Yesterday, a press release came across our desk that will send waves of excitement through the fashion-conscious-yet-won’t-complain-about-a-good-deal set. The Staples at 1046 Market St. will close on February 4th, and will be replaced by a Marshall’s.

Current view

While this isn’t exactly as exciting as, say, a Bloomingdale’s setting up shop on Market St., it’s a marked improvement over a redundant Staples location and a welcome addition to the retail mix in the area. Marshall’s is an interesting brand and a chameleon of sorts, with locations in areas as economically divergent as Willow Grove and Hunting Park. It should have success in this location if the area remains exactly the way it is today. It should likewise succeed if the area becomes a more upscale shopping district, with the Gallery undergoing renovation and the Girard Square renovation actually, you know, happening.

The building Marshall’s will lease is not so pleasing to the eye, especially considering its past.

The Earle Theatre, demolished in the 1950's

From 1924 through the late 1950’s, the Earle Theatre stood at this corner, according to Cinema Treasures. Part of a seven story office building and designed by Hoffman-Henon, the Theatre hosted vaudeville acts, along with orchestras, organists, and Big Band shows. A Grant’s department store was built on the site, and that somewhat unfortunate building lives on.

In 1961. You can just see the far eastern end of the building. The Robinson building next door looked amazing.

And today

Hopefully, the addition of Marshall’s to Market East is another step in the process of revitalizing this crucial commercial strip. With an endless supply of tourists and conventioneers, along with hundreds of Inquirer employees working down the street, there should be no shortage of customers for Marshall’s or any number of additional new businesses in the area. Hopefully, this will send a positive message to other national retailers considering Market East and things will continue to improve in the coming years.

Speaking of national retailers, it’s been radio silence on the CityTarget front. We’ll tell ya if we hear anything…