Welcome Pope Francis to Philadelphia with Papal-inspired Apparel from Philly Phaithful #PopeinPhilly

Philly Phaithful welcomes Pope Francis with the release of the new “Philavatican” shirt as part of The Philadelphia Experience collection. The playful tribute to his holiness proclaims, “I turned water ice into wine at the Philavatican 2015.” Other new city-inspired apparel includes “The Great Topping Debate” sure to ignite a jimmies vs. sprinkles war and “Born & Braised” a shirt that honors the city’s iconic pork sandwiches with a not-so-subtle wink to Philadelphia’s son Will Smith. One customer who purchases a shirt from The Philadelphia Experience in August will win free donuts and an exclusive experience at Federal Donuts. A portion of proceeds from sales this month will benefit Broad Street Ministries. All new designs and contest information are available at www.phillyphaithful.com.

The Philadelphia Experience is a new collection from Northern Liberties-based Philly Phaithful that pays tribute to our city in three ways. The line will highlight some of the amazing things to do, see or eat in our region with a focus on our culture, food, grammar and lifestyle. Every month, Philly Phaithful partners with local businesses to provide one-of-a-kind experience prizes. Lastly, a portion of proceeds is given back to the community through a donation to a local charity selected with help from the experience partner.

For August, Philly Phaithful partners with Federal Donuts and James Beard Award–winning Chef Michael Solomonov. The popular donut and chicken retailer will host an “eat and greet” with Chef and the FedNuts team. The winner and their guest will enjoy a fried chicken lunch, t-shirts, a tour of their newest store and kitchen at 701 N. Seventh Street, and a selection of the city’s best donuts to take home.

Federal Donuts has chosen Rooster Soup Co. as August’s charity recipient. Rooster Soup Co. was founded by business partners Steve Cook and Solomonov to help support Broad Street Ministry’s Hospitality Collaborative, a groundbreaking initiative helping those in need.

Future experience prizes will include an in-home sampling of handcrafted small-batch spirits from Manatawny Still Works and a VIP package for four to a yet-to-be named - but totally amazing - show in December at Philadelphia’s The Electric Factory (including a meet and greet with the act).

Along with this month’s must-have “Philavatican” shirt, the new collection features:

“Bell So Hard,” a tribute to our beloved Liberty Bell.

“Best Friends Forever,” soft pretzels and mustard, a classic Philly combination.

“Born & Braised,” a shirt that honors the city’s iconic pork sandwiches with a not-so-subtle wink to Philadelphia son Will Smith.

"Crowns," also known as "crayons", that’s what we call these Jawns in Philly.

"Schuylkill Skyline," where boaters go to row on our favorite river.

“Scrapple,” this Pennsylvania Dutch pork breakfast could earn you 11 points or a triple word score.

“The Great Topping Debate,” sure to ignite a jimmies vs. sprinkles war.

“The United States of Philadelphia,” tribute to the birthplace of our nation with the iconic Liberty Bell.

“Wit or Witout,” the age old question that is asked of everyone ordering a Cheesesteak, Wit or Witout Onions?

"Yo!," that is how we say hello.

Philly Phaithful apparel can be found online at http://www.phillyphaithful.com as well as several locations around the region.

WHERE TO FIND THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIENCE

Philly Phaithful apparel and The Philadelphia Experience are sold primarily at eight retail locations (with others to come), online, and at pop-ups and festivals.

Ali's Wagon in Fairmount
http://www.aliswagon.com

Born Yesterday in Rittenhouse (NEW)
http://www.bornyesterdaykids.com

Generation T in Ambler
http://www.generationtees.com

Mixed Threads in New Hope
https://www.facebook.com/MixedThreads

The Little Apple Store in Manayunk
http://www.thelittleapplestore.com

The Monkey's Uncle in Doylestown
https://www.facebook.com/MonkeysUncleDtown

Urban Princess on Fabric Row in South Street Headhouse District (NEW)
http://www.urbanprincessboutique.com

Wayne Sporting Goods (WSG) in Wayne
http://www.waynesportinggoods.com

ABOUT PHILLY PHAITHFUL

Founded in 2008 by Philadelphia native Dan Hershberg, Philly Phaithful has become a leader in originally designed Philadelphia apparel. Merchandise is carried in eight stores throughout the region and has been featured on Comcast SportsNet, ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated and Sports Radio WIP, among others. Philly Phaithful also takes part in festivals, fairs, pop-ups and other special events throughout the region.

For 7 years, Philly Phaithful has been known as being the leading retailer for locally designed and inspired sports-centric apparel for the “Philly Phaithful” fan. The Philadelphia Experience now represents Hershberg’s first-ever non-sports designs that will appeal to a new, expanded audience.

ABOUT DAN HERSHBERG, PRESIDENT/FOUNDER

Born and raised in Philadelphia, from an early age Dan Hershberg has been obsessed with sports. Refusing to allow a .078 Little League batting average or his crippling inability to convert a left-handed lay-up deter him, Dan spent the majority of his childhood dreaming about working in sports. At age 16, that dream became a reality when he spent the summer at WSCR (The Score) Sports Radio in Chicago working in the PR department. That opportunity led to stints with Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia, a web-based Fantasy Football service at BTG Sports and a three-year job in the front office with the Philadelphia Phillies.

After graduating Cornell University, Dan took a position with the studio production department at ESPN and worked for two years at the company’s Bristol, CT headquarters. While at ESPN, Dan produced and edited montages and other creative pieces that aired nightly on the 11pm and 1am SportsCenter. Dan’s work was featured in and responsible for the creation of the SportsCenter “Encore” segment, a creative revisit of an important game or series from that night.

Since starting Philly Phaithful from his childhood home in 2008, Dan has grown the company by leaps and bounds. Armed with seven years of experience in the retail industry, Dan is excited to take Philly Phaithful to the next level and continue to provide our customers with top-notch customer service and unique, originally designed merchandise.