Reading Terminal Market has brought back its Day Cart program this holiday season to help small businesses expand their offerings, and Philadelphians can check it all out for themselves.
The program launched in 2017 and through participation, small business owners got access to Reading Terminal Market customers and the opportunity to grow awareness of their brand. As a release notes, two longstanding examples of current full-time merchants who came up through the Day Cart Program are Silvia and Daniel Lucci, owners of LUHV Vegan Deli, and Chakir Bouchaib, owner of Little Marrakesh Bazaar.
The program came to a halt in 2020 for the pandemic, but its now back in 2024 and being house in aisles 7 and 9 of the Market.
Popcorn for the People (open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), offers a variation of the classic snack with flavors spanning butter, caramel, kettle, Chicago baked cheddar, and dark chocolate espresso. The brand also supports career opportunities for individuals in the disabled community, so every purchase of one of their products helps the organization provide equitable pay, proper training, and employment resources.
Immigrant Marché (open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is also setting up shop during the Day Cart program. As a release notes, this multicultural marketplace is designed to support and scale immigrant-owned businesses in Philadelphia.
Two such businesses will operate at the Market as part of Immigrant Marche’s holiday pop-up: Artesania de Mundo de Queen offers a curated collection of handcrafted women’s clothing, accessories, and cultural treasures representing Mexico’s rich heritage and artisanal craftsmanship. Variedades Agata on the other hand specializes in jewelry inspired by 16th-century Talvera pottery and Mayan culture. Every purchase strengthens immigrant entrepreneurs’ paths to success and supports local job creation and innovation.
Philadelphians can also find The Sisterly Love Collective (open daily, hours differ), and this pop-up holiday shop (hosted in partnership with Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia) is operated and staffed by Salt & Vinegar. The Collective is known around the city as a 100+ member alliance of women across the Philadelphia region banding together to empower and advance women in the food and hospitality space.
While there, home goods, body care, branded merchandise, and cookbooks as well as specialty food and beverages from brands like Poi Dog, Wallace Dry Goods, Fishtown Pickle Project, Thee Coffee Girl, and Flakely.
The Day Cart program will also feature Boheme Foods (Wednesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). As a release notes, this woman-owned, farm-to-bottle business specializes in pickled, preserved, and fermented items. Products available include pickled vegetables, jams, jellies, and shrubs as well as homemade fra diavlo and red sauce.
And lastly, Poppa’s Custard will be coming soon to the program. This black- and majority women-owned family business serves up restaurant-quality chilled desserts that are primarily allergen-free and made with no artificial colors or flavors. Vegan and dairy custards are also available in flavors like chocolate decadence, vanilla coconut, and dragon fruit hibiscus.
To find out more information on Reading Terminal Market’s Day Cart Program, visit readingterminalmarket.org
