The 2010 Center City Report: Retail publication, released this morning by Center City District, reveals an abundance of encouraging data about the retail-ability of Philadelphia's walkable, 24/7 downtown. Nothing was more telling, however, than the numbers that back the city's growing reputation as a food destination.

A new food-related business opened, on average, almost once a week in 2009. The 48 new grub spots bring Center City's total to 688 food-related businesses, a 31 percent increase since 2005 and an all-time high. Even more encouraging was the fact that fine and casual dining provided most of the recent increase. In fact, the number of Center City fine-dining establishments has more than tripled since 1992.

Also found in the report: 
- The purchasing power of those who live or work within one mile of City Hall is $491.5 million.

- The recently opened Apple Store, a 14,000 square-foot palace at 1607 Walnut Street, can expect more than 2,000 people walking by its front door every hour on a typical business day.

- Philadelphia has a higher percentage of downtown residents who walk to work (40 percent) than any other American city.