Reading Terminal Market, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers products from over 75 family-owned businesses, 250 food dealers and 100 farmers. The market, which was opened Feb. 22, 1893, is home to vendors from around the world.
Being one of America’s oldest and largest public markets, Reading Terminal Market includes a variety of vendors, ranging from pottery shops to Georgian inspired restaurants. For Chakir Bouchaid, who has been working at Little Marrakesh Bazaar: Handcrafted Moroccan Gifts for seven years, the market’s diversity is what makes it special.
“The market is very different, it’s very unique. I know there are a few other markets in the country, but this is one of the best. What makes it better and best is diversity…Different types of people come here, all ages, all races and countries. You see people from everywhere in the world,” Bouchaid said.
According to Donna Kolodesh, the owner of Georgian restaurant Saami Somi, shop owners and workers support each other within the market.
“It’s been great. It’s definitely kind of a community aspect. If we run out of eggs, we can ask someone else for eggs. We all share food at the end of the day [and] we kind of help each other out all the time,” Kolodesh said. “The market is historic and unique, in the fact that you can get everything in one location for your day…There’s always new places opening that are representing new waves of Philly and make [the market] a little different,” Kolodesh added.
Over 6 million tourists and Pennsylvania natives visit the market each year. Lauren McKinney lives outside the city, but works in Philadelphia. She has regularly visited the market since the 1980s.
“I love the energy, I love the food, I like people watching and it’s convenient,” McKinney said. “I like everything. It’s perfect.”
Ivan Kravtsov, on the other hand, is in Philadelphia to visit friends. He stopped by the market for the first time to get lunch.
“It’s a bustling place, very diverse. It looks quite authentic [and] I was hoping to see something like that. It’s very appealing to me,” Kravstov said.
Sweet T’s Bakery is one of the many family owned businesses in the market. Sanise Bey works at her aunt and uncle’s business, which was the first Black owned bakery inside the market.
“My aunt makes everything here, including the drinks,” Bey said. “My favorite part is just meeting people from all over the world. People come from airports to be here and experience [Reading Terminal Market].”
The Original Turkey opened in 1893 and is one of the original stalls in the market. Sarah Baumeiste, who has worked at the market since 2007, has worked at the stall for four years.
“You have over 60 vendors that you can choose from, so whatever you’re in the mood for you can find it in the [market]. Culture wise, you can literally find it anywhere. This is a big tourist attraction, so you can meet anybody from anywhere in the world,” Baumeiste said.
Mary Oliver, a four year worker at Temini Bros., finds interest in the amount of different people at the market.
“[There are] just a ton of people in here for breakfast and lunch everyday…It’s really good people watching. You see a little bit of everyone all the time. There’s always a good conference to meet people from all over. It’s a really cool space,” Oliver said.
