by KYW’s Steve Tawa
One of the long-time merchants in the Reading Terminal Market is getting kicked out, in a renewal of the upheaval others have experienced there, to get what management has described as “new blood” into the market.
Rick Oliveri of Rick's Philly Steaks is a third generation descendant of the original Pat's Steaks family. His father started the business in the market in the early 1980's, and Oliveri has worked there since high school, taking over the operation in 1995:
“I have one of the most successful businesses in the Reading Terminal Market.”
They also serve Citizens Bank Park. Oliveri is also the president of the Merchants Association. He's tried to be the go-between representing more than 70 merchants as new, higher leases were negotiated, longer hours were instituted, and many mom and pop operations, some several generations old, were asked to report gross sales numbers for the first time to management:
“I think it's retaliation. It's a concern for merchants, and as president, to make sure merchants are getting the best bang for the dollar at the Reading Terminal Market.”
Management at the Reading Terminal says Oliveri was on a month-to-month lease and could have easily locked up a new agreement, but chose not to.
Oliveri has been told to get out by July 31st, so another cheesesteak maker, Tony Luke's, could move in.
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