Shannon Maldonado founded her Philadelphia boutique, Yowie, with the goal of giving creatives a platform. “We love being the first to carry a designer’s collection,” says Maldonado, who notes that “the home and furniture space hasn’t always felt inclusive”—something she’s out to change.

Perched along historic Fabric Row in the leafy Queen Village neighborhood, the compact shop is stocked with everything from sculptural ceramics by local and international brands, to buttery-soft loungewear by Yowie and an enticing selection of design books. But rather than tightly pack in rows of objects, Maldonado’s curation allows her rotating selections to breathe.

Maldonado has been hard at work developing an ambitious project that will combine a new, nearby outpost with a boutique hotel, cafe, and rentable photo studio, set to open in late 2022.

“I started Yowie in 2016 hoping to create a community of designers and makers from near and far,” she says. “I’m proud to say that our space has become a connective tissue for locals to meet other collaborators and for people to discover the work of emerging artists. As we grow, we will continue to democratize design and be a space where guests can always find something new.”

Yowie’s Regional Recommendations

Compound Light by Ovuud

Dazzle Camo Blanket by HeyThanksGuys

Vases by Kenni Field

Tile Chair by Carl Durkow

Plant Stakes by Keta Handmade

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