Around the Block: 4/22/2022

April 25, 2022 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

Philly’s Best–Reading Terminal Market, our new and current listings, and things to do in Philly. Do you have any favorites at the Reading Terminal Market? I’d love to discuss. Please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 4/22/22.

4/22/2022

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

Quintessential Philly — Reading Terminal Market

The Reading Terminal Market epitomizes Philadelphia. Paul Steinke, the past, longtime General Manager of the Terminal puts it perfectly and succinctly: “The Reading Terminal Market is the best place to experience Philadelphia’s food, culture, and its people.” Paul was the GM from 2001 to 2014 and oversaw the major market renovation in 2011 and 2012.

City Block Team Senior Listing Coordinator Greg Zarro eats at the Terminal every week. What he loves about Reading Terminal is that “it’s a great place to experience many different varieties of food and shops and there is awesome produce and meats to take home. There are also so many people to meet and watch, and everyone’s in a good mood, enjoying some great food or a day out in Philly. It is a really positive place. My favorite cheesesteak in the city is Carmen’s, and I love to get two chocolate-covered marshmallows at Mueller. There are just so many great spots.”

I have always delighted in the Reading Terminal Market. Whether you are a life-long Philadelphian like me, or a tourist experiencing your very first day in the city, the vibe is the same–just the real feel of what Philly is all about.

As a kid growing up in Center City, I do not have memories of going to the Market. I remember so many places I went regularly as a kid (The Colonnade Cafeteria at 16th & Walnut, Levis’ Hot Dogs, the Gallery food court, Villa di Roma, Knave of Hearts, Jim’s Steaks, the Commissary, and the OG Fri Sat Sun), but RTM was not one of them. I first remember going to the Terminal every so often through college and law school at Temple (late 80s/early 90s).

Then, in 1993, I graduated from Temple Law and clerked for the late, great Hon. Murray C Goldman. His judicial chambers were in the One East Penn Square building just one block from the Market. All of a sudden, I ate there several days a week for a year. Best year of lunches I ever had. I remember the great food and my skill at finding a seat during the height of the lunch rush, amidst all the workers, lawyers, tourists, and of course, the ubiquitous jurors with their bright yellow juror badges.

I have been going to the Terminal fairly regularly ever since, though as I got older and busier and worked for many years on Rittenhouse Square (too far for a quick lunch) my visits became more sporadic. And I have only been there twice since the pandemic.

And then this week, Inquirer food and restaurant writer Michael Klein’s piece hit my inbox–The 25 Most Essential Vendors at Reading Terminal Market. Most of the places have been there for years (if not decades) and there are a few newer ones as well.

My favorite on this list is DiNic’s. Philly is famous for the distinguished cheesesteak of course, but the other (lesser known) Philly classic is the roast pork sandwich, especially the pork Italiano with broccoli rabe/spinach and sharp provolone. And no one in the world does a better roast pork than DiNic’s. Please note that when it comes to roast pork sandwiches, Philly = the world.

Now admittedly, I have only tried a handful of these places, and I tend to go to the same places I love over and over (as many Philadelphians do). So, while I can assure you that DiNic’s is awesome, I am absolutely not an expert on all of the Market’s cuisine. But Michael Klein and the Inquirer staff are, and I plan to use this list to head back to the Terminal and try a few new places. Perhaps you will too.

But wait, there is more. This piece got me reading more about the Terminal. Here is a really cool piece from readingterminalmarket.org, which starts with a history of public markets in Philly:

“Philadelphia’s original public market was located where High (later Market) Street intersected Front Street, close to the Delaware River. The city built its first market house in the middle of Second and High Streets. By 1809, city-owned market sheds, called shambles, lined the middle of High Street, extending west to Sixth Street. New markets opened in other parts of the city as the population grew.”

And many Philadelphians will recognize the names New Market and the Shambles, both associated with Head House Square at 2nd and Pine.

And the Inquirer gets much deeper with their 2022 Ultimate Guide to Reading Terminal Market, which includes:

I hope you have a great weekend, and maybe stop by the Reading Terminal Market (at 12th & Arch, by the way) for breakfast, lunch, or some groceries.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

3601 Baring Street

Brand New Listing

3 BD + Office | 2.5 BA | 2,760 SF | Lovely Outdoor Spaces | 4+ Car Parking | $1,100,000

Sun-filled, single detached home on a gorgeous, tree lined block in the desirable Powelton Village neighborhood of University City.

In pristine condition, this 3 bedroom plus large office, 2.5 bath home offers hardwood floors throughout, high ceilings, lovely outdoor spaces, 4+ Car PARKING (including 2-car garage), and just spectacular light throughout. Tons of large windows on all four exposures.

This home was custom built by the then president of Drexel University in 1986. He built a contemporary home, the most solid construction, meant to evoke the feel of the Victorian homes that line the gorgeous Powelton Village blocks. This home has been meticulously maintained by the current owner since 2002. She is just the second owner of this home in its 36 years.

A+ location with a 90 WalkScore, 98 BikeScore, and 92 TransitScore.

NOTE: Office could be 4th bedroom. Dry basement with high ceilings could be amazing finished space. 2-zone HVAC. Newer Anderson 400 windows throughout. Great room is 20 x 20 x 20+ cathedral ceilings. 9 large paned windows on the south, east, and western face. Please see floorplan for layout.

View full listing here

Philly Fun This Week

Newly Open Ongoing Events

Starting this Friday, LOVE Park hosts a multicultural Spring into LOVE pop-up marketplace. The market will feature vendors from the African American and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and new Black- and Brown-owned businesses will sell their goods each weekend including apparel, health and wellness items, custom artwork, and pre-packaged goods.
The retro outdoor roller rink at Dilworth Park is back on Friday for the spring season! Bring your own skates or rent a pair for $5. You can book a reservation for a one-hour skate session online. And while there visit the on-site beer garden for brews, cocktails, and tasty snacks.
Taller Puertorriqueño at 2600 N. 5th Street presents an immersive exhibition from Puerto Rican artist Antonio Martorell. The exhibition includes 24 enormous mixed-media installations that symbolize Puerto Ricans’ response to the territory’s ongoing debt crises and fallout from Hurricane Maria. Opening reception takes place this Friday.
Starting this Saturday, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz is back with live performances after two years without major concerts because of the pandemic. Drummer, composer, and Germantown native Johnathan Blake and his band Pentad are this Saturday’s performers. The show begins at 7:30 pm.

Photograph from @centercitydistrict on Instagram & content courtesy of uwishunu.

Featured Listings

130 & 134 Fitzwater Street BRAND NEW LISTING Queen Village 4 Bed \| 4 Bath $2,850,000	7111 Germantown Avenue NEW PRICES Mount Airy New Construction 3 Bed \| 2.5 Bath $360,000 – $1,200,000
3601 Baring Street BRAND NEW LISTING University City 3 Bed \| 2.5 Bath $1,100,000	722 S Bancroft Street NEW PRICE Graduate Neighborhood 3 Bed \| 2.5 Bath $725,000
445 S 43rd Street University City 6 Bed \| 2.5 Bath $629,000	216 S Melville Street University City 4 Bed \| 2.5 Bath $625,000
627 S 42nd Street University City 5 Bed \| 4 Bath $595,000	2527 Webster Street NEW LISTING Graduate Hospital 2 Bed \| 1 Bath $399,000
125 Weaver Street BRAND NEW LISTING West Mount Airy 4 Bed \| 1.5 Bath $299,900	1715 Wallace Street #202 NEW LISTING Spring Garden 1 Bed \| 1 Bath $289,000
1324 Locust Street #1114 BRAND NEW LISTING Avenue of the Arts South Studio \| 1 Bath $104,000

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, centercitydistrict, and Canva.

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