Reading Terminal Market is taking its already bustling food scene outside this summer with the launch of The Plaza, an eight-week pop-up designed to expand the market’s outdoor footprint in Center City.

The pop-up, presented in partnership with Jefferson, is set to transform 15,000 square feet into a gathering space with expanded outdoor seating, live entertainment, local vendors, sponsor activations, and a bar operated by Molly Malloy’s.

Opening Tuesday, June 9, at 11:30 a.m. and running through Aug. 2, The Plaza will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering visitors and locals a new way to experience one of Philadelphia’s most iconic food destinations.

“In preparation for the busy summer ahead, we asked ourselves how we could be the best version of Reading Terminal Market possible. The answer was to get creative in utilizing every inch of our available public space to create joy for locals and visitors alike,” says Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager of Reading Terminal Market. 

So what exactly can be expected here? Market Day Stalls in the space will feature more than 15 rotating local entrepreneurs offering handmade goods, artwork, apparel, candles, cosmetics, and other specialty products, a release notes.  Reading Terminal Market will also operate a Market Merch cart featuring limited-edition soccer and market-themed apparel, with proceeds benefitting the Market’s nonprofit, the Reading Terminal Market Corporation.

There will also be a stacked line-up of entertainment peppered throughout the Plaza’s run, along with lawn games like corn hole and oversized Jenga, plus oversized Adirondack chairs to sit back and relax. Molly Malloy’s will serve up Sam Adams and Dogfish beer, Twisted Tea, Sun Cruiser canned cocktails, Truly hard seltzer,  and Angry Orchard cider. Non-alcoholic beverages like Smartwater, Pepsi, and Gatorade will also be available for purchase.

“Reading Terminal Market is a welcoming public space in the heart of Philadelphia, and this new pedestrian plaza extends its reach to serve even more visitors,” adds Keith Leaphart, DO, EVP and Humana Chief Health Equity and Community Impact Officer at Jefferson. “The Market is a vital community asset—providing access to fresh foods while showcasing Philadelphia’s rich culinary diversity to visitors from around the world.

“This initiative builds on Jefferson’s strong partnership with the Market as well as our ongoing commitment to revitalizing the Market East corridor.” 

The grand opening of The Plaza coincides with the completion of a $1 million lighting improvement project on the same block of Filbert Street, which includes illuminating the ceiling with LED fixtures, adding down lights on columns throughout the street to light the sidewalks, and repurposing color-changing fixtures to allow for customization during special events.

“The goal of this lighting improvement project was to help the 1100 block of Filbert Street more accurately mirror the vibrant, lively atmosphere that visitors enjoy inside of Reading Terminal Market,” said John McNichol, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “After the Filbert Street Renovation Project was completed in 2022, we knew there was still work to be done to make this space shine. Thanks to our partners at MGE, M and S, Carr & Duff, and Jingoli, this pathway to Reading Terminal looks better than ever.”  

To find out more information on The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market (1136 Arch St.), visit readingterminalmarket.org

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Keywords

Reading Terminal Market,

The Plaza,

Center City,

Philadelphia food,

Market East,

summer events,

Molly Malloy’s,

Jefferson,

Pennsylvania Convention Center,

Filbert Street