Philly Encourages That Great American Pastime: Shopping

The Philadelphia area lays claim to having the largest shopping mall on the East Coast, but some of its other shopping complexes and department stores bring the city additional bragging rights. For instance, where else in the country can department-store shoppers browse through racks of sweaters while being serenaded with live pipe-organ music from one of the world’s largest pipe organs?

Philadelphia shoppers have their pick of any number of indoor shopping complexes whose stores run the gamut from high end to discount, from one-of-a-kind boutiques to comfortable chain-store favorites.

Those wishing to shop in a particularly attractive indoor setting will enjoy the Shops at Liberty Place. The stores occupy two levels of a complex with two 60-story glass towers that rise above City Hall as the city’s tallest spires. The complex features more 70 stores, some of which include Rand McNally, Coach, and J. Crew.

Outlet shoppers will enjoy Franklin Mills, just 15 minutes north of Center City. The former Liberty Bell Racetrack reopened in 1989 as Franklin Mills, the area’s largest single-story mall. Featuring more than 200 stores, Franklin Mills claims to be Pennsylvania’s “most visited attraction.” Among its stores are Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom Rack, and 9 West and Talbots outlets.

Market Place East is another place to go for bargains. It is located in a renovated historic building just blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Shoppers can find discount prices at stores such as the Dress Barn and Ross Dress for Less, and there is a food court in an atrium on the first floor of the complex.

The Gallery at Market East is connected to Market Place East by a bridge over Market Street. Here shoppers will find 140 stores and two food courts. One of the Gallery’s better-known stores, with a proud history as one of Philadelphia’s finest emporiums, is Strawbridge & Clothier. A discount coupon book for Gallery stores is available at its Information Center, which also provides city maps.

For those willing to venture farther afield, the King of Prussia Court and Plaza has 365 stores and 40 restaurants and eateries, giving it the distinction of being the largest retail complex on the East Coast. This mega-mall, actually made up of two malls connected by a walkway, features eight department stores: Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney, Sears, and Strawbridge & Clothier. It is about 18 west of Philadelphia, off the Schuylkill Expressway near Valley Forge. Transportation information from Center City is available by calling (610) 265-3353.

Any of the three customer service centers will provide a discount coupon book to mall customers.

Upscale shops such as Tiffany & Co., Polo/Ralph Lauren, and Williams Sonoma can be found at The Shops at the Bellevue, which are located on the lobby level of the Bellevue building, below the Park Hyatt Philadelphia Hotel. Take time out for some pampering at the Pierre & Carlo Spa and Salon.

Although Lord & Taylor can be found in other cities, the store in Center City has something unique: an organ with 28,500 pipes. The John Wanamaker Grand Court Organ was transported by 13 freight cars to the Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building in 1911. (Lord & Taylor now occupies the landmark Wanamaker building.) The 287-ton instrument with six keyboards (known as manuals) provides a welcome alternative to Muzak, with free organ concerts at 11:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. daily. ▪