In the bustling world of pop culture and iconic movie characters, few figures stand as tall as Sylvester Stallone’s legendary creation, Rocky Balboa. Now, an exciting development has taken place in the heart of Philadelphia that promises to please fans and tourists alike: the grand opening of the Rocky Shop – conveniently located at the foot of the Rocky Steps.
Every year, 4 million+ people head to the Rocky statue and steps in Philadelphia. Visitors from all over the globe – both die-hard fans and casual moviegoers – swing by to do the classic run up those steps, snap pics with the statue, and bask in the movie magic of the city.
It seems a no-brainer to offer Rocky souvenirs in this tourist hot spot, but city officials have indicated that, for the first time since 1982, they’re bringing officially licensed gear and souvenirs from the Sly Stallone Shop and the Rocky franchise to the area.
Officially Licensed Rocky Merchandise & Memorabilia
Situated at the base of the steps, the new Rocky Shop is in a prime location just a stone’s throw away from the Rocky Statue.
At the Rocky Shop, you’ll find a bunch of cool stuff straight from the Sly Stallone Shop. You can snag some “Italian Stallion” boxing robes and trunks, Mighty Mick’s Boxing sweatshirts, black satin tiger jackets, tshirts, posters, and replica pieces from all of the Rocky movies, including Rocky’s fedora hat.
Stallone’s Vision: Bringing Rocky Merchandise to Rockyland
Now, here’s the cool backstory: The man himself, Stallone, picked up the phone and had a chat with Philadelphia’s mayor to suggest the idea of offering Rocky merchandise at this hallowed Rockyland ground. Sly visits the steps and statue just about every time he’s in Philadelphia, and noticed that there was no souvenir spot meeting the needs of visiting fans.
In an official press release, Sly states: “I’m incredibly proud of my association and roots in Philadelphia. Without Philly I never would’ve had such a blessed life. I will always be indebted to the people and the fighting spirit of this unique city, and myself and ‘Rocky’ will always cherish the memories from this city of brotherly love.”
“Every day, I think of thousands of people from all over the world who run up those amazing steps and have a piece of the dream and that alone makes my heart swell with pride.”
“And I would like to personally thank the city officials who made this dream come true. I look forward to being there and celebrating with everyone!”
So, what’s in it for the Visitor Center, you ask? Well, Stallone actually chipped in $100,000 for this project. Plus, the Visitor Center gets a slice of the pie from the first-year sales. That cash helps keep this relatively new outpost up and running. And, it’s not just a shop – it’s also an information center where visitors can pick up maps and tickets to other Philadelphia hot spots.
So it seems that the Rocky Shop isn’t just another pop-up retail outlet; it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Philly’s fictional underdog boxer who captured the hearts of millions.
Plan Your Visit: Rocky Shop’s Opening Hours
The Rocky Shop is open Thursday and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll find the shop at the base of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130. You can also visit the official Sly Stallone Shop to buy merchandise online.
