new coffee shop in wilkinsburg - biddle's escape (Pittsburgh, Blawnox: houses, living)

[BrianTH]

This is in the Regent Square/Whitney Park part of Wilkinsburg, so I think the potential market is solid. In fact, although Regent Square has a coffee place (Katerbean), it isn't considered very good by most people I know, and this will be more convenient for a good number of people.

[gg]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

This is in the Regent Square/Hamnett Place part of Wilkinsburg, so I think the potential market is solid. In fact, although Regent Square has a coffee place (Katerbean), it isn't considered very good by most people I know, and this will be more convenient for a good number of people.

Having a coffee shop in place that isn't very good, could be a benefit for certain. That little section of Wilkinsburg is pretty cool. Hope it does really well and that in itself could attract more tenants.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

This is in the Regent Square/Hamnett Place part of Wilkinsburg, so I think the potential market is solid. In fact, although Regent Square has a coffee place (Katerbean), it isn't considered very good by most people I know, and this will be more convenient for a good number of people.

I haven't been there in years but from memory you are being very kind.


I think a coffee shop needs two types of people to make it

1) people that pick up coffee on the way to work
2) people that either don't work or have the flexibility to stop by during the day.

This area is tough area because there isn't a retail element to bring people in. A few years ago a place opened in Morningside. It didn't last very long. Hopefully, the owner(s) of the place are outgoing so people want to come back and even better an owner that lives in the neighborhood. A coffee shop in Blawnox is happening now due a personable owner.

[FreightTrainRunning]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I think a coffee shop is what makes a neighorhood. Highland Park really had nothing when Tazzo d'Oro opened. Now look at it. Years ago when I lived in Aspinwall the coffee shop didn't have the most reliable hours now it is much better. Sort of gives people something to do without leaving the neighborhood.

I so wish that Allegheny West had a coffee shop, Central Northside has two and East Allegheny has one but none over on our side of the commons.

[BrianTH]

As an aside, I changed the above statement from Hamnett Place to Whitney Park (Hamnett Place is over on the other side of the Busway). Anyway . . .

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I think a coffee shop needs two types of people to make it

1) people that pick up coffee on the way to work
2) people that either don't work or have the flexibility to stop by during the day.

That area potentially has both. In many ways its location is similar to the aforementioned Tazza D'Oro. There is even a little commercial area right there (currently underutilized):

http://g.co/maps/btv6z

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

That little section of Wilkinsburg is pretty cool. Hope it does really well and that in itself could attract more tenants.

There aren't many residential vacancies in that area, but it would be cool if that little commercial area was better utilized.

[fleetiebelle]

What I love about Katerbean is how completely indifferent to service the staff is. Every time I've gone there, there's always some sullen art student type who's either outside smoking or sitting at one of the tables talking to friends, and who looks completely put out by having to pour you some mediocre coffee.

[sskink]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

This area is tough area because there isn't a retail element to bring people in. A few years ago a place opened in Morningside. It didn't last very long. Hopefully, the owner(s) of the place are outgoing so people want to come back and even better an owner that lives in the neighborhood. A coffee shop in Blawnox is happening now due a personable owner.

The place in Morningside sourced good coffee but had lousy baristas and, IMO, an antisocial owner. Small space and very 'hippy-ish' which perhaps turned off the mostly Italian residents. It's currently being marketed as a storage space (?).

The place in Blawnox (if it's the one I'm thinking of) has (or had when I was there) pedestrian coffee, but Keeley is amazing. She bought the place right out of college. Guessing she's all of 25 now? Solid entrepreneurial and customer service skills.

Joe Davis, owner of Biddle's, is an interesting character and seems to be well-liked by his neighbors. However it ends up, it's unlikely to be a standard cookie-cutter coffeehouse.

[sskink]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I so wish that Allegheny West had a coffee shop, Central Northside has two and East Allegheny has one but none over on our side of the commons.

There was one (Hoi Polloi) which lasted about a year. I was never in there, but have to think it didn't get much support.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

What I love about Katerbean is how completely indifferent to service the staff is. Every time I've gone there, there's always some sullen art student type who's either outside smoking or sitting at one of the tables talking to friends, and who looks completely put out by having to pour you some mediocre coffee.

It always felt dirty when I was in there. Maybe it was the light? It felt like I was getting a cup of coffee in Murphy's.

When I had a different job I would stop by there a lot. I haven't stopped by there in a few years but it doesn't seem like it has changed much.