On Friday, July 30th, Mayor Eddie Moran announced the temporary suspension of all special event permits in the City of Reading. The Penn Street Market, managed by the GRCA, operated in partnership with the City under a special events permit in the 400 block of Penn Street.
Because the Penn Street Market is rooted in providing access to fresh, local food in downtown Reading, market officials say it was critical to identify an alternative location to continue to operate.
The market announced last Thursday that the Reading Parking Authority will host the Penn Street Market for the remainder of the season, at the 6th and Cherry surface lot, which spans the 500-600 block of Cherry Street.
With over 70 spaces, the 6th & Cherry lot is a large, has plenty of open space, and managed by Reading Parking Authority, not the city.
Market officials say the lot provides ample room for vendors to position themselves so market-goers can easily maintain social-distancing guidelines. When held in its original location on the Penn Street sidewalk, maintaining a safe six-foot distance from other shoppers and pedestrians was more challenging.
“The Reading Parking Authority has been a long-time Penn Street Market partner and supporter. We are both thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to strengthen our collaboration during a critical time while continuing to provide fresh food access in the heart of downtown Reading,” said Aaron Gantz, Executive Director of Downtown Revitalization, GRCA.
The market will continue to operate in the new location on Thursdays from 10-2pm through Sept. 3rd, with the same health and safety guidelines in place.
