Latitudes and Longitudes Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Meredith Podob owns Latitudes and Longitudes in Manayunk, and if you ask her why, she’ll tell you it’s in her blood.

“My grandfather had his own butcher shop, and my other grandfather was a tailor,” Podob said.  “Both of my parents own a small business.  It’s always something I knew I would do.”

It’s not what she did at first.

Podob went to school for engineering, and after graduating, she had a pretty successful run.

“I was a design engineer.  I did industry design, product design,” Podob said.  “I worked on everything from car parts to cell phone cases.”

Podob had worked for the woman who ran the store Latitudes and Longitudes sits in now while Podob attended college.

“I always looked up to her, and how she ran her business,” Podob said. 

So, when the woman was getting ready to leave, Podob bought the place.

That was a year ago.

“It’s been such a roller coaster,” Podob said.  “I worked in corporate America, and I was a boss.  I also had a boss.”

Podob added, “Here, I’m the ultimate boss.  I’m as high as things can go.  That takes some getting used to.”

Latitudes and Longitudes sells a little but of everything, but its primary focus is jewelry.

“I try to find very unique things that people won’t be able to find anywhere else,” Podob said.  “I also try to have most of my stuff come from artisans in the United States.”

Podob also said that after a year of business, she wants to expand her toy section.

“Parents like shopping here because I have a train table in the back that kids can play with while the parent shops,” Podob said.  “I’d like to expand the kids section.  I want this to be a place where people can stop and buy a last minute gift.”

Podob also said that her relationship with toy manufacturer Melissa and Doug.

‘They make a lot of wooden toys and puzzles,” Podob said. 

Podob has dreams for her business, but a year in, she’s happy how it’s turned out.

“I can’t imagine not sitting in this window everyday,” Podob said.  Her seat next to her cash register overlooks Main Street.  “This story really is my vision, my dream.”