Rittenhouse Streets Vehicle-Free for 6 Sundays in Fall
Pedestrians in Rittenhouse Square won’t have to jockey around vehicles in the streets for six Sundays in September and October. The Open Streets initiative will clear vehicles from seven blocks…
Pedestrians in Rittenhouse Square won't have to jockey around vehicles in the streets for six Sundays in September and October. The Open Streets initiative will clear vehicles from seven blocks of Rittenhouse so that people can walk about, shop, and dine freely in the area.
Center City District announced the return of the program for its first anniversary by closing streets in the shopping and dining district to vehicle traffic each Sunday from Sept. 7 to Oct. 12.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Open Streets days, vehicles will be prohibited from traveling on 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut streets. Walnut Street will also remain car-free between 15th and 19th streets. Cross streets, however, will stay open to traffic at each intersection.
According to PhillyVoice, restaurants and shops in the Open Streets zones will provide specials and activities each Sunday. Here's a sample of what's to come:
- Bar Bombón, at 133 S. 18th St., will host outdoor dining and live music on Sundays in September.
- Stephen Starr's Dandelion, at 124 S. 18th St., will provide outdoor seating for guests.
- Clothing store Madewell, at 1729 Walnut St., will collect donated jeans outside its storefront on Sept. 7 and 14. The shop said it will offer 20% off new pairs of jeans for those who donate their old denim.
Philadelphia Eagles fans won't have to miss the Birds in action on Open Streets days. Eagles' games on Sept. 21, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5 will be projected onto large screens for passers-by to watch. Live music, pop-up performances, and other forms of entertainment will take place every Sunday, with a specific family-friendly zone providing games and toys for kids.
Among the businesses that participated in Rittenhouse's Open Streets last year, nearly 90% of stores reported increased foot traffic on those days, according to a Center City District report. Some businesses reported that the number of people entering their shops was up almost 300%.
