Italian Market, Philadelphia

The South 9th Street Curb Market, commonly referred to as the Italian Market, is an open-air marketplace located in South Philadelphia. The historic rowhouses along the street are adorned with vibrant metal awnings that cover the sidewalks. On the street-level storefronts, you can find a variety of shops selling groceries, as well as cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. Many of the shop owners, predominantly of Italian heritage, used to reside right above their establishments, and some continue to do so.

Over the years, as the city has undergone urban renewal, the Italian Market has also evolved. It now boasts outdoor seating at charming cafes, high-end gift boutiques, and specialty gourmet stores, alongside its traditional vendors selling fresh produce, unique butchers, and cheese purveyors.

The Italian Market has also played a significant role in Philadelphia's cultural landscape. It gained additional prominence after being featured in the Rocky and Rocky II movies, particularly in the iconic running and training montage scenes. As Rocky jogged through the market, the market stall operators and passersby can be seen looking at him with amusement. Interestingly, in reality, they had no prior knowledge of the filming, and their expressions were genuine. The memorable moment when a stall owner tosses an orange to Rocky was entirely impromptu, as the vendor had no idea that a movie was being shot and that he would be part of it.

Furthermore, in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, the titular boxer is depicted shopping at the Italian Market for supplies for his restaurant, Adrian's.