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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's '''America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market'''. It stretches along South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street. Since 1884, when Italian immigrants first set up shop in the [[Bella Vista]] neighborhood, the market has been a Philadelphia fixture. Today nearly 200 vendors, shops, and restaurants occupy over 20 city blocks, selling everything from fresh produce and meats to 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 [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.
The market became globally famous after that unforgettable training montage in the 1976 film ''Rocky''. You've probably seen it: [https://biography.wiki/s/Sylvester_Stallone Sylvester Stallone]'s character jogs through the pre-dawn market, and a vendor tosses him an orange as he passes. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission put up a historic marker recognizing the market's cultural and economic importance.


== History ==
== History ==
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=== Founding and Age ===
=== 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 Italian Market started in '''1884'''. That makes it over 140 years old. Its story is inseparable from the flood of Italian immigration that reshaped 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:
Like many immigrant neighborhoods, this one followed a predictable path:


* '''1884''' - Italian immigrants begin settling in the area, establishing an "immigrant settlement zone"
* '''1884''' - Italian immigrants start moving into the area and create an "immigrant settlement zone"
* '''1880s-1890s''' - Antonio Palumbo opens a boarding house, and businesses spring up to serve the growing Italian community
* '''1880s-1890s''' - Antonio Palumbo opens a boarding house, and other businesses pop up to serve the swelling Italian community
* '''1902''' - More than 70,000 Italian immigrants and their children live in the Bella Vista district
* '''1902''' - More than 70,000 Italian immigrants and their children are living in the Bella Vista district
* '''1914''' - South 9th Street is formally recognized as a business district
* '''1914''' - South 9th Street gets formally recognized as a business district
* '''1915''' - The South Ninth Street Business Men's Association receives a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
* '''1915''' - The South Ninth Street Business Men's Association gets a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
* '''2007''' - Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission dedicates an historic marker
* '''2007''' - Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission puts up 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.
During World War I, the market thrived. It helped fight food shortages and high prices when they were everywhere. Italian merchants had fresh produce, meats, and cheeses that other retailers just couldn't offer.


=== Evolution and Diversity ===
=== 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:
The market's changed quite a bit since it opened. Yes, several generations-old Italian businesses are still there, but today it reflects Philadelphia's many immigrant communities, not just Italian ones. You'll find:


* Traditional Italian specialty shops (cheese, meats, bakeries)
* Traditional Italian specialty shops (cheese, meats, bakeries)
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* Middle Eastern shops
* 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.
This shift in what you see mirrors South Philadelphia's changing face and the ongoing pattern of immigrants opening businesses that built the market in the first place. Longtime Italian places like Fante's Kitchen Shop (opened 1906), Sarcone's Bakery (1918), and Di Bruno Bros. (1939) still operate. They share the space with newer immigrant-owned shops.


== 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.
One of cinema's most iconic moments happens right here at the Italian Market: the training montage from the 1976 film ''Rocky''. Rocky Balboa ([https://biography.wiki/a/Sylvester_Stallone Sylvester Stallone]) runs through the pre-dawn market in this scene. A vendor tosses him an orange as he jogs past.


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]].
Set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," this sequence turned the market into a worldwide landmark. Now, thousands of Rocky fans retrace the character's training route every year. It starts at Rocky's apartment, runs through the Italian Market, and ends with that famous climb up the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art|Rocky Steps]].


== Visiting the Market ==
== Visiting the Market ==
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'''Important Notes:'''
'''Important Notes:'''
* Cart vendors typically begin their day around 8:00 AM on weekdays, 7:00 AM on weekends
* Cart vendors typically start their day around 8:00 AM on weekdays, 7:00 AM on weekends
* Individual shop hours vary—some open earlier, some stay open later
* Individual shop hours vary, so some open earlier and some stay open later
* Restaurants often have extended evening hours
* Restaurants often have extended evening hours
* Most merchants are '''closed on Mondays'''
* Most merchants are '''closed on Mondays'''
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=== Sunday Hours ===
=== 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.
The Italian Market is open on Sunday. Don't skip it. Hours are reduced, though. Sunday's a busy day to visit, with vendors usually out from around 7:00 AM through early afternoon. You'll see plenty of weekend shoppers.


However, not all vendors are open on Sunday, and some close by midday. For the fullest selection, visit Tuesday through Saturday.
Keep in mind that not every vendor opens on Sunday, and some close by midday. Want the full selection? Come Tuesday through Saturday instead.


=== Location ===
=== Location ===


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


'''Address Range:'''
'''Address Range:'''
South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street (north) to Wharton Street (south)
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.
The market extends onto 8th and 10th Streets in spots, covering approximately 20 city blocks.


=== Getting There ===
=== Getting There ===


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


'''By Car:'''
'''By Car:'''
The market is approximately 1.5 miles south of Center City, accessible via I-76 or I-95.
The market sits about 1.5 miles south of Center City. You can reach it via I-76 or I-95.


=== Parking ===
=== Parking ===


Parking at the Italian Market is '''limited but available''':
Finding a spot here is doable but tight:


* '''Street Parking:''' Metered parking on 9th Street and surrounding blocks; competitive during busy hours
* '''Street Parking:''' Metered parking on 9th Street and surrounding blocks, though it fills up fast during rush times
* '''Cross Streets:''' Less congested parking often available on Fitzwater, Carpenter, and other cross streets
* '''Cross Streets:''' Fitzwater, Carpenter, and other cross streets often have less competition
* '''Nearby Lots:''' A few small parking lots in the area
* '''Nearby Lots:''' A few small parking lots dot the area


'''Tips:'''
'''Tips:'''
* Visit on weekday mornings for easier parking
* Come on weekday mornings for easier parking
* Consider taking public transit or rideshare
* Public transit or a rideshare might be smarter
* Be prepared to walk a few blocks from parking
* Be ready to walk a few blocks from your car


== Goods and Vendors ==
== Goods and Vendors ==


The Italian Market offers an extraordinary variety of fresh foods and specialty items:
What you can find here is incredible. Seriously.


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


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


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'''Bakeries'''
'''Bakeries'''
* Italian bread and rolls (Sarcone's famous for seeded bread)
* Italian bread and rolls, with Sarcone's especially famous for seeded bread
* Pastries, cannoli, and cookies
* Pastries, cannoli, and cookies
* Pizza and tomato pie
* Pizza and tomato pie
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== Notable Vendors ==
== 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>
These are among the most respected and longest-running businesses around:<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'''
'''Italian Specialty'''
* '''Di Bruno Bros.''' (since 1939) - Premier cheese and specialty food shop
* '''Di Bruno Bros.''' (since 1939) - Cheese and specialty food done right
* '''Claudio's Specialty Foods''' - Imported meats, cheeses, olive oils
* '''Claudio's Specialty Foods''' - Imported meats, cheeses, olive oils
* '''Sarcone's Bakery''' (since 1918) - Legendary Italian bread and seeded rolls
* '''Sarcone's Bakery''' (since 1918) - That bread is legendary
* '''Termini Brothers Bakery''' - Cannoli and Italian pastries
* '''Termini Brothers Bakery''' - Cannoli and Italian pastries
* '''Isgro Pastries''' (since 1904) - Cannoli and rum cake
* '''Isgro Pastries''' (since 1904) - Cannoli and rum cake
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'''Water Ice'''
'''Water Ice'''
* '''John's Water Ice''' - Philadelphia water ice institution
* '''John's Water Ice''' - A Philadelphia institution


== Annual Festival ==
== Annual Festival ==


The '''South 9th Street Italian Market Festival''' is Philadelphia's largest block party, held annually (typically in May). The festival features:
The '''South 9th Street Italian Market Festival''' is Philadelphia's biggest block party, held every year in May. What happens at this festival:


* Live entertainment and music
* Live entertainment and music
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* The famous '''greased pole climbing''' competition
* The famous '''greased pole climbing''' competition


The festival draws thousands of visitors and celebrates the market's cultural heritage.
Thousands show up, and it's a real celebration of the market's roots and culture.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==

Latest revision as of 20:57, 23 April 2026

Italian Market
TypeOpen-air market
AddressSouth 9th Street (Fitzwater to Wharton)
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodBella Vista / Passyunk Square
Phone(215) 278-2903
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1884
FounderItalian immigrant community
OwnerSouth 9th Street Business Men's Association
HoursTue-Sat 9 AM - 5 PM; Sun morning
ProductsFresh produce, meats, cheese, specialty foods
StatusActive
Italian Market(215) 278-2903South 9th Street (Fitzwater to Wharton)PhiladelphiaPAUS

The Italian Market (officially the South 9th Street Curb Market) is an open-air marketplace in South Philadelphia that's America's oldest continuously operating outdoor market. It stretches along South 9th Street from Fitzwater Street to Wharton Street. Since 1884, when Italian immigrants first set up shop in the Bella Vista neighborhood, the market has been a Philadelphia fixture. Today nearly 200 vendors, shops, and restaurants occupy over 20 city blocks, selling everything from fresh produce and meats to cheeses, specialty foods, and prepared dishes from around the world.[1]

The market became globally famous after that unforgettable training montage in the 1976 film Rocky. You've probably seen it: Sylvester Stallone's character jogs through the pre-dawn market, and a vendor tosses him an orange as he passes. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission put up a historic marker recognizing the market's cultural and economic importance.

History

Founding and Age

The Italian Market started in 1884. That makes it over 140 years old. Its story is inseparable from the flood of Italian immigration that reshaped Philadelphia in the late 19th century.[2]

Like many immigrant neighborhoods, this one followed a predictable path:

  • 1884 - Italian immigrants start moving into the area and create an "immigrant settlement zone"
  • 1880s-1890s - Antonio Palumbo opens a boarding house, and other businesses pop up to serve the swelling Italian community
  • 1902 - More than 70,000 Italian immigrants and their children are living in the Bella Vista district
  • 1914 - South 9th Street gets formally recognized as a business district
  • 1915 - The South Ninth Street Business Men's Association gets a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • 2007 - Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission puts up an historic marker

During World War I, the market thrived. It helped fight food shortages and high prices when they were everywhere. Italian merchants had fresh produce, meats, and cheeses that other retailers just couldn't offer.

Evolution and Diversity

The market's changed quite a bit since it opened. Yes, several generations-old Italian businesses are still there, but today it reflects Philadelphia's many immigrant communities, not just Italian ones. You'll find:

  • 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 shift in what you see mirrors South Philadelphia's changing face and the ongoing pattern of immigrants opening businesses that built the market in the first place. Longtime Italian places like Fante's Kitchen Shop (opened 1906), Sarcone's Bakery (1918), and Di Bruno Bros. (1939) still operate. They share the space with newer immigrant-owned shops.

In Popular Culture

One of cinema's most iconic moments happens right here at the Italian Market: the training montage from the 1976 film Rocky. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) runs through the pre-dawn market in this scene. A vendor tosses him an orange as he jogs past.

Set to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," this sequence turned the market into a worldwide landmark. Now, thousands of Rocky fans retrace the character's training route every year. It starts at Rocky's apartment, runs through the Italian Market, and ends with that famous climb up the Rocky Steps.

Visiting the Market

Hours of Operation

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 start their day around 8:00 AM on weekdays, 7:00 AM on weekends
  • Individual shop hours vary, so some open earlier and 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

The Italian Market is open on Sunday. Don't skip it. Hours are reduced, though. Sunday's a busy day to visit, with vendors usually out from around 7:00 AM through early afternoon. You'll see plenty of weekend shoppers.

Keep in mind that not every vendor opens on Sunday, and some close by midday. Want the full selection? Come Tuesday through Saturday instead.

Location

Head to 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 extends onto 8th and 10th Streets in spots, covering approximately 20 city blocks.

Getting There

By Public Transit (SEPTA):

  • Broad Street Line (The B): Ellsworth-Federal Station is 4 blocks east
  • Bus Route 47: Runs along 8th Street through the market
  • Bus Route 64: Serves Washington Avenue nearby

By Car: The market sits about 1.5 miles south of Center City. You can reach it via I-76 or I-95.

Parking

Finding a spot here is doable but tight:

  • Street Parking: Metered parking on 9th Street and surrounding blocks, though it fills up fast during rush times
  • Cross Streets: Fitzwater, Carpenter, and other cross streets often have less competition
  • Nearby Lots: A few small parking lots dot the area

Tips:

  • Come on weekday mornings for easier parking
  • Public transit or a rideshare might be smarter
  • Be ready to walk a few blocks from your car

Goods and Vendors

What you can find here is incredible. Seriously.

Fresh Produce

  • Over 40 produce vendors with seasonal fruits and vegetables
  • Usually way cheaper than supermarkets
  • They sell from traditional curbside stands

Meats and Poultry

  • Seven meat markets with fresh cuts
  • Four poultry stores carrying 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, with Sarcone's especially 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

These are among the most respected and longest-running businesses around:[3]

Italian Specialty

  • Di Bruno Bros. (since 1939) - Cheese and specialty food done right
  • Claudio's Specialty Foods - Imported meats, cheeses, olive oils
  • Sarcone's Bakery (since 1918) - That bread is legendary
  • 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 - A Philadelphia institution

Annual Festival

The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival is Philadelphia's biggest block party, held every year in May. What happens at this festival:

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

Thousands show up, and it's a real celebration of the market's roots and culture.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "A Guide to the South 9th Street Italian Market". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  2. ↑ "Italian Market". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  3. ↑ "South 9th Street Italian Market". Italian Market. Retrieved December 22, 2025

External Links

Retrieved from "https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=Italian_Market&oldid=5061"