I visited Cork and Candles on a Monday with a friend as a fun day activity. We had booked a 1 PM…read moreappointment in advance and paid a $50 deposit. However, when we arrived, the door was locked and no one appeared to be there. We waited outside for about 20 minutes, trying to contact the business by phone and through their Instagram page, but received no response. Eventually, we left and walked over to McCormick & Schmick's a few blocks away to get drinks and hopefully hear back. After an hour with no update, we decided to stroll around Center City and make the most of our day. Around 5:45 PM, I finally received a call from a staff member who apologized and explained she hadn't seen our messages and she was actually at home at the time. She offered to reschedule us for the next day at 3 PM. We accepted, but since we were still in the area, we called back and asked if we could come "now". She agreed, and we walked back over for a 6PM session. Once there, we were offered wine for purchase and water which we accepted. We got to make two candles each. She walked us through the process and told us to pick out our scents. The music playing added to a fun, laid-back vibe. Despite the earlier miscommunication, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I would definitely consider going again.

I did a corporate event here where 10 of us made 2 novelty candles each. This was a really unique…read moreexperience and they came out great. And they switch the type of candle you make monthly, so there is always something new to try. Location is right in Center City, very convenient.

Visited Omoi Life Goods to check out what they offered (and get a passport stamp for my Traveler's…read moreNotebook). Enjoyed that they had a variety of not just paper, journals and pens but also locally sourced items like coffee, books and stickers. The shop was pretty crowded during my visit, probably a dozen people or so in the small space. This made me happy to see so many people shopping local. Eventually, after browsing most of the store, I decided to get a coffee bean pendant for my Traveler's Notebook. I've seen this same charm online for upwards of $20. Omoi's was $18. Definitely a value there! The service was excellent. While ringing me up one of the ladies running the register grabbed the Traveler's Notebook stamp (which you have to ask for) and let me do my thing. The stamp for the Traveler's Notebook is pretty cool, it features a soft pretzel and Water Ice.

I've really gotten into stationary goods lately and am always on the lookout for fun stationary…read morestores. Omoi was close to where we were coming to / heading to, so I bookmarked it and we managed to stop by before they closed. It was actually really poppin when we got there, despite the fact that it was about 30 minutes to closing time. I wasn't really on the market for anything, just wanted to browse. I ended up picking up some cute notepads for a friend and some washi tape for myself. I love that they sold matchbooks here! I am an avid matchbook collector, despite not smoking a day in my life. Staff were super nice and very friendly.

Amazing candles, have a nice comforting smell and last a while. When i light up my "black and…read morethick" candle it reminds me of home

From the owner: LuvOnFire Candle Company specializes in bringing LOVE in the form of luxury home fragrances to your…read morehome. We’ve created scents to remind you of a time or place in your life where you felt loved.

Bee Natural was my favorite spot at the Reading Terminal Market. This is somewhat ironic as their…read moreprimary offerings are not edible, as much of the market is. This booth has every possible lip balm flavor that you could imagine, ranging from as benign as vanilla to as unhinged as pizza. I went with the banana lip balm and it has been such a delight to use over the last few days that I have had it. I also picked up a jarred candle to enjoy at home. I was bummed to not be able to take them up on their three for $25 offer, but I didn't have enough suitcase room. I look forward to using the candle at home and continuing to appreciate the lip balm.

Great selection of honey from many regions nearby. The owner seemed knowledgeable and they had a…read morerobust selection of products. I was impressed.

State of being is such a cute store. I've been there a handful of times so far. They host many…read moreevents there. The times I've gone were after a group walk/run and for a meditation and yoga class. Beth, the owner is very nice and easy to talk to.

I thought it would be about time that I did a review for this store. I actually attended the grand…read moreopening, which was not planned and totally by happenstance. The doors were opened and there were balloons and decor and music playing if I recall correctly and there were people gathered inside and flowing onto the outside. I was first greeted by the owner's mother and then by other guests attending the opening day festivities that evening. It was such a nice surprise. I received a whole run down of how the shop worked and was able to make a candle for myself from scratch. It was so delightful to get to meet new and interesting people. I did not know anyone there and Beth the owner, along with her friends and family made me feel so welcomed. What I love most is the premise of the business. Each candle has an affirmation on it . I think I have tried all of them except for "Daring" and gifted one to my parents. The idea is that scent is linked to emotion and memory and that you connect positive experiences and affirmations via the scent to elicit this happy hormone response within your body. I recall her telling me that her sister was the one who was able to speak to the science of it and she (Beth) was the brains behind it in terms of creating scents and the affirmations. I have to say that those candles really helped me immensely, especially during a time that I needed encouragement and motivation the most. I started out using them in Philadelphia and then ordered from the store to have them shipped to me when I lived in Virginia. I would light the candle and then meditate on the affirmation that was printed on the label. It doesn't go without saying that the candles themselves smell absolutely amazing. They aren't like generic or overly nauseating by any means. All of the scents are natural and not overpowering or overwhelming. Some are a bit stronger than others. My particular favorite is "Radiant" because it has notes of grapefruit and peppercorn. It has the revitalizing scent to it whereas my other favorite is "Connected". That one has this softness to it that reminds me of a subtle musk with a powdery touch. I also like that there are custom made matches you can order as well. I felt lucky that they were included with my order complimentary on that grand opening day. It has been maybe about a year or so since ai first ventured into that store and I have been hooked on those candles ever since. So much so that I feel reluctant getting other kinds. I used to be a devout Sand & Fog fan, Bath and Body Works Candle Sale fan, and Voluspa fan, but now I prefer State of Being candles more than those. You can just tell they are high quality candles and I am a fan. They are a bit costly, but you get what you pay for so they are a good value I think. The scents last for a long time. Some scents are more powerful than others, but I prefer the fragrance to be somewhere in the middle, enough to make me notice is there, but no so strong that it is overpowering. You can tell that they are made with love and that is what I appreciate the most. The good vibes and energy that go into them when they are made. I like to think that when I light them up, that good vibes and energy are radiating out from them:) And it acts like energetic medicine ^_^ So, I will continue to buy from them as long as I can afford them lol but highly recommend! They also apparently do workshops and other fun events now as well. I am subscribed to their newsletter so I get to hear all about what I am missing out on lol but if you are ever in Philly and in the area, I encourage you to stop by if you are into fragrances at all, into spiritual/metaphysical stuff like me, and wish to be in good company. Beth and her family will make sure to treat you with the same respect, care, and attention that she puts into her candles:) Unfortunately, I did not take any photos while I was there in the store, but hopefully my review can give you a good idea of what to expect. Update: 8/15/24-My candle (their newest one) got delivered today and it smells amazing as always. I have it lit and placed next to my vision board that I made at a workshop that I did a few months back..felt like it would be the proper place for it, but finally was able to snap a pic and add to my review:) Will continue to buy more in the future as I am a loyal fan/customer as these candles have helped evoke much positivity in my life

Another little store with overpriced basic goods. $30 for envelopes? Such garbage. This place…read moredoesn't belong on Walnut.

Such a beautiful selection of greeting cards, craft supplies, unique games, decorations, and a lot…read moremore. It's like a treasure chest in the middle of Philly. The staff is always very sweet. We are always greeted even when it is busy and they make sure to ask if we have our rewards card (from B&N) every time we check out. I could spend so much time and money here, but I try to only get one or two things each time I stop in so I can keep coming back. That said they definitely update some of their selection frequently and are the perfect place to get a gift for someone! It can be hard to move around the store when it is busy. The back is also a little hard to navigate when they have shipments come in. This would be my only reasons for 4 stars instead of 5 :)