Midtown Village: A Neighborhood Blooms in Philadelphia's Center City

A few months ago, a group of merchants and businesssmen announced the creation of the new Midtown Village. Located in the area usually dubbed "the Gayborhood" by biz owners and Philadelphians, a few feathers were ruffled. Before you have a coronary, it's not replacing the neighborhood. The Midtown Village Merchants Association is a marketing group working to create a brand for all the fine businesses in the area by working closely with the Gay Tourism Caucus and the Washington Square West Civic Association. So stop your fussing! The classic Gayborhood is still here, and now overlaps and works with the new Midtown Village. But what makes these few blocks so stinking special, besides the plethora of cute, gay girls and the surplus of cute, gay boys? Well, here are the Top 10 Reasons as to why Midtown Village is definitely a place to swing by.

10) HOME SWEET HOME
The historic neighborhood is under a building boom, with incredible new condominiums being built in unique buildings. At the corner of 11th and Locust, the Western Union is bringing plenty of posh digs to an area formerly only for med students. The Grammercy is giving people a reason to linger on 13th Street beyond a cheap Martini.

9) FEED ME
Options for eats are increasing, with the option of healthy, quick, and delicious choices springing up all over the area. We tend to pick up our forks most often at Mixto or Valanni, and for sinful home-style delights, you can't beat More Than Just Ice Cream. The Sunday brunch at Sisters, and nightly dinner specials at Tavern on Camac are viciously guarded secrets we can't believe nobody knows about yet. TOC's new chef Joe McIntyre (no, not THAT Joe McIntyre) is a top talent that has reinvigorated the intimate restaurant.

8) THE WORLD IS A STAGE
Midtown Village has the nation's oldest theater, the Walnut Street Theater, in its backyard. Not only does the theater offer impeccable seasons of locally produced performances, the Walnut Street also has instructional classes for all of you who have an artistic streak that needs to be expressed.

7) CLOTHES HORSE
Designer duds and hot jeans in our own backyard? Yup, no need to drive to King of Prussia for stylish clothing, Midtown Village has the chic Matthew Izzo and Matthew Izzo Lifestyles and trendy Sparacino Men's and Sparacino Shoes. You might want to look into getting a part-time job, 'cause with neighbors like these, you are about to blow a whole paycheck.

6) THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
Cute medical students and educated, RICH doctors. Cute, cute doctors...We also recommend Brew Ha-Ha and the Village Coffee as perfect stalking grounds for medical marvels. Good coffee, and if you play your cards right (and style your hair just so...) you might get a hubby!

5) GIFTS
No matter what type of person you're buying a gift for; whether snotty Aunt or wacky little brother, you can find gifts to cover every reason at Twist and Phag. Twist is a gallery showcasing their own furniture designs and refurbished antiques; all one-of-a-kind and unique. With thousands of kitschy and adorable items for all areas of your life, it's impossible to spend more than 5 minutes in the massive new Phag store without leaving with arms full of merchandise.

4) ART
With all these new apartments and condos in Midtown Village, there are plenty of expansive, blindingly white walls in need of affordable and fashioniable art. Absolute Abstracts features frameless art (stretched across canvas) that's 40 inches by 40 inches or larger and all around $300 a hang. Take our word for it, remove the "Beers Of the World Poster" now, and check out Absolute's selections. It's decorator art on a consciensious budget.

3) HAPPY HOUR
With the classic Woody's, the upscale Bump, and the girl frenzy at Sisters, there is more than enough liquor to keep your teeth floating for days. Toss in the cozy Tavern On Camac and the late night naughtiness at PURE, and you've got your own Philly sin megaplex.

2) HEALTHY LIVING
Eats, check. Drinks, check. Gym...CHECK. Midtown Village is home to one of the city's best and most-established gym, 12th Street Gym. This massive fitness complex has a huge staff of hot and talented trainers, and enough machines and classes to work off even the biggest asses in Sir Mix-A-Lot's videos.

1) FLOWERS
With mignonne flowers and magnifique accessories, Chartreuse brings a bit of Europoean style and glamour to Center City. Flowers are fresh, gorgeous, and healthy; and the designs created are signature and memorable. We've shouted their praises before, but Chartreuse's commitment to quality makes them number one in our livre.

Oh, and if you don't live in Midtown Village, shame on you! If you want to visit, the Alexander Inn at 12th and Spruce is a quant full-service hotel with historic charm and modern amenities. Plus it's truly the gayest place on the earth...well, after Palm Springs. Tell the Innkeeper we sent you!