Since acquiring full ownership of the 69th Street District, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, led by founder Ben Ashkenazy, has reshaped this historic Upper Darby corridor into a model for modern retail. Spanning ten contiguous blocks and approximately 800,000 SF of retail and office space, the district sits steps from SEPTA’s 69th Street Transportation Center, which sees over 34,000 daily riders.
Transit–Driven Foot Traffic
The Transportation Center’s 34,000+ daily boardings inject consistent foot traffic. Rather than chase large anchors, the district fills mid‑size bays quickly with proven concepts, keeping storefronts active from morning until evening.
Curated Tenant Mix
- Essentials & Value: National off‑price retailers including Burlington, Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls—anchor the corridor.
- Daily Needs: The Fresh Grocer meets grocery staples.
- Neighborhood Dining: Fast‑casual favorites like Baba’s Halal and Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken and Wings add local authenticity.
Over 60 national, regional and local tenants now call the district home, balancing everyday errands with destination visits.
Adaptive, Low‑Capex Activations
Instead of ground‑up development, Ashkenazy Acquisition phases in light, targeted improvements, façade refreshes, sidewalk seating and wayfinding—and converts vacant bays into rotating pop‑ups and community event spaces. This nimble approach keeps costs down and lets the district experiment rapidly.
Market Context & Takeaways
In Q1 2025, transit‑oriented retail corridors in the Philadelphia metro outperformed broader markets. 69th Street’s success underscores three strategies for today’s retail evolution:
- Transit‑linked placemaking that taps commuter flows.
- Essential‑plus curation pairing daily staples with local dining.
- Modular reinvestment that refreshes existing assets without high capex.
For a deeper dive into the case study, explore the full Upper Darby feature here:
Revitalizing 69th Street District, a Ben Ashkenazy property
