Throwback in West Philadelphia

Before the Internet, every major city used to have a cluttered, somewhat disorganized store that sold local and international newspapers, intellectual journals, and every kind of magazine. Rewarding browsing was possible for hours.

And before the Smoking Nazis, every major city used to have multiple quality tobacconists, who sold exotic cigarettes, loose tobacco and quality cigars.

Now, sadly, the first kind of shop is almost extinct and the second is dwindling fast (even legendary Nat Sherman’s gave up its primo Manhattan corner location [42nd St./5th Ave.] to move midblock).

But life always seems to move a little slower in Philadelphia, which sometimes means we keep good things here that are gone elsewhere (trolleys, for example).

And out in West Philadelphia, nestled amid the chain stores that infest Penn’s campus, is Avril 50: a survivor in both categories.

The debonair, worldly, sardonic gentleman who is in charge of this properly cluttered little treasure, sells all kinds of newspapers, international and local, every magazine imaginable (including a superb collection of wine journals, justifying my posting about him), and quality tobacco of all sorts. He also carries quality greeting cards, a dizzying array of chocolates and sweets, coffee strong enough to rip your fillings out, and even hookahs you can smoke on his patio.

It’s a classic little shop, and I am guessing the kind of cultured people who read this blog and enjoy life’s finer things will love this place the same way I do. Next time you want a magazine or a cigar, skip the chain store and head out to Sansom St. If you’re already in the area and have a caffeine craving, skip Starbucks and get his coffee. Or, for those newspaper lovers out there, buy The Guardian, sit on his patio with a cigar and a coffee and experience the decadent luxury of opening the paper out to its full size, a wingspan that will leave you breathless in this age of mini-papers. You may see me there, too.

Avril 50, 3406 Sansom St., Philadelphia, 19104; 215-222-6108; avril-fifty@verizon.net. M-F 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 10-5.