Things that aren't there anymore... today

Submitted by nectaris2089 t3_11bt41y in pittsburgh

I was watching the Sebak documentary today, Things That Aren't There Anymore, and it got me thinking. Since it was made in 1990, and the focus was more on things that had been a part of Pittsburgh around the 1930s-50s or so, things that less and less people now would have been around to remember first hand, if the documentary was made today what would it include? The show ends with the closing of Forbes field in 1970, so I'm thinking things mainly from the 70s to 90s to parallel the time frame of the show.

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UselessLezbian t1_j9zqxqg wrote

Not Pittsburgh proper, but I can't help but think of all the classic Kennywood rides I had growing up in the 90s that are gone now.

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sparksofthetempest t1_j9zsik9 wrote

I still think the original Pechins near the Fayette County Fairgrounds should be remembered. As a carny who traveled all around the state in the 80’s, it was still our favorite stop when we resupplied for all our spots in western PA and WV.

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cmyk412 t1_j9zwi9r wrote

There were so many iconic music venues and nightclubs that are now part of the past. Off the top of my head there was The Decade, Graffiti, The Electric Banana, Holiday House, Club Laga, The Upstage, Metropol, Rosebud, 2001, The Turmoil Room, Cloud 9, The Lava Lounge, Nick’s Fat City, City Limits, Syria Mosque, Millvale Industrial Theater, Heaven, Mirage, I.C. Light Amphitheater, Rex Theater

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cmyk412 t1_j9zwjsn wrote

The Beehive (both of them)

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ItsGroovyBaby412 t1_ja04k5n wrote

The movie theater downtown

Edit The Gateway Theater on 6th not Warner Center

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guyonlinepgh t1_ja09rji wrote

B52, and before too long Onion Maiden. Getting harder to find good vegetarian/vegan options in this town.

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TSOD t1_ja0imok wrote

Dino Kingdom at Parkway Center Mall.

I didn't know a single kid in the south hills that hadn't gone there for school, a birthday, etc.

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whenwillthisend19 t1_ja0juve wrote

St Joseph Hospital on the south side. Got stitched up there. It's some kinda housing now. Down by the library

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nippleflick1 t1_ja0p80i wrote

The original overlook on Grandview Ave on Mount Washington. It was the only one there and was wooden.

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More-Adhesiveness-54 t1_ja0vc5a wrote

Tele ropa
Brave New World
The Roboto location in Wilkinsburg
Carmike Cinema theater out by the Washington Mall

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MissMurderpants t1_ja12xok wrote

I miss C3 mall.

It was huge. It had almost everything. Le sigh

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MenudoFan316 t1_ja12yxm wrote

The intersection of Rte 19 and Rte 51 right before the inbound Tubes. The Damacus restaurant was on the corner.

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daninhim t1_ja1333m wrote

Replying to cmyk412 (#2,006,022)

I joined tens of thousands of others on the point that day to watch the demo. Imagine all those people trying to exit the point at the same time as the toxic dust cloud floated over the river toward us. Spoiler…We didn’t get out of there in time.

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kirbypuckett t1_ja16gbs wrote

In high school one of our teachers who didn’t want to teach would just show videos. He put this tape on (I think, may have been “Stuff that’s not…”) and Rick is wearing a Boss sweatshirt in it. This one girl stands up and yells “Hugo Boss, things that aren’t here anymore!” — hope she got into comedy because that comedic timing was incredible.

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Powerful-Tonight8648 t1_ja1lpia wrote

The apartment buildings that used to span penn Ave and you’d drive under them, and the cheap movie theatre in west mifflin just up from the mall. RIP

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koaruaok1564 t1_ja1o0ba wrote

Spinning wheels in castle Shannon. It’s now a busy beaver.

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SpartanBH t1_ja206ks wrote

Discovery Zone, Safari Sams, Q-ZAR, Dino Kingdom, Caddyshack, Wildwood Highlands, and Fun Fest (back when it had mini golf and then lazer tag) were some of the hot spots as a kid that were better versions of Chucky Cheese. Had to check if Seabase in Greensburg is still around and it is!

Monroeville Mall was glorious in the 90s. Had a massive arcade and some great stores like the candy store Icky, Sticky, & Goo, Disney Store, Warner Bros store, Natural Treasures, and the old bridge over the Koi pond on the lower level. That mall is absolutely depressing now. Holiday time there was magical.

Tons of great restaurants are now long gone...The O (of course), More's, Kazansky's, and Poli's were personal favorites.

Grew up when the Sheetz/Hotel area in Wilkins Twp was Showcase Cinemas and had the only place I could ever play thr Simpson's arcade game.

While Blockbuster was of course king, I remember Family Video in Churchill, West Coast Video (with a little carousel) in Penn Hills, and Suncoast Video at Monroeville Mall.

Kennywood had a banger arcade. Also Fastenation and Past Time were awesome ball games you could spend the entire day playing cause they cost a dime! Could even win some cool prizes.

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Zestyclose_Cash_9310 t1_ja2fm92 wrote

The VIP Club in Great Southern Shopping Center and Hampton on Rt. 8. Disco dance floor and arcade games room, plus sofas to lounge on. Something for everyone - was so cool! The Giraffe in Parkway Center. Speaking of Parkway Center, US Air Headquarters!

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OriginalIronDan t1_ja2p83o wrote

Someplace Else. Played in the house band there for a couple years. What a time it was! I’ll be talking about it for the rest of my life. RIP Danny.

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BurghPuppies t1_ja2twdw wrote

And it can end with Three Rivers Stadium and the Civic Arena.

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Pwrmyr t1_ja2v75n wrote

The BBT. Pierogies, the Polish Platter, and most of all , Steve the owner.

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-animal-logic- t1_ja2zaq5 wrote

Lots of good ones posted already. I'll add Zelda's Greenhouse in Oakland. That place was huge, with multiple bars.

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Col__Hunter_Gathers t1_ja39gy2 wrote

Replying to cmyk412 (#2,003,392)

Fuckin A, I miss the IC Light Amphitheater. I went to my first ever concert there. Weird Al. What a great fuckin show that was. Also got to see Lamb of God & Gwar together, which was magnificent. Oderus had the biggest crack rock I've ever seen up on that stage lol.

Now my kiddo is getting to concert going age and I wish the Amphitheater was still there cuz it would be a great spot for me to take her for a show.

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Lyonors t1_ja3jlz7 wrote

What was the name of that head shop in Oakland that was up on the second floor? I cannot come up with a name to save my life.

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Tonyclifton69 t1_ja3vbw8 wrote

Pittsburgh Sports Garden. Spent lots of time there and saw an 18 year old Jaromir Jagr parked at the Ms PAC Man all night by himself and nobody knew who he was.

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Fine-Designer5474 t1_ja405m4 wrote

Del Kids in Crafton in Route 60. Del’s & Bloomfield Bridge Tavern in Bloomfield

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enoughstreet t1_ja407zy wrote

Replying to subjiciendum (#2,006,287)

The family turned it into a large grocery store in Laurel valley mall, then pulled out of the Laurel mall about 2 years ago. Then went into parts of connellaville.

I’m dying on occasion penchins cakes it’s up there with bethel bakery and haven’t figured out yet where it is. Near one of the old train stations according to family friends

Next time I’m home I guess

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jralll234 t1_ja46dfl wrote

Replying to Pwrmyr (#2,021,974)

I loved that place. Could eat pierogis, drink cheap beer, and listen to a string quartet on a random Thursday night. And Steve would remember your name every time you came in.

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44qwert44 t1_ja47p6i wrote

Tequila Willys and have a nice day cafe

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zappafrank2112 t1_ja4yqje wrote

Replying to More-Adhesiveness-54 (#2,009,452)

> Brave New World

Loved Brave New World

I see Spahr and Rob at shows still, and I made it a point just a few months ago to let Sparh know how much BNW meant to me. I was only around for the last few years of its life, but I got a ton of great stuff there and they were always cool as hell to me.

In fact, the concert this was at was Raven (NWOBHM), and it was the guys at BNW back in the day who recommended which Raven album to start with (All For One).

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zappafrank2112 t1_ja4z2ge wrote

Replying to betterashthandust44 (#2,007,833)

To this day, I miss Altar Bar. 10 minute drive for me, easy parking, and a great view from my preferred perch up on the 2nd floor.

Now all the stuff that would go to Altar Bar goes out to Jergels which is far from being my favorite venue. Stuff I'd otherwise have gone to in a second at Altar Bar I now have to think on and that's 100% due to the fact that it's Jergels.

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zappafrank2112 t1_ja4zhcu wrote

Replying to cmyk412 (#2,003,392)

I miss the Rex. Saw so many great metal shows there. I loved the balcony.

But it's probably just as well that it's no longer there given that South Side sounds like a nightmare anymore (awaits the downvotes from people who live in Southside for besmirching it)

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-animal-logic- t1_ja5hvok wrote

Replying to jimibee (#2,030,347)

Yeah I forgot about that one. A friend of mine sold pizza from the back of that place for a while in the late 80's. It was the one place CMU students had nearby at the time. I miss that place too.

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Carolus1234 t1_ja7ax17 wrote

George Aiken's in town by Market Square.

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