Photo by Derek Ramsey via Wikimedia Commons
Michael Thomas Leibrandt: Philly’s Italian Market is a piece of living history
Over the course of the next year, virtually every piece of Philadelphia history will be enjoyed as tourists from all over the world visit our city. But the story of Philadelphia will be both the history that is still with us — and the throngs of history that well — hasn’t survived.
If you’ve spent any time enjoying the Italian Market in South Philadelphia (America’s oldest outdoor market that is still open today, in fact) then you’ve no doubt passed by one of its signature landmarks — P&F Giordano Fruit & Produce. Passing by it will have a new meaning now, as this past Saturday was Giordano’s last in business after an incredible one hundred and four years. Three generations in the past, original founders Paul and Frances Giordano first operated the business and the family would own the other four buildings in close proximity.
Today’s Italian Market first began all the way back to the arrival of an Italian immigrant, Antonio Palumbo, arrival on US soil and his subsequent opening of a boarding house prior to 1890. Outdoor food locations would spring up around it on the eastern edge of 9th Street providing everything from fish to vegetables. Almost directly in front of St. Paul’s Church was the site of merchants selling pieces directly from Italy. Original business people would even push carts down the street with available items of old Italy. New Jersey farms would even send produce to Philadelphia for the Italian Market by way of a ferry.
The early years of the 1900s saw the Italian Market increasingly become a collection of physical stores. Its boundaries also house the widely considered oldest Italian Restaurant in the US in Ralph’s, which has been in operation since 1900 and just celebrated with a 125th birthday party in June.
The Italian Market in South Philadelphia on South 9th Street gained official recognition as a district for business as far back as 1914. One year later, the City of Philadelphia granted them a charter. For thousands of tourists visiting Philadelphia in the run-up to the 250th Anniversary, it’s a must see part of Philadelphia. One that you must see while it’s still here.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt lives and works in Abington Township, Pennsylvania.
There was never an Italian Market.The official name for the market is 9th Street Market. Locals who shopped there referred to it as the 9th Street Market . “I’m going over to 9th Street” was the phrase. Only people who lived outside the area and craved such exotic delicacies as mozzarella cheese and olive oil dubbed it the Italian Market. Nowadays, you could pick these sort of things up at any supermarket where the descendants of this South Philadelphia enclave now live.