Since I began at Drexel in the fall
of 2009, I’ve noticed that lunch trucks have slowly started to take over the
campus. Food trucks have become the newest and coolest way to get your food.
One day while I was walking through University of Pennsylvania’s campus looking
for a place to eat lunch, I came across what I thought was a new offering. To
my surprise it wasn’t a lunch truck at all, but a fashion truck. You may be
asking yourself what that means exactly. Well basically, it’s a store on
wheels. The truck is called Smak Parlour and it is an extension of the Smak
Parlour boutique located in Old City. The truck is normally parked on 40th
and Locust but sometimes travels to conventions.
I had never seen anything like this
before so I clearly had to go inside. The truck was pretty spacious; there was
room for at least 6 people to comfortably shop without feeling overcrowded. I
had never been to the stand-alone boutique in Old City so I wasn’t sure what
kind of clothes to expect. I was happily surprised when I found trendy, fun
clothes that are very similar to things I wear normally. The truck was nicely
decorated. There were tables and shelves set up with scarves and pretty costume
jewelry. There was even a dressing room—really it was more of a curtained off
corner— where you could try on clothes. The prices were a little higher than the
other places I have talked about. But we must remember that Smak Parlour is a
boutique, not a thrift store. Dresses range from $50 and above and sweaters $35
and above. The costume jewelry, however, was not overpriced; I saw some rings
for $10, and necklaces for $20. Good for one-of-a-kind pieces your friends
won’t have. Like a boom box necklace or “Dope” ring.
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Top and bottom left, top
right: Alexandra Carlino; Bottom right: Google
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After my experience at the truck, I
visited the actual store to see how it differed. The boutique had more
inventory, obviously, but it also had a back room with little kitschy items.
For example, I saw a jewelry plate, a book with handlebar mustaches, and funky
sunglasses. The boutique in Old City is open Monday through Thursday 12:00pm –
7:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00am – 8:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm.
One of the owners, Abby, was at the
store and she said that the truck isn’t open in the winter, but will be back on
UPenn’s campus once the weather gets warm. During the winter months, the truck
only travels to convention centers. Abby told me it was recently in New York
City for The Big Retail Show, and the Tattoo Convention here in Philadelphia. As
of now, Smak Parlour is the only fashion truck in Philadelphia. Fashion Trucks “I’m
told” are very popular in Los Angeles but hopefully more trucks will start to
make their way to our area.
If you are ever in University City, don’t miss this
innovative way to shop.
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