Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A look at masks with local connections
A look at masks with local connections
According to the New York Times, more people in this region wear masks than residents of most other American cities.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia region. According to the New York Times, more people in this region wear masks than residents of most other American cities.
And if we’re going to be covering half of our faces, we can certainly do it in style - local style. Check out this list of area attractions and stores offering themed masks.
The Barnes Foundation
• 16 designs inspired by works in the Barnes collection — Work by French pointillist painter Henri Edmund Cross, details of the wallpaper in Vincent Van Gogh’s The Postman, details of Henri Rousseau’s Woman Walking in an Exotic Forest, and featuring a charming Pennsylvania Dutch watercolor. • Comfortable, washable & reusable. • Made of two layers of fabric (one cotton, one poly) and have soft elastic ear loops.
• Produced at a small American manufacturer based in Rhode Island who, before the pandemic, supplied The Barnes Shop with neckties. As part of the arrangement with this company, masks have also been made for and donated to Project HOME • Four of the designs are available in youth size. • Cost: $19.95. • Available online at https://shop.barnesfoundation.org/collections/ face-coverings-and-masks
Tip: Barnes members get a 10-percent discount.
Philadelphia Zoo
• 2 designs available: tigers & lions • Cost: $12.99 for adult masks. $9.99 for kid-sized masks. • Sold only at the Zoo. Not available online. Tip: More animal faces may be added to line in the future.
Sesame Place in Langhorne
• 5 patterns — Abby, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and all character print masks in blue, pink and white
• All masks come in both adult and youth sizes, except Oscar the Grouch
• The individual character masks are two layers (one cotton and one polyester) and the all character prints are one layer (polyester). • All masks are washable. • Youth masks are not recommended for children under the age of 3. • All masks are $12.99 • Available online at https://shop.sesameplace. com/collections/masks
Tip: Buy 3 and get 1 free deal (at time of printing)
McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philly’s oldest bar
• 3 styles — traditional, bandanas and gaiters • 5 colors — traditional (green & black), bandanas (black & burgundy) and gaiters (black)
• With the bar’s name, logo, or paying homage to one of it’s house beers, the McGillin’s 1860 IPA
• Made in America by Boathouse Sports, a Conshohocken-based sporting goods company.
• Cost: Traditional masks are double ply and cost $12.99, bandanas are $8 and gaiters are $10. • Only available from McGillin’s online store. • https://mcgillins-olde-ale-house.myshopify.com Tip: The online store also sells caps, t-shirts, McGillin’s thongs and baby onesies. They won’t protect you against the virus, but they will make you look awesome.
The Total Animal
Peddler’s Village in Lashaska. This shop has everything for dogs, cats and the people who love them.
* Dog and cat bandanas with mask matching for owner * Handmade by local seamstress * Lots of prints including sports, patriotic, dog breed specific, seasonal
* 2 layers of pre-shrunk cotton with filter pocket and adjustable ears and adjustable nose. * Tie on also available. * Children and toddler sizes available. * Pet bandanas in 5 sizes. Slide onto collar so no annoying knot.
* Masks are 19.99. Pet bandanas from $7.99 - 14.99
* Call the store at 215/794-3464 and they’ll ship them out.
Tip: The more you buy, the more you save.
National Museum of American Jewish History
• Nearly 3 dozen styles ranging from a sushi mask to a Noah’s ark mask (for children) that are hand-made in the USA of 100% cotton, hand wash only, hang dry.
• The bagel mask does not come with cream cheese but the mahjong mask does come with its own bag. • Prices vary. • Available online at: ht tps:// www.judaicashop. net/search. aspx?searchterm=mask
Tip: Some masks (think Dr. Fauci, RBG and Andrew Cuomo) come with matching socks. Gotta love that!
Terrain in Glen Mills and Devon
• Several different styles including handmade masks by Lalaa Kanani, a textile brand dedicated to working with artisan communities in an effort to promote and preserve rich tradition and the history of handmade goods.
• All prints are unique, reflecting the hand of the artist who created it using traditional Indian block print techniques • Three layers of cotton with elastic ear loops • Washable • $26 per mask. Other styles range from a set of three for $28 to $22.
• Additional styles and masks for children are also available online at
h t t p s : / / w w w. s h o p t e r r a i n . c om / search?q=face+mask
Tip: In addition to online, curbside pick up and delivery are available. Shopping appointments are available in the Devon location.
Mutter Museum
• A timely exhibit, “Spit Spreads Death: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919,” has spawned a mask stating Spit Spreads Death.
• Made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex • Sells for $8 • Available online at https://www.muttermuseumstore.org/product s/spit - spreads- death- mask?_ pos=1&_ sid=290b9bbd5&_ss=r
Tip: One of the fun things about the museum is its sense of humor. Check the museum store for great finds like a plague doctor cookie cutter or a giant plush colon.
Keep up the good work Philly! #MaskUpPHL #MaskUpPA #MaskUp #UnstoppablePHL
Irene Levy Baker is author of the newlypublished second edition of 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. For more information about the books visitwww.100ThingsToDoInPhilade lphia.com. Planning a staycation? Need gifts? Get signed copies of books on the website. Readers of this newspaper can use promo code NEWSPAPER for a discount.