The hustle and bustle of fall is settling in quickly, and the ease and breeze of summer is fading out. When it comes to getting down to business, sometimes you need to leave your apartment for a change of scenery and a little inspiration. If you live at 1213 Walnut, all the culture, history, and innovative people that embody Philadelphia’s Midtown Village help bring your best ideas to life.

One of our busy neighbors, Megan Smith, is the founder and president of Brownstone PR. The agency is proof that all types of businesses—not just retail and dining spots—make the neighborhood such a great place to live and work.

also: i got an award and it was a fun time. additionally: my dad and i have the same face. (thanks, Philadelphia OIC!)

A post shared by Megan R. Smith (@megreneesmith) on May 2, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT

As the owner of a creative business, Megan understands how important it is to set aside time to work in productive environments. That’s why we asked her for an inside look at her favorite neighborhood coffee shops that motivate and inspire her to do her best work.

Double Knot  (120 S 13th St.)

BYO work flow

A post shared by Double Knot (@doubleknot_phl) on Jun 27, 2017 at 7:19am PDT

Just like its name would suggest, 13th Street’s Double Knot oozes cool. Double Knot has a firm brand and a carefully cultivated aesthetic, two things that attract many creative minds. Megan couldn’t agree more.

“Every time I’m there, I wish I either (a) had a pipe and my very old copy of To Kill a Mockingbird on hand or (b) had walked in with my backup band, ready to perform a jazz number,” she says. “Is it the leather chairs and the dim lighting? I don’t know… But what I do know is that Double Knot  is the best place for grabbing a cup of coffee and feeling like you could either write the next best novel or sing the heck out of ‘Blue Moon.’”

Square One (249 S.13th St.)

National Doughnut Day featuring @dottiesdonuts in Philly! #startatSQ1 . . . #SQ1philly #philadelphia #phillycoffee #whyilovephilly #specialtycoffee #nationaldoughnutday #nationaldonutday #dottiesdonuts ?: @carolstamperart

A post shared by Square One Coffee (@squareonecoffee) on Jun 2, 2017 at 9:36am PDT

“Square One has a lot of indoor seating, great outdoor seating for people-watching, and great vegan pastry options, because I’m totally one of ‘those’ people,” Megan says about this neighborhood favorite.

According to Megan, the great music is an added bonus. “I’m not anti-coffee shop music; I’m anti-loud, horrible coffee shop music,” she elaborates. “Square One, however, always has an awesome playlist (played at a reasonable volume level, might I add), which makes them one of my favorites.”

Saxbys (236 S 11th St.)

Getting work done @ 11th and Locust.

A post shared by Saxbys (@saxbys) on Jul 6, 2017 at 6:12am PDT

The Saxbys café on 11th and Locust Street is third on Megan’s list. “The coffee is legit, the pastries are perfectly flakey, and the location allows you to see one (or five) good-looking Jefferson University Hospital doctors walking by,” Megan says with a smile.

Perhaps more importantly, Saxbys lets you bring in your best working companions: your dogs. “As a new puppy mom, they let me bring in my Jellybean, and then offered her a bottle (not a bowl) of water. Because classy recognizes classy,” Megan says. It’s refreshing to have a spot where you can get work done without parting ways with your pup.

Bluestone Lane Coffee (1 S. Penn Square)

The good kind of Monday morning blues ??☕️

A post shared by Bluestone Lane (@bluestonelanecoffee) on Sep 18, 2017 at 4:41am PDT

Bluestone Lane has a lot to offer, but its best selling point is the delicious food that accompanies the coffee. As Megan puts it, “Sometimes the best means having a cup of great coffee with a side of salmon toast with dill, heirloom tomatoes and cream cheese.”

No one can deny that great food inspires great thoughts—after all, who could possibly work on an empty stomach? Good food also means this coffee shop isn’t a bad place to bring a client or colleague to for a quick, creative lunch.

Elixr Coffee Roasters (207 S. Sydenham St.)

Phil serving up some nectar. Thanks for the photo @tednghiem

A post shared by Elixr Coffee Roasters (@elixrcoffee) on Jul 28, 2017 at 11:08am PDT

“The coffee at Elixr is equal to its location, comfort, and feel—all 10s,” Megan says. Elixr’s “cool, yet cozy” atmosphere makes it well-worth the extra walk to the west side of Broad St.

“The dark interior with wood floors and distressed walls is perfect for working away from the office or catching up with a colleague. And unlike other coffee shops, there’s no music blasting,” Megan adds. “Technically, I’m a millennial; but I’m not interested in hearing ‘Despacito’ while sipping joe.” We have to agree with her on that one.

That wraps up Megan’s list of go-to coffee shops, but these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to creative spaces in our Midtown Village neighborhood. To see more of what the area has to offer, book a tour to see the full range of apartments at 1213 Walnut today.