Though the Reading Terminal Market had its origins in the 19th century, it continues to grow and evolve with the city around it.
Annie Allman, the market’s CEO and general manager, spoke to why it remains so special while outlining the market’s strategic plan and long-term goals at a Design Advocacy Group event on Thursday.
“The number one point I try to share with everyone is that the Reading Terminal Market is a nonprofit,” Allman said. “It’s really important that we support this institution and that we bring a lot of benefit to the city of Philadelphia.”
“We have 76 small, family-owned businesses. We employ about 600 people through those businesses,” she said. “We are an incredibly diverse public space for Philadelphia. It’s one of the last places you can come and build a connection with people in real time, not digitally.”
New initiatives and vendors
Allman unveiled a wide range of initiatives that she hopes Reading Terminal can accomplish, including a revamp of volunteer programs, the expansion of vendor spaces outdoors and support for health, education and nutrition initiatives.
“Everyone thinks of the Reading Terminal Market as where you go to get your great snacks,” she said. “But we have the best purveyors, the best butchers, produce, fishmongers, and we are believed to be the number one redemption site for EBT and SNAP in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Allman is proud of the new vendors that recently were introduced to the market, such as Bao & Bun Studio and Uncle Gus’ Steaks. The latter is a creation from the owners of Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Angelo’s Pizzeria and DiNic’s. According to Allman, Uncle Gus’ “has been going gangbusters.”
This week, the market opened its newest stand from a Pennsylvania Dutch vendor that will bring in fresh produce from Lancaster County, as well as Amish preserved goods and crafts.
And there’s more to come.
“We have another new merchant that is joining us, Wilt’s Berries,” she said. “And they will have fresh-cut strawberries with beautiful, hot melted chocolate.”
Keeping the market fresh
Reading Terminal Market gets over 5 million visitors every year. However, Allman noted that the team behind Philadelphia’s beloved food mecca operates at a much smaller capacity than many other comparable city markets. She mentioned St. Lawrence Market in Toronto and Findlay Market in Cincinnati as examples.
“Findlay Market in Ohio, which is kind of what we all look to in Cincinnati, they just do it,” she said. “They have everything we want, right? They have an incubator program, and they have a test kitchen.” Findlay also has a much larger staff, she noted.
“That’s part of fundraising so that we can have a community engagement manager, so that we can do some of these great things that we really aspire to do.”
After Allman finished her talk, attendees suggested ideas for the market’s future, like expanding deeper into Market East, bringing more live music into Reading Terminal and ways to prevent overcrowding.
One person suggested timed tickets that customers could purchase for access on busy days. Allman was skeptical.
“I would be hung by my toes and swung through the market by the merchants,” she replied.
How to help
No matter how Reading Terminal Market evolves, Allman hopes to continue making the space a community hub that serves Philadelphians.
“Our goal is to create shoppers, not just eaters — bringing back that real customer-centered culture,” she said. “Values, personal service. That’s the key.”
Allman noted that anyone curious in helping the market reach that goal is welcome to volunteer at any time.
“If any of you are interested in getting involved in the market, it’s a very low lift,” she said. “Come sign up.”
