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Writer's pictureIrene Levy Baker

Retail & Restaurants Ramp Up In Center City

Updated: Oct 19, 2021


Old City by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia.

Believe it or not, lots of new retail outlets and restaurants opened in Center City in 2020 and the first half of 2021. And more eateries and shops are coming soon. If you haven't venture into Center City since the pandemic began, you may be in for a wonderful surprise. The streets are lined with chalets for shaded outdoor dining and the sidewalks are once again bustling with activity. List courtesy of Center City District.


Opened in 2020

In 2020, several shops opened in the Fashion District and throughout Market East. Rittenhouse Square, Midtown Village and other neighborhoods also experienced retail and restaurant growth.

Alice. Photo by Irene Levy Baker.

Market East

Alice Pizza - pizza, coffee and bar

Ardene - Family-owned Canadian clothing company in the Fashion District

DSW/Designer Show Warehouse - footware in the Fashion District

Francesca’s - clothing in the Fashion District

Kate Spade NY Outlet - fashion accessory outlet in the Fashion District

Schmear it - bagels

Starbucks - coffee in the Fashion District

The Wayward - American brasserie in the Canopy by Hilton


Midtown Village

Blind Barber - barbershop with speakeasy

Dim Sum Factory - Shanghai cuisine

Federal Donuts - fried chicken, donuts and coffee

Monster Vegan - vegan comfort food and drinks

Morea - resort-style cuisine and bar

Sueno - Mexican with beer and cocktails

Flowers & Co. Photo by Irene Levy Baker.

Rittenhouse

Allbirds - sustainable footwear

Ancient Spirits & Grille - America's first herbal cocktail lounge

Atmos - Japanese footwear

BetterSpaces - co-working space

Bucky Body Center - wellness center

Greens and Grains - health fast casual

Healthy Picks - neighborhood deli

Huda - sandwiches

Interior Define - customizable furniture

Kevin O’Brien Studio - luxury furnishings inside Joan Shepp

Pizza In Style - pizza on concourse level

Pizzata Pizzeria - natural-leaven dough pizzas for pick up and delivery

Playa Bowls - Acai bowls, smoothies

Sola Salon Studios - salon

Steak 48 - steakhouse

The Garden - outdoor restaurant at the Fitler Club

Tiffany & Company - luxury jewelry


Fitler Square

Sally - sourdough pizza, small plates, bar

North Broad

The Original Hot Dog Factory - hot dogs


Opened in 2021

This year, even more stores opened in the Fashion District and new eateries opened in Reading Terminal Market. Rittenhouse also saw lots of restaurant and retail openings, as did other neighborhoods throughout Center City.

El Merkury. Photo courtesy of Reading Terminal Market.

Market East

African Shades - Afro-centric clothing and accessories in the Fashion District American Heritage Federal Credit Union - credit union

El Merkury - Guatemalan in Reading Terminal Market

Lids - athletic headwear in the Fashion District

Naturally Us - A non-profit organization in the Fashion District that promotes strength and unity in innercity neighborhoods. Jewelry, accessories and more.

O’Dat’s Cute - Jewelry, shoes and handbags in the Fashion District

PA Libations - products from PA distilleries, wineries and ciders in Reading Terminal Market

Shopper’s World - discount department store in the Fashion District

Sweet Ts - sweet potato desserts in Reading Terminal Market


Midtown Village

Cockatoo - Latin street food and drink for Philly’s queer community and its allies

LashBee - provider of semi-permanent eyelash extensions

Top Tomato Restaurant & Bar - dining and bar

Rittenhouse

General Tsao's House. Photo by Irene Levy Baker.

Bar Poulet - upscale fried chicken

Chase Bank - bank

Emma Mac Beauty - beauty, cosmetic and personal care

Flowers & Company - floral boutique

General Tsao’s House - Szechuan, dim sum, noodles and more

Govberg’s Jewelers - luxury watches, fine jewelry and services

Her Place - pop up restaurant

Lost Bread Company - bagels, pastries, bread, pizza and snacks

Pho Mi Rittenhouse - express Vietnamese cuisine

Removery - laser tattoo removal

Skin Devotee Facial Studio - customized skincare services and products


North Broad

Helen’s Cleaners & Tailors - organic dry cleaning, alternations and repairs

Ben Franklin Parkway/Logan Circle

Giant - grocery store with a beer garden


Wash West/Washington Square

Poke Burri and Lifting Noodles Ramen - neighborhood ramen shop

Cloudline Physical Therapy - physical therapy

Huff & Puff BBQ - traditional BBQ & vegan

Historic District

Lamberti Pizza & Market - grab-n-go market, prepared meals, pizza, cheesesteaks

Coming Soon

And more is on the way, especially restaurants in Rittenhouse and Market East and a sprinkling of CBD stores throughout the city.

Roasted Strawberry. Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

Rittenhouse

Alchemy Coffee - coffee house

CBD Kratom - CBD and Kratom products

Cyclebar - indoor cycling for all fitness levels

Dolce - Italian dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner the W Hotel

Dr. Martens - Shoes, work boots, bags and accessories

Equinox - upscale fitness club

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream - artisan ice cream from Columbus, Ohio. Opening a second local location in Fishtown.

OceanFirst Bank - bank

Philly Bagels - bagels

Philadelphia Runner - specialty running store selling shoes and gear


Market East

Fruit & Produce - neighborhood grocer

Giant/Heirloom - grocery store

Popeyes - fried chicken

Primark - fashion, beauty, homeware retailer

Popeyes - fried chicken

Starbucks - coffee house

Tambayan - Filipino-fusion at Reading Terminal Market

Photo by Michael Persico. Courtesy of Federal Donuts.

Ben Franklin Parkway/Logan Circle

Victory Brewing - massive new tap room

Federal Donuts - fried chicken, donuts and coffee


North Broad

Golden Chopsticks - Chinese restaurant


Midtown Village

To Be Determined - New restaurant by Michael Schulson and Jeff Michaud

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - ice cream from Brooklyn, including many vegan options


If you haven’t traveled outside your neighborhood lately or haven’t been to Center City in a year, it’s time to come back! There is a lot to do, see, eat and buy!



 

by Irene Levy Baker, author, 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. Both books are full of tips. Visit www.100ThingsToDoInPhiladelphia.com for more tips. Looking for fun things to do? Need gifts? Go to the website for signed copies of books. For free shipping, use promo code TheCityPulse.


For more blog postings by Irene Levy Baker including information about new attractions, attractions opening soon and where to find pop-up beer gardens: click here.







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