Submitted by Elouiseotter t3_z4ffrx in pittsburgh
What small businesses or restaurants are you supporting or would recommend checking out on Small Business Saturday and beyond?
I posted this last year and there were so many wonderful suggestions. Can’t wait to see what is suggested this year.
Maggie's Farm and Quantum Spirits
Adda. Commonplace. Redstart.
I make a conscious attempt to not support Arriviste - toxic social media presence and blatant snobby vibes. No thanks. Please support local businesses, but not this one.
Mystery Lovers was a wonderful ship the one time I was there to meet Pearls Before Swine author Stephan Pastis. If Oakmont wasn’t like an hour drive for me, I would definitely shop there more often.
Eggs N Moore on Shiloh St.
They were in Arlington for 3-4 years, and just moved to a Shiloh a month or so ago. Their food is always amazing, and now they’re only a block away from Grandview. One of the best breakfast spots I’ve ever been to.
White Whale Bookstore (books, coffee, and beer!), Wildcard, Millie’s ice cream, vendors at the Holiday Market downtown, Georgie’s Corner Cafe, and Kards Unlimited are just a few!
My kind of Yinzer. I'm stuck working or I'd be going to Maggie's.
Definitely You! In Brentwood
Kid Ewe Knot yarn shop in Bridgeville if you knit/crochet/fiber arts
Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill and McCandless Crossing. Very friendly and they do a ton of custom orders if they don't have what you need but you want to shop local.
For yarn goodness, McWalker Yarns is having a huge small business Saturday event, and I love Yarns by Design and Sewickley Yarns too. I'm not sure what their SBS plans are though.
Ton Pottery and Pittsburgh Worsh Company.
Kinder Cloth Diapers is a relatively new Pittsburgh business that has really taken off in the baby/toddler industry. Their website has much more than cloth diapers (change pads, bibs, playmats).. would make really nice gifts for new parents or babies in your family. The owner runs it out of the basement in her home!
Any company that screenshots reviews of their business and tries to over explain them is sketchy, definitely agree about Arriviste
Cerasoli's on Bright Road. They make a solid Chicago Deep Dish, one of the few in the city that I am aware of. The large is massive, great for like a party of 6-12.
black forge mckees rocks is both a great small business to support but is also doing their high priestess market from 11-4 tomorrow, which is a market of women owned small business vendors. get some coffee and get some gift shopping done
Support your local sword fighting school! ☺️ https://www.pittsburghswordfighters.com/
Squirrel Hill Design and Craft - I run a small business making maps plus landmark accessories, mostly of Pittsburgh locations!
Running a sale today and tomorrow on all stickers & magnets :)
Don’t forget your local small businesses that are service providers! Hair salons, massage therapists, yoga studios, and beyond - they might have merch you can buy or even better, gift certificates!
Workshop PGH will have two small business Saturday events tomorrow - at their Penn Ave location in Garfield and their Trenton location in Regent Square - with other businesses as well popping up on the block
I’m a fan of Kindred Cycles, Redstart Roasters, Con Alma (especially since they give so much work to the brilliant musicians of Pittsburgh). I also think it’s important to support the arts, so museums and performing arts groups. I also like biking, so BikePGH. Happy Pittsburgh-ing!!
I tried it three times and got an “off” feeling every time. Mediocre coffee, indifferent and judgey customer service, and unprofessional social media posts.
Focus on improving your business and admitting your flaws - not pointing the finger at customers and pretending you are perfect.
I haven’t been there in ages but Mr Nice guy games in monroeville is a great place.
They have tons of collectible cards (Pokémon, magic, yugioh) and loads of board games.
They’re so nice!!! I have given up shopping for soap anywhere else. Their staff makes me feel the warm fuzzies every time I stop by, plus they literally have every scent imaginable.
Ain’t no business like Plow business! :D
The Weeping Glass, Black Forge Coffee House in Allentown and Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville
I’m doing 20% off almost everything this weekend including prints and calendars https://www.etsy.com/shop/citylifeadventures
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Alternate Histories in Greenfield
Alternate Histories just opened a storefront on Greenfield Ave
Terrific stuff. I have a bunch in my house.
Redfishbowl studios! It’s in Lawrenceville, and features a wide variety of local artists.
Wheelfish in the North Hills
Big fan of Lovett Sundries.
Yes!!!! I love this shop!
Sewickley Soap Company!
Blue Monkey Tea in Squirrel Hill! The owners are lovely people and they have a huge selection of loose teas, coffee, herbs, and fun European imports
Trader Electronics on Smithfield Street buys and sells a bunch of different things!
BL sour creams and dips have been a Pittsburgh locally owned and operated company since 1930. Fine quality items.
And forma pasta in Allentown too! All of the Allentown businesses :)
Big Jim’s, Hazelwood Cafe, Love In The Forest on Etsy
If you’re looking for photographs, I can help! https://www.etsy.com/shop/citylifeadventures
For fabrics (more apparel then quilting) I recommend Firecracker Fabrics in Morningside and The Fabric Place in Mt Lebanon/Dormont-ish area.
I know it’s a bit of a hoof from Pittsburgh, but if you find yourself wandering north, there’s a little plant shop on Main St in Butler called Grows on Main. The owners are really nice and knowledgeable and take pride in the plants they sell. They also stock non-plant items from other local vendors. (I’m not affiliated with the shop in any way)
Echt in Mt Oliver!!!!
My Favorite Sweet Shoppe in collier!
The owner of that place, Milton, is a super nice dude. I used to always go into his shop in Dormont when I was around 10 years old. Like last year about 18 years later I had a MacBook stolen and hopped around to all of the local shops to see if it had been pawned and when I stopped in there he immediately asked me if when I was a kid I used to go to his other shop all the time. I’m about 2 feet taller, had a beard at the time, and was wearing a suit. Absolutely could not believe he remembered me.
Pip and Lola's Soap and Sundries can cover you there too. The owner does art to relax after the soap making. You can find some of the examples on their website.
You might also check out the Bantha Bar on Penn Avenue. They don't do art themselves, but they consistently put up examples from artists in the area of works that they want to sell.
Oh yeah White Whale basically gets an entire paycheck from me each Christmas - they’re great, have an improbable amount of books jammed in that store, and will order you just about anything
I've been digging echt in mt. oliver. Great coffee, tasty food, lovely indoor space.
Oakmont Golf Center
Love black forge!!
Thanks all for the recommendations.
Eh, Soju did that once and I genuinely like them.
It's the intentionally not having wi-fi charging outlets thing that prevents me from vibing with their whole schtick. I do like that one other place that opened up down the road closer to 5801.
Their drink and draw events on Thursdays are great! You'll always meet someone interesting and/or cool there.
McWalker Yarns in Millvale is also awesome! :)
Your local esports team. https://knights.gg/
Petagogy for the pets. They are in Shadyside and Greensburg. Really helpful and friendly service when my wife and I have stopped by, and it sounds like they’re running a 10% off sale.
Did Row House get a new projector? I saw theirs had broken and that they're hard to repair or buy now.
I miss living closer to them. That deep dish is so good.
Yup they got the replacement part for it shortly after it broke. Only down for about a day or so
Awesome. Glad to hear that.
Pittsburgh building drawings. I have a BF deal right now if you buy my 2023 calendar, you can add any 5x7 print to your cart for free.
My music store in McMurray! urock Music center
Not sure if there are any patients here, but Delta 9 in Lawrenceville is the last independently owned Medical Marijuana dispensary in the city.
If they would up their discount game and open other locations, then I am in.
Sugar & Spice ice cream/ Rt. 51.
I got a print of Phipps from Buildings by Shane and I really love it. He's got tons of cool buildings.
They don’t have Wi-Fi?! I knew they didn’t have outlets. So unwelcoming.
Correction, I may have been thinking of outlets. But they make it clear it's not a great workspace.
wildcard!
Just Good Donuts/Pub Chip Shop on Carson St. Also, does Madonna's downtown count? The people there are the best!
City Books!
Pittsburgh Acupuncture and Massageworks. Local owners that really care about the people they treat.
Give the gift of music this holiday season.
Record Stores: Attic Records in Millvale. Jerry's records (and Galaxie Electronics) in squirrel Hill. Government Center records on the north side. Vinyl remains in Mt. Lebanon.
Guitar Stores: Pittsburgh Guitars in the South Side. Empire music in Mt. Lebanon. N Stuff music in Blawnox. Hollywood music and sound in McKees Rocks.
Or go to a show at the Thunderbird or Spirit in Lawrencville.
Picknpeelstones.com is Pittsburgh based and supports 2 local non-profit organizations: Wesley Family Services and BCRC!
Pittsburgh Curling Club! No better place to meet people and have a whole lot of fun playing the game you just can’t turn off during the Olympics! 😁🥌
Titty Sphinx!
They're shutting down so there's a 25% off storewide right now
Oh really? That’s a shame I had many found memories of that place growing up. I even remember when it was in Oakmont.
Toluca Mexican Grill
Government Center.
Attic records! Best in town
Happys shop on the the BlVD of Allies
I recommend Sir Pizza
Hungry for Time. It's located in Carnegie and she makes wonderful food!
Whiskey Moon Boutique - amazing candles (and more)
Ah crap, patronized two business today and they were both small businesses. I forgot that I was supposed to do that tomorrow.
Was at Bottlerocket in Allentown for the first time the other night, and the whole vibe and prices were great. I don't really like bars but this one was so relaxed and comfortable, I plan on going back ASAP.
the pastel pessimist on etsy… it’s my shop, i have sold items at vending events but have yet to make a sale on my etsy shop.. i’m having a 40% sale on apparel from now until december 1st!
Butcher shops
All the businesses at the holiday market in Market Square. The weather looks to be great so it is a perfect opportunity to support these small businesses and find some unique gifts for others or for yourself!
Any local coffee shop. Especially downtown. They’ve lost A LOT of foot traffic since 2020
Let me know if you are looking for any oil canvasses. My good friend makes great stuff that is on display in some galleries but also very affordable
Roundtable. Arriviste put up a sign saying "we're number 2 on Ellsworth" and while I get they're trying to seem like they're being cool about having serious competition, it's super lame and cringy
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Black Forge in Allentown is gone right? But they're still in Mckee's Rocks.
Still there! Just went a few weeks ago.
Good to know! I thought they were closing this summer.
They were but the owner of the weeping glass across the street is now managing it.
Aerotechdesigns.com makes cycling apparel in Coraopolis!
That's awesome! That store is perfect there.
We get food to go at Onion Maiden (another great small vegan restaurant place, I don't know if they'll do holiday preorders this year as I think they've had some consistent staffing issues) and get drinks at Black Forge while waiting.
A local Etsy shop that creates high quality, handmade, and affordable jewelry pieces. Free shipping on all orders!
Give EZ Garage Doors a call at 412-678-5812 for all your garage door and opener needs! We sale and repair doors and openers. A family owned business since 1959. New door estimates are always free!
I second Firecracker Fabrics! Great small business
There’s a cool newish coffee shop on Main St, too. I wanna say Vintage Coffee.
I always love poking around in there. They have a great selection!
Bantha Bar has commercials running during halftime of World Cup games, cute little ads. Will have to stop in there!
Just want to say your topographic maps are awesome. Really like your shop!
Too groovy vintage toy store. Owner is the nicest person you will ever meet.
Brighton and Waddell are also great musical instrument shops with fantastic people.
Love Maggie's! I think I need some rum.
Lucky Sign in Millvale has amazing stuff, too. Small Boozeness Saturday!
Lucky Sign is very good!
412 Apotheca in The Northside. Nice little shop with candles, bath and body, skincare.
Love to see RFB on this thread. We have sales going on right now and through December
There will also be an ornament making party December 10th during the cookie walk
Maggie’s vodka seltzers are 🔥
In their defense, Soju reacted to a yelp review that was reading as blatantly racist.
Agreed. I can also sip on their Pineapple Rum all day.
First I've heard that they're shutting down. They're getting new products in constantly; expensive stuff too. They reduced hours because they ran into a tough spot with the pandemic, but if Ron is calling it quits it'd be a huge shock.
I mean, I just traded some cards in yesterday. Not the kind of behavior I would expect from someone looking to go out of business.
Retrograde Collectibles in the Garden City Plaza is a great hidden gem for old video games and consoles. It's a successor to Penn Hills Games, and run by some awesome people.
Thank you so much!!!
Tal & Bert Mercantile, locations in Sharpsburg and Dormont
It's Black-owned, woman co-owned, has the most amazing products (maybe you've seen their geode planters and candles online or in a magazine) and above-and-beyond customer service (first plant store I've ever been in where they offered to pot my new plant for me)
Was just at quantum the other day… their little shop section has some great holiday gift options for the cocktail fan in your life!
Good luck!
Wagner Shoes in Lawrenceville. Super nice and helpful staff. Great selection of popular brands too
Love Pittsburgh gift shop in the strip, downtown, and Mt Washington! Also support local makers at Steel City Craft Emporium, the Market at Carnegie Coffee Company, and Boheme!
These guys seem like the biggest scam going.
A lot of these aren’t necessarily local.
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There’s a Pittsburgh based startup called Honeycomb that let’s you invest in local businesses across the country. https://invest.honeycombcredit.com
The business being discussed literally screenshots reviews and dissects them on their public Instagram. I have no problem gatekeeping.
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I asked my buddy and he was unaware as well. Said the Facebook didn’t say anything so doesn’t sound right to me either.
I see it both ways sure you can get it for that on TCG player and would be nice if they could match it but at the same time they need to make money.
You are right. Not all are local, but many are such as Linda Barnicott, Pittsburgh Pottery, Global Girl, Women of the Cloud, etc.; however, I would categorize all of the vendors as a small business.
I love Workshop Pgh!
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Yea, that’s it. It’s not a bad place. But Cummings is also on Main St. they’ve been operating since (I think) 1906, it’s tough to beat the experience of a cup of coffee in that historic setting. They’re my go to when I’m in the area.
I love how they split out the soaps by ingredients (with/without essential oils which is awesome for people with sensitive skin). Plus they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Did all my stocking stuffer shopping here and even got a sample soap with the lot.
Raion Zou on 10th St. in Southside
Joe is so nice and willing to help, I second this recommendation!
So cringy. Something seems off with the owner IMO.
ddesigns t1_ixqlsna wrote
https://www.honeycombcredit.com/ has no fees for SBS tomorrow. I always throw in some money every year. Always get my monthly payments every month. Never any issues.