Retailers Eye the Soon-to-be-Former-Strawbridge's Site

by KYW's John Ostapkovich

It probably won't be too long before we find out which retailers will replace Strawbridge's in its anchor store at 8th and Market, because a retail expert says that's a prime site.

All Strawbridge's stories are being closed by their corporate owner.  Some will become Macy's, but a Macy's is going into the old John Wanamaker building at 13th and Market Streets, so the 8th and Market Strawbridge's at 8th and Market is up for grabs. 

Brandon Famous, chief executive of Fameco Retail real estate, expects there to be no trouble filling it:

"It's a very good site, mainly because of access to the Strawbridge's.  The population base is growing in that market and, look, retailers, as other areas of Center City continue to fill from a retail perspective, they're looking for other opportunities.  And this presents a very good opportunity for them."

Famous expects at least three retailers to share the Strawbridge's space, and says that a Target planned for a parking lot across the street merely adds to the attraction as a shopping magnet.