Excitement was in the air as plans were unveiled for an overnight market for food trucks in Fishtown. However, just weeks after the announcement, the city and its partners in the neighborhood have decided to postpone the program indefinitely.
The highly anticipated overnight market was set to launch Thursday night, running from 8 p.m. until the early morning. The market was scheduled to operate every Thursday through Sunday this month in a lot outside the Fillmore Philadelphia at 25 East Allen St. Unfortunately, the debut has been put on hold.
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Fishtown District, the business association collaborating with the city’s Department of Commerce on this initiative, broke the news of the postponement on Instagram. While no specific reason was provided for the delay, they assured the public that updates on future events and opportunities will be shared. The organization expressed its gratitude for the overwhelming enthusiasm shown for this unique project.
City officials have yet to comment on the postponement as of Wednesday afternoon.
The concept behind the overnight market was to establish a new space for food trucks to cater to customers, alleviating issues in the area surrounding the intersection of Girard and Frankford avenues. Concerns regarding litter, noise, and parking problems have been raised by some Fishtown businesses and neighborhood groups over the years. While food trucks aren’t permitted to operate legally in the area between midnight and 7 a.m., enforcement of these rules has been minimal.
Last month, Raheem Manning, the commerce department’s nighttime economy director, touted the Fishtown marketplace as a pilot project for potential overnight markets in various Philadelphia neighborhoods. Manning envisioned this initiative as a catalyst for reshaping the regulations governing food trucks in the city, providing thriving businesses with designated late-night spaces to operate.
Notably, Fishtown District supported a bill proposed by City Councilmember Mark Squilla last year to restrict food trucks from their customary parking spots near the Girard and Frankford avenues intersection. However, after facing opposition from Fishtown residents, Squilla withdrew the bill from consideration.