Though it may be the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and cheesesteaks, our beloved ultra-American Philadelphia can sometimes leave us yearning for influences from other hemispheres.
Honestly, we love Independence Hall as much as the next Franklin-ophile, but sometimes it’s hard not to wish for a Philadelphian counterpart to the beloved stone-paved square/plaza/platz of nearly every European city; a spacious central square at which to spend entire days wining, dining, shopping and generally making merry.
Enter: the Piazza at Schmidts, which opened for business less than a month ago. According to developer Bart Blatstein, the large NoLibs square was designed to emulate the piazzas of Rome, and its variety of amenities make it the ideal locale to daytrip to, especially for those of us who typically stay south of Spring Garden. We at Street, hoping for a quasi-Roman holiday, ventured north to see if the Piazza would live up to the hype.
A simple trip on the Market-Frankford Line takes you within walking distance of the Piazza (get off on Girard, the eastbound second stop after 2nd St.). Upon entering the Piazza itself, the spacious open-air setup and colorful landscaping instantly make the square a place you want to pull up an outdoor metal chair and stay a while.
The Piazza at Schmidts fills the city’s plaza void with all things distinctly Philly, rolling all-american baseball, Old City-esque art, and delicious dining options into one paved space.
Most prominent is the enormous JumboTron attached to the southernmost wall of the square, which is used to screen films and broadcast Phillies games. It’s the perfect way to watch the reigning world champs in an outdoor setting that is free of charge, not to mention free of rowdy fans and sticky stadium floors.
The square is home to four sit-down restaurants: a ‘50s style diner, a fancy schmancy Italian restaurant, a yet-to-open bar and lounge, and a gastropub. We sampled the fare at the packed pub, The Swift Half, which made up for its slow service with gloriously juicy burgers and a good-sized selection of beers.
Keeping us at the Piazza for hours were its surrounding shops and galleries. Check out High Fidelity Photography for groovy (and affordable) psychadelic photographs and Ryan John Art Salon for contemporary paintings and framing services.
We also dropped a few bucks at the various retail stores dotting the Piazza’s perimeter, including Msquaredcreation, a handmade jewelry boutique; Fresh Melt Water Shop, a custom clothing shop; and The Pink Dolphin, a grocer and deli.
In addition to its everyday offerings, the Piazza hosts evening events all summer long, including Jazz at the Piazza, Funk on Friday, and Movie Nights (check online for an events schedule).
On weekends, weather permitting, the Piazza is also home to a central marketplace, vending vintage and ethnic wares as well as tie-dyed objects like colorful t-shirts and fabric-covered hula hoops.
The Piazza at Schmidts not only provides a full day’s worth of entertainment, it also reminds us of that elusive European ethos that sometimes it’s better to drop everything and spend a day chillin’ in the square.
