Contact:
Giavana Suraci
T 215.440.5516
gsuraci@centercityphila.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA (November 25, 2020)-With Black Friday and Small Business Saturday right around the corner, the Center City District has created a list of what’s happening in the diverse shopping districts downtown. From the tiny boutiques of Rittenhouse Row to the popular national retailers along Chestnut Street and Market Street East, to the eclectic mix in Old City, to the carefully curated collection of locally-owned shops and bistros in Midtown Village, Center City shopping truly has something for everyone. In this challenging year, supporting local retailers is even more important than ever. Over 70% of Center City’s retailers are individually owned and operated.
Our retailers have been working hard to make your shopping experience safe and comfortable with enhanced safety and cleaning protocols, as well as strict mask enforcement. In order to meet customer comfort levels, many shops are offering a variety of ways to shop, including private or virtual appointments, and online shopping with curbside pick-up or delivery. And don’t forget to buy restaurant gift cards for your hard-to-gift or foodies friends and purchase take-out for yourself.
See what’s new and happening below in Center City’s dynamic retail neighborhoods!
Rittenhouse Row
Celebrate the unusual holiday season in Rittenhouse Row, where our merchants are united in creating special experiences so you can create new holiday traditions.
Independent entrepreneurs and international luxury brands combine, along with Philadelphia’s best outdoor dining rooms, to make a special place for your holiday.
New this season:
Tiffany’s new flagship store- now open! 1715 Walnut Street
Kevin O’Brien Studio Pop Up in Joan Shepp - 1811 Chestnut St
Boyds luxurious beauty department – 1818 Chestnut St
The return of the Knit Wit POP Up – 250 S 18th St
Collectible books from Joseph Fox Bookshop and Shakespeare + Co. – 1724 Sansom St and 1632 Walnut St
Our new Allbirds Store – 1709 Walnut St
Lagos’ new personalized collection – 1735 Walnut St
Expanded loungewear at Je Suis Jolie – 114 S 19th St
Online shopping at Kimberly Boutique – 123 S 16th St
On trend pieces at DFTI – 2032 Chestnut St
Gifts for generations at Govberg Jewelers – 1521 Walnut St
Fabulous men’s footwear from Blue Sole Shoes and ladies footwear from Headstart – 1805 Chestnut St and 126 S 17th St
Clever personal gifts from Tselaine – 1927 Walnut St
Gourmet gifts from Metropolitan Bakery and DiBruno Bros. – 262 S 19th St and 1730 Chestnut St
And more...
Liberty Place
The Shops at Liberty Place, Center City’s premier indoor shopping destination, wants to share some much-needed JOY this holiday season. And no holiday is complete without a festive selfie! Guests who snap a photo in front of the “Choose Joy” selfie wall, and upload to Instagram sharing what gives them JOY, will be entered weekly to win gift cards to their Shops at Liberty Place merchant of choice. (Must use the hashtag #joyatlibertyplace and don’t forget to tag @shopsatliberty!) Now through 12/16/20.
Please remember to mask up and to social distance while shopping. The Shops at Liberty Place is committed to your comfort and safety.
View this and more upcoming events at ShopsatLiberty.com.
Fashion District
Fashion District Philadelphia (The District) is your one-stop-shop for holiday joy this season with the return of the “Deck The District” light show and the District’s one-of-a-kind floating tree, the return of real-bearded Santa, and 12-days of can’t miss shopping deals and giveaways that are sure to make holiday shopping a breeze.
Shopping Your Way
The District is offering a variety of shopping formats and conveniences to ensure guests can complete their holiday shopping in time, while maintaining their safety preferences. Visit The District’s website and holiday shopping guide for information on the best dates and times to shop; stores that offer personal stylists, alterations, and loyalty programs; the sMALL Surprises curated holiday collection; the District2Go program that allows stores to offer contactless pickup at designated pick-up zones; and stores that offer their own curbside pickup and other hybrid shopping options.
Holiday Light Show
Visit The District to take-in everyone’s favorite floating tree display and musical light show! Occurring every hour from 4pm-close November 13 through January 4, the dazzling light show will be set to the tune of The Philly Pops.
Santa Arrival and Hours
This December, The District will welcome real-bearded Santa on Friday, December 4! Santa will be at The District Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting December 4 through December 20. This season, Santa’s visiting hours will be as follows:
· Friday- Saturday: 11am-7pm
· Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Santa Visits and Photos
In an effort to create touchless experiences and accommodate varying levels of visitor comfort, Santa will be available at Fashion District Philadelphia via numerous experiences and offerings. Reservations are required and can be made here.
Picture with Santa: This year, Santa will be stationed behind a plexiglass protection shield with a bench in front where visitors will sit. Guests are able to interact with Santa through the shield, and when it comes time for photos, guests and Santa are permitted to remove their masks for a quick snap!
NEW! Virtual Experience: Interact with Santa from the comfort of your home with a special 5-minute, one-on-one Zoom call with Santa. As a fun gift, keep a priceless recording of the conversation as a takeaway.
Visit Santa: Photo-shy, but still want to say “hi” to Santa? Visits with Santa are free and are sure to put a smile on his face! Reservations are still required.
Letters to Santa
Don’t forget to write a letter to Santa! Visit The District’s Welcome Station at the 9th and Market entrance to pick up your paper and pen to participate. Once you’re done, place it in Santa’s red mailbox next to the Santa set. Every participant will also receive a candy cane. As an added bonus for parents and guardians, there will be a raffle option for one special adult to win a “sMALL Suprises” holiday box each week in December.
12-Days of District Deals
Get your holiday shopping done early with knowledge of the best deals. Beginning December 14th through December 25th, The District will offer 12-days of deals highlighting the best bargains, and limited-edition items. Follow The District on social media for information on the daily deals and giveaways, including which retailers are participating and how you can take advantage of these great offers. Enter special giveaways by submitting a photo of yourself in front of The District’s holiday décor with the #districtdeal12 on social media, for the chance to win a variety of prizes.
Please remember to mask up and social distance while shopping. The Fashion District is committed to your comfort and safety.
East Market
The holiday spirit is coming to life at East Market in Center City. Filled with festive décor and lights, featuring a 20-foot holiday tree, enjoy a window mural display by Mural Arts and jazz instrumentalist throughout the season. Visit East Market’s outdoor walk every Saturday from November 28—December 19 to enjoy a warm drink from the cocktail truck by the city’s newest French-rooted, American-inspired brasserie, The Wayward. Warm up with a Croquembouche from Federal Donuts and take advantage of seasonal specials found at retailers throughout the site such SchmearIt, Iron Hill Brewery, District Taco and more.
East Market encourages mask-wearing and social distancing while on-site for the holidays. To stay up to date on programming, performances and changes in the schedule due to weather advisories, visit www.eastmarket.com or follow along @EastMarketPHL.
Saturday Programming, November 28—December 19, 2020; 1—5 p.m.
The Lits Building
Enjoy great shopping at Ross Dress for Less and the Flagship FIVE BELOW store.
FIVE BELOW flagship store
YES! We have SO many gifts, that are SO amazing you won’t believe they’re literally five dollars each. Like new, name-brand toys, games, crafts, candy, tech and tons more and they’re all perfect for LOTS of YES-TIVITIES! Give ‘em the fun they need this holiday like our NEW Venom R/C toy, Disney Princess styling heads, LOTS of NEW Squishmallows, Marvel action figures and TONS more fun for way less mun! Hurry! Grab ‘em all first before anyone else does! We’re also hyped to introduce Five Beyond! They’re gifts beyond $5, still waaay below the rest! They’re all amazing gifts at unbelievable prices. Pile Gifts High, Spend Way Low at Five Below!
Please remember to mask up and to social distance while shopping. The Lits Building is committed to your comfort and safety.http://www.litsbuilding.com/retail
Midtown Village
Looking for a little holiday cheer? Visit Midtown Village this Holiday Season for all your shopping and foodie needs!
For over fourteen years, Midtown Village has provided a unique enclave of independently owned and operated restaurants, shops, hotels and local businesses that take up residence from Broad Street to 12th Street and from Market to Spruce Streets. From our fun boutiques to our wide variety of outdoor dining and culinary options, experience one of the greatest neighborhoods in Center City Philadelphia!
Midtown Village encourages mask-wearing and social distancing while in the Village for the Holiday Season. #maskupPHL #weareinthistogether
For more information and updates visit us at www.midtownvillagephilly.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Midtown Village Philadelphia.
Jewelers Row
Come explore The Jewelers' Row District, between Walnut to Market Street and 7th to 9th Street. We Are Open and many of our Jewelers, retail stores, restaurants and galleries are offering all kinds of discounts & special deals. Stroll down our historic brick-paved Sansom Street to enjoy some of the best window shopping you’ll ever see and our famous Holiday Lights. Jewelers’ Row is the oldest diamond district in America, dating back to 1851.
Please remember to mask up and to social distance while shopping. Jewelers Row is committed to your comfort and safety.
Find more info at JROW.org.
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Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.