The 'burg has been jumping lately. (Pittsburgh, Lebanon: universities, live, price)

[Debbie1125]

Originally Posted by youngabe

I have absolutely nothing againist Cranberry Township or any similar suburb. I go to suburbs for certain retail and recreational needs just as I do here in the city

I am old fashioned in that I long for the days (although they will never return), when downtown was popular and the center of activity. Malls are boring to me. Same layout, same anchor stores, same chain restaurants. I also find the suburbs to be the same way.

I will go to the mall occasionally but only when I cannot get what I need from local businesses, and most of the time it's clothes shopping.

With the exception of Macy's there are no major department stores downtown anymore.

[ferrarisnowday]

Originally Posted by Debbie1125

I am old fashioned in that I long for the days (although they will never return), when downtown was popular and the center of activity. Malls are boring to me. Same layout, same anchor stores, same chain restaurants. I also find the suburbs to be the same way.

I will go to the mall occasionally but only when I cannot get what I need from local businesses, and most of the time it's clothes shopping.

With the exception of Macy's there are no major department stores downtown anymore.

Sak's Fifth Avenue and Burlington Coat Factory. There's also Larrimor's, Brooks Brothers, and a few other smaller places, not that they are truly department stores, though..

[BrianTH]

There is a growing specialty retail scene Downtown, just not in the form of department stores (which are losing share in multiple directions nationwide--to specialty stores, the Internet, and discount stores).

[alleghenyangel]

I wish Pittsburgh had an "Antique Row" (a row of antique stores in historic store fronts) in the city, as Baltimore does. Something like that would be really cool downtown, maybe in the Wharf Historic District, where nothing much is going on.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Oh, there are a bunch of them. Law firms, for example, are all small-medium companies, and there are many law firms located Downtown. Again, it is about the type of business, not the size.

Um, no it isn't just the type, it also has to do with size. Law firms are an example of a business that needs public records and access to things that are downtown, but there are very few industries that need such things. For many businesses it is about costs and if they can afford to be located downtown. Again, I think you throw an example like law firms out and don't look at cost. I can assure you many companies actually look at the expense of being in the city and MANY choose not to be there. Hence places like RIDC's and South Point and countless other office areas in the burbs.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Burghgirl17

Give me a commute to Robinson or Southpointe any day.

Maybe you should change your name to Burbgirl17.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm wondering if Winghart's business model will change once they have a liquor license.

I ate there today, and asked why they weren't open over the weekend. The waitress told me they wanted to be open, but didn't have some official sticker they need, and without which they'd be fined.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I wish Pittsburgh had an "Antique Row" (a row of antique stores in historic store fronts) in the city, as Baltimore does. Something like that would be really cool downtown, maybe in the Wharf Historic District, where nothing much is going on.

That's an interesting idea! You should mention it to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I wish Pittsburgh had an "Antique Row" (a row of antique stores in historic store fronts) in the city, as Baltimore does. Something like that would be really cool downtown, maybe in the Wharf Historic District, where nothing much is going on.

That is in Blawnox.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I can assure you many companies actually look at the expense of being in the city and MANY choose not to be there.

Including many very large corporations, again calling into serious doubt your suggestion this is about size rather than type.

Any well-run company, regardless of size, will pay a premium to locate operations Downtown if, but only if, they get a compensating benefit from doing so. Some operations of some companies will get such a benefit, and others will not, and that explains what can be observed in the location decisions of companies of all sizes.