Good news: Dollar Strolls are returning this summer to Baltimore Avenue, according to University City District. Bad news: it looks like there won’t be a stroll in June, meaning we will have to wait until July for $1 samosas, cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and theater tickets.
Here are the dates:
July 19
August 16
September 20
Stay tuned for more information on participating businesses and their $1 specials, and as a reminder of what we’ve been missing since last summer, check out the gallery below.
Only three dollar strolls this summer? So sad! Why?
That’s 3 too many. As someone who regularly frequents these establishments and lives on Baltimore Ave, I can’t stand the influx of Penn/ Drexel kids who find their joys in “slumming it up” on Baltimore Ave. I don’t care for the lines, or the mindless drivel being spewed while Sally waits in line for a $1 cup of [edited] from Dock Street.
I am an old stick in the mud, but I wear it on my sleeve.
Yeah, those 3 days out of 90 will throw the entire summer out of whack.
I enjoy the preview tickets to curio theater and will gladly wait until July for them.
I can’t wait to get my $1 footlong from Subway.
oof! Happy Curmudgeon ! snarky mcsnark snark!
yep, slumming it up on baltimore avenue…
Baltimore Avenue is NOT slumming. It’s really pretty nice.
we don’t subway b/c they’ll attract people we don’t like to a business we don’t like but now we don’t like the dollar stroll b/c it attracts people we don’t like who might become patrons of the businesses we do like…
i can’t keep it straight!
“i can’t keep it straight!”
It’s all about keepin’ it real (man).
And the only really real people in the neighborhood – as we know, because they kindly take the time to keep telling us about it – are those who post here to complain about everything.
I live a block off Baltimore… ok, if you live right ON it, I agree that the dollar strolls are probably overwhelming. It IS a lot of people, crowd, and noise. But it is also such a nice summer festival atmosphere! And I don’t usually eavesdrop on the conversations of boring people.
How is a whole bunch of people walking down the street buying ice cream and ‘West Philly’ pins once a month overwhelming? It’s Baltimore Avenue. It’s the 5th Avenue of WPhilly. Or at least we should want it to be. Let’s just close all the businesses b/c squatters and drug seekers are quieter. This is really getting crazy.
I love dollar stroll, though we only did it once about 2 years ago, it’s a really great way to sample what the shops have to offer.
…is it too much to ask that the popsicle shop that just opened up represent?
Oh for crying out loud. I live a half a block from Baltimore and it’s fine. Hate Dollah Stroll? Go to another part of the city for a few hours. Damn killjoys.
My only suggestion is that they need a lot more trash cans for the event- otherwise STROLL ON!
What I really hate about Dollar Stroll is its success. Last year I had time enough to stand in 2 lines because it was so crowded. Green Line sold out of vegan cupcakes and Mood sold out of whatever I expected to get there before I made it to the counter at either place.
You have to pick the lines you think you can handle carefully; I recommend they make the stroll last an entire weekend, say Friday 4pm through Sunday 10pm.
I think they’re good. The last one that I attended was a madhouse but I am pretty sure it’s because it coincided with the last day of finals and some really sweet weather. The lines were insane but it was still a nice walk.
Just think how much better it will be with Subway though. My mouth’s a-watering for some stinky bread!
I did wonder if the pop-shop can afford to do the stroll. maybe they can make 1/2 size pops or something. Not sure what their capacity is for that type of thing. I’ll be selling $1 homeless tuxedo cats.
As a resident and business owner, I like the Dollar Stroll. Baltimore Avenue should welcome visitors, whether from Penn/Drexel or other parts of the city. Economically, imported money (from these visitors) is what energizes the local economy today and in the future. A commercial corridor should be vibrant. Although large events come with some inconveniences, they also market the area as progressive and hip, thereby drawing commercial and residential investment. I think the Dollar Stroll is a great concept.
A lot of business owners in the baltimore avenue have opted out this summer’s dollar stroll. I wonder why?
It looks about the same number of vendors plus some new ones to me.
@ Erin, I agree. In fact, I don’t see anyone who opted out….
Price for participation from UCD has gone up for merchants. I think its up to $200 per stroll, minimum.
Which is still a good price, but maybe has squelched merchant enthusiasm a tad.
It’s possible but I don’t think that falls under “a lot of merchants have opted out.” It could, however, explain why we only get three Strolls instead of four.
It is $200 for the whole summer. The price was the same last year for 4 strolls, now it only covers 3. UCD blankets the region with advertising, which is not cheap. A business in the middle of the route might feel like they would get the foot traffic anyway so they wouldn’t have to be an “official” participator.