Organized by two Next Generation Car Guys, also Drexel & Temple students, alongside local Philadelphia company, LBI Limited
Two Philadelphia college students with a passion for classic cars have joined forces to Save Jewelers’ Row. Marc Patterson, a Finance and Business Analytics major at Drexel University, and Yousif Memon, President of the Temple University Motor Club, have organized a classic car show for Sunday, October 22 nd, from 10am to 3pm, on Jewelers’ Row (7th and Sansom Street), in support of the Save Jewelers' Row campaign of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Patterson posted this video and invites views to the Facebook event page and LBI Limited Instagram account for more information.
“The event has been strategically structured to spur a new awareness of the Save Jewelers’ Row campaign,” said Patterson. “Our classic car display will include 25 hand-picked cars on display, ranging from a 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia to a 1991 Nissan GT-R.” Mike Muli Music will provide live music, Bright Yellow Creamery will supply handmade ice cream, local artists will display and sell their artwork with much more to come. It will be a one-of-a-kind event that is not to be missed.”
Classics on Jewelers’ Row is presented by LBI Limited, a sales, brokerage and collection management company for classic and modern classic sports cars for whom Patterson works, in cooperation with the Preservation Alliance. Event admission is free, but vendors have agreed to donate a portion of proceeds to the Alliance to help subsidize their preservation efforts on behalf of Jewelers’ Row.
“I am a full-time college student, studying Finance and Business Analytics at Drexel University, Sales Assistant and Specialist at LBI Limited, growing entrepreneur, and of course, a car guy," said Patterson. "But most essentially, I am a Philadelphian and this issue literally hit home. If Jewelers’ Row consists of historically significant buildings, how is Toll Brothers allowed to reduce them to rubble?”
He continued, "This is a massive injustice and inexcusable lack of attention for something so historically significant to simply be overlooked. It is this disservice not just to Jewelers’ Row, but also the City of Philadelphia that served as the inspiration to take action.”
The Preservation Alliance has been fighting the threat to Jewelers’ Row since Toll Brothers announced in 2016 its intention to demolish five buildings on Sansom Street in order to erect a condominium tower. The Alliance has filed suit in Common Pleas Court to overturn an L&I Review Board decision enabling the demolitions to proceed. However, the threatened buildings remain standing and occupied while the court battle plays out.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia actively promotes the appreciation, protection, and revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. A 501c3 non-profit membership organization, the Alliance leads in setting the agenda for preservation issues of regional importance and advocates strong public preservation policies. Visit www.preservationalliance.com.
