By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to not just overhaul their 25-man roster for 2019, but also their stadium — Citizens Bank Park. On Tuesday, the club and Aramark — the venue's exclusive food and beverage provider — announced their plans to transform the former 24,500-square-feet McFadden's space.
Adjacent to the Third Base Plaza, the new area called "Pass and Stow" will include:
- an outdoor beer garden and bar
- Foundry Pizza serving brick-oven pizza
- a family-friendly sports pub
- 44 TVs
- 120-seat Shake Shack
"Pass and Stow" refers to two last names which appear on Philadelphia's iconic Liberty Bell. In February, CrossingBroad.com reported the Phillies were planning to refurbish and at eventually repurpose their once-displayed 19-foot-high Liberty Bell replica that was placed on top of Veterans Stadium. On Tuesday, the Phillies announced they are bringing back the bell to be "prominently displayed" outside the "Pass and Stow" area, "as fans approach the ballpark, providing yet another photo opportunity."
Phillies Executive Vice President David Buck said the club always strives to "make the Phillies fan experience the best in baseball. "With this, we are excited to partner with Aramark to bring an outdoor beer garden to the ballpark, complete with an open-patio concept and backyard type feel," Buck said. "Pass and Stow's sports pub and Shake Shack are also great additions for our fans."
"Not only will these social spaces feature a wide array of food options, but also fun design elements that tie into Phillies history and Philadelphia's iconic Liberty Bell."
Phillies.com outlines more specific "Pass and Stow" offerings:
- Immediately upon entering the Third Base Gate, fans will experience the outdoor beer garden, bar with local craft and draft beers, and Foundry Pizza of Pass and Stow. The first of its kind at Citizens Bank Park, this open-air, food and drink destination will span 11,500 square feet, seat 250 fans, and have ample standing room. Additional features include fire pits, picnic tables, a 30' x 50' pergola adorned with lights, and a Phillies-etched water feature.
- Pass and Stow will also include a 7,000-square foot, family-friendly sports pub with seating for 150 fans. Other highlights: garage doors that open and a split-flap board (similar to Amtrak's board at 30th Street Station) that shows game updates.
- Continuing with the Liberty Bell theme, the Phillies are bringing back the iconic 19-foot high Liberty Bell that was once located atop Veterans Stadium. The newly refurbished bell will be prominently displayed as fans approach the ballpark, providing yet another photo opportunity.
- For the first time, Shake Shack is bringing its sit-down restaurant experience to a sports venue, with seating for 120 fans. This popular modern-day "roadside" burger stand will now serve its classic burgers, crinkle-cut fries, hand-spun shakes and more at the ballpark. More than 6,000 square feet, Shake Shack will be adjacent to Pass and Stow.
… These new enhancements follow last year's successful additions of The Yard, an interactive major league kids experience in right field, and Boardwalk Eats, a boardwalk-themed concession area in left field.
… Pass and Stow will be open two hours before the start of each home game, and will remain open until post-game. Shake Shack will be open during normal home game hours.
Fans can experience Pass and Stow as soon as Opening Day, which is just a little over two months away — March 28 against the Atlanta Braves.
For more information, and for renderings of the new "Pass and Stow" area, visit Phillies.com.
