Back in the 1950's, my father would take the Broad Street Subway, at the end of the day shift, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in South Philly, and change trains at Market Street. At this stopover, sometimes he would walk down to pick up something at the Reading Terminal Market, and bring it home for supper.
Philbert, the Mascot of
Reading Terminal Market
The Reading Terminal Market was full of items you probably would never find at the local grocery store, and not even at the A&P supper market. To start with, several farmers from the Amish country, out in Lancaster County, would bring in their delicious line of cheeses and ham. Dad would buy Limdburger Cheese, Irish Seaweed, Scrabble, anything that would strike his fancy.
Estela is standing beside the old
traditional wooden push carts the
huskers would use to bring produce
into the Reading Terminal Market
Railroads competed against each other during most of the second half of the 19 century and well into the 20th. The Reading Railroad had its terminal on 12th and Market, while the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad was at 30th Street. Although much smaller and more regional, the power of the Reading Railroad was its attractive terminal and exotic fresh food market, the first in the country with a huge centralized electric refrigeration system.
The "Breakfast & Sausage Sandwiches" is
a typical Amish establishment: note their
straw hats with black ribbons, and black
suspenders.
This stand specializes in all types of
Beef Jerky.
Life in Philadelphia changed a great deal after World War II. The Armory diminished production and finally closed, as well as the Navy Yard. Thousand of industrial jobs left the area, many going to the South. People stopped using the Subway and the Elevated trains, and started buying cars and moved to the suburbs.
The Reading Terminal Market
accommodates the eat-in as
well as the take-out trade.
The Reading Railroad eventually merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Reading Terminal no longer had a mission. The terminal's refrigeration system caught on fire, and was not repaired. People stopped coming in the 1960's and 1970's. It was finally renovated in the 1980's, and today, it has become the center of downtown culinary life.
This store specializes in crepes and cookies.
One of several of the fresh fish stands.
Great selection of fish filet.
At noon, the waiting lines get longer
Part of the success the newly renewed Reading Terminal Market is among the more young professional executives that come here. They probably went to school in Europe, and became familiar with these types of markets, or maybe while over in Germany or France for travel. It is somewhat of an acquired taste, but also an endearing tradition. It brings us back, face-to-face, with the abc's of marketing, supply and demand, interpersonal relationships, something frequently lost in larger institutional commerce, such as the super and hyper markets, and in suburb-malls.
Cakes and pies baked as you watch.
Pastries and doughnuts.
The delicatessen.
Fresh Vegetables in this aisle.
Another bakery
Fresh loaves of pumpernickel
rye and other grain breads.
This coffee dealer will sell
you a pound or brew you a cup
An entire lane of cookie shops
The Termini Brothers is a
good example of different
types of cookies from
Southern Italy
Beautiful display of fresh fish and seafood.
Steak sandwiches are always
in demand in Philadelphia
Light pastries of what we call in Spanish
"Pan Dulce".
Philbert is the mascot of the Market. His name is a pun, as the Reading Market is close to Filbert Street. Philbert is actually a big bronze piggy bank, and people drop coins into him everyday, and the revenue is used for charities, especially for those who do not receive proper nutrition.
Philbert bids us farewell!
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