Sparrow’s Gourmet Snacks

Sparrow’s is a third generation family business, specializing in All Natural, Gluten Free snack foods and gifts made with the most premium ingredients.  We’ll feed…

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Delivery

40+ Reading Terminal Market merchants deliver within a 10 mile radius through our delivery partner, Mercato. These merchants offer nationwide shipping Bassetts Ice Cream Famous 4th…

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COVID-19

Reading Terminal Market operated as an essential business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring Philadelphians had continued access to fresh, affordable food.

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120 YEARS

The Reading Terminal Market celebrated 120 years of bringing fresh and local food to Philadelphia.

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GROWTH

The Reading Terminal Market was 100% occupied, a result of growth in downtown residential population and tourism.

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MARKET PRESERVATION

Supporters of the market organized The Reading Terminal Market Preservation Fund to ensure that the market retained its character as the convention center project developed.

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INCREASED OCCUPANCY

The market was 60% occupied and had become a center for charitable and seasonable food events and impromptu piano concerts.

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LEASING THE MARKET

The Reading Company leased the Market to a real estate speculator 15 years. He raised rents driving out 30 of the 56 remaining merchants.

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BANKRUPTCY

Reading Company declared bankruptcy and no longer invested in the upkeep of the market.

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PRESERVATION OF THE MARKET

1970-1980: Preservationists who wanted to save the market battled with those who wanted to demolish it to advance the East Market Redevelopment plan

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INFORMAL MARKETS

Informal markets formed around Front and High (Market) Streets near where farmers and fisherman brought their goods from southern New Jersey.

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IMPROVING SAFETY

1950 – 1960 New local and federal regulations intended to improve safety of the food supply increased merchants’ cost of doing business.

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MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

Merchants organized the Reading Terminal Market Merchants’ Association to stem the loss of business from the City’s new parking regulations and the downturn in the…

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THE SOURCE

Reading Terminal Market advertised itself as the “Source of Main Food Supply of Philadelphia and Adjacent Territory” with 250 specialized dealers and 100 farmers occupying…

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RTM OPENS FOR BUSINESS

The Reading Terminal Market opened for business. Merchants at the Butchers and Farmers’ Market and the Franklin Market moved into the new Reading Terminal Market.

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CONSTRUCTION

Construction began on the Reading Terminal after the Company agreed to build a market underneath the new railroad station.

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CONSOLIDATION

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company consolidated its four Philadelphia terminals to build one large terminal in downtown Philadelphia. The Company purchased the 1110 block…

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BUTCHERS AND FARMERS MARKETS

The indoor Butchers’ and Farmers’ Market located in the 1100 block of Market Street opened for business. The indoor Franklin Market was established on 10th…

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NINE MARKET HOUSES

Market Street had nine market houses that stretched from Water to Eighth Street and two markets west of Broad Street between Fifteenth and Seventeenth Streets

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REBUILDING

City ordinance approved the rebuilding of the 1720s Jersey Market House on Market Street between Front and Second Streets.

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MARKET DAYS

On market days, Wednesday and Saturdays, iron chains were put up at sunrise to protect shoppers from the carts and carriages

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TOWNE HALL

First permanent head house was built in the middle of Second and High Streets. Known as “Towne Hall” the building served as Pennsylvania’s capitol until…

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FORMAL MARKET

Local government agreed to have a formal market with a market head house located where Second Street crossed High Street.

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GATHERING

Informal markets formed around Front and High (Market) Streets near where farmers and fisherman brought their goods from southern New Jersey.

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