Hidden Gems: Avril 50

I lived in King’s Court freshman year, and I remember being certain that during my year there I would find the time to explore each of the colorful little stores on that stretch of Sansom street, one by one. While I did not end up visiting every business on the street, I did pop into the one that intrigued me the most, a little shop called Avril 50, which, according to its website, offers “international publications, fine cards, gourmet coffee, tea, chocolate, and tobacco”.  In person it is, for me, the most ideal kind of neighborhood shop, one that is quirky and cozy and has excellent coffee, tea, and chocolate.

Over the course of my time at Penn, I have visited the shop several times, usually with the excuse of buying a special magazine for my sister that I can only find at Avril 50.  Each time I visit, however, I wish I went more often. It’s the kind of place that you want to become a regular at, if only to get to know the man behind the counter and the entire shop, John Shahidi.

John Shahidi has two graduate degrees from Penn and opened Avril 50 during his time as a student here, now 31 years ago.  He came over from Iran with his wife, Shiva Vakili (who also went to Penn) to study at Penn, and, when they were unable to return to Iran, Mr. Shahidi decided to open the shop.

It is clear that Mr. Shahidi is proud of his shop, and he definitely has a right to be. He built it all himself and has run it successfully by himself for longer than most students at Penn have been alive. It is certainly unique in Philadelphia, and maybe even in the country, for its wide array of niche and common magazines, some no longer in print (such as Gourmet Magazine), and its carefully curated selection of the finest chocolates, candies, coffees, and teas out there.  When asked how he chooses the edibles that he sells, Mr. Shahidi responds that he travels and tries many different brands and varieties and only sells what he likes the most. If he hasn’t tried it and loved it, it isn’t in his shop.  I myself was thrilled to find one of my favorite candies from Italy on his counter, Baci, a round gianduia candy with a hazelnut on top.

I can think of no better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning than slowly reading a new-to-me magazine while savoring an expertly-made cappuccino and a piece of gourmet chocolate while sitting at one of the few little tables he has out in front of his shop.  As soon as the weather warms up, that’s exactly what I’ll do, and I recommend you do too.

Avril 50, 3406 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA

-Elena Crouch

PC: Elena Crouch