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Foster's Homeware - CLOSED
Categories: Shopping Home & Garden Home Decor Shopping Home & Garden Kitchen & Bath Home Decor, Kitchen & Bath [Edit]
33 N 3rd StPhiladelphia, PA 19106
Neighborhood: Olde City
(215) 925-0950
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Vanessa H. said: "Great selection. Great, patient, friendly service. Ah, and I can see now. (Not expressly a budget frame place, though they do have some good deals, so don't count it out if you're on a budget!)" read more »
33 reviews for Foster's Homeware
Review Highlights
"great for gifts, gadgets and unique items."
(in 3 reviews)
"The cooking demonstrations at Foster's are phenomenal."
(in 2 reviews)
"...and it's pretty hard to walk out of there without buying at..."
(in 4 reviews)
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33 reviews in English
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Review from kate s.
Philadelphia, PA
4/20/2010
Knives! Knives! All types of knives! Everybody pick out your favorite knife! Hands-on knife skills is the most popular class offered at Foster's and it's no wonder. In one short session you can learn how to be safer and faster with your kitchen prep, in addition to understanding all those fancy French terms for standardized cuts.
Super fast veggie chopping aside, I wanted to take this course to learn how to debone a chicken. I've recently started eating meat again and even more recently started to prepare meat in my home for the first time. I needed some tutelage (and the pressure of a classroom setting) to get going. And Betty Kaplan was a really great instructor. She advocated respect to the bird at all times for having been alive and for providing sustenance. Her approach eased any discomfort I may have otherwise felt.
After the class was over, I went upstairs to browse the homewares. Global knives are my new obsession. They're look primitive and futuristic at the same time. I'm working my way through All Cakes Considered and was really pleased with the baking section because the pans were uncoated aluminum (it's REALLY hard to find ones that aren't covered in non-stick junkola). I think I need a cheese dome. Or one of those microplane zesters. In short, this place has everything you never knew you always wanted. If that ain't love... -
Review from Monica S.
7/17/2009
If I see you shopping at Foster's, I can deduce a few things about you.
You love design, you offer guests bathroom reading material, you love Chilewich rugs, you throw dinner parties and appreciate fun salad tongs, your salt and pepper shakers are little ceramic characters that hug each other, you put your organic fruit in an oversized but tasteful crystal bowl, you like when guests ask if they should remove their shoes when they enter your house, you appreciate minimalist decor, you special ordered the birds on a wire wall decal and all your friends ask if it's hand painted, your wine glasses don't have stems, you own a cocktail shaker, the list goes on folks.
What I'm trying to say is this people: if you're looking to impress your friends with your taste, buy them a present here.
Every time I step into Foster's I think on an old proverb: "if a tree falls in the forest and crushes a woman...why is there a forest in the kitchen?" -
Review from Jill A.
Philadelphia, PA
8/23/2009
Two words: TOAST TONGS.
Five more words: They're tiny and adorable! Squeeeeee!!!
(Thanks, Foster's, for enabling me to fish my bagel out of the toaster without burning my fingertips. Love ya!) -
Review from Paul W.
Conshohocken, PA
1/5/2008
Guys, this is the place if you girlfriend/wife wants to go shopping for house crap.
Sure you'll spend an extra $10 for an orange spaghetti strainer, but while she's looking at a $35 cookbook you can play with crazy Japanese wind up toys, look at the Reefer Playing Cards and get a new set of knives for all that cooking you don't do.
The people that work there found the right mix of "Can I help you?" and "I'll leave you alone and let you play with that." They are always quick at the register and friendly even when you put a $2.00 magnet on your Amex.
My only word of caution, while you just want to buy the $2.00 magnet your girlfriend/wife will have found at least $100 of crap she wants. This will undoubtedly include a candle. Did I mention the Reefer playing cards? -
Review from Susan L.
Chicago, IL
5/10/2007
I really feel that you can buy a present for practically anyone at Foster's. Of course, the easiest person to shop for is yourself--and I know you'll be tempted at Foster's.
This store packs a punch!Listed in: Have a Gr8 Life
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Review from Caitlin C.
PA
2/1/2007 1 photo
If I was a store I'd be Foster's.
As a design fanatic and recent design editor, I have come to know and love all things with a smart, new design. Most of the things you will find on design blogs, at New York design shows and even some things you've never heard of (the latter is most of the masses) you will find at Foster's.
They have cool design gadgets, funky plates and martini glasses, modern kitchen accessories, beautiful candles and loads more.
I can't recommend enough just stopping into this place - I guarantee you won't leave empty handed.Listed in: Philly as a Design Beacon
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Review from Laurel M.
Philadelphia, PA
8/26/2007
OK, I totally & completely adored Foster's when it was situated in its little N 3rd street location.
But ~WOW~ I am head-over-heels in love with Foster's at its new Market & 4th location!!
The new & improved Foster's is probably about 6 times larger than the old Foster's & if you thought they had almost any quirky & fun little item to help spice up your home before, you will be blown away by the amount of totally fabulous items with which you can now drain your bank account. Everything, they have everything for your home, I don't even know where to start! They still have everything you loved from the old Foster's plus all the stuff from Foster's Gourmet Kitchen (which was located in the Reading Terminal Market & I'm pretty sure they closed down that little locale, too) & in more variety, then they have more totally new & fun stuff that you've never seen!
I freakin' love Foster's, man.
There is *one* little thing I don't like about the new Foster's. When it was on N 3rd St it always felt like such a great little neighborhood gem. Now it feels certainly more corporate and maybe even a little touristy. So that saddened me a bit, but I'll live and despite the different atmosphere the content inside is what really counts when you're shopping & Foster's is really Grade A through and through.Listed in: hear hear, Ye Olde City…
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Review from Daniel D.
Brooklyn, NY
6/6/2007
Oh Foster's, how I love thee. As a design junkie I am a huge fan of Foster Urban Home wear. I'd go as far as to say it's my favorite store in the city. It's packed with everything from kitschy knick nacks that you didn't know you needed to functional home wear items. Furthermore, they have a good mix between the famous designers like Bodum, Iittala, and Umbra and new, funky products just hitting the market.
I'd definitely check the store out, just don't ask them to gift wrap anything, they get mean. -
Review from Brooke W.
Philadelphia, PA
1/10/2010
This is a Philadelphia staple...was so afraid when they moved that they were shutting down but far be it from the truth...they are welcomed back on 3rd Street. The store has been pared down to a manageable size without losing any of the fantastic selection of items I went in there for...great for gifts, gadgets and unique items.
The prices are reasonable...the staff is friendly. One of my favorite spots to browse and usually I end up finding some spatula or soap dish to take with me. -
Review from Frank R.
PA
5/18/2008 1 photo
Really great home and kitchen shop. (I wanted to write "shoppe" there, because the place has that vibe.)
Some people have described Foster's as a high-end Ikea. It's not that. It's got really interesting kitchenware. And they have great lamps (we have a few in our office) and furniture. Plus, they put on cooking shows in a professional studio kitchen that's integrated into the store. I saw a taping of Fork You Live (http://www.forkyou.tv) and it was great.
Cool store. Good location. Visit the Liberty Bell, then buy a utensil to clean bell peppers. -
Review from Catherine F.
Philadelphia, PA
2/9/2009
I adore fosters!
Any rainy day that I walk into this store, I am made cheerful by the bright array of colored goodies that lay before me!
I have purchased so many things from this place that I have lost count! I am a huge fan of their array of interesting and urban brands and the selection of chilewhich products they have.
Also, if there is something you are looking for and can not find, they will take your information and call you when the product comes in. If they know it is not going to be reordered they will recommend some great alternatives.
Fosters is a great place for house warming presents(I'd love getting anything from that store) and it also serves as a great place to grab a cute and interesting baby shower or a child's birthday gift.
The new location is fantastic and the staff is helpful and kind as always! -
Review from cherie c.
6/14/2007
Great place for nice gifts. It's a bit too expensive for me to shop on a regular basis ($70 for a bed tray?), but they do have beautiful and interesting things for the home.
Beautifully designed things for the home. -
Review from Tim R.
Philadelphia, PA
10/29/2007
Foster's recently relocated to 10,000 square foot store on Market Street, not too far from their former location in Olde City. The new space is obviously much bigger, and it allows for a much better shopping experience--you can roam through the store and before you know it, you've been there for over 30 minutes by the time you are done looking at all they have to offer. It's a great place to kitchen and cooking tools, gadgets and accessories. Towards the back of the store there is an additional room that is used to hold cooking classes (run by Temple University).
Some of the products I have recently found (and purchased) at Fosters include: Clocky, the alarm clock with wheels that scurries across the floor when your alarm goes off; a set of ice cube trays that make perfect "cube" shaped ice, and an Umbra wine rack that holds six wine bottles. This store offers some of the most design-friendly and useful houseware items around--great for gifts as well as shopping for yourself.
Also check out their online store at http://shopfosters.com, which carries the same items in the store along with some additional items not always available in the store. -
Review from Nicole R.
PA
3/1/2007
I love buying stuff for the kitchen. That explains my overabundance of whisks, spatulas and canopeners. Fosters has high-design kitchen solutions from brightly colored tea kettles to the phenomenon I like to refer to as the 'coffee bong' which is a coffee pot which looks surprisingly like a bong and one which I have little idea how to use. They have specialty cutlery, spiceware and more funky one-use gadgets than you can shake a whisk at.
If I could I'd have a tea kettle in every color of the rainbow. -
Review from Tia L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/21/2009
Who else can say they learned how to shuck oysters from the 3rd fastest oyster shucker in the nation???
The cooking demonstrations at Foster's are phenomenal... you get to meet some local chef's/culinary stars, try their food AND it's free...
I've devoured nearly 10 (free) oysters doused in vodka and caviar during my most recent visit with the raw chef at the Union Trust.
Before that I went to the demonstration with the chef from the Prohibition Tap Room.... seared scallops & arugula with a framboise vinegarette, then mousse with chocolate stoudt... mmm.
It's like sampling the culinary world of Philadelphia without paying a dime (although you can spend a dime and more buying some of the great homeware in the store!). -
Review from Meg C.
Philadelphia, PA
7/1/2008 ROTD 8/31/2008
Foster's is marvelous! It is a great place to find housewarming or birthday gifts. Cute card selections as well. The store has a nice mod/retro feel to it. They carry Global knives (my fave) as well as other fine cooking goods. They also have cute trinkets a la Newbury Comics in Boston. Like I said before, great store to find gifts and not too expensive either.
Listed in: Philly things that I cannot…
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Review from Marisa D.
Philadelphia, PA
7/17/2008
I try to limit my trips to Foster's because I always end up walking out with at least 3 extra items that I didn't know I needed or wanted. There's no such thing as "just browsing" in this place. It's a virtual guarantee that you'll walk out with at least one impossibly clever or shiny, candy-colored little something.
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Review from Terry C.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 8/30/2010
Good bye old friend! Walking around yesterday during the 50-70% off Bankruptcy sale was massively heartbreaking... There wasn't much left! It's going to be weird living in a world without Foster's right down the street from my apartment!
Listed in: Old City - My old hood...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/21/2008
Maybe you need a zester, maybe new china, maybe a milkshake machine, or novelty gag gifts?!… Read more »
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Review from Carrie E.
Philadelphia, PA
12/3/2007
Despite the fact that we just went through 3 months of kitchen renovations, I'm sorry to report that I hate to cook. Luckily, my husband keeps me around anyway - probably because I pop into Fosters from time to time to pick up little kitchen accessories for him. The new location is lovely and it's pretty hard to walk out of there without buying at least one thing. Make sure to visit whenever you need to get a gift that shows you put a little effort into it.
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Review from Samantha S.
Philadelphia, PA
12/20/2008
Talk about a kid in a candy store. I could spend hours in this place! They have everything from bakeware, gourmet dry baking ingredients, cooking and decorating books, and design knick knacks galore. I come here for gifts for my mother or hostess gifts. If I had enough money I'd spend plenty here on myself too, coming here is a treat.
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Review from David F.
Phoenixville, PA
Updated - 1/9/2009
Honestly, Foster's gets it! They have great product and merchandise it very well. They have an attentive sales staff and Jason has been there forever, so he knows that store inside and out. What Fosters does so well is offer good, honest products, that are respectful to the design world but still approachable to the general public. They balance looking like a mass market home furnishings store, but still maintain the characteristics of a family owned business. I have said before, that Fosters is one of our biggest inspirations, and they continue to inspire us with an eye opening store arrangement. Hands down, one of the best housewares stores in the entire region - that includes Philly, the suburbs, New Jersey, and........ well....... hell..... the entire East Coast. Yeah, I said it. The entire East Coast.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/6/2008
Great shop. One of our major inspirations in our store. These guys have been doing it for years… Read more »
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Review from Sisi L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/12/2009
i love fosters! great for gifts and any odds and ends that make your apartment look great (and of course, i need all of it!)
i'm so happy about their cookie cutter selection. i can't wait to celebrate Canada Day with my maple leaf cookie cutters! -
Review from Julie D.
8/19/2007
Super cool store, really great merchandise, I could have spent an hour in here looking at stuff. Great location, too. Hard for even a tourist to miss!
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Review from nicole p.
Philadelphia, PA
4/8/2008
Fosters is heaven for modernist hipster chefs or just girls like me that like clean stylish products, gifts etc. The new store is more of a shopping mecca than the cozy old location. I don't mind, I prefer to walk around aimlessly staring at the clean modern products. I always get a Fosters gift card to all newly married couples and usually walk out of there with a trinket for my daughter or something smart for my kitchen.
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Review from Lori H.
Philadelphia, PA
6/18/2008
If I had more money I would so shop here all the freekin' time. The merchandise is displayed fantastically and the selection of gadgets and gizmos is to die for. I went in to buy a neoprene wine carrier as a gift for a client of mine last week and there were none out, I asked at the counter and was told "oh, they just came in this morning, let me go to the back and get them". Wow, the gentleman proceeded to open each box and show me the colors until he got to the striped ones - i was like "stop right there, we have a winner." Yesterday I finally purchased a great bottle of wine and have to present the gift which I am happy to give. Many thanks to the guys at Fosters for all that you do!
Listed in: Kitchen Confidential, Born to Shop
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Review from David B.
Wynnewood, PA
8/12/2010
When did they close? They were a fun store!
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Review from Meg R.
Philadelphia, PA
7/19/2008
Fabulous atmosphere, and an amazing staff. If you're looking for a gift it's your one-stop destination.
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Review from Kaitlin L.
Philadelphia, PA
3/16/2010
I am very underwhelmed by Fosters. I find the store to be poorly organized and despite perusing the store 4 or 5 times, I have yet to find something I want (mainly because of the prices). I went in here yesterday looking for mixing bowls and hoping to find a cake decorating kit. When I asked the staff member behind the counter, he was kind of rude answering my request. I left feeling like they thought I was beneath them because I didn't know they didn't carry a product. Needless to say, I'll be spending my money at other locations.
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Review from Dannie T.
8/20/2009
I wasn't impressed. The selection is decent, at best, and overpriced.
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Review from Matt E.
9/2/2009
Great houseware store (mostly kitchen items). They also have some creative decor items as well. The sales people are very nice and helpful and the store is extremely clean and well stocked. The only issue is that the prices are what you would expect from a specialty shop (very high) so I ended up only browsing. If you're looking for a common kitchen item you'll save a bunch of money going elsewhere but if you have the extra disposable income or need something more unique for the kitchen or home, you'd definitely enjoy shopping here.
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Review from Karen F.
Updated - 1/6/2010
They moved!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/23/2008
Philadelphia's answer to NYC's Gracious Home, Fosters offers upscale, classy bath, kitchen and home… Read more »
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Review from S. M.
Naperville, IL
10/17/2009
Very mod-looking homestuff can be found here: cooking utensils, some home decor, plus cards and some gourmet food items. The atmosphere felt a little cold because of the white walls, metal shelves, and whatnot. Prices are pretty high as well, so to do your whole kitchen in this "look" would set you back, but it's a great fantasy playland for the chef in you!
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Review from Leo V.
Philadelphia, PA
6/20/2008
Ok, so actually this is a 5 star store. However I have a problem with one of the managers (skinny guy with short hair, I never saw him at the old store). We have bought our beautiful chandelier with PVC drum as well as a multitude of other things (including a birthday present for my father in law). And I swear every time we go in there this guy is instructing the sales folks on how not to be helpful. The other time my wife was standing right next to the counter after I had asked one of them about a product that ended up being back ordered, and he was saying to the other staff how they shouldn't help people if the product is not available because they'll just keep bothering them, all in earshot of said customer. Thanks, but I'll take my money somewhere else.
However if you want cool modern accessories or furniture for the home/kitchen, this is definitely the place. Their choice of books is also excellent.
