Reading Terminal Market

**eldondre** · 08-06-2010, 01:44 PM

seems ridiculous they could have let ochs go. also interesting that the convention center had no intention of helping the terminal market at the time

Eight months after the death of longtime Reading Terminal Market butcher Harry Ochs, his shop has survived a dispute over its lease — and will remain in the market.

In recent weeks, the market, which is undergoing a $4.5 million renovation, threatened to evict the shop, which is now operated by Harry Ochs’ son Nicholas Ochs, according to Harry Ochs spokesman Jim DeLorenzo. Now the two sides have reached terms on a new lease.

Ochs, who died in December at age 80, was a fixture at the market since the late 1940s, about half the life of the site, which opened in 1892. Harry G. Ochs & Sons counted among its customers Gov. Ed Rendell. A stretch of nearby Filbert Street is named Harry Ochs Way. The late butcher even fought to save the market when its future was threatened by development. The butcher shop has been in the market since 1906.

Market, Harry G. Ochs shop hash out issues, sign lease - Philadelphia Business Journal

**eldondre** · 08-09-2010, 11:38 AM

KYW’s Steve Tawa reports that general manager Paul Steinke says they’re making room for more vendors in the back of the market:

“Right now it’s largely given over to tenant storage and service for the market.”

He says those storage lockers will be relocated to the basement, which is as large as the market itself, at 78,000 square feet:

“But it’s underutilized for that purpose. It’s served, presently, by a single freight elevator. We’re adding a second freight elevator.”

All told, he adds, the reconfiguration will create about 3,300 square feet of new retail space, which means upwards of six or seven new merchants on the ground floor:

“We’re going to keep our eye on making the market stronger as a source for fresh foods and groceries, which is not to say we won’t include some prepared foods.”

Steinke says they want to make sure the mix supports the market’s mission to be a farmer’s market.

The $4.5-million renovation also includes relocating the restrooms. The new ones will have 44 percent more space.

Eventually, Steinke says, Reading Terminal Market wants to be able to expand across Filbert Street into the “headhouse” section of the old train station, creating a new retail experience for shoppers along Market Street.

Reading Terminal Mkt. to Make Room for More Vendors KYW Newsradio 1060

**phillyaggie** · 08-09-2010, 11:56 AM

Eventually, Steinke says, Reading Terminal Market wants to be able to expand across Filbert Street into the “headhouse” section of the old train station, creating a new retail experience for shoppers along Market Street.

When is this eventuality going to happen? I can't wait! I took a new employee to the market last Friday for lunch, and the place was about bursting at the seams. Jam-packed; very busy. They could easily expand to Market St and have enough vendors to fill the place up, not to mention enough patrons to keep all the vendors busy and profitable.

I think this expansion of the RTM with a "front door" on Market St was also a big part of the Market East make-over being planned... I thought more new news on that process would be forthcoming by now since they were looking into so many different issues, major being bus station and bus re-routing.

**MarketStEl** · 08-09-2010, 11:58 AM

As you should remember from the Rick's Steaks fracas, the Reading Terminal Market merchants are a pretty strong-willed lot, and even those who have supported Market management in its efforts to strengthen the RTM don't see eye-to-eye with management on everything. I'm surprised that the situation had gotten so testy that management had considered evicting the Ochs shop but glad everything was settled.

As for expanding the Market across Filbert: let's hope that happens this time around. There had been a sign in the then-new Reading Terminal headhouse lobby ~1994, shortly after it reopened as the entrance to the Convention Center, that announced a "future expansion" of the RTM into the space now occupied by the Field House.

**eldondre** · 08-09-2010, 12:19 PM

would love to see the sign returned to its rightful place where the hard rock guitar is located.

the bus station was consultant fodder. idiotic. greyhound rents their station from a private operator. it's fighting yesterday's battles, and none of the options really alleviated any traffic. anyway, back to the terminal, I see it's role along with "addition by subtraction in removing the family court" the most likely market east pieces that happen. I'd like to see the beer garden sell PA beers.

**OldCityTans** · 08-09-2010, 01:28 PM

I'd like it if the Terminal had a virtual window, a wall sized screen that showed live footage of a farmer's market in, I dunno, maybe Paris or Barcelona.

I was telling hub about this Ochs debacle at Ochs yesterday (I LOVE their marinated chicken breasts) & the man behind the counter gave me this ~look... I guess they're glad its over too.

**eldondre** · 11-10-2010, 08:25 AM

Shake-up at Reading Terminal Market: The Beer Garden, which has been there for 25 years or so, has been sold to veggie guys Vinnie and Jimmy Iovine, who plan a gastropub to be called Molly Maguire’s. The transfer of ownership will take effect when the Iovines’ liquor license application is approved, possibly within 90 days from now. Then it’s renovation time. The Beer Garden is still open under Tony Novelli.

Restaurant notes: Sniffin' around White Dog; Reading Terminal beer change-up | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/09/2010

**Insoluble** · 11-10-2010, 11:13 AM

Cool, this should be interesting. I've never actually been to the RTM beer garden (which is surprising, since I've tried out just about every other vendor)

**eldondre** · 11-10-2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Insoluble

Cool, this should be interesting. I've never actually been to the RTM beer garden (which is surprising, since I've tried out just about every other vendor)

I'm skeptical because of the name they've chosen but hopeful. they shouldn't have to go far to get food to cook.

**phillyaggie** · 11-10-2010, 04:48 PM

wait, there's a place in RTM that sells beer? a beer garden, no less? a gastropub of some sort? like insoluble, i'm surprised about knowing its existence. then again, i'm new to this place so may be it's tucked away in some corner and i've not seen or heard of it. until now.

**Insoluble** · 11-10-2010, 05:05 PM

^^^
I've seen it before, it's tucked away on the east side just south of the central eating area, but the entrance isn't necessarily that obvious.

**ACG** · 11-10-2010, 05:10 PM

turn east at Franks a Lot

**Hospitalitygirl** · 11-10-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

wait, there's a place in RTM that sells beer? a beer garden, no less? a gastropub of some sort? like insoluble, i'm surprised about knowing its existence. then again, i'm new to this place so may be it's tucked away in some corner and i've not seen or heard of it. until now.

Gastropub???? Dude...how many times have you been in the Market? It's a FARMER'S MARKET! Gastropubs do not belong in there, but this place is just enough. Also, I love how the Iovines are taking over! They'll do a nice job with the beer garden. (PS--it doesn't just have beer.)

**MTEMPLE** · 11-10-2010, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Gastropub???? Dude...how many times have you been in the Market? It's a FARMER'S MARKET! Gastropubs do not belong in there, but this place is just enough. Also, I love how the Iovines are taking over! They'll do a nice job with the beer garden. (PS--it doesn't just have beer.)

I agree.

The Beer Garden | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

**phillyaggie** · 11-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Gastropub???? Dude...how many times have you been in the Market? It's a FARMER'S MARKET! Gastropubs do not belong in there, but this place is just enough. Also, I love how the Iovines are taking over! They'll do a nice job with the beer garden. (PS--it doesn't just have beer.)

I've been to the Market many times. Just not scoured every corner of it. And I was just trying to figure out what kind of place this is. I didn't ask that there be a gastropub in the market.

Just trying to figure out what this is, and where it is. Some folks provided that info. So thanks!

**daninpa** · 11-10-2010, 06:08 PM

Has anyone else noticed all the ladies who work at the Beer Garden have all the same Endora from Bewitched haircuts?

**Hospitalitygirl** · 01-21-2011, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

I'm skeptical because of the name they've chosen but hopeful. they shouldn't have to go far to get food to cook.

PS--I think "Molly" was their mother, but not 100% certain.

The food should be just fine since their sister runs the buffet in the back and there is a fairly sizable kitchen in there.

**MarketStEl** · 01-21-2011, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Gastropub???? Dude...how many times have you been in the Market? It's a FARMER'S MARKET! Gastropubs do not belong in there, but this place is just enough. Also, I love how the Iovines are taking over! They'll do a nice job with the beer garden. (PS--it doesn't just have beer.)

You did note that the Inky item said that the Iovines were going to turn The Beer Garden into a gastropub, no?

**Hospitalitygirl** · 01-21-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

You did note that the Inky item said that the Iovines were going to turn The Beer Garden into a gastropub, no?

I think I am just starting to loathe that name and concept.

**supersupper** · 01-21-2011, 07:24 PM

Sunday was a mad house at RTM. Other Sundays are fairly busy too, but this time it was Crazy. Granted the home show was going on (as boring as it is).

How long before the Amish figure out how to stay open Sundays ?