READING, Pa. – A beloved downtown Reading market tradition will continue this summer.
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts announced the launch of Reading Roots Market, a new weekly farmers market that preserves and reimagines the former Penn Street Market.
With organizational changes and continued development downtown, officials say Penn Street Market was at risk of disappearing if it could not find a new home.
With support from Wyomissing Foundation, GoggleWorks says it’s stepping in to carry the market forward, bringing local food, community partners, art, culture, and public gathering into the heart of its downtown campus, just a few blocks from the previous iteration of the market.
Reading Roots Market will open Thursday, June 11, in the courtyard of GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, located at 201 Washington Street. The market will take place every Thursday from June 11 through October 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The market will feature fresh produce and vendors, among them the Bog Turtle Creek Farm, Farm Traveler LLC, and GoggleWorks Gardens at Lauer’s Park, along with art demonstrations, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and community organizations.
“Reading Roots Market is about more than preserving a farmers market,” said Levi Landis, executive director of GoggleWorks. “It is about protecting a vital community gathering space, supporting local food access, celebrating creativity, and making downtown Reading a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”
The launch comes as GoggleWorks continues to activate its expanding outdoor campus, including the new Art Park, Thorn Alley Stage, and Thorn Alley Kitchen.
Opening Day Schedule — Thursday, June 11
Reading Roots Market: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Live Weaving Demo with Avelina Martínez García: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
World Cup Mexico vs. South Africa Viewing Party at Thorn Alley Kitchen: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.