04-17-2006, 02:07 PM
We've had an indoor farmers' market in downtown Philadelphia for over 100 years, and it has developed a charm of its own in that time. The Reading Terminal Market began in the 1890s on the street level of the railroad terminal, taking advantage of the fact that many farmers in Lancaster could put their produce on trains coming into Philadelphia, and the same produce could go out to suburban housewives the same day on commuter trains going to the Main Line. Bassett's, one of America's first premium ice cream brands, was an original tenant, and is still there 111 years later. There are stands there now selling produce, meat, fish, cheese, and soft pretzels; there are many choices for lunch, none of them part of national chains; a beer garden; several bakeries; and a stage for live music. Think of it as Makuu quadrupled in size and moved indoors. It's a destination for locals, tourists, and (since it is only a block from the new Convention Center) conventioneers.
Howard
Howard