Samia Carrington’s favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning. Right at seven when Reading Terminal Market, America’s largest and Philadelphia’s favorite public market, opens for employees. What awaits her at Kismet Bialys, a two year old bialy bakery that puts a breakfast twist on classics, is a chorus of “hello” and “how
are you” from the booths around. Smiling as she preps the dough to begin baking the fresh bialys she knows there is nowhere else she wants to be.
“This community is what I love most and what makes [Reading Terminal] so special,” Carrington said. “Everyone just wants to say hello when I first get here.”
Reading Terminal Market first opened in February of 1893. It was originally built to rehouse outdoor vendors for safety and sanitary reasons. By 1913 there were 250 food dealers and 100 farmers covering the market floor. Now, more than 75 vendors call this historical market home.
Home is exactly the word that many vendors would use to describe their feelings of the market. Between the generations of regulars that come by stalls to the community from all across the world, the spirit of the market is clear; it’s Philadelphia.
“[Philadelphia] is a beautiful historic place within itself,” Carrington said. “But the market really exemplifies that feeling everyday.”
Carrington is not alone in this feeling. Mary Oliver, a long time employee of Termini Brothers Bakery which has been in the market since the early 80’s, loves to see the mix of cultures and people that come through the market.
“People watching is my favorite thing to do everyday,” Oliver said. “I love getting to see a little bit of everyone here.”
Chris Mickel, who has been with Hunger Burger since its opening in 2014, feels like he is constantly connected to the community around him, even though he just comes to work everyday.
“This is just our life,” Mickel said. “It’s really cool that everyone from all over the country gets to experience it with us.”
This is not the only thing that connects Mickel with his community. Hunger Burger has a mission statement of “Buy one, feed one” which is a program that donates a meal to a hungry child for every burger bought. Nationally, they are connected with No Kid Hungry, locally they are connected to Philabundance which has been serving hungry communities since 1984, and internationally they are partnered with King’s Castle which provides meals to kids in El Salvador.
“We believe that when you give, God blesses you more and more,” Mickel said. “And, you know, it’s nice [to know] that you are doing something bigger than selling food.”
Hunger Burger’s program is called Patties with a Purpose and they are also partnered with By George, a generations-old Italian
and cheesesteak spot, that participates in their fundraising efforts through You Have A Steak In It that connects with all the same programs.
Gregory Mosley, a 34 year long employee of By George, thinks that the fact that the market is steeped in tradition is what makes it unique. This is also part of why it’s important that they give back; because they are a major part of the community, according to Mosley.
Tradition is something that isn’t taken lightly in Reading Terminal Market. Sam Reddy, who has been working at Nanee’s Kitchen for six years, is very compelled by tradition. Nanee’s Kitchen is a stall that specializes in traditional Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Reddy says the spices, traditionals, and classic style is what brings culture to the market.
Tea Leaf employee Bel Juan couldn’t agree more. Tea Leaf has been making loose leaf tea for the community since 1957. They have recently started selling bubble tea and other popular drinks, but, according to Juan, their loose leaf tradition is what makes them so unique.
It’s not just tradition that makes Reading Terminal unique, it’s the fact that they bring the larger community things that you can’t find anywhere else.
Sarah Baumeister from The Original Turkey says that there is nothing that brings the market together like its unique stores. Original Turkey, especially, sells Thanksgiving dinner year round along with delicious turkey sandwiches and other turkey items.
“Why not [serve Thanksgiving] all year round,” Baumeister asked. “I mean, there’s no one who does what we do.”
Another business that does “niche” well is Herbiary where you can find medicinal herbs and crystals for all needs. Fatinah Ford, a long time employee, loves the Herbiary because of its history. Using herbs as medicine began in ancient times in places around the world like Egypt and has evolved from there since. As a kid, Ford was sick a lot and used herbs because they had less side effects than her other medicines. She studies and goes to free classes on the history of herbary in her spare time.
“I love to teach people about the herbs and how they can help you,” Ford said. “I’m always learning from coworkers and professors too, but I love to open people up to new perspectives.”
Reading Terminal Market is really for the community as it brings in new people and regulars on a daily basis to eat, chat, and learn about new things. Philadelphia native and Reading Terminal Market regular Bill McMullen is at the market every Friday morning with his friends. They call themselves the R.O.M.E.O.S. or, in his words, “retired old men eating out sometimes”. Him and his friends go to Molly Malloy’s Kitchen for breakfast, to chat, and, of course, to people-watch.
“I love to see all the people come by when I eat here,” McMullen said. “It really feels like seeing the community and letting the world see [our community].”
McMullen, following breakfast with his friends, likes to frequent The Head Nut which is a shop that sells candies, nuts, chocolates, and more.
Head Nut employee Alice Walker says that, more than the outside community of Philadelphia, she loves her Reading Terminal family.
“Whenever I need something, it’s like your next door neighbor needing sugar,” Walker said. “We are just there for eachother… to put each other back together… after a bad day.”
Walker, however, acknowledges how much the Philly family means to her, the business, and the Reading Terminal Market.
“Philadelphia is just a melting pot of people running through life,” Walker said. “This community in Reading Terminal is a representation of the true Philly.”
For more coverage of Reading Terminal Market visit our instagram @_KnightMedia to see all of online editor-in-chief Claire Wynkoop and associate online editor-in-chief Alyssa Kowols favorite stalls to visit!
