PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 29, 2026) — Meantime, the Philadelphia nonprofit urban activation initiative founded by architecture and design studio ISA, today announced the first two participants in its new retail incubator on the 900 block of Market Street: Members' Work, an artist collective presenting a 90-day exhibition of reclaimed and repurposed craft, and FarmerJawn Agriculture, which will open CornerJawn on Market, a grocery and food market. Each will receive three months of free retail space in one of the city's highest-traffic downtown corridors from a partnership of Comcast and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
The two projects were chosen for their variety and versatility, adding a new element of experimentation to the 900 block of Market Street as conversation continues on the city’s vision for Market East. One is a gallery-caliber show of furniture, lighting, sculpture, and textiles and the other is a grocery to buy fresh, local produce. \u200b Both test what a vacant storefront on Market Street can hold, which is the question the incubator was built to answer when Meantime announced it in August alongside the fall extension of Meantime on Market. The seven storefronts are made available at discounted or no rent by the joint venture of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast.
"One storefront will be full of objects with second lives; the other will be full of food. That range is critical for us in underscoring exactly what Meantime is meant to experiment with. The incubator exists so that \u200b we can test ideas for what kind of street level programming can make our city better, stronger, more connected, and more prosperous." said Brian Phillips, founder of Meantime and principal of ISA.
The incubator builds on a summer that changed how the 900 block is used. Since Meantime on Market opened on May 6, its storefronts drew nearly 3,300 visitors and close to $50,000 in sales in the first three weeks alone, and foot traffic along the observed stretch of Market East rose about 10 percent from May to June, outpacing surrounding areas. Four summer businesses, Almost Famous, Clubfriends Radio & Records, Love Now Media, and Siddiq's Real Fruit Water Ice, stayed past the original July 31 close. The vitality of the area has won praise from local leaders.
“This on-the-ground experiment in curating retail on Market Street will show us what’s possible and what can be successful,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Director of the City’s Department of Commerce. “This is a tripled investment: We are investing in these small local businesses, we are investing in the activation of Market East storefronts, and we are investing in the City’s plan to revive Market Street. The City is proud to support the Meantime on Market business incubator.”
Meantime on Market is among the recent accomplishments on the corridor, fueling Mayor Parker’s Market East Revival. Additional successes along Market East include new public art installations, streetscape improvements, and bus shelter enhancements funded by a $1.85 million city grant, as well as activation of the 1100 block of Filbert Street by the Reading Terminal Market, installation of the Revisit 1876 Exhibition in the Lits Building, and the opening of a new joint public safety center at Jefferson Tower staffed by the Philadelphia Police Department, SEPTA Transit Police, and the Thomas Jefferson University Police Department.
"This summer's pop-up retail prototypes pointed us to a version of Center City worth building further," said Prema Katari Gupta, President & CEO of Center City District. "We're excited to see this evolve into a new incubator and to welcome CornerJawn and Members' Work onto Market Street alongside four of this summer's retailers."
Members' Work, in partnership with Circular Philadelphia, presents Past Lives: Surfaced by Skilled Hands, a 90-day exhibition opening Friday, October 2, 2026 as part of Philadelphia's First Friday, at Meantime on Market, 924 Market Street. The exhibition runs through December 31, 2026. The show brings together furniture makers, sculptors, lighting designers, textile artists, and fine artists whose work shares one premise: an object's history does not end when its first use does. Each piece on view is fabricated from another identifiable object, constructed from repurposed or reclaimed materials, or built to reference a bygone era, use, or cultural moment. The curatorial criteria give precedence to technical mastery, including joinery, casting, weaving, finishing, and construction, on the premise that skilled execution is what earns an object a second life.
FarmerJawn Agriculture will open CornerJawn on Market at 920 Market Street, a retail grocery and food market featuring fresh produce, packaged and prepared foods, beverages, and community programming. FarmerJawn Agriculture operates a 128-acre working farm and builds regenerative organic food production by and for underserved communities. CornerJawn brings that model to a downtown block, where fresh food is available to the workers, residents, and visitors who pass through it every day.
At the end of the three-month trial, incubator businesses may be offered the opportunity to extend at discounted rates while HBSE and Comcast continue to evaluate long-term development plans for the site, following the path taken this summer by Almost Famous, Clubfriends Radio & Records, Love Now Media, and Siddiq's Real Fruit Water Ice. While these businesses are operating in the incubator, the City of Philadelphia Dept of Commerce Mayor's Business Action Team is available to meet with the business owners to plan their next steps.
Meantime continues to match vacant spaces with programmers across the city through its website; more detail on how to participate as a business, landlord, or supporter is available via meantimephl.org.
ABOUT MEMBERS' WORK
Members' Work is an artist collective founded by a group of Philadelphia artists who first curated Philadelphia@250: Living Room at NextFab in the summer of 2026, an exhibition exploring the American living room as the center of civic and domestic life ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary. Members' Work exists to give skilled artisans and craftspeople, working across woodworking, lighting, painting, sculpture, textiles, and fashion, a platform to present their work in a refined, gallery-caliber context.
ABOUT FARMERJAWN AGRICULTURE
FarmerJawn Agriculture is a 128-acre working farm building a model that enables regenerative organic food production by and for underserved communities. FarmerJawn provides access to fresh, chemical-free food in food deserts and the wider community, and offers hands-on education through on-farm and in-school programming and adult agri-business training. The company believes food is medicine and is building regenerative foodways that give underserved communities access to health through fresh food and support a sustainable economy for the next generation of urban and wellness entrepreneurs.
ABOUT MEANTIME
Meantime is a nonprofit initiative that emerged from Interface Studio Architects (ISA), a Philadelphia-based architecture and research practice engaged with urban systems. Founded by ISA principal Brian Phillips to activate vacant storefronts across the city, Meantime is inspired by the importance of face-to-face interactions across cultures and communities, encouraging and incubating an analog approach to city building in an increasingly digitally connected world. Partnering with artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives on participatory pop-ups, Meantime strengthens neighborhood streets and supports local economies by transforming underutilized spaces into platforms for commerce, cultural programming, and community exchange.
Founded in response to the surge of vacancies following the COVID-19 shutdowns, Meantime began as a design-driven effort to develop tools for activating vacant spaces. Since its first iteration in 2023, the organization has evolved into a coalition of landlords, city agencies, real estate professionals, and community stakeholders working together to reimagine the future of neighborhood streets.
Programming has included reopening a movie house vacant for more than 60 years, partnering with local students to envision neighborhood futures, and contributing to national conversations about urban innovation, including at SXSW. By promoting flexibility, experimentation, and collaboration, Meantime advances a broader cultural shift in how cities value and program their commercial corridors, reinforcing the idea that vibrant streets are essential to civic life and everyday urban experience.
ABOUT THE MARKET EAST REVIVAL
The Market East Revival launched in November 2025 when Mayor Parker convened the Market East Advisory Group, a cohort of nearly 70 private and public city leaders, and charged the group with engaging the public and subject matter experts to develop a shared vision for Market East’s future and actionable steps to achieve that vision. For more information visit MarketEastRevival.com
Media contacts
Sara Griffin – Meantime // sara@griffinprny.com // +1-917-656-6348
Leo Manning – Center City District // lmanning@centercityphila.org // +1-215-440-5508
", "header": { "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6925dcef-a9ce-49fa-89ec-2ed5c8438191/-/crop/2022x933/0,370/-/preview/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/", "release": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6925dcef-a9ce-49fa-89ec-2ed5c8438191/-/crop/2022x933/0,370/-/preview/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/" }, "images": [ { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/ead9ba73-ad68-4dfe-8b88-b44135e73ac3/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/5667fcd6-6081-4912-b2ef-abcebee4a8ef/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0a2e5095-fc87-4868-9350-ab43de7aa1da/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e54ae8bd-7d2e-4d62-a684-bb34335047d5/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/dafed417-5cbf-494e-a8ce-35a86886b5a5/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/191a0f5f-6090-408a-b080-d701db3964fa/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86fa9103-30ce-4ffd-9252-f4164cce61f7/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/014bd6b9-d896-4ee1-8f6d-c29e8d035e14/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6d159528-d9fa-4644-8034-8ab826edc86f/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/77cb3ac9-0f4d-4833-aece-eaeb549882b3/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9f6a0ab4-ac6c-48ab-9ca5-c7649dc782a0/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" }, { "caption": "", "original": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/", "medium": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/-/preview/500x500/-/format/auto/", "small": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/-/preview/200x200/-/format/auto/", "thumbnail": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/-/preview/100x100/-/format/auto/", "square": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/-/scale_crop/200x200/center/-/format/auto/", "squaresmall": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/86be4f58-a1a1-4ce4-a1b0-9077a1c874c0/-/scale_crop/58x58/center/-/format/auto/" } ], "author": { "first_name": "Sara", "last_name": "Griffin" }, "format_version": 6 }