Updated July 31
It’s taken $400 million and four years of patience, but Fashion District Philadelphia is now visible on the horizon. The long-awaited Gallery Mall replacement, first approved back in the Nutter era, will open its doors on Sept. 19.
The ambitious renovation — which exploded construction in all directions in its quest to revitalize the area (including into the below ground commuter concourse) — was initially projected to launch in November 2018. As that date came and went, Gallery 2.0 started to seem like more of a fever dream than actual impending reality.
But lo and behold, we’re now just a few months out. PREIT, which also operates malls in Cherry Hill, Springfield, Plymouth Meeting and other locations, told the Inquirer it hopes the project will eventually rival Rittenhouse Row as a shopping destination. To bolster the claim, the company released a list of 50-plus incoming vendors set to liven up East Market Street.
Spanning everything from retail to restaurant to interactive art display, the majority of storefronts are national chains, plus several local shops in a “Uniquely Philly” section. The entertainment portion of the space won’t be ready until a few months later, with additional storefronts also promised over the next few years.
Here’s everything you’ll find at “The District” when it launches this fall.
Clothes
Aeropostale
Your standard trendy clothes and tons of denim, all for pretty affordable prices
American Eagle/Aerie
National apparel brand with an underwear-bathing-suit operation in tow
Burlington
The chain formerly known under its Coat Factory alias, which has since rebranded to include other-weather clothing items
Century 21
It’s basically the law, every shopping mall needs a department store on site
Columbia
Your new destination for sporting apparel — jogging, hiking, fishing, and more
Dolly’s Boutique
A Germantown consignment shop that prides itself on unique designer wearables
Eddie Bauer
Outerwear and exercise gear
H&M
This budget-friendly clothing option gives us reason to never again feel the pain of the crowded Chestnut Street H&M
Hollister
Clothing spot popular among teens. You know the one, smells like it’s got a sprinkler system that dispenses cologne?
Justice
More teeny-bopper apparel
Express Factory
Super budget-friendly clothing outlet
Forever 21
…Another super budget-friendly clothing outlet (see also: child labor)
Francesca’s
Self-proclaimed “playful” women’s clothing brand with 700 stores nationwide
Guess Factory
Did we mention this mall has budget-friendly clothing outlets?
Levi’s
A place to engage in everyone’s favorite pastime: shopping for jeans
South Fellini
Local shop specializing in creative Philly-themed merch
Zumiez
Clothes for Philly’s skating/snowboarding crowd
Accessories
American Hats LLC
Caps for men and women made special in Northeast Philly
Asics
Sneakers sent over all the way from Japan, plus additional assorted sporting goods
Bella Belle Shoes
Handmaid footwear for special events like weddings and fancy evenings
Journeys
An outlet for popular shoe brands like Vans, Converse, Adidas and Birkenstock
Nike
More sneakers
Pandora
Jewelry shop known for customizable charm bracelets
The Sable Collective
This Swampoodle-based biz offers a range of clothing, jewelry, art, books and body care — plus curated gift boxes
Samsonite
This travel gear shop has much less chance of turning into a Wawa like Robinson’s Luggage at Broad and Walnut
Skechers
And then also more sneakers, of the irreverent kind
Spencers
Your essential mall outpost for gag gifts, graphic tees and so-called “naughty” merchandise
Sunglass Hut
Eyewear of the sun-shading variety
Will’s EyeWear
Eyewear of the helpful focusing variety, locally owned
Zales
Guess the Fashion District folks heard about that whole diamonds are forever thing
Health and beauty
American Shaman
Nationwide CBD/hemp peddlers
ULTA Cosmetics
Super-popular and affordable source of makeup, nail polish, fragrances
Food and drink
Auntie Anne’s
Buttery, Lancaster-style soft pretzels are a different breed entirely
Beef Jerky Outlet
Like eating leather, but fun!
Big Gay Ice Cream
Philly’s second outpost of the NYC-born frozen dessert shop
BurgerFi
Higher-end than Mickey D’s, with all the same options — plus a meatless burger
Chick-fil-A
Fast food fried chicken, but never on Sundays
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Now you can have Crabfries® in Center City
City Winery
First foray into Philadelphia for this New York-based live music and dining spot
Dunkin Donuts
Can’t open a mall without fulfilling the chain coffee demographic
Freshii
Canadian fast casual restaurant that serves health-conscious options, like burritos, wraps, soups, salads — even fro-yo
La Madeleine
A French bakery and cafe that actually did get its start in France
Oath Pizza
Build-your-own pizza place with salads, desserts and solid options for kids
Pei Wei
For your mid-shopping lo mein break
Philly Pretzel Factory
Soft pretzels of the classic Philly kind
Rolling Cow
Artisanal hand-rolled ice cream: check
Electronics
Gamestop
Reliable video game chain, as long as you’re not afraid to bump into teenagers
T-Mobile
Gotta have a place to score a smartphone
Entertainment
AMC Theatres (November)
Seeing movies at the theater is still fun — even if one trip costs you double the monthly price of Netflix
Round1 (November)
A so-called “amusement center” boasting bowling, karaoke, arcade games and food and drinks
Wonderspaces (December)
An interactive space to showcase artists and produce galleries
