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Center City’s commercial core is experiencing a sustained process of recovery, with new businesses opening and existing retailers moving to new, often larger locations, according to the just-released CCD/CPDC Center City Retail Update. In the first quarter of 2022, taxable retail sales in the core of Center City reached 94% of 2019 levels and restaurant sales reached 74% of 2019 levels.
Beginning Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, Dilworth Park will celebrate the attractions of autumn during Harvest Weekend presented by Maker’s Mark. Visitors will be able to safely enjoy a variety of live entertainment, seasonal dishes and interactive décor-all in accord with City, State and CDC guidelines.
Jobs are back, salaries are rising, Center City’s population continues growing, conventions, tourism and retail are all rebounding, and pedestrian vitality is almost fully restored in many portions of the downtown. Office vacancy, however, is rising, challenged by a partial return to office and reinforced by a wage tax that encourages suburban residents to remain remote.
CCD is supporting Center City’s recovery through deployment of additional sidewalk ambassadors, bike patrols and homeless outreach teams in partnership with public and private security.
This report by CCD, CPDC examines disparities between the number of Black-owned and white-owned businesses in Philadelphia and compares them to four other East Coast cities
Storefront occupancy is rising in key corridors. Occupancy ticks down due to major brands contracting nationwide, but growth continues on Walnut Street and East Market corridors.
This summer, PNC Bank will once again support local artists by underwriting CCD’s arts and culture programming in Dilworth Park, including Live @ Lunch presented by PNC beginning Wednesday June 1, and continuing every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon through July 28. These small outdoor concerts at lunchtime, featuring a full lineup of musicians representing Philadelphia’s eclectic music scene, will take place from noon-1 p.m. Attendance will be free for all.
Center City continued to show promising signs of recovery throughout the summer months, buoyed by returning conventions and office workers and increasing numbers of pedestrians who are contributing to rising retail and restaurant sales, local tax revenue, new business openings and increases in convention travel and hotel occupancy.