Joan Shepp reopens her store on Walnut Street.
Joan Shepp, the renowned womenswear boutique, is set to return to its roots with a new location at 1905 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, a move that signals a revitalization of the area and a nod to the store’s historical significance. Ellen Shepp, who now leads the boutique following her mother Joan Shepp’s legacy, announced the reopening, much to the excitement of long-time customers and the fashion community.
After spending the last 11 years at 1811 Chestnut Street, Joan Shepp is making a highly anticipated return to Walnut Street, which is just three blocks away from its original location at 1616 Walnut Street. This transition celebrates the boutique’s legacy, which began when it first opened its doors in Lafayette Hill in 1972. Since relocating to Walnut Street in 1991, the store has been a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s fashion scene, introducing regional customers to avant-garde designers such as Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, and Dries van Noten during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The move to Walnut Street follows a challenging period when the escalating rents in the mid-2010s prompted the boutique to shift to Chestnut Street, where it successfully operated across from Boyds and near Blue Sole. Yet, with renewal opportunities arising, Ellen Shepp expressed enthusiasm for returning to Walnut Street, describing the new space in the Annex of Rittenhouse Plaza—a setting between high-end amenities like the Equinox gym and the children’s store Born Yesterday—as ideal for revitalizing the brand.
The revitalization includes a significant renovation of the Rittenhouse Plaza Annex, which previously hosted a pop-up art installation space. The new Joan Shepp boutique is expected to be ready for customer visits in September, coinciding with the fall fashion season. The store will occupy two floors, each featuring 2,000 square feet of retail space, allowing the boutique to maintain its celebrated offerings while introducing new American-made brands, gifts, home decor, and jewelry.
The local landscape is also changing, with the recent opening of premier establishments such as Michael Schulson’s Mediterranean restaurant Dear Daphni and Stephen Starr’s upcoming Italian trattoria Borromini, promising increased foot traffic and a vibrant atmosphere. The renewed energy in the Walnut Street area is drawing not just shoppers but also a diverse clientele, including an influx of students from nearby University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
Ellen Shepp remains optimistic about the future of her iconic store, stating that the circumstances for this move align perfectly with her vision. This strategic relocation marks a new chapter for Joan Shepp, poised to captivate a new generation of fashion enthusiasts while honoring decades of tradition in Philadelphia’s rich fashion history. As the boutique prepares to reopen, the anticipation within the community is palpable, with many eager to witness the next evolution of this beloved fashion landmark.
