Italian Market - Revision history

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	== In Popular Culture ==		== In Popular Culture ==

	The Italian Market appears in one of cinema's most iconic scenes: the training montage in the 1976 film ''Rocky''. In the sequence, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) runs through the pre-dawn market, and a vendor tosses him an orange as he passes.		The Italian Market appears in one of cinema's most iconic scenes: the training montage in the 1976 film ''Rocky''. In the sequence, Rocky Balboa ([https://biography.wiki/a/Sylvester_Stallone Sylvester Stallone]) runs through the pre-dawn market, and a vendor tosses him an orange as he passes.

	The scene, set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," helped establish the market as a Philadelphia landmark known worldwide. The market continues to draw Rocky fans who want to retrace the character's training route, which begins at Rocky's apartment, continues through the Italian Market, and culminates with the famous run up the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art\|Rocky Steps]].		The scene, set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," helped establish the market as a Philadelphia landmark known worldwide. The market continues to draw Rocky fans who want to retrace the character's training route, which begins at Rocky's apartment, continues through the Italian Market, and culminates with the famous run up the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art\|Rocky Steps]].

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	The '''Italian Market''' (officially the '''South 9th Street Curb Market''') is an open-air marketplace in [[South Philadelphia]] that is '''America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market'''. Stretching along South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street, the market has served Philadelphia since 1884 when Italian immigrants began establishing businesses in the [[Bella Vista]] neighborhood. Today, nearly 200 individual vendors, shops, and restaurants occupy over 20 city blocks, offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, specialty foods, and prepared dishes from around the world.<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web \|url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/the-italian-market/ \|title=A Guide to the South 9th Street Italian Market \|publisher=Visit Philadelphia \|access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>		The '''Italian Market''' (officially the '''South 9th Street Curb Market''') is an open-air marketplace in [[South Philadelphia]] that is '''America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market'''. Stretching along South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street, the market has served Philadelphia since 1884 when Italian immigrants began establishing businesses in the [[Bella Vista]] neighborhood. Today, nearly 200 individual vendors, shops, and restaurants occupy over 20 city blocks, offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, specialty foods, and prepared dishes from around the world.<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web \|url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/the-italian-market/ \|title=A Guide to the South 9th Street Italian Market \|publisher=Visit Philadelphia \|access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

	The market gained worldwide fame after appearing in the training montage of the 1976 film ''Rocky'', in which Sylvester Stallone's character jogs through the market at dawn, catching an orange tossed by a vendor. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission dedicated an historic marker recognizing the market's cultural and economic significance.		The market gained worldwide fame after appearing in the training montage of the 1976 film ''Rocky'', in which [https://biography.wiki/s/Sylvester_Stallone Sylvester Stallone]'s character jogs through the market at dawn, catching an orange tossed by a vendor. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission dedicated an historic marker recognizing the market's cultural and economic significance.

	== History ==		== History ==

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	\|description=Complete guide to the 9th Street Italian Market, America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market. Hours, best vendors, what to buy, and how to visit Philadelphia's iconic food destination.		\|description=Complete guide to the 9th Street Italian Market, America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market. Hours, best vendors, what to buy, and how to visit Philadelphia's iconic food destination.
	\|keywords=Italian Market Philadelphia, 9th Street Italian Market, oldest outdoor market America, South Philadelphia market, Rocky Italian Market scene, Bella Vista Philadelphia, Italian Market vendors		\|keywords=Italian Market Philadelphia, 9th Street Italian Market, oldest outdoor market America, South Philadelphia market, Rocky Italian Market scene, Bella Vista Philadelphia, Italian Market vendors
	\|type=~~LocalBusiness~~		\|type=Article
	}}		}}

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 {{Infobox LocalBusiness
 | name = Italian Market
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 * [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/the-italian-market/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]
 * [https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-3E1 PA Historical Marker]
 [[Category:Markets]]

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{{#seo:
|title=Italian Market Philadelphia - America's Oldest Outdoor Market Guide
|description=Complete guide to the 9th Street Italian Market, America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market. Hours, best vendors, what to buy, and how to visit Philadelphia's iconic food destination.
|keywords=Italian Market Philadelphia, 9th Street Italian Market, oldest outdoor market America, South Philadelphia market, Rocky Italian Market scene, Bella Vista Philadelphia, Italian Market vendors
|type=LocalBusiness
|schema_faq={"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[
{"@type":"Question","name":"How old is the Italian Market?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Italian Market dates to 1884, making it over 140 years old and America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market. It was established by Italian immigrants in the Bella Vista neighborhood."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the Italian Market still Italian-owned?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The market has evolved since its founding. While several generations-old Italian businesses remain (Di Bruno Bros., Sarcone's, Fante's), vendors now include Mexican, Vietnamese, Venezuelan, Korean, Chinese, and Middle Eastern shops."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What was the Italian Market in Rocky?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Italian Market appears in the 1976 film Rocky's training montage. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) jogs through the pre-dawn market and a vendor tosses him an orange. The scene helped make the market famous worldwide."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What are Italian Market hours?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM; Sunday morning only (7 AM - early afternoon). Most vendors are CLOSED on Monday. Cart vendors begin around 8 AM weekdays, 7 AM weekends. Individual shop hours vary."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the Italian Market open on Sunday?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, the Italian Market is open Sunday with reduced hours. Vendors typically operate from early morning (around 7 AM) through early afternoon. Not all vendors are open, and some close by midday."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is the Italian Market located?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street in Bella Vista/Passyunk Square, South Philadelphia. The market extends to 8th and 10th Streets in some areas, spanning approximately 20 city blocks."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I get to the Italian Market?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"SEPTA Broad Street Line (The B) to Ellsworth-Federal Station (4 blocks east), Bus Route 47 along 8th Street through the market, or Bus Route 64 on Washington Avenue. By car, it's 1.5 miles south of Center City."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there parking at the Italian Market?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Parking is limited but available. Metered street parking on 9th Street and surrounding blocks is competitive during busy hours. Less congested parking on cross streets. Visit weekday mornings for easier parking."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What can you buy at the Italian Market?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Fresh produce (40+ vendors), meats and poultry, cheese and dairy, Italian bread and pastries, specialty foods (olive oils, pastas, spices), housewares (Fante's Kitchen Shop), and prepared foods from various cuisines."}},
{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the best vendors at the Italian Market?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Top vendors include Di Bruno Bros. (cheese, since 1939), Sarcone's Bakery (bread, since 1918), Fante's Kitchen Shop (since 1906), Isgro Pastries (since 1904), Termini Brothers, Ralph's Italian Restaurant, and John's Water Ice."}}
]}
}}
{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Italian Market
| image =
| image_caption = 9th Street Italian Market
| type = Open-air market
| address = South 9th Street (Fitzwater to Wharton)
| neighborhood = Bella Vista / Passyunk Square
| coordinates = 39.9376,-75.1585
| phone = (215) 278-2903
| website = https://italianmarketphilly.org
| established = 1884
| founder = Italian immigrant community
| owner = South 9th Street Business Men's Association
| employees =
| hours = Tue-Sat 9 AM - 5 PM; Sun morning
| products = Fresh produce, meats, cheese, specialty foods
| status = Active
}}

The '''Italian Market''' (officially the '''South 9th Street Curb Market''') is an open-air marketplace in [[South Philadelphia]] that is '''America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market'''. Stretching along South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street, the market has served Philadelphia since 1884 when Italian immigrants began establishing businesses in the [[Bella Vista]] neighborhood. Today, nearly 200 individual vendors, shops, and restaurants occupy over 20 city blocks, offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, specialty foods, and prepared dishes from around the world.<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/the-italian-market/ |title=A Guide to the South 9th Street Italian Market |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

The market gained worldwide fame after appearing in the training montage of the 1976 film ''Rocky'', in which Sylvester Stallone's character jogs through the market at dawn, catching an orange tossed by a vendor. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission dedicated an historic marker recognizing the market's cultural and economic significance.

== History ==

=== Founding and Age ===

The Italian Market dates to '''1884''', making it over 140 years old. The market's history is closely tied to the wave of Italian immigration that transformed Philadelphia in the late 19th century.<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web |url=https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/italian-market/ |title=Italian Market |publisher=Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

The market's development followed a pattern common to immigrant neighborhoods:

* '''1884''' - Italian immigrants begin settling in the area, establishing an "immigrant settlement zone"
* '''1880s-1890s''' - Antonio Palumbo opens a boarding house, and businesses spring up to serve the growing Italian community
* '''1902''' - More than 70,000 Italian immigrants and their children live in the Bella Vista district
* '''1914''' - South 9th Street is formally recognized as a business district
* '''1915''' - The South Ninth Street Business Men's Association receives a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
* '''2007''' - Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission dedicates an historic marker

The market thrived during World War I when it helped counter food shortages and high prices. Italian merchants specialized in fresh produce, meats, and cheeses that other retailers couldn't match.

=== Evolution and Diversity ===

The Italian Market has evolved significantly since its founding. While several generations-old Italian businesses remain, the market now reflects Philadelphia's diverse immigrant communities. Today's vendors include:

* Traditional Italian specialty shops (cheese, meats, bakeries)
* Mexican taquerias and grocers
* Vietnamese restaurants and bakeries
* Venezuelan arepas
* Korean and Chinese food vendors
* Middle Eastern shops

This diversity mirrors the changing demographics of South Philadelphia and the ongoing tradition of immigrant entrepreneurship that founded the market. Longtime Italian establishments like Fante's Kitchen Shop (since 1906), Sarcone's Bakery (since 1918), and Di Bruno Bros. (since 1939) continue operating alongside newer immigrant-owned businesses.

== In Popular Culture ==

The Italian Market appears in one of cinema's most iconic scenes: the training montage in the 1976 film ''Rocky''. In the sequence, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) runs through the pre-dawn market, and a vendor tosses him an orange as he passes.

The scene, set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," helped establish the market as a Philadelphia landmark known worldwide. The market continues to draw Rocky fans who want to retrace the character's training route, which begins at Rocky's apartment, continues through the Italian Market, and culminates with the famous run up the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art|Rocky Steps]].

== Visiting the Market ==

=== Hours of Operation ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Day !! Typical Hours
|-
| Monday || '''CLOSED''' (most vendors)
|-
| Tuesday || 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|-
| Wednesday || 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|-
| Thursday || 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|-
| Friday || 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|-
| Saturday || 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|-
| Sunday || Morning only (7:00 AM - early afternoon)
|}

'''Important Notes:'''
* Cart vendors typically begin their day around 8:00 AM on weekdays, 7:00 AM on weekends
* Individual shop hours vary—some open earlier, some stay open later
* Restaurants often have extended evening hours
* Most merchants are '''closed on Mondays'''

'''Visitor Center:'''
* Location: 919 S. 9th Street
* Hours: Sunday 10 AM - 3 PM; Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

=== Sunday Hours ===

'''Yes''', the Italian Market is open on Sunday, but with reduced hours. Sunday is a popular day to visit, with vendors typically operating from early morning (around 7:00 AM) through early afternoon. Expect the market to be busy with weekend shoppers.

However, not all vendors are open on Sunday, and some close by midday. For the fullest selection, visit Tuesday through Saturday.

=== Location ===

The Italian Market is located on '''South 9th Street''' in the [[Bella Vista]] and [[Passyunk Square]] neighborhoods of [[South Philadelphia]].

'''Address Range:'''
South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street (north) to Wharton Street (south)

The market also extends to 8th and 10th Streets in some areas, spanning approximately 20 city blocks.

=== Getting There ===

'''By Public Transit ([[SEPTA]]):'''
* '''Broad Street Line (The B):''' Ellsworth-Federal Station (4 blocks east)
* '''Bus Route 47:''' Runs along 8th Street through the market
* '''Bus Route 64:''' Serves Washington Avenue nearby

'''By Car:'''
The market is approximately 1.5 miles south of Center City, accessible via I-76 or I-95.

=== Parking ===

Parking at the Italian Market is '''limited but available''':

* '''Street Parking:''' Metered parking on 9th Street and surrounding blocks; competitive during busy hours
* '''Cross Streets:''' Less congested parking often available on Fitzwater, Carpenter, and other cross streets
* '''Nearby Lots:''' A few small parking lots in the area

'''Tips:'''
* Visit on weekday mornings for easier parking
* Consider taking public transit or rideshare
* Be prepared to walk a few blocks from parking

== Goods and Vendors ==

The Italian Market offers an extraordinary variety of fresh foods and specialty items:

'''Fresh Produce'''
* Over 40 produce vendors with seasonal fruits and vegetables
* Often significantly cheaper than supermarkets
* Vendors sell from traditional curbside stands

'''Meats and Poultry'''
* Seven meat markets with fresh cuts
* Four poultry stores with whole birds and specialty items
* Italian specialty meats and sausages

'''Cheese and Dairy'''
* Four dedicated cheese shops
* Imported Italian cheeses
* Fresh mozzarella and ricotta

'''Bakeries'''
* Italian bread and rolls (Sarcone's famous for seeded bread)
* Pastries, cannoli, and cookies
* Pizza and tomato pie

'''Specialty Foods'''
* Olive oils and vinegars
* Imported pastas and sauces
* Spices and dried goods
* Prepared foods and takeaway meals

'''Housewares'''
* Fante's Kitchen Shop (cookware, specialty tools)
* Restaurant equipment and supplies

== Notable Vendors ==

The following are among the most celebrated and longest-operating businesses:<ref name="italianmarket">{{cite web |url=https://italianmarketphilly.org/ |title=South 9th Street Italian Market |publisher=Italian Market |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

'''Italian Specialty'''
* '''Di Bruno Bros.''' (since 1939) - Premier cheese and specialty food shop
* '''Claudio's Specialty Foods''' - Imported meats, cheeses, olive oils
* '''Sarcone's Bakery''' (since 1918) - Legendary Italian bread and seeded rolls
* '''Termini Brothers Bakery''' - Cannoli and Italian pastries
* '''Isgro Pastries''' (since 1904) - Cannoli and rum cake

'''Housewares'''
* '''Fante's Kitchen Shop''' (since 1906) - Kitchenware and specialty cooking tools

'''Produce'''
* '''Giordano Garden Groceries''' - Fresh produce
* Multiple curbside vendors with seasonal offerings

'''Restaurants'''
* '''Ralph's Italian Restaurant''' - One of America's oldest Italian restaurants
* '''Villa Di Roma''' - Traditional Italian cuisine
* '''George's Sandwich Shop''' - Classic hoagies

'''Diverse Cuisine'''
* '''Adelita''' - Mexican
* '''Phở Skyline''' - Vietnamese
* '''Arepa Grub Spot''' - Venezuelan

'''Water Ice'''
* '''John's Water Ice''' - Philadelphia water ice institution

== Annual Festival ==

The '''South 9th Street Italian Market Festival''' is Philadelphia's largest block party, held annually (typically in May). The festival features:

* Live entertainment and music
* Food vendors and cooking demonstrations
* Children's activities
* The famous '''greased pole climbing''' competition

The festival draws thousands of visitors and celebrates the market's cultural heritage.

== See Also ==

* [[Reading Terminal Market]]
* [[Bella Vista]]
* [[Pat's King of Steaks]]
* [[South Philadelphia]]
* [[Cheesesteak]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://italianmarketphilly.org South 9th Street Italian Market Official Website]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/food-drink/the-italian-market/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]
* [https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-3E1 PA Historical Marker]

[[Category:Markets]]
[[Category:South Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Bella Vista]]
[[Category:Historic Businesses]]
[[Category:Attractions]]