ALLENTOWN, Pa. — How empty was the final day of the Downtown Allentown Market?
One could almost hear the failed enterprise gasping its final breath amidst rolling tumbleweeds.
Almost six years after the 12,000-square-foot multi-merchant food and beverage venue on the ArtsWalk debuted to fanfare, owner City Center Group decided to close at the end of business Thursday.
"While we're grateful for the support of our vendors and customers ... we’ve made the difficult decision to close it."City Center Group Vice President Jill Wheeler said the market didn't meet the group's long-term expectations.
Declining patrons contributed to the market going from a high of nine vendors at one point to three that remained on the final day.
Among the vendors departing the market recently were Grab N’ Go, Mis Raices Restaurant & Bakery and Bo Sai sushi restaurant.
The venue will be transformed into residential apartments, City Center Group has said.
In an email on Thursday afternoon, City Center Group Vice President Jill Wheeler said the market didn't meet the group's long-term expectations.
"While we're grateful for the support of our vendors and customers ... we’ve made the difficult decision to close it," Wheeler said.
"This closing does not diminish the exciting culinary scene emerging downtown, but marks our strategic shift to helping restaurateurs lease their own spaces with greater visibility and set their own hours.
"Our commitment to attracting a variety of high-quality dining experiences remains strong, and we continue to believe downtown Allentown can be a thriving culinary destination.
"More to come."
'It's a shame'
On the morning of the final day, Chez’s Delicatessen co-owner Maria Piazza stood behind her counter gazing at a marketplace crowded with nothing but empty chairs.
The decline in business "was gradual,” said Piazza, who became a vendor in 2022 with her cousin, Isaac Csezmadia.
“The start of COVID didn’t help. There were a lot of things that caused this not to work.”Maria Piazza, co-owner, Chez's Delicatessen
“Some things were changed and things got better, but then went down again.
“The start of COVID didn’t help. There were a lot of things that caused this not to work.”
Piazza watched late in the morning as a man and woman entered the market pushing a stroller. The couple looked around at all the shuttered food stations and headed toward the exit.
“It’s a shame,” said Piazza, who said she will relocate her business not far from the market.
'Already took our coffee machine'
At Johnny’s ArtsWalk Diner, located across from Chez’s, the only activity was an employee wiping down a chrome splash guard.
Want a coffee on the final day?
“I can’t,” the employee said. “They already took away our coffee machine.”
At Zahra, which featured Middle Eastern cuisine, hope endured on the final day. The grill was sizzling with boneless chicken breasts despite not a soul in sight as lunchtime approached.
Zahra owner Samantha Younes was born and raised in Allentown. She said she was excited about opening her establishment at the downtown market “to be part of the renaissance of Allentown.”
Those hopes were as empty as the market on the final day.
Zahra said she plans to open her restaurant at an Allentown location that is more visible to foot traffic than was the Downtown Market wedged in the ArtsWalk between Sixth and Seventh Streets.
'A good idea that didn't take hold'
Outside the market Thursday, folks were going about their day.
Some popped into nearby Starbucks for a hot cup no longer available at Johnny’s on the final day.
“I used to go to the market, but not recently,” Jeremy Reilly said.
“Wanna know why I think it’s closing? Lots of homeless near the market. I saw drug deals going down near there. And parking? It’s a nightmare.
“I just think it was a good idea that didn’t take hold.”
