Last minute food shopping at Reading Terminal Market

PHILADELPHIA -- It's the day before Christmas and as usual, the Reading Terminal Market is brimming with people.

"The Reading Terminal Market is probably our favorite place on earth," said Meredith Turner.

That's why the Turner Family comes here every Christmas Eve - even after moving to Virginia. They soak in the sights and sounds and keep up their family tradition.

"My father worked in town for 45 years. We watch carols at the bank then come to Reading Terminal Market," said Turner.

The seafood, the meat, the people, the sweets - it's December 24th, and as usual, the Reading Terminal Market is brimming with holiday spirit.

It was tradition and lobster that drew the Lacon sisters here.

"Every year for the past 23 years, we come down here to the Reading Terminal Market," said Maggie Lacon.

"We usually try to get up early to get here. My dad makes a famous lobster bisque so we get our live lobsters here," said Claire Lacon.

Over at Muellers Chocolates, pretzels were freshly dipped.

There's a little something for everyone - brains, hearts, and anatomically correct kidneys for the medical crowd. Even for the naughty, there's chocolate covered onions - the candy maker's equivalent of coal in your stocking.

For the chocolatiers, it's been a good season.

"Business has been outstanding the entire month, we've had good weather, we've had an uptick in the economy it seems like down here," said Glenn Mueller, owner.

However before dessert comes dinner and at Giunta's Prime Shop, they made sure to especially stock up on their big sellers.

"Filet mignon roast, rib roast, occasional turkey but I think people are tired of that from Thanksgiving," said Rob Passio.

For many people the works isn't over, after all the last minute shopping, they are left with cooking the big meal.