Philadelphia’s Arbiter of Cool Is Turning Her Beloved Shop Into a Creative Hub and Hotel

What was once a passion project for founder and interior designer Shannon Maldonado has transformed into a safe space for creatives from all walks of life. Originally a web store, YOWIE is a Philadelphia-based boutique that opened in 2016 to immense support from the city’s art scene. Despite YOWIE’s inaugural success, however, Maldonado noticed a division between creative groups in Philadelphia that she hoped the shop would eventually bridge. 

"There’s a really strong undercurrent of community that started to build in the last two years of people starting group collectives or independent galleries—different places where people can gather to show their work," says Maldonado. "[The scene is] in flux—there are tons of artists, tons of makers, and we have a few art schools. It’s really strong because Philly is a city [where] you can live fairly comfortably while you’re figuring out your art."

After designing The Deacon, a nearby boutique hotel that doubles as a collaborative event space, Maldonado was inspired to convert YOWIE into a similar concept—bringing artists of different mediums together by creating a hotel space of her own. With eight to 10 rooms currently planned, the new YOWIE will be an extension of the current store, featuring playful, humorous elements and the brand’s signature color, yellow. 

Somewhere between a retail shop and community center, the new YOWIE will incubate experimental concepts, further pushing inclusivity for POC guests and those who are interested in creating.