything from jewelry to clothing, soap to paper goods, and many unique things in between — great for souvenirs & gifts — especially for yourself!
I particularly enjoyed the Sharif Pendleton collection.
cruise in during dollar stroll!

I finally made it out to VIX to check out the wares, and I was very impressed. I did a lot of Christmas shopping for my family and got some great things.
I’ll admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the crafts at the store — I had assumed that there would be a lot of junky DIY crap made by West Philly anarchists, but I was wrong. I even got a beautiful little handmade porcelain box that completely blew my mother away (and she’s hard to impress — she does her Christmas shopping at the fancy-​pants PMA Craft Show).
The prices are great, too. The only drawback is that it’s pretty far off the beaten path (sorry, Cedar Park dwellers, but it’s true). But it’s definitely worth a journey, especially when combined with a trip to Dock Street.

VIX is a hidden gem. I’ve been going across the street from VIX for years (at Dock Street) before I ever walked in. But was recommended to go by a friend when I said I needed to find a gift for someone quick and didn’t want to venture out to center city.
Not only did I find a super cute photo frame as a gift, but I also bought this solid-​shampoo bar for myself. At first, I was skeptical about trying completely natural, local, handmade shampoo, but now I love it. You can get the bar shampoo soap at VIX, and although the smell takes some getting used to (if you are used to bottled, drug store stuff), it has totally changed the texture of my hair. It doesn’t dry your scalp like other shampoos that have sodium laureth sulfate in it, and is good for curly/​natural hair. Less drying than the solid shampoo bars at LUSH. Lasts a really long time too! Save $$$$

I love this store and am so glad its in my neighborhood!
I agree with everything else others have said about this place but I wanted to add something more specific — Vix has really awesome baby stuff. I have gone there for 3 or 4 new baby presents and always leave with something unique and useful.

Confession: I’ve been living in West Philly for over a year, but I didn’t walk into VIX until yesterday. I was in search of some really great homemade cards to use for thank you correspondence. So I decided to finally stop by — and WOW.
This little shop is filled to the brim with local handmade/​screenprinted clothes, bags, jewelry, and crafts. Rachel is right on the money in comparing it to
— most of the artists selling their products here are also on Etsy.
If you want to rock the West Philly pride on a tee shirt, button, or patch — you can pick up one of their adorable shirts. They even have the cutest baby clothes. If you’re looking for the perfect gift, you will find it here — you could please anyone from your grandmother to your angsty emo cousin.
Buying local can be a bit more expensive — but when you think of all the love and care that went into all of the products at VIX, the pricetag is worth it, and more. I hope this West Philly gem is around for years to come.