Hippies Need Not Apply

by Jonas Raab

For all it’s hipness and history, South Street doesn’t have enough commercial diversity for some discriminating shoppers. In an effort to draw new types of businesses to the corridor -- an issue that’s been a hot topic of late -- the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD), which extends from Front to Tenth Street and from Lombard to Bainbridge, recently announced plans to hire a South Street Retail Coordinator.

"There was never any overall plan of how we’d like to see the street develop over time," said David Hammond, the SSHD’s executive director. "The objective is to go out and shop some of the other neighborhoods like Manayunk or Haddonfield [N.J.] and see what kinds of stores they have and approach them about locating on South Street."

Whoever is hired for the new position will be charged with guiding and encouraging future growth. In other words, they’ll be responsible for recruiting merchants to South Street and Fabric Row, which is considered part of the district. The coordinator will serve as a liaison between potential shopkeepers, property owners, brokers and the district to match merchants with potential locations. They’ll also work with existing retailers and landlords to address existing business issues such as window merchandising and signage and facade improvements.

The idea is to keep South Street fresh and on top of current trends and fashions, which is an important part of its reputation and history. South Street is the second largest tourist draw in Philadelphia after Independence Park, said Hammond, noting that there will be no competition with real estate brokers or landlords.

"We have more of the current fashions than anyone else," said Hammond, who’s fielding applications for the position. "If we lose being the hippest street in town, then what are we?"

Although it requires a large commitment and a knowledge of the area and business trends, the position is only part-time, requiring three days a week. But the new retail coordinator should have plenty of background information: Before announcing the position’s creation on Oct. 6, the SSHD hired Urban Partners to conduct a survey of tourists, residents and business owners, so Hammond says he’s confident that they have a feel for what needs to be done to keep South Street hip.

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