Italian Market, Philadelphia

The South 9th Street Curb Market, popularly known as the Italian Market, is an outdoor market in South Philadelphia. The traditional rowhouses lining the street feature bright colorful metal awnings covering the sidewalks. On the ground floors you will find multiple outlets selling groceries, as well as cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. The owners, mostly ethnic Italians, originally lived right above; many of them still do.

Over the years, as the city has gentrified, so has the Italian Market. Outdoor seating at cozy cafes, upscale gift stores and gourmet shops are thriving among the market's traditional produce vendors, specialty butchers and cheese mongers.

The market also plays a role in the culture of Philadelphia, especially after having been featured in Rocky and Rocky II movies, most notably in the running/training montage. As Rocky runs through the market, the stall keepers and people on the sidewalks can clearly be seen looking at him in bemusement. While this works in the context of the film to suggest they're looking at Rocky, in reality, they had no idea why this man was running up and down the road being filmed from a van. The famous shot where the stall owner tosses Rocky an orange was completely improvised by the vendor, who had no idea that a movie was being made and that he would be in it.

In 2006 Rocky Balboa film, the boxer is also seen shopping at the Italian Market for his restaurant, Adrian’s.

The market is open year-round, generally from 9 am to 5 pm, though outdoor stands and cafes often open earlier, and restaurants serve patrons late into the evening. Many businesses are open until lunchtime on Sunday, and closed Monday.