Pittsburgh Public Market (Penn: sales, 2013, lease) - City-Data Forum

raz_nj · 07-20-2011, 06:14 AM

How does the Pittsburgh Public Market fair during the different seasons?

pittsburghpublicmarket.org

I saw demographic information on their website but couldn't find anything about the flow of people during the seasons.

Is it pretty steady year round? Is there a time(s) of year where the place is pretty empty and could be hard for a business to be profitable?

Anyone ever operate a business out of the market? What was it and how was your experience?

Would also love to hear from long time residents and their experiences and input regarding the Public Market.

raz_nj · 07-20-2011, 06:22 AM

So this Market was only opened last September 2010? Sorry, I'm new to the Burgh.

Aqua Teen Carl · 07-20-2011, 06:23 AM

Well it's inside and the vendors aren't really selling fruits/vegetables. Basically it's business depends on the same thing every other business does: do Pittsburghers want to be out and about during winter months?

h_curtis · 07-20-2011, 06:33 AM

I can only give my experience. For me it wasn't worth the bother. It was pretty expensive overall and not my cup of tea. I have only been there in an off hour, so it wasn't busy at that time. Not sure how busy it gets? Maybe someone else has a better answer. I do like it being there and as the Strip grows it will probably do better and better. A grocery store Right by Nature is closing up the street and didn't last very long at all. Not sure if the Pittsburgh Public Market will make it or not? I am not a fan of that location. Too small feeling and is no where near as nice as other markets like in Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Blackbeauty212 · 07-20-2011, 07:48 AM

Well the reduction in size of the Terminal Building that houses the Public Market will be the tale if it can remain a success or not...

I do agree it seems a bit cut off from the rest of the Strip's market hustle and bustle there needs to be more to attract market going people off Penn Ave to go back to the Terminal Building. One thing they need to get rid of is the Parking at the docks right in front of the building and place pavement and install sidewalks to make it more pedestrian inviting.

h_curtis · 07-20-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Well the reduction in size of the Terminal Building that houses the Public Market will be the tale if it can remain a success or not...

To be honest, I am hoping the Terminal gets torn down completely and the idea of a public market moves to a much better and bigger location with more potential. That place is sort of a dump. I see a real public market in the Civic Arena. Now that would be cool and be able to hang with public markets in other cities around Pittsburgh! No way will that little Terminal building be anything to write home about. It is a dump!

Blackbeauty212 · 07-20-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h_curtis

To be honest, I am hoping the Terminal gets torn down completely and the idea of a public market moves to a much better and bigger location with more potential. That place is sort of a dump. I see a real public market in the Civic Arena. Now that would be cool and be able to hang with public markets in other cities around Pittsburgh! No way will that little Terminal building be anything to write home about. It is a dump!

I partially agree - I think the Public Market would have been more of a success if it was directly on Penn Av with the rest of "Market District"....wasn't the Wholey's Storage Building (15th n Penn) the original target for the Public Market?

raz_nj · 07-20-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Well the reduction in size of the Terminal Building that houses the Public Market will be the tale if it can remain a success or not...

What do you mean by the reduction of size? Have they recently reduced the amount of space that the market originally took up?

tranceFusion · 07-20-2011, 11:47 AM

I was very pumped for this market to open, but ultimately a high percentage of the booths are disappointing.

For instance, the pet booth could have had hemp harnesses, lead-free toys, sustainably produced toys, home-baked treats, and grain-free foods. Instead, it's the same brands that Petsmart has, a bunch things that are terrible for dogs (rawhide, pig ears), and processed dyed treats in bulk bins. There's absolutely no reason for me to go there.

I love East End's beers but you end up paying the same or more per pint in the growler than you do if you just go to a local bar and order one..

pman · 03-05-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

As the public market works to move out of the Pennsylvania Fruit Auction & Sales terminal building expected to be redeveloped by the Buncher Co., NITS is now negotiating final lease terms for a 27,000-square-feet cinder block building on Penn Avenue and 24th Street.

Neighbors in the Strip is close to a deal on new building on Penn Avenue - Pittsburgh Business Times