Panda Express will be opening their new store in The Market & Shops at Comcast Center
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
YOGA IN THE CITY 6/26/10
Hey come join us for...
Yoga In The City at The Comcast Center by lululemon athletica
Location:The Comcast Center (outdoor plaza) 17th and JFK Blvd.
Time:10:30AM Saturday, June 26th
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135687013115335&ref=mf
Yoga In The City at The Comcast Center by lululemon athletica
Location:The Comcast Center (outdoor plaza) 17th and JFK Blvd.
Time:10:30AM Saturday, June 26th
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135687013115335&ref=mf
Friday, June 18, 2010
Di Bruno Bros. Baskets For Dad
Coffee Break Father's Day Basket
This Coffee Break Father's Day basket is just right for a mocha loving Dad. We've covered all the bases from a fantastic boutique coffee to chocolate accompaniments, right down to the mug. With a bag of Dad's Midnight Stash Biscotti all to himself, the man of the house will surely like the way this cookie crumbles.
This set includes:
Gilda's Biscotti, Dad's Midnight Stash Assortment
Di Bruno Bros. Ceramic Mug
Di Bruno Bros. Chocolate Bars - 2 Bars
Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean - 6 oz.
One Village Coffee, House Blend - 14 oz.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Dan Gross: Oprah huddles at Comcast
OPRAH WINFREY was here meeting with Comcast yesterday afternoon and had another meeting at the Table 31 restaurant on the ground floor of Comcast Center.
A Comcast spokesman confirmed that Winfrey was at the cable giant's headquarters but said he did not know the nature of her conversations. Winfrey's stepping down from her long-running and wildly successful talk show on Sept. 9, 2011, and will then launch OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, which will presumably be carried on Comcast. A spokeswoman for Harpo, Oprah's production company, declined to reveal the nature of the meetings.
At Table 31, Winfrey didn't eat but sipped San Pellegrino sparkling water as a bodyguard hovered nearby. She met with a man not recognized by our spies.
And speaking of Comcast . . .
To commemorate the June 25 anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, Comcast is offering a Jackson retrospective including "Thriller" dance lessons On-Demand to Digital Cable customers Thursday through July 1. After Jackson's death, another special had more than 25 million views.
Phillies catch Celtics-Lakers
Phillies Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino stuck around Boston on Sunday night to catch Game 5 between the Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. After the game the pair turned up at a bar on Newberry Street in Boston. They had arranged to be taken to New York by limo.
Snider kin saves the day
Vancouver's Mark Sorenson thought his luck could only get worse after he and his 8-year-old son, Jacob, flew into Philadelphia and lost $800 on bogus tickets for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals outside the Wachovia Center.
But by chance Sorenson and Jacob, who was in tears, encountered Comcast-Spectacor boss Ed Snider's daughter Lindy and her son Garrett on their way into the venue. Lindy Snider, who owns LindiSkin, a skin-care company for cancer patients, and Garrett, about to enter high school at Friends Central, asked the ticket office if there were any seats and bought a pair for the Sorensons, who are big Flyers fans.
"They seemed like the kind of fans who granddad would want to have at the game," Garrett, 14, said yesterday. Sorenson, who brought the situation to our attention, called the Sniders "wonderful people. They didn't have to do that. It was really neat that they stepped up for us," he told us.
Reality show seeks
women 18-25
"Adventurous and outgoing women"
ages 18-25 are being sought for a reality series.
Vinnie Potestivo Entertainment plans to shoot June 25-27 in South Philly and seeks women who are new to Philadelphia or about to move here who are looking for a job. They'll be placed in a job at an undisclosed business that is "strongly tied to the unique culture of South Philly," says casting associate Erica Magaril.
Interested candidates should e-mail their contact information and current location to VPE.Casting@gmail.com with some details about their hobbies and social interests, how long they've lived here and two current photos.
A lit event at Warmdaddy's
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and the Literary Cafe host a book-signing for Robin Stone, who wrote the afterword for a book by her husband, Gerald Boyd, "My Times in Black and White: Race and Power at the New York Times," at 6 tonight at Warmdaddy's (1400 S. Columbus). Books will be sold there.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Yelp Spring Feastival
Spring has sprung in the Market at Comcast Center in downtown Philadelphia, PA.
A special thank you to our Yelpers and sponsors of Spring Feastival for helping to make the 2nd Yelp Elite event a huge success.
Sponsors include:
Termini Brother's Bakery
Jake and Max's
Under the C
Sook Hee Produce
Mike's Steaks
Tokyo Sushi
LaScalas
DiBruno Bros
Mexican Post
vitaminwater
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Honest Tea
UV Vodka
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
Jin Ja
Sly Fox Beer
Ghirardelli Chocolate
Donning their fairest picnic garb, over 550 yelpers skipped over to The Market at Comcast Center on Saturday afternoon to imbibe and enjoy Yelp's Spring Feastival! This wasn't just any ol' picnic though, the feast included adult snowcones, strumming banjos, medieval fighters, rock paper scissors, indoor putting, and of course, a giant gingham blanket!
The Market restaurants brought on their finest samples, treating ravenous yelpers to cannolis, sushi, spring rolls, smoothies, gelato, beer and cheese, jalepeno margaritas, mini sandwiches, cheesesteaks, pizza, Ghirardelli chocolate, and more cocktails to satisfy even the drunkest pirate! The array was uncomprimising in quality and quantity so endless thanks to: Termini Brother's Bakery, Jake and Max's, Under the C, Sook Hee Produce, Mike's Steaks, Tokyo Sushi, LaScala's,DiBruno Bros, Mexican Post, and Au Bon Pain! "All of the vendors were top-notch. I ate a lot and before I knew it, I was so full I could cry. Tears of satisfied joy," buzzes Erin F.
Party goers washed down the cornucopia with Firefly Sweet Tea vodka, Jin Ja, Honest Tea,vitaminwater, Sly Fox beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and UV Vodka snowcones! "The libations didn't stop amazing me," raves Nicey J! Feeling loosey goosey, yelpers made their way over to the photo area where they got friendly with props!
So much to do on a Saturday in the Market at the Comcast Center
Why are people raving about The Market and Shops at Comcast Center???
Perhaps it's the delicious array of specialty cuisines or the exquisite selection of merchandise that is hand selected from across the world, or maybe it's the friendly and knowledgeable staff that are always available and willing to help you.
Either way our friends in Philadelphia know that there is only one place to go on a Saturday, and that is The Market and Shops at Comcast Center. At the Comcast Center, we provide a fun, comfortable atmosphere for people of all ages. The kids love the Saturday Play Dates with Chica the Chicken hosted by KidsinCentercity.com, and our close friends at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, The Franklin Institute, The National Constitution Center, and Philadelphia Museum of Art are always on hand at our events to play with the kids, and teach them about nutrition, and the value of using their imagination to express creativity.
The merchants in the market provide fun themed specials for the kids like making their own pizzas, or decorating their own cupcakes. Whatever your need, in the Comcast Center, there is always a friendly staff member willing to help you. So stop in for a delicious and nutritious lunch, and some great conversation. All of your favorite destinations are located conveniently just a few blocks away from each other in Philadelphia.
Enjoy a demo of our 3DTV at Sony Style, or learn about what's hot in this year's trend of Summer Sunglasses at Omega Optical, or help support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by picking up Govberg's custom-designed "Alex's Butterfly Pendant." It is a gift mom is sure to cherish for years to come.
"So stop in today and pickup the perfect Mother's Day gift. The staff at Details will also help you in writing the perfect message in her Mother's Day Card."
10% from the sale of each butterfly pendant will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
"So stop in today and pickup the perfect Mother's Day gift. The staff at Details will also help you in writing the perfect message in her Mother's Day Card."
Phinding the Phanatics: Comcast Center
This summer you’re going to be seeing a lot of the Phillie Phanatic. With lots of different looks too.
The Phillies and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) have launched the “Phanatic Around Town” public art project featuring the Phillie Phanatic.
So be on the look out for 20 unique Phillie Phanatic statues, all of which will be painted by local artistsand put on display throughout the city through August. Made of fiberglass, each statue weighs 100 pounds and stands five feet tall.
It’s my personal goal to get my photo taken with each and every Phanatic statue. One man, one camera, 20 Phanatics. I am a Phillies fan on a mission.
“Phanatic Around Town” Summer Promotion — Philadelphia — visitphilly.com
Phanatic Around Town Project
The Phillies and Visit Philly have teamed up to launch the “Phanatic Around Town” public art project, a tourism and fan initiative featuring 20 custom-designed Phillie Phanatic statues each placed at one of 20 visitor-friendly locations across the city.
This is the first time a Major League Baseball™ mascot is part of a public art project.
The 20 “Phanatic Around Town” statues, all of which were painted by local artists, will be on display at their respective locations through August 2010. Made of fiberglass, each statue weighs 100 pounds and stands five feet tall.
Map and Locations
Interactive Phanatic Around Town Map
Click the image below to see the 20 Phanatic statue locations mapped on an interactive Google Map:
Phanatic Around Town Map (PDF)
Click here “Phanatic Around Town” for the statue location map (PDF).
Historic Philadelphia:
1. Independence Visitor Center
2. National Constitution Center
3. Franklin Square
4. Betsy Ross House
5. Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing
6. The African American Museum in Philadelphia
Center City and the Parkway:
7. Love Park
8. City Hall
9. Citizens Bank at 15th and Market Streets
10. The Market at Comcast Center
11. Kimmel Center
12. Rittenhouse Square
13. The Franklin Institute
14. Free Library of Philadelphia (Main Branch)
Fairmount Park:
15. Please Touch Museum
16. Philadelphia Zoo
17. Lloyd Hall
South Philadelphia / Airport:
18. Citizens Bank Park – Note: The Phanatic statue at Citizens Bank Park is located inside the ball park, which also requires fans to have a game ticket to access the statue.
19. Philadelphia International Airport – Note: The Phanatic statue at the Philadelphia International Airport is located beyond security so only ticketed passengers will be able to access it.
Northern Liberties
20. Piazza at Schmidts – _Note: The last Phanatic statue will be placed at the Piazza at Schmidts on Monday, May 17, 2010.
Earth Day & Cell Phones for Soldiers in The Market at Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA., 03/27/10– More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers, and The Market & Shops at Comcast Center are calling on all Americans to support for these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.
“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at any The Market & Shops at Comcast Center location, including:
- 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, (215)496-1810
“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soliders,” says Joe Wolf, Retail Director of The Market
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
“We are continuously overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.
Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories
About Cell Phones for Soldiers:
Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones For Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visithttp://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
Only at The Sony Styly/ Comcast Labs
SNEAK PEAK: Want to see what the 3-D TV fuss is about? Sony Style stores at the Comcast Center are staging previews of the technology through Friday.
The Comcast store is offering clips from "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. At KOP, you'll also get glimpses of a 3-D video game and soccer match.
Stop by today to get your sneak peek!
http://www.comcast.com/wheretomorrowplays/
Kidsincentercity.com Saturday Play Date!
Meet one of the hosts and Chica the Chicken from 24-hour preschool network Sprout’s LIVE morning show The Sunny Side Up Show.
They will be at the Comcast Center Market from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. reading stories and taking photos – don’t forget to bring your camera.
The Franklin Institute, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Academy of Natural Sciences will all be on hand with fun projects for the kids and information about their programs. Kids can color, learn how to make slime, bring home a balloon and even see live animals.
Market Merchants will have fun, kid themed specials for kids like
~ Mike’s Steak - Hoagie demo & 15% off
~ Hammee Seo - Top Your Own Sundae
~ Tokyo Sushi - Sushi Demo
~ Under the “C” Seafood, Kids’ Meal- 4 fried shrimp and fries $3.99
~ Jake and Max - Kids create your own salad for $1.50
~ LaScala - Kids create your own mini pizza for $1.50
~ Di Bruno Bros. - Guess the amount of fish inside the bowl to win a free small gelato.
~ Termini Bros. Gold Medal Pastry - Kids decorate their own cupcake for $2.00 and get a FREE Termini Bros. hat.
Parents should stop first to watch The Comcast Experience screen show before descending to the lower level Market area where the event will be held.
This event is sponsored by http://www.KidsInCenterCity.com/, a brand new family-oriented website with everything that parents in Center City Philadelphia need to know about schools, events, shopping, dining and more.
SPROUT®
http://www.sproutonline.com/
http://www.themarketatcomcastcenter.com/
They will be at the Comcast Center Market from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. reading stories and taking photos – don’t forget to bring your camera.
The Franklin Institute, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Academy of Natural Sciences will all be on hand with fun projects for the kids and information about their programs. Kids can color, learn how to make slime, bring home a balloon and even see live animals.
Market Merchants will have fun, kid themed specials for kids like
~ Mike’s Steak - Hoagie demo & 15% off
~ Hammee Seo - Top Your Own Sundae
~ Tokyo Sushi - Sushi Demo
~ Under the “C” Seafood, Kids’ Meal- 4 fried shrimp and fries $3.99
~ Jake and Max - Kids create your own salad for $1.50
~ LaScala - Kids create your own mini pizza for $1.50
~ Di Bruno Bros. - Guess the amount of fish inside the bowl to win a free small gelato.
~ Termini Bros. Gold Medal Pastry - Kids decorate their own cupcake for $2.00 and get a FREE Termini Bros. hat.
Parents should stop first to watch The Comcast Experience screen show before descending to the lower level Market area where the event will be held.
This event is sponsored by http://www.KidsInCenterCity.com/, a brand new family-oriented website with everything that parents in Center City Philadelphia need to know about schools, events, shopping, dining and more.
SPROUT®
http://www.sproutonline.com/
http://www.themarketatcomcastcenter.com/
2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show Comcast Center Window Display
All proceeds from the Philadelphia International Flower Show, including tickets and sponsorship contributions, support The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its acclaimed urban greening program, Philadelphia Green.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for your support.
Save 10% on Entire Store Purchase NOW through Feb 14.
Greetings!
Love is in the air. February 14 is approaching and so is your urge to express your love. So what if you're not Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley or Byron? It doesn't matter that your sonnets will never match Shakespeare. Tell the one you love your truest feelings. Follow the steps below to create a romantic and personalized Valentine's Day greeting, that's straight from the heart.
Details has a full selection of special Valentine's for everyone... including your spouse, the one you love, parents, children, or for a dear friend, even from the dog... Browse our humorous cards, hand painted designs, and heartfelt valentine cards from our extenstive offering.
Our Rittenhouse Square location will be open Sunday, February 14 from 11am - 3 pm.
Hope you are enjoying the Snow Days with the ones you love...
xoxo, Sonia
Love is in the air. February 14 is approaching and so is your urge to express your love. So what if you're not Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley or Byron? It doesn't matter that your sonnets will never match Shakespeare. Tell the one you love your truest feelings. Follow the steps below to create a romantic and personalized Valentine's Day greeting, that's straight from the heart.
Details has a full selection of special Valentine's for everyone... including your spouse, the one you love, parents, children, or for a dear friend, even from the dog... Browse our humorous cards, hand painted designs, and heartfelt valentine cards from our extenstive offering.
Our Rittenhouse Square location will be open Sunday, February 14 from 11am - 3 pm.
Hope you are enjoying the Snow Days with the ones you love...
xoxo, Sonia
1. Make a list of your sweetheart's unique attributes, what it is you love about them most and focus on them in your note.
2. Choose a writing style. Traditional poetry, haiku, free verse or letter format all constitute romantic methods by which to express yourself.
3. Choose words that are positive, complimentary, romantic and deeply personal. Now is not the time to be shy! Pour your heart out on paper!
4. Suggest a romantic interlude, or reminisce about a past encounter with your valentine. You can be discreet and seductive by weaving meaning into your words and asking your
valentine to read between the lines. Talk about the day you met... your first date... when you
proposed or married.
5. Compare your valentine to a phenomenon that you find almost as stunning as him or her: a
sunset, a rose, a waterfall, the sunshine.
6. Write with scented and colored pens to add a mystical and luxurious element to the valentine.
Add a spritz of your perfume or cologne...
7. Make it personal. Make it about you and the one you love...
Most of all make it count! A romantic valentine is gift from the heart. One he/she will treasure
forever.
2. Choose a writing style. Traditional poetry, haiku, free verse or letter format all constitute romantic methods by which to express yourself.
3. Choose words that are positive, complimentary, romantic and deeply personal. Now is not the time to be shy! Pour your heart out on paper!
4. Suggest a romantic interlude, or reminisce about a past encounter with your valentine. You can be discreet and seductive by weaving meaning into your words and asking your
valentine to read between the lines. Talk about the day you met... your first date... when you
proposed or married.
5. Compare your valentine to a phenomenon that you find almost as stunning as him or her: a
sunset, a rose, a waterfall, the sunshine.
6. Write with scented and colored pens to add a mystical and luxurious element to the valentine.
Add a spritz of your perfume or cologne...
7. Make it personal. Make it about you and the one you love...
Most of all make it count! A romantic valentine is gift from the heart. One he/she will treasure
forever.
Valentine's 1❤1
Throughout the Market, merchants will be greeting couples with free samples, special discounts and expert information about things that they can try at home, together, to create a special and inexpensive Valentine’s experience.
Special amenities include:
From February 8-12, Robertson's Flowers will be featured in the
Comcast Center, with a lucite floral stand featuring cut bouquets from $35 to $55 wrapped to carry to work or home. They will provide free delivery and have a hefty supply of long stem roses to go.
Hours of operation will be
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
♥ Termini’s Bros. Gold Medal Pastry
Learn how to make Termini’s famous cannolis. Hand dipped strawberries will be sold at $1.00 each with different toppings for customers from which to choose. 10% discount
♥ Di Bruno Bros.
Demonstrating homemade pasta and sauce preparations, on special for $9.99
♥ Sook Hee's Produce
Sampling Red Love Smoothies. 10% discount
♥ Mike’s Steaks
Hoagie making workshop.
Learn how to make a hoagie for your loved one. 15% discount
♥ Under the C Seafood
Demonstrating their Spicy Sexy Cajun Shrimp recipe. 10% discount
♥ Tokyo Sushi & Catering –
Learn the art of sushi-rolling. 10% discount
♥ LaScala’s –
Romantic red pizza specials. 10% discount
♥ Jake and Max's Deli –
They will be showing people how to make a salad with love. 10% discount
♥ Details –
Free love letter writing assistance
♥ Omega Optical -
Extreme glasses makeover, fit your face with the ideal frame, 20% discount
Special amenities include:
From February 8-12, Robertson's Flowers will be featured in the
Comcast Center, with a lucite floral stand featuring cut bouquets from $35 to $55 wrapped to carry to work or home. They will provide free delivery and have a hefty supply of long stem roses to go.
Hours of operation will be
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
♥ Termini’s Bros. Gold Medal Pastry
Learn how to make Termini’s famous cannolis. Hand dipped strawberries will be sold at $1.00 each with different toppings for customers from which to choose. 10% discount
♥ Di Bruno Bros.
Demonstrating homemade pasta and sauce preparations, on special for $9.99
♥ Sook Hee's Produce
Sampling Red Love Smoothies. 10% discount
♥ Mike’s Steaks
Hoagie making workshop.
Learn how to make a hoagie for your loved one. 15% discount
♥ Under the C Seafood
Demonstrating their Spicy Sexy Cajun Shrimp recipe. 10% discount
♥ Tokyo Sushi & Catering –
Learn the art of sushi-rolling. 10% discount
♥ LaScala’s –
Romantic red pizza specials. 10% discount
♥ Jake and Max's Deli –
They will be showing people how to make a salad with love. 10% discount
♥ Details –
Free love letter writing assistance
♥ Omega Optical -
Extreme glasses makeover, fit your face with the ideal frame, 20% discount
20% Off Any Eyewear or Sunglass Frame at Omega Optical
For a limited time, stop in Omega Optical and receive 20% off any eyewear or sunglass frame.
Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey's The Greatest Show On Earth Stops By the Comcast Center
The Ringling Bros. Circus Clowns stopped by the Comcast Center of Philadelphia to spread some cheer and and a few good laughs.
The Ringling Brothers Circus was a circus founded in the United States in 1884. Ringling Brothers Circus eventually joined with the Barnum & Bailey Circus to become Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth. What distinguished the Ringling Brothers Circus from others was its honest and fair attitude toward the public. In 1889 two of the Ringlings went to Philadelphia where they purchased railroad cars and parade equipment from Adam Forepaugh, a venerable showman who had a show on the road since 1864. In 1907 the brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey circus and ran the two circuses separately until they merged them into one unit in 1919 when they also moved the winter quarters to Sarasota, Florida.
Please print the coupon below for discounted tickets to The Greatest Show on Earth!!!
Retailers fill Comcast concourse
The Market at Comcast Center, the concourse level of shops and eateries underneath Center City’s largest skyscraper, is just shy of being fully leased up a year after opening despite a tough climate for retailers.
The 45,000 square feet are 97 percent occupied and just two spaces at roughly 500 square feet each remain to be filled. John Gattuso, senior vice president at Liberty Property Trust, isn’t worried those two spaces will linger vacant and he wants to make certain the right tenants fill the space.
“I think we set out to do something different,” said Gattuso, whose company developed the 58-story skyscraper for Comcast Corp.’s headquarters that is jointly owned by Liberty and a German bank.
“Instead of finding who would pay the highest rent, we looked at it more as something that would set the tone for the whole development.”
Though the space sits below street level and connects to the commuter rail tunnel, its feel is much more Rockefeller Center than Market East. A newspaper and gum stand didn’t survive even though 25,000 people funnel through the space monthly. However, Di Bruno Brothers, Tokyo Sushi and Catering, Under the C Seafood, LaScala’s, Sook Hee’s Produce and Termini Brothers have so far thrived.
Two new tenants — Omega Optical and Sony Style — recently opened shops and existing tenants are hopeful they will help drive more shoppers to the space. Rents run about $70 to $80 a square foot.
“I think it’s a great location,” said Lily Ferrill, manager of Under the C Seafood, which also sells fresh fish at the Ardmore Farmers Market and Reading Terminal Market. “It’s doing great.”
The space is heavy on eateries with about 80 percent of it filled with food joints compared to 20 percent other retail. Liberty looks at the space as an amenity for its office tenants that reside in the building and as a key component to making the mixed-use development a success. The building also houses Table 31, a white tablecloth restaurant developed by chefs Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio.
“In light of the economic environment, we’re very pleased,” Gattuso said.
While the space has successfully leased up, it’s not without its challenges.
“This is a good location for lunch,” said John Kim, who owns Tokyo Sushi and opened his third store in Comcast Center. But for evening and Saturday business, it’s not so good, he said.
“The market tenants are still finding our way to capitalize on this undeniable destination,” said Bill Mignucci, who runs Di Bruno Brothers and opened its fourth location in 2,000 square feet. “I consider the Comcast Center the Rockefeller Center of Philadelphia. From a business point of view, it’s a destination with rail, great public space and you’re in an occupied building in the middle of the Central Business District and two blocks away you have 10,000 residents.”
After nearly a year, however, Di Bruno’s and the other tenants are getting a handle on business volume and demand. For example, Di Bruno incorporated breakfast offerings to capture the commuter business coming off of the rails.
Gattuso acknowledges that after the evening rush and on Saturdays, tenants could use more traffic. Effects are ongoing to draw tourists who visit the lobby as well as Logan Square residents during off peak hours. To that end, a wine and food festival is scheduled for later this month.
“Whether there’s a market for that today is questionable but we’re committed to it,” Gattuso said.
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/06/15/story2.html
The 45,000 square feet are 97 percent occupied and just two spaces at roughly 500 square feet each remain to be filled. John Gattuso, senior vice president at Liberty Property Trust, isn’t worried those two spaces will linger vacant and he wants to make certain the right tenants fill the space.
“I think we set out to do something different,” said Gattuso, whose company developed the 58-story skyscraper for Comcast Corp.’s headquarters that is jointly owned by Liberty and a German bank.
“Instead of finding who would pay the highest rent, we looked at it more as something that would set the tone for the whole development.”
Though the space sits below street level and connects to the commuter rail tunnel, its feel is much more Rockefeller Center than Market East. A newspaper and gum stand didn’t survive even though 25,000 people funnel through the space monthly. However, Di Bruno Brothers, Tokyo Sushi and Catering, Under the C Seafood, LaScala’s, Sook Hee’s Produce and Termini Brothers have so far thrived.
Two new tenants — Omega Optical and Sony Style — recently opened shops and existing tenants are hopeful they will help drive more shoppers to the space. Rents run about $70 to $80 a square foot.
“I think it’s a great location,” said Lily Ferrill, manager of Under the C Seafood, which also sells fresh fish at the Ardmore Farmers Market and Reading Terminal Market. “It’s doing great.”
The space is heavy on eateries with about 80 percent of it filled with food joints compared to 20 percent other retail. Liberty looks at the space as an amenity for its office tenants that reside in the building and as a key component to making the mixed-use development a success. The building also houses Table 31, a white tablecloth restaurant developed by chefs Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio.
“In light of the economic environment, we’re very pleased,” Gattuso said.
While the space has successfully leased up, it’s not without its challenges.
“This is a good location for lunch,” said John Kim, who owns Tokyo Sushi and opened his third store in Comcast Center. But for evening and Saturday business, it’s not so good, he said.
“The market tenants are still finding our way to capitalize on this undeniable destination,” said Bill Mignucci, who runs Di Bruno Brothers and opened its fourth location in 2,000 square feet. “I consider the Comcast Center the Rockefeller Center of Philadelphia. From a business point of view, it’s a destination with rail, great public space and you’re in an occupied building in the middle of the Central Business District and two blocks away you have 10,000 residents.”
After nearly a year, however, Di Bruno’s and the other tenants are getting a handle on business volume and demand. For example, Di Bruno incorporated breakfast offerings to capture the commuter business coming off of the rails.
Gattuso acknowledges that after the evening rush and on Saturdays, tenants could use more traffic. Effects are ongoing to draw tourists who visit the lobby as well as Logan Square residents during off peak hours. To that end, a wine and food festival is scheduled for later this month.
“Whether there’s a market for that today is questionable but we’re committed to it,” Gattuso said.
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