Neighborhood Walking Tour Series

This event is no longer on sale.

Sunday December 11

3:00 PM  –  5:00 PM

Golden Age of Retail

Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade…Strawbridge & Clothier’s Corinthian Room Restaurant…Blum’s window displays…Wanamaker’s Light Show and Rocket Express…

 

Revisit the enchantment and resplendence of downtown, brick-and-mortar retail on this special holiday tour. Guide Andrew Dibb will share the architectural history of Philadelphia’s central commercial district and recount the tricks of the trade that the city’s visionary merchants once used to generate goodwill and foot traffic during the holiday shopping season.

 

While Philadelphia’s original “Big Five” department stores had all closed their doors by 2006, their legacy lives on in countless memories and traditions passed down from generation to generation. Learn the history of the rise and fall of Philadelphia’s great department and specialty stores, and see how Center City retail continues to adapt to new consumer demands. If you were ever one to meet at the eagle or rub the boar’s nose, be sure to join us for this guided walk along Market and Chestnut Streets, and a trip down memory lane.

 

Meet in the East (4th Street) lobby of the Bourse Building on Independence Mall.

 

This tour ends at Macys (former Wanamakers) at 13th and Chestnut Streets. Macys will be hosting their annual Christmas Concert for free inside the Grand Hall at 6:30pm. 

 

In registering to attend this walking tour, you agreed to the following:

  • During tours, facemasks will be optional for all fully vaccinated individuals including the tour guide
  • During tours, facemasks are required for individuals who are not fully vaccinated
  • Facemasks are required to enter buildings on certain tours. Please bring one with you in case it is needed 
  • Preservation Alliance walking tours utilize an audio system that transmits from a headset worn by the guide to earpieces worn by tour attendees. The equipment is thoroughly sanitized before and after each use. Tour attendees can also plug in their personal headsets or earbuds that use a standard headphone jack.
  • Be sure to dress warmly!

Space is limited. Advance registration required.

Email us at tours@preservationalliance.com for any questions or join the waitlist for a sold out tour!

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