Winter 2021

WINTER 2021

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BOK A LOOK INSIDE

A LOOK INSIDE

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2020 was, well, a lot. New Year, New Me is looking a little different this year - and maybe that’s a good thing. If last year taught us anything, it’s that maybe we needed a priority shift. We learned the importance of prioritizing our mental health, advocating for and uplifting the voices of those struggling and suffering, balancing work and home life, staying in touch with family and friends in new ways - all while homeschooling, figuring out tik tok, videoconferencing, and googling how to make bread from scratch (are people still doing that?). This year, as some of us continue to work from home and many others remain on the front lines, we are creating a new normal and learning how to not just survive but thrive.

BOK Approved

Between Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Audible - it’s no wonder we have an entertainment information overload. Even after all these days in quarantine & working from home, we’ll still pick our favorite music playlist or TV show before choosing a new one. We totally get it! And this year we’re changing it up. Before you decide to watch The Office (again), check out some Bok-approved recommendations and dive into something new:

Hopes for 2021 I am hopeful I will be able to hug family and friends again! I've really missed that physical touch.

And travel obviously!

I am looking forward to *hopefully* getting married sometime in 2021 if COVID conditions allow : )

I am hopeful that 2021 will allow me to get on a plane and travel I would love to make it outside of the US!

PODCASTS

Home Cooking with Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway | Spotify, Apple Music

OMGOSH. I can't get enough of this lovely lady. Samin has COMFORTED AND DELIGHTED me so much during shut down with her approachable take on connecting regular people with delicious foods!! Such great scientific research and historical content to an ingredient's place of origin, along with its people who have perfected dishes with the ingredient- Erin Anderson of Fringe Salon

BOOKS Strange the Dreamer | Laini Taylor (fantasy) & A Darker Shade of Magic series | V.E. Schwab (magical realism/fantasy)| I've been leaning heavily into escapism - Darby Cox of Studio Incamminati

MOVIES Alice in Borderland | Netflix It's a Japanese thriller/ action series about a handful of people in Japan who find themselves alone with 90% of the population suddenly vanishing. The survivors are then forced to play a series of games in order to survive. It's pretty intense and can be a little much on the violence side at certain times, but a pretty fun watch if you're into that! Ben Wong

Jocko Podcast | Apple, Spotify, Stitcher He got me through the transition from musician to shop owner and tour manager. He got me into Jiu Jitsu — which changed my entire life — and he got me through this year, since I was able to walk into everything with a mindset that I didn’t have before.

Think of it like a hardcore Tony Robbins...I recommended it for people in all walks of life. Leadership in itself is a discipline in wellness, for yourself and those around you.

Jocko tells it straight. Very good. - Andy Bree of Big Sound Philly

I am looking forward to seeing our president lead with compassion and kindness

Dive bars, airplanes, and drag shows. Remember those?!?

TV SHOWS The Crown | Netflix The Crown. Anyone else obsessed? Season 4?

Diana? What more is there to say??? I love to learn while chillin’ and this series is the perfect merger of the 2. John Leithgow plays Winston Churchill. That in and of itself is reason to watch it!!! - Erin Anderson of Fringe Salon

I’m looking forward to salsa dancing with friends, live music, and outdoor markets & festivals

Ted Lasso | Apple TV Completely surprised me in all the best ways - Liz Maillie of scout

MUSICIANS OR ALBUMS Like Flies on Sherbert by Alex Chilton | It invites you inside the studio with these great, teetering rock n' roll songs. The album is like one distinct spirited experience of music at its finest, low-down best. - Emily Cobb Marigold by Pinegrove, and all Phoebe Bridgers music | The sad, austere, soundtrack of looking forlornly out a window - Darby Cox of Studio Incamminati CATCH by Peter Cottontale | This is such a beautiful & inspiring album. It’s hip-hop, it’s gospel, it’s a mix of wonderful sounds that seem genre-less at times - but always a breath of fresh air. - Cacie Rosario of scout

In the new year I am hopeful that I will be able to spend more time with family + friends!

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Businesses adapting and evolving Room Shop Vintage

As is so beautifully illustrated in a recent Elle Magazine feature, mask wearing has evolved over this past year.

While some were hung up on the initial discomfort of face coverings, Room Shop recognized that the health and safety necessity for PPE in public, like all of their whimsical product offerings, could be an opportunity to showcase personal style and accessorizing acumen.

You know, “PPE, but make it fashion.” Room Shop, who made it to the top of said Elle Magazine feature, continues to embrace color and style with matching sets of face masks, head scarfs, giant scrunchies, and tops.

Danielle Siegelbaum

Arsenal Mediaworks

March 2020 hit, and everything became virtual. Companies navigated new ways of doing business and tried to stay afloat through Zoom meetings, live streaming and virtual events.

Arsenal Mediaworks took a step back and used the early days of the pandemic to reconsider how to do business. Prior to the pandemic, Arsenal’s main focus as a media production company was on-location branding videos and documentary films. However, as business began to slow in that niche, owner Colin Comstock and team saw an opportunity to help other businesses adjust to a new virtual world. They began to help clients develop a virtual presence, through videos geared more towards online and social media use. They also moved into a larger studio at Bok, giving them more space to allow clients to safely come to them for video shoots. Arsenal’s approach changed, but their mission stayed the same - to help us make sense of video.

Kampar Kitchen

The pandemic forced us all to practice the art of adaptability - adjusting to new rules, markets and habits - and creative problem solving. Danielle Siegelbaum, a multidisciplinary artist, experienced this firsthand when she refocused (no pun intended) away from painting to another passion: eyewear.

The result was PlusAverty Eyeglasses, a brand of fashionable magnified reading glasses. The venture did require some getting used to, like waking up at 4 am to collaborate with overseas manufacturers, and designing everything from the product to the packaging to the Instagram posts. And yet, the glasses function as both pieces of art and items of necessity - a two-in-one design philosophy she applies across all of her mediums. While she’s been spending less time at Bok these days, Danielle hopes to be back in her studio more this year, reaping the rewards of all her hard work in 2020 and returning to her love of painting and creating necklaces.

The restaurant industry took one of the hardest hits due to the pandemic - restricting service to take out-only, limiting seating capacity, and, in some cases, forcing restaurants to shut down entirely. That’s what happened to Sate Kampar: the James Beard semifinalist Malaysian restaurant formerly located on Passyunk Ave closed its doors to the public back in May 2020. But even with all the heartbreaking challenges and obstacles they faced, chef and owner, Ange Branca, pushed for innovative ways to serve the community, help her staff, and keep the industry alive. In addition to the many pop-up dinners she’s hosted across the region (including one at Irwin's) and her efforts to help feed frontline workers, Ange has now created Kampar Kitchen right here at Bok: a community culinary space that allows chefs to do what they do best - cook. The space hosts a rotating number of up-andcoming chefs, each creating a different cuisine and offering take-out options. A seven-day-a-week operation, Kampar Kitchen essentially transforms into a different restaurant each day, providing these diverse upstart chefs and food entrepreneurs with the equipment and space to grow their small businesses. More permanent than a pop-up and more nurturing than an incubator, Kampar Kitchen is a mission-driven base of operations for Philadelphia’s dynamic and resilient chefs.

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A LOOK INSIDE

Support the Community There is so much need in the world.

Last year left many people, families, and businesses vulnerable. This year is one where we can rebuild - stronger than we were before. To do this, we need to support the organizations who serve our local neighborhoods as well as the larger Philadelphia community as a whole. If you are able, here are some amazing nonprofits in Philadelphia you can support right now.

Donate Money Bike and Build Bike and Build is a national nonprofit that engages young adults in service-oriented cycling trips to raise awareness for affordable housing. Visit bikeandbuild.org to support a rider.

SEAMAAC SEAMAAC offers support and services for immigrants, refugees, and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities. Visit www.seamaac.org to learn more about their mission and donate.

CAGE CAGE creates safe spaces for the exploration of Khmer American arts, culture, and identities. Visit cagempowering.org to make a donation.

Federation of Neighborhood Centers Federation of Neighborhood Centers builds strong neighborhoods through intentional partnerships and runs a range of programs that support children, youth, and families. Donate to FNC at fncphilly.org/give.

Art Sphere Art Sphere uses the arts as strategic tools to educate, and is the only non-profit of its kind to deliver a range of artistic and human resources to youth living in culturally underserved neighborhoods throughout the Philadelphia region. Donate to Art Sphere at artsphere.org.

Phillips Black Phillips Black is a nonprofit, public interest law practice consisting of independent practitioners collectively dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal representation to prisoners in the United States. Visit phillipsblack.org to donate.

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Combat Food Insecurity Community Fridges (Bok, Fridge on 52nd, Mama Tee’s Fridges around the city) This summer, Bok became home to a community fridge! Run, cleaned, maintained, and organized entirely by a dedicated volunteer network from Philadelphia Community Fridge, the fridge at Bok, is just one of many across the city providing fresh foods and dry goods for anyone experiencing food insecurity. Food is needed daily at each community fridge around the city: check the guidelines on the organizations’ websites or Instagram accounts to see what your local community fridge accepts.

Philabundance Philabundance is the largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley and a member of Feeding America - a nationwide network of food banks combating hunger in the US. You can schedule a pickup with their team, host your own virtual food drive, or donate money to help!

Community Fridge Map by: Kate Rath @seltzerflavors

Volunteer with a Team

Garces Foundation The Garces Foundation is committed to helping South Philadelphia’s immigrant community get access to healthcare, educational services, and consistent meals. You can help by volunteering on Thursdays at the food pantry - mask up and join fellow organizers in packing boxes of food and diapers for families in need. Learn more about volunteering at garcesfoundation.org/volunteer.

Project Sunshine Project Sunshine supports pediatric patients by aiming to bring joy, connection, socialization, and memory-making to them and their families. Their mission has not slowed down because of COVID, and you can help by volunteering virtually. Become a Teleplay Volunteer and join a small group of trained volunteers and patients for fun activities via video! To join in the fun, learn more at projectsunshine. org/remotevolunteering/.

Sunday Rescue Breakfast Mission Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission organizes service and outreach opportunities to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless and disadvantaged in Philadelphia. They are accepting applications for volunteers (at a lower capacity due to COVID) to serve meals. Visit sundaybreakfast.org to get involved.

The Big Clean Up The Big Clean Up is a collective of creatives, artists, and local humanitarians that clean underserved, underprivileged, and disenfranchised communities in Philadelphia as a united front - just because. Follow them on IG (@thebigcleanupphilly) to see where they’ll be heading next and how you can join.

The People’s Kitchen at El Compadre The People’s Kitchen is a food security and employment survival project fighting to ensure every family has access to nutritious, local, chef-cooked meals. Each day, different chefs from local restaurants who were displaced this year due to COVID cook culturally-diverse meals in El Compadre’s kitchen. These meals are then either delivered to or picked up at the restaurant by families and neighbors in need. Donate here and learn more about The People’s Kitchen at 215pa.com/peoples-kitchen/.

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SKOVes Art

A LOOK INSIDE

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Learning from Creatives

Last year made us pivot constantly, searching for innovative solutions on how we operate day to day. Even for "creative" people, getting use to this new normal was a bit of an adjustment.

We spoke to four Bok creatives to learn a bit more about how they continued their art practice - balancing their work and life - and what advice they can give on how to adapt to changing circumstances in this new year.

Elizabeth Bergeland (EB) oil painter and children's book illustrator SKOVeS Art (SA) muralist & mixed media artist Peter Brown (PB) writer and illustrator of children’s books Will Blair (WB) of Blair Brothers, a pair of film & tv music composers and brothers Staying focused is key to adjusting to a "new normal" workflow: You know, painting (like most visual arts) is monks work. The nature of it is long, solo hours in the studio, so the world shutting down around me felt a bit like business as usual. Once we figured out how to juggle and manage the homeschooling situation (I have three school-age kids), the year actually felt pretty focused. EB The truth is, quarantining isn't so different from my normal life. Even in good years I spend most of my time quietly writing and drawing at my desk, and I was very fortunate to be able to continue my work throughout 2020. When the pandemic was at its worst I had to relocate my work station from Bok to my house for a while, which was frustrating, of course. But I managed to stay focused on my various projects and actually accomplished quite a lot this year. PB It felt very creative for us - in that we had to quickly pivot into figuring out how to create our work very distanced from home for most of the year. The project we were working on in "early COVID times," from March well into the summer, Netflix docuseries Night Stalker, also called for quite a few other musicians and collaborators who we normally have come by our studio to record. Our entire team had to figure out how to produce and record from the safety of each of our homes. WB

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Remember your deadline! but don't forget about yourself I have deadlines! ha. I'm being pushed on all sides (inside and out) to be creative. It’s my job :) EB I need to create to be emotionally in balance; making art for yourself is really important SA

Give your brain time to rest! Inspiration comes from all places Joan Didion's collection of essays, Slouching Toward Bethlehem. It's a collection of non-fiction works published in the 60s and just feels unbelievably ripe and relevant right now. I think I'm always secretly aspiring to paint like Joan Didion writes. EB

A LOOK INSIDE

I’m itching to get back into my studio, and I end up being more creative and productive, overall PB

Community is crucial What inspires me most and gives me hope is the way in which people in my life have shown up for me: conversations big and small that show me little reminders of community, and also the ways we can still honor each other, even when we can't be close SA It helps to have a creative partner on each project. We've been working together since we were young, so we have a good sense of when we each need to push and to be pushed a little. WB

I’m reading a great book called Pity The Reader, which is about one of my literary heroes, Kurt Vonnegut. It explores his philosophy on life and writing and creativity, and I find myself admiring Vonnegut the person as much as I admire Vonnegut the writer. PB Our recently (Marie) Kondo'd studio, and some new gear / new toys to get familiar with have been sparking quite a bit of joy recently. WB

The Captain by Elizabeth Bergeland

Lorraine Blooms by SKOVeS Art

I always think about the creative process like crops. They need to be rotated to keep the soil fertile. Outside my full-time painting/drawing studio practice, I'll often rotate in music-making, watching interesting films, discovering new (or re-discovering old) albums, or going to galleries or museums. I'm also an avid reader, and am always carrying around books or magazines. At least half of my greatest artmaking inspirations are writers EB Whenever I hit a creative block I find it really helps to “consume” art rather than create it. In those instances, I spend time reading books and watching movies, and before long my creative gears start turning, once again. Also, this year I’m trying not to be too hard on myself. I have a pretty good work ethic, but 2020 has been so stressful in so many ways, that I’m letting myself have more down time. If I’m not feeling creative I’ll let myself take some time off. Before long,

"I always think about the creative process like crops. They need to be rotated to keep the soil fertile" Celebrate your wins! and all the good that happens along the way I began the year by wrapping up all the illustrations for an upcoming children's book, The Great Whilpplethorp Bug Collection which launches this upcoming spring! (I finished that in Feb 2020, so I had to think hard to remember if that was even this year. lol.) I also began a new painting series that I'm soooo excited about! I'm four paintings deep on a 10-12 painting series exploring manhood and American Masculinity.

I'm so engrossed in this project- it feels like the perfect marriage between my two loves of Anthropology and Art EB This year I finished writing and illustrating a picture book entitled Fred Gets Dressed, about a little boy who does not feel like putting on clothes. However, after a naked romp through the house (his private parts are always hidden by something or

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Take your time. You're stronger than you think.

Love those around you and keep going <3 I learned how much I actually need people. I tend toward introversion and spent much of my pre-pandemic world wishing I had more alone time. This year has profoundly exposed how much I truly crave sharing space with people I love EB If I'm afraid that means I'm growing. Last year was tough, and my work has had the ability to help people grieve, to feel okay if even just for a brief moment. I hope that, through my work, people are able to feel warmth. To me, that's success SA Slow down. Be Patient. Consume and create slowly and responsibly. There's no need for everyone to be rushed around or feel as inefficient as the circumstances have made us feel.

Everyone is doing, and will continue to do the best they damn can! WB

Fred Gets Dressed by Peter Brown

other) he wanders into his parents closet and decides to dress up like his mom. When his parents find him, Fred is wearing a bright, colorful blouse and a scarf and high heels, he’s even got on some jewelry and makeup and he looks fantastic. It’s a simple story, but it has many layers and lessons woven throughout. It was inspired by a similar experience I had with my mom when I was a little boy, and so it’s the most personal project of my career. Fred Gets Dressed will be available in the spring of 2021, wherever books are sold.

Also, I got married! Don’t worry, we did it responsibly. It was just my wife (Susan Fang, who I share a studio with in Bok), our dog and two friends (at a country house in northern PA. We hiked out to a beautiful river in the woods and exchanged our vows. Then we went back to the house for a grill out and wedding cake and we sat around the fire pit drinking wine. It was perfect PB I spent some time on a long-term personal music project of mine and my brother Brooke has helped me a lot in that effort. Covid has free'd up a little extra time to finally focus on that more. Feels really good to both work on something together that's not a job just making new music we're proud of, like we did when we were kids. Not done yet, but I'll let you know when it is! WB

I learned that I can illustrate a book even when a global pandemic forces me to work at my kitchen table. There’s something liberating about the knowledge that I can do my work from just about anywhere. PB

A LOOK INSIDE

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Local Restaurant Guide

The diversity of restaurants and flavors of Philadelphia makes it the vibrant city that it is, and this year has been quite the rollercoaster for them. Some have reduced capacity, some are expanding, some are collaborating, some are closing for good - and all have had to rethink how they do business during a pandemic. From birthday celebrations to quick grab n go lunches to post breakup ugly-cries (it’s okay, we’ve all been there), these restaurants have been the backdrop of our highest highs and lowest lows. Now it’s our turn to be there for them. Next time you’re ordering in, check out one of these restaurants across the city:

NORTH PHILLY

OLD CITY

SOUTH PHILLY

Better Box

European Republic

Kalaya & Kalaya Thai Market

Chinese take out with a Philly twist

SOUTH (Jazz Kitchen)

Elevated southern food, like gumbo, mac & cheese, and honey butter skillet cornbread

Sid Booker’s Shrimp Corner Fried shrimp and fries!

Silk City Diner

A diner/restaurant/bar/beer garden that serves classic dishes with a twist

CENTER CITY

Sandwiches, wraps, and belgian fries with a lottt of yummy dipping sauces

Khyber Pass Pub

Specializes in Southern, Cajun, and Creole cuisines: many items on the menu have a vegan version!

Stripp’d Juice

Stripp’d Juice is a juice bar serving acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, and lite eats to-go

WEST PHILLY

Revolution Taco

With her classically trained chef approach, Chef Carolyn and team use the taco shell as a vehicle to create global inspired dishes as tacos

Middle Child

Dahlak

Authentic Ethiopian & Eritrean cuisine

Mean Pies

A small sandwich shop and luncheonette serving breakfast and lunch, inspired by the delis and diners of old-school Philly

You can find Mean Pies trying to be decent folks, trying to make mean (pizza) pies.

Follow them on IG to learn where they’ll be popping up next

A taqueria with cocktails and nacho kits, perfect for movie night

An authentic Northwestern Argentine cafe serving coffee, empanadas, and pastries

Mission Taqueria

High Street on Market

A bakery and restaurant serving sandwiches, handmade pastas, pizzas, and beautiful salads.

Also they have a 5-week bread subscription!

Cash Only

Pick up Only

Jezabel’s Argentine Café Knockbox Cafe

Cozy coffee shop in the heart of West Philly, serving sandwiches, pastries, coffee & tea

Chef Nok makes authentic Thai cuisine from her family’s recipes. You can also order from Kalaya Thai Market - a grocery store selling Thai groceries and goods as well as meals to go

South Philly Barbacoa

Authentic Mexican food, including traditional slowcooked barbacoa-style tacos and corn tortillas

Noord

A Dutch/Northern European focused bistro that features locally sourced produce and meats

Essen

A Jewish bakery offering breads, cakes, cookies, sandwiches & French-press coffee

Neighborhood Ramen

Voted 2019’s Best Ramen in Philly

Miles Table

A neighborhood eatery, serving up seasonal breakfast, brunch and lunch (located at Bok!)

FISHTOWN & KENSINGTON Franny Lou’s

This cafe of community activism and cultural awareness serves food and drink for pick up

Suraya

A Lebanese all-day market, café, and restaurant

Eeva Vegetarian/Vegan Options

A new pizza shop with natural wines available for take out.

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WFH: Wellness from Home

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Core Workout with KG Strong

Learn some ways to take care of your body, your skin, and your mental health while working at home

Standing Chop | Hook one end of the band around one foot and the other end in both your hands. Stand tall with your feet just wider than shoulder width apart. Keeping your core tight, your spine neutral and your hips facing forward, pull the band to your shoulder and then up towards the sky. Lower the arms with control back to their starting position. Avoid rotation, flexion and extension of the spine. Perform 10 reps then switch sides.

Half kneel PalloďŹ&#x20AC; press | (above) Tie the band around a post at belly height. Get into a half kneel stance with your inside knee on the floor. Pull the band taught in front of your chest, then press your arms straight. Without losing tension in the band, bring the arms back to their starting position. Perform 10 reps then switch sides.

Healthy tips from Be Well with Beth Balance your plate | My favorite tip to share with my clients is to think about balancing your plate. Every single meal and snack should contain some form of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Your body needs carbs for energy, but eating something like an apple on its own won't last long. If you pair that same apple with peanut butter then you've added fat which can literally coat the stomach and slow your digestion of the carb for a steadier stream of energy, helping maintain your feeling of snack satisfaction carrying you over to the next meal.

Your physical body and mental health are connected | It is so difficult to feel emotionally well when our bodies don't feel good.

At some point in 2020, you probably felt emotionally down and maybe you didn't prioritize eating well or moving your body during that time... but those very activities can make a big difference. So in 2021, I encourage you to pay attention to your physical health because if your body is less sluggish, has more energy, and feels good, then you will have an easier time dealing with stress and feeling better.

Forget the all-or-nothing | Life is weird right now, and it's really hard to have a consistent routine. If you commit to one specific way of eating or exercising and then it becomes unavailable, it may feel really difficult to adjust your routine on the fly. This is when those of us with the best intentions can fail to maintain our healthy routine and where a concept that I call "healthy autopilot" becomes useful.

We tend to focus on finding the next shiny object, the next thing that we can get hooked on. And we overlook the healthy habits that are easy to make and have already worked for us in the past. So the next time your routine gets thrown out the window, ask yourself what you CAN do today to make your body feel good and healthy.

It may be as simple as drinking enough water, taking 2 minutes to stretch, or forcing yourself outside for a walk around the block. And psst. I know what you might be thinking. "A walk around the block is nothing compared to what I used to do at the gym!" But you know what? A walk around the block is better than nothing, so go!

Banded bird/dog | Set up on hands and knees with hands directly below the shoulders and knees below the hips. Hook the band around the right hand and the arch of your left foot. Actively engage your core, ground the stabilizing hand and knee, then stretch the banded limbs away from each other maintaining a neutral spine. Return to your starting position. Perform 10 reps then switch sides.

Skin Care with Sabbatical Beauty Explore deep sea treasures for your skin | A lot of research has been conducted about how things from the ocean, like seaweed and kelp, are super regenerative for your skin helping tired, dull and older skin look younger and fresh. You can find a host of marine treasures in our Marine Serum, the first product I ever made and still my most popular seller.

Double cleansing | If you are feeling that your skin is congested and acne prone, try double cleansing - which means starting first with an oil cleanser and following with a regular foaming cleanser. Double cleansing is a major game changer for most people.

I'd recommend starting with our Vacuum Cleansing Oil and following with our Kombucha Cleanser, both cult favorites.

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Bok Bar is back for an extended run! There is an ever-evolving group of talented people and businesses that have helped define Bok as much more than a place where people work, create, and celebrate. With this community in mind, Bok Bar is kicking off in mid-April with 30 weeks of events and pop ups that solidify Bok as a place of opportunity and growth. Their extended season will run through the end of October, showcasing the best Philadelphia has to offer in food, music, and events. Stay tuned to their instagram for more info!

For the latest and greatest, follow us on Instagram @ buildingbok and check out our website www.buildingbok. com.

PRODUCED + DESIGNED BY scout

PHOTO CREDITS Cover Images by: Room Shop Vintage Interior photos are from each organization's Instagram page