Will Strawbridge’s ghost signs be replaced?

All over the building at 8th and Market streets there are ghost letters that spell out Strawbridge & Clothier.

What happened to the signs on Strawbridge’s?

The lettering was apparently removed sometime between the Srawbridge & Clothier building being listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2006 and PREIT’s acquisition of the building that year.

At the time the Historical Commission was aware that the signs – which should have been protected by historic designation – were removed but opted to hold off on issuing a violation. Now that PREIT wants to permission to add a new canopy over the original western entrance (seen above) where the largest lettering is missing, preservation advocates want to see the Strawbridge’s sign put back. The canopy design will include signage for the building’s new tenants, the Inquirer and Daily News.

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