“There are a lot of people who don’t like their jobs. But, I don’t know anybody here [in Reading Terminal Market] who doesn’t. We really enjoy being here and working together,” said Alice Walker, who has worked in Reading Terminal Market for eight years.
Since 1893, Reading Terminal Market has served as a hub for vendors, shoppers and tourists alike. Local businesses bring their variety of products to the market, where customers fill the tight alleyways in search of goods. Many stores cycle in and out of the market, but Hershel’s East Side Deli has been a staple for years. Elle Epright enjoys working in the market and has found herself as a community member in her two years at the deli.
“We’re a Jewish-style deli, and we’ve been [in Reading Terminal Market] for [over] 20 years now. I love working here. There’s a really good atmosphere; you get to know everyone at every different [store],’” Epright said.
Hershel’s East Side Deli is a family-owned business, along with many other stores in Reading Terminal Market.
“The market itself is a lot of family-owned places, [which] means [they] care about their employees more,” Epright said. “We [at Hershel’s] all know each other and a lot of [us] live right by each other. [My boss] used to drive me home when I didn’t have a car and [he even] helped me find an apartment.”
Another market staple is The Head Nut, where Walker is a manager. They sell spices, seeds, flour, grains and nuts, which other shops in the market use to make and enhance their products.
“Most of the businesses will shop with us to get their supplies to make their foods. We bounce off of each other and give everyone whatever they need,” Walker said.
During her time in Reading Terminal Market, she enjoyed the strong sense of community and camaraderie amongst the vendors.
“[Workers at other shops] walk in just to get a breath of fresh air and talk for a few minutes. You come in the morning and everyone [greets you]. It’s really a cool place, and we all take care of each other,” Walker said.
Nydia Briggs works at the Flying Monkey Bakery, where she makes sweet treats such as their award-winning whoopie pies and butter cakes. She shares a sentiment similar to Walker’s, finding joy in meeting the kind people in the market.
“I really love this job. [The market is] very family-friendly, and people are very nice here. You definitely make strong connections, whether it be friends or family,” Briggs said.
Monica Lockett has shopped in the market for 64 years, usually accompanied by her husband, Amir. She notices the wide variety of cultures and appreciates the variety of food options it provides.
“[There’s] a diverse group of people here, as you can see. [You] have [food from] every nationality,” Monica Lockett said.
While she does enjoy the sense of community the others mentioned, her favorite aspect of Reading Terminal Market is its high-quality food.
“I like to eat; I come here for the food,” Monica Lockett said. “[I come] at least once a week, and there’s plenty of different options.”
George Stein lived in New York his entire life before moving to Philadelphia and working with Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken. The bustling and social nature of Reading Terminal Market is different from his previous construction jobs, but he appreciates the conversations that come with working in the market.
“There are [many] nice people here, and I love interacting with them and staying busy. Most of the time, you’ll see a line out the door because [it’s so hectic],” Stein said.
Angely Pérez also grew up away from Philadelphia, living in the Dominican Republic. Eventually, she moved to the United States, learned English and took a job at Bee Natural, a company that sells honey and beeswax candles. They produce their goods in Smyrna, Delaware, before shipping them to Reading Terminal Market to be sold to local customers. She believes the nature of the tight-knit vendor community comes from the long history stores share in the market.
“The community is so friendly because [most] merchants have worked together like a community [for so many years]. I see that [the vendors] are so sociable [with] one another,” Pérez said.
An interwoven community has been built in Reading Terminal Market through family-owned businesses, diverse vendors and outgoing workers. While recent events like the COVID-19 outbreak and heavy inflation have impacted the market, the strong community has powered through and continues to thrive.
To learn more about Reading Terminal Market, visit their website here: https://readingterminalmarket.org/
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