PhillyShopping

Main Line Destination · Ardmore, PA

Suburban Square

Ardmore, since 1928.

America's first outdoor shopping center (1928) and still the Main Line's go-to destination. Trader Joe's, Apple, Anthropologie, Warby Parker, and 70+ other shops arranged around open-air courtyards. Year-round farmers market Saturdays.

Trader Joe's · Apple Store · Anthropologie · Farmers Market · Fashion

Suburban Square, Philadelphia
In our directory
12 shopseach one verified
Where
Ardmore, PAMain Line Destination
Right now
Typical hoursNoon–8pm
Getting here
Ardmore StationSEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line from 30th St

The directory

12 shops, all in one place.

Tap a shop or a dot on the map to see it.

Boutiques8 places

Food & drink2 places

Home1 place

  • Mid-century and modern furniture, home decor, and accessories. Good delivery options throughout the Main Line.

Dining1 place

BoutiquesFood & drinkHomeDining

Insider guide

Shopping Suburban Square.

The story

Suburban Square opened in 1928 and claims the title of America's oldest planned shopping center. What started as a modest collection of shops has grown into one of the most successful open-air retail destinations on the East Coast — a mix of national flagships, independent Main Line boutiques, and one of the region's best farmers markets, all spread across a walkable campus in the heart of Ardmore.

The development centers on Coulter Avenue and St. James Place, with shops organized around a tree-lined pedestrian promenade rather than a typical mall interior. You can wander between Apple, Anthropologie, and Trader Joe's without ever entering a climate-controlled mall. It feels more like a well-designed European plaza than a suburban shopping center.

A Main Line Institution

Suburban Square serves as the de facto town center for the Main Line — the collection of affluent suburbs west of Philadelphia. The demographic is consistent: professional families, college students home from Villanova and Bryn Mawr, and Philly-area shoppers who want a more relaxed alternative to King of Prussia Mall. The result is a retail mix that skews premium but remains accessible.

The Farmers Market

The Ardmore Farmers Market is Suburban Square's secret weapon. Housed in a restored building on Coulter Avenue, it's home to 30+ vendors selling produce, cheese, cured meats, fresh bread, prepared foods, and specialty groceries. In 2026 the market is transitioning out its longtime Di Bruno Bros. anchor in favor of multiple smaller vendor counters — a refresh expected to open new spaces through the year.

This week

At Suburban Square this week.

    Typical hours

    Most shops keep the hours below.

    Hours vary by individual store. Always check with specific retailers.

    Eat, drink, stay

    Between shops, close by.

    Top hotels nearby

    All of Stay →
    • Michelin 2 Keys

      Four Seasons Philadelphia

      Top floors of the Comcast Center with panoramic skyline views. Home to Jean-Georges Philadelphia and the skyline-facing JG SkyHigh bar on the 60th floor.

      1 N 19th St · $$$$
    • Michelin Key

      The Rittenhouse Hotel

      The flagship luxury hotel on the west side of Rittenhouse Square. Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond, home to Lacroix restaurant and a celebrated spa.

      210 W Rittenhouse Sq · $$$$
    • Historic Main Line

      Wayne Hotel

      Historic 1906 railroad-era hotel in the heart of Wayne on the Main Line. Paramour restaurant downstairs, and a short drive from Suburban Square and Villanova.

      139 E Lancaster Ave, Wayne · $$$
    • Full-Service Main Line

      The Radnor Hotel

      Full-service Main Line hotel in St. Davids with manicured gardens, Glenmorgan Bar and Grill, and easy access to Villanova, Wayne, and Suburban Square.

      591 E Lancaster Ave, Radnor · $$$
    • Michelin Key

      Guild House Hotel

      A National Historic Landmark 1855 rowhome in Midtown Village. Each of the 12 guest rooms is named for a woman from the house's proto-feminist New Century Guild legacy — one of Philadelphia's most distinctive small stays.

      1307 Locust St · $$$

    Ratings are the scores saved in our directory and are not live. Check the listing for the current score.

    Getting here

    Parking and transit.

    Free parking is available throughout Suburban Square in both open lots and a multi-level garage. Unlike Center City or Rittenhouse Row, you'll rarely circle for a spot, even on weekends. The Ardmore train station is directly adjacent for an easy SEPTA trip back to the city.

    • PSuburban Square GarageMulti-level covered garage · Central to all shopsFree
    • PSurface LotsMultiple free surface lots throughout Suburban SquareFree
    • SArdmore StationSEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line from 30th St · ~20 min trip$5.75 off-peak
    • SArdmore AmtrakSame station as SEPTA · Keystone trains from NYC/DC stop hereVaries
    getting there from philly

    Suburban Square is the easiest Main Line shopping destination to reach from Center City without a car. Take SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale Line from 30th Street Station to Ardmore — about 20 minutes, and drops you a three-minute walk from the shopping center.

    next stop, Ardmore

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