john m.

Walter M Wood Jr Inc

This is my current landlord. He offers many university-style housing apartments for pretty cheap. I am currently renting a studio in University City that seems cheap for the location and price. I pay electricity and internet, and everything else is covered.

Overall, the apartment is in somewhat good condition. He's pretty slow on repairs, however. (I've been trying to get the windows repaired or replaced in order to fit in an AC unit for the summer, but have had no luck). In fact... I haven't had anything repaired here as of yet. Will write a future review depending upon completion of said repairs.

PROS: cheap apartments
CONS: repairs

Pooch

Pooch is located near Rittenhouse Square on Locust street. They offer complete grooming service, which includes nail cutting, bathing, and hair cutting/grooming. I took my small 4.5 lb yorkie here for a springtime hair cut, as her hair was becoming quite long.

I'm somewhat pleased with the result. My main complaint in the price... I had a $10 off coupon and the whole thing was still $45. This seems absurd... because my friend's 20+ lb cocker spaniel cost $45 without coupon at pooch's choice, just a couple blocks away. How the price can be the same for both dogs, I have no idea.

Anyway, when my yorkie came back, she was cleanly cut and groomed. Her nails were still somewhat long... so I'm not sure if they just forgot or they gave up trying to cut her nails (she can be extremely stubborn when it comes to nail cutting). Add in the price of $45... well, I'm not sure what to make of it.

In addition, you must make an appointment about a week in advance.

PROS: convenient location, hassle-free service
CONS: flat-rate price for small dogs as well

Pooch's Choice-Woof Woof

This is in review on Pooch's Choice Pet Grooming near 23rd and Walnut streets. They offer no-hassle pet grooming service where you can simply drop your pet off while they wash/groom your pet. My roommate's cocker spaniel suffered from matted hair along his ears and head, but this was no problem... they shaved the hair off. He came back sparkling and happy, so they definitely took good care of him while he was there.

Price was $45, which included nail cutting, bathing, hair cut, and hair de-matting (if able). It took about 5 hours or so for them to complete. They are somewhat busy so you must make an appointment in advance (typically, 4-7 days before).

PROS: no-hassle pet grooming
CONS: none!

Sweat Gym

I myself have never purchased a membership here, although I used my friend's membership on occasion to "test" the gym out. Well, it's located on Walnut street between 23rd street and the river. The place features a young crowd and a fully-glassed wall all along Walnut street, so people can check out how bad your excessive sweating problems are. I'm not a huge fan... but they have a good variety of equipment. Membership was (I believe) $30 per month.

PROS: Completely glass walls to look outside
CONS: Passerbys stare at you through the glass

Sheraton Roses Florist

Here is another florist located near Penn campus. The place is hardly ever crowded, if at all. Wait time is never more than a minute or two. It is conveniently located on the corner of 36th and Chestnut, next to the Sheraton.

I typically use this florist for my flower-purchasing needs because the owner is so nice. Upon entering the store, she will stop her arranging in order to assist you. Very nice touch. Price and selection are standard.

PROS: nice owners
CONS: valentine's day price

Roses Florist

This place is located near Citizens Bank on 34th street. The location is quite convenient for Penn students. The location isn't busy at all (as long as it's not Valentine's Day), and I rarely have to wait longer than a couple minutes. Price is pretty standard, at $3-4 per rose.

Valentine's Day is another story... I dropped by here to pick up some roses, but they were charging $55-60 per dozen (required to be either boxed or vased), and the line was horrible (20-30 people). Should have ordered in advance!

PROS: standard flower selection
CONS: valentine's day

Number 1 Cleaners

I took a few suits here to be dry-cleaned (one was white with a huge stain, the other just needed to be cleaned). I needed the suits dry-cleaned for a formal within 2 days, and this was no problem. Both suits were cleaned and de-stained, and I believe it was $7-10 per suit, not bad at all. If you need dry-cleaning in a hurry, then this is your place.

PROS: quick service
CONS: none?

Springboard Media

Springboard is located on the corner of 22nd and Walnut Streets. They were the closest location to my former apartment (2300 Walnut), so I decided to give it a shot. I brought my friend's Apple iBook in for a quick repair (there were issues with the hard drive spinning and making noise), and it was repaired within the week. They did not try to sell me other upgrades or anything... just quick efficient sevice.

I recommend this place, although I have not tried any other computer repair places.

PROS: location, service
CONS: none

Joseph Anthony Hairstyling

This place is horrible! I went here once during my freshman year of college at Penn, because it was so close to campus. My hair back then was very simple... pretty much shaved on the sides and back, and just small spikes on the top. Well, this place managed to -completely- screw that up. The man who cut my hair decided to use a set of clippers (buzzer thing), but instead of just pressing it against my scalp for an even cut, he tried to free-hand it or something....

To make a long story short, he had shaky hands, my haircut was extremely uneven (didn't know it was possible with that style, but my head looked like it was constantly leaning toward the right), and it took forever (45 minutes or so). It felt like I was a test subject in a hair cutting school. I nearly asked him if I could just use the set of clippers to even out my own hair.

I believe the price was in the $15-20 range, so it wasn't even a great bargain. I've had better haircuts in Chinatown Philly for $8, and Little Saigon (CA) for $5. Stay away from here... they will butcher you!

PROS: location
CONS: NO hair cutting skill whatsoever

Hong Kong Bakery Shop

Hong Kong Bakery shop is located on Race near the chu-chu train pho place. They sell a nice variety of baked/sweet pastries, my favorites being the cha siu ba (roast pork bun) and this egg-style bun... hard to describe but you'll know when you see it. Anyway, the baked goods themselves are all 60 cents each, but I actually like Hong Kong Bakery more than KC pastries. It's worth a try if you're in the area!

PROS: cheap price
CONS: none!