Comments on: Mulling The Market

By: BV

BV — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:58:13 +0000

The Italian Market is a filthy, outdated DUMP. Even local residents don’t shop there anymore because it is so dirty.

It’s time to start issues some serious fines for the merchants who don’t care about cleanliness and sanitation.

People are finally waking up to the fact that there are better and cleaner options elsewhere. Good riddance to these absuive and filthy merchants.

By: AntMendo

AntMendo — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:02:18 +0000

I see the highest use of the Italian Market as a cross between the New York Meat Packing District, Union Square Farmers Market and the Chealsea Market all in NY. I would not emphasize too much on night life but would instead concentrate more on food. I believe that for it to succeed you would need at least one anchor/destination restaurant. Vetri, Garces or perhaps an out of towner would be perfect. I would rather see boutique retail stores, instead of bars, and as much public space as possible.

If you do this and somehow keep the authentisism that Ben refers to above, I think it would truely be a great place again.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:34:37 +0000

Why does the market need to be saved or changed? I always though 9th Street was a great icon of Philly, especially when compared to what I consider tourist traps like Pike Place. The amazing thing about 9th Street is that Philadelphians actually shop there.

Somebody above spoke about running a couple errands in the market and then leaving like its a bad thing. That’s what markets are for!

Yes, it’s dirty. Yes, some of the stalls are pretty dingy and low class. But it also houses one of the finest gourmet food providers in the country, more than one hip coffee shop, a great brunch place, and the walk between South and Christian actually shows off one of the nicer neighborhoods in the city.

The gentrification of the surrounding neighborhoods are already transforming the market more than any organized plan would. But I for one don’t want to lose the cheap produce, (most of the) grit, and the attitude of the salesmen. This is what makes the market am authentic Philadelphian landmark. Embrace it!

By: mike

mike — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:13:42 +0000

Closing 9th street would be great. I never could really follow why someone would drive up it on a weekend anyway.

I also think it would cool if Claudio’s or dibrunos had an outside stand selling cheese and sausage.

Some of the empty spots would make great bars too. That way people could smoke and make noice outside and not really bother anyone.

By: cheesesteak the impaler

cheesesteak the impaler — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:46:01 +0000

I wander through the Italian Market all the time, and have no idea what boldfaceboy is talking about.

By: Toddly Man

Toddly Man — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:16:53 +0000

BURNING BARRELS…

The burning barrels would be an interesting feature that added a kooky visual to the street, if the total morons feeding them just put wood and cardboard in them.

Unfortunately, they throw all their plastic in there as well.

That smell of burning plastic that is clearly and sometimes quite strongly making it to your nostrils is, in fact, toxic as hell. Burning plastic is poisonous gas, and if you’re smelling it, YOU’RE BREATHING IT!

That one thing has, for years, made my visits to the Italian Market more a rarity than the regular habit it would otherwise be.

Educate the knuckle heads that they are killing themselves, each other, their clients AND THEIR BUSINESS by burning plastic, and maybe you’ll make a change.

By: Jael

Jael — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:33:11 +0000

I love the Italian Market as it is. Why combine “the best aspects of Headhouse” with it? You want Headhouse, go to Headhouse. You want red peppers 6 for a dollar, you go to the Italian Market.

(And then be sure to cook them within 24 hours.)

By: mazza3

mazza3 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:30:17 +0000

the majority of the comments here have made me very annoyed, but i have deleted my criticisms in search of the greater good. but i will leave behind a simple economic lesson – you cannot expect the quality and beauty of 9th street to be improved without also expecting an increase in costs. if the market’s purpose is to be the low-cost produce provider, then you cannot expect it to look like a wegman’s.

but i do like the idea of a barbary in the hood.

By: Andre

Andre — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:43:49 +0000

pedestrian only street like mike said. it doesn’t need saving, just a few changes.

By: jim

jim — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:16:07 +0000

I was walking home from Pat’s one night and the smell of 9th street hit me, the meatpacking district!

Why not?

I like the direction suggested so far, but also add a dance spot into one of those abandoned warehouses. You are close to the Passyunk crawl as it is and south philly needs a Barbary.

Werd.

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:05:50 +0000

That creepy strolling accordianist used to practice his accordian stylings in the first floor of my old apartment building. He would also do some exotic vocal exercises that sounded like a cross between a moan and a yawn. I always dread seeing him outside of Sabrina’s.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:41:01 +0000

Close 9th street to automobile traffic. Make it Pedestrian only. Put the venders on the curb and shoppers in the street and for god’s sake get rid of the burning trash barrels.