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By Megan Douress Photography by JPG Photo & Video (jpgphotography.com)
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or the last five summers, al fresco dining, shopping deals, art vendors, and live music were always on the menu every Thursday night in Manayunk. Since 2016, Manayunk has invited residents and guests to come to Main Street for a night of family-friendly fun during Stroll the Street. The weekly series has certainly seen its changes throughout the years – starting with discounted deals in restaurants and shops and growing into a streetclosed block party some nights. This May will mark six years of Stroll the Street, and we’re celebrating with a trip down memory lane!
Back in 2003, Philadelphia’s Center City District implemented a summer happy hour program called Center City Sips as a way to keep its commuters in town for a night out with colleagues. The concept was simple – offer extra discounted drinks and appetizers during happy hour in the middle of the week and customers will stay for dinner. Flash forward to 2016. Center City Sips was booming, and residents of Manayunk were now taking their weeknight plans downtown. A group of Manayunk’s restaurateurs were inspired by the weeknight program and got together to brainstorm a way of doing their own local version of Sips – one that would encourage Manayunk’s demographic of young families to come to Main Street for a night out during the week. With the help of Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) staff and a liquor sponsor, Stroll the Street was born. 6
manayunk.com | Summer 2021
