Submitted by GreyAardvark t3_11mjrna in philadelphia
Maybe about 40 years ago, there was a mall at 2nd and lombardish. It had unique stores inside! I read years ago Will Smith bought it and wanted to try and renovate that area, but I am not sure if that was rumor or something he really wanted to do and it fell though? I haven't been in the city for more than 20 years. Tonight I am wondering about this place. Someone have any info?
I've been wondering the same thing while watching the ground level retail move out one by one over the last decade with no replacements.
Before the Bridget Foy's fire (relevant only for dating purposes) every window had signs in it promising an "Heirloom" coming soon. I assume Giant bought out all the retail and then changed their minds.
I'm pretty sure there were "coming soon" signs for something else there too. Last I checked theyre plain signs now.
Giant was in a fight with PECO over who had to pay for certain electrical upgrades to support the store
TIL; thanks for that. I always wondered why it fell through.
I read something recently about why Giant pulled out that I can't recall, but yeah, the whole deal is off for some reason.
I live near here and was recently wondering the same thing so I did some research and found some old newspaper articles about it. It seems it always struggled to consistently attract customers and eventually was demolished. It seemed very cool and modern though. You can still see the old "New Market" sign on the side of the Cavanaugh's Headhouse building.
I couldn't find many photos of it aside from grainy newspaper images. I wish it was more documented.
I was always fascinated with this place. The way it was designed is so hard for me to articulate. I felt like it was open space with stores hidden around. Lofty areas, and stores hidden underneath. https://i.imgur.com/bPQDJFn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2m3YLJa.jpg
It's a large apartment building now with many condos. It was finished about 2-3 years ago. For a long time it was just a shallow square pit.
TY so much for the reply!, and info.
Newmarket was torn down in 2002.
https://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/society-hill/where-have-you-gone-stamper-square
TY! I was trying to look for some info and just couldn’t find it!!
It used to be New Market. I remember going to the Rusty Scupper seafood restaurant there (on the Front Street Side) some time in 76 or 77. I also remember there were a number of retail merchants and artisans on the first and 2nd floor levels. Dickens Inn anchored the Head House side of New Market as well.
That's a bit back for me. I only remember it from the 80s. Had some unique stores in it, but can't remember what as I was a kid. I know they were stores that sold pricey things, there was a restaurant or two I believe which might be what you were referring to, but I can't place the name. The stores never lasted there and it then became a neat place to walk through, and later became a bit dangerous.
Yes, it was really nice for abotu a year or two when it opened (think of it as a precursor to the Bourse Building, witha lot of cool shops) that later nosedived due to a number of factors. I'm guessing high rents, not a lot of weekly foot traffic, and only minimal parking available all played a part. I remember seeing a lot of skate kids hanging out in the late 90s/early 2000s and knew that meant it was past its primeand was becoming a good place to get jumped.
I remember the skate kids now that you mention it!
For me looking back, it's amazing how quickly New Market went downhill. I think it took less than a decade from opening to failure. That was one of the hottest areas of development in the mid to late 70s; had it thrived, the South Street corridor would have looked a lot different by the 2000s.
There was some food market that was supposed to open there maybe 5-7 years ago, if i recall correctly. they have their signage with a "coming" message on it for awhile. I haven't been in that area since pre-pandemic, so I'm not sure what ever happened to it,.
Will smith has a record of buying property in Philly promising some kind of feel good community enhancing project and in the end flipping it for high end residential properties.
The big development at broad and Washington was also owned by smith. He said it was going to be some kind of production studio, but now it’s going to be apartments.
Dickish move.
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This brings back fond memories of my dad taking me to Penn's Landing and the flea market on Front most Sundays.
Thanks!
I remember that whole area had a hustle and bustle about it. And it being the place to be. It seemed unique and fun. As a young teenager I remember often walking to pennslanding just for something to do.
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