Italian Market

Italian Market

Type	Open-air market
Address	South 9th Street (Fitzwater to Wharton)
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Bella Vista / Passyunk Square
Phone	(215) 278-2903
Website	Official site
Established	1884
Founder	Italian immigrant community
Owner	South 9th Street Business Men's Association
Hours	Tue-Sat 9 AM - 5 PM; Sun morning
Products	Fresh produce, meats, cheese, specialty foods
Status	Active

Italian Market(215) 278-2903https://italianmarketphilly.orgSouth 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 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.

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.

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 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 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:

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

External Links

• South 9th Street Italian Market Official Website
• Visit Philadelphia Guide
• PA Historical Marker