Tips for opening a new restaurant/small business in pittsburgh (neighborhood, college)

[convextech]

Originally Posted by NJFathead

We're buying a historic building in which we're converting office space to a restaurant. I realize there are going to be some setbacks and difficulties with getting permits from Pittsburgh administration. It seems as though Peduto's administration wants to make changes to these processes to make things move faster, but they also seemingly have a long way to go. I plan on reaching out to the Urban Redevelopment Authority and some specific people in the government including Henry Pyatt (small business and redevelopment manager), but I was wondering if anyone has any tips on who to contact and what to do to get started and streamline this process. We're basically putting up all the money we have to get the business started, so I'm trying to be up and running as soon as possible so I can actually start paying myself. We're also looking into applying for historic restoration grants. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hire someone who has actual restaurant operation experience. The bolded tells me you don't have much experience yourself.

[phatty5011]

What Neighborhood if you do not mind me asking?

[NJFathead]

Southside, on Carson.

[NJFathead]

Originally Posted by convextech

Hire someone who has actual restaurant operation experience. The bolded tells me you don't have much experience yourself.

I've been running these stores for three years. Not saying that's a ton of experience, but I know what I'm doing.

[Augie6]

Are you able to give us any previews of what we can be expected, in the soon to be future.. Always great to the inside scoop on new places

[NJFathead]

We do 28 inch pizzas, so we sell mostly by the slice. Inspired by hole in the wall places in north jersey/nyc. We'll be open until 3 am and usually are in college towns/bar neighborhoods. The owner of the first stores is my cousin, we're both from north jersey. I helped him run stores in Virginia for the past few years. The menu is just pizza.

[erieguy]

Great luck to you! Always interested in trying another pizza shop.

[Augie6]

Originally Posted by NJFathead

We do 28 inch pizzas, so we sell mostly by the slice. Inspired by hole in the wall places in north jersey/nyc. We'll be open until 3 am and usually are in college towns/bar neighborhoods. The owner of the first stores is my cousin, we're both from north jersey. I helped him run stores in Virginia for the past few years. The menu is just pizza.

Wish you the best of Luck!! Not many quality Pizza by the Slice options in the city ( especially now with no more Pizza Sola) ... For whatever reason Pizza joints in PIttsburgh that actually do serve pizza by the slice, is either tiny or tastes NOTHING like their regular pie.

[sskink]

Originally Posted by NJFathead

We do 28 inch pizzas, so we sell mostly by the slice. Inspired by hole in the wall places in north jersey/nyc. We'll be open until 3 am and usually are in college towns/bar neighborhoods. The owner of the first stores is my cousin, we're both from north jersey. I helped him run stores in Virginia for the past few years. The menu is just pizza.

Hard to lose money around here on pizza, especially if you're doing something different. Nothing like a good old folding slice!

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by NJFathead

Southside, on Carson.

You should think about getting a liquor license. The South Side needs someplace that residents and visitors alike can wet their whistles on a silver bullet or other quality brews.