Lets' Talk About The West End

[Hopes]

Moderator cut: off topic/personal

Originally Posted by tommygoat

Foot traffic is good for neighborhood word of mouth, but actual car traffic is better advertising. I am definitely interested high visibilty, but am open other qualities, features, and locations that may offset that benefit.

The West End doesn't meet any of your criteria. If you want to stay in the south part of Pittsburgh, you might do better on Route 51. But then you won't have a storefront you can live above.

Originally Posted by tommygoat

Dream early, and distill it down to a good decision ... Thanks all.

You're a wise man, Tommy.

[Yac]

Get back on topic or the thread will be closed. Resolve personal disagreements using pm.
Yac.

[Hopes]

Thank you, Yac.

Tommy, what other areas are you interested in considering? Would you like to be in a city neighborhood or in a busy area in the suburbs?

[tommygoat]

I appreciate your help. I'm literally in my first week of research. I'm trying to keep my eyes wide open. ALL areas interest me.

If I could snap my fingers and be there now ... the ultimate would be something like Mt. Lebanon. Uptown, traffic, and accesable via the trolley line. That's a bit lofty though. I found two buildings there - both expensive. $550K+. I am not ruling out renting/leasing first, but I do want to own eventually. I do like the South Hills or adjacent areas. Castle Shannon already has two well known shops, but that may work in my favor? Here in LA, the guitar/music mecca is on Sunset Blvd. There are about a dozen main music shops in just a couple blocks with many smaller repair and speciality shops crammed in nooks above and inbetween. Granted, the demographics are hugely different in Pgh, but the same community feel could work. My business is all about Niche. Just like two antique dealers or restaurants can exist side by side. There is power in numbers ... but I digress

I really have to plan a visit and do some serious footwork. I am very interested the Lawrenceville area although it's the complete opposite of Lebo.

[guylocke]

Tommy I'm sure you've seen this area mentioned, maybe in this very forum, but have you looked into the Cranberry/Wexford area? It's about 25 miles north of the city and is growing VERY fast. Taxes are a lot cheaper in Cranberry, too, because it's actually in Butler County, although you'd never know it.

[tommygoat]

Boylocke, I am making a list of places to visit. Cranberry is definitely on it!

[guylocke]

Let me know if you need someone to take you around, I always offer!

[tommygoat]

Hey, thanks, but we'll have a car. Visiting around July 4th. It will be a short stay. Looking forward to visiting with a new outlook. Quite a few locations to refresh my sense of the area.

[Thatcher7649]

The West End is actually in the beginning stages of a renaissance. There are several business owners that have recently entered, bringing art galleries and a huge antique store. The casinos are going in across the bridge - close enough to make it attractive, but far enough to avoid some of the negatives of the casinos. The police department recently reopened, there is a great park, and a nice library.

The guy that said it is inaccessible is crazy. You can get to the North Hills in seconds, the South Side, Downtown, South Hills, and even the East very easily. More importantly, if you are thinking about a storefront, anyone can to the West End very easily.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by tommygoat

I appreciate your help. I'm literally in my first week of research. I'm trying to keep my eyes wide open. ALL areas interest me.

If I could snap my fingers and be there now ... the ultimate would be something like Mt. Lebanon. Uptown, traffic, and accesable via the trolley line. That's a bit lofty though. I found two buildings there - both expensive. $550K+. I am not ruling out renting/leasing first, but I do want to own eventually. I do like the South Hills or adjacent areas. Castle Shannon already has two well known shops, but that may work in my favor? Here in LA, the guitar/music mecca is on Sunset Blvd. There are about a dozen main music shops in just a couple blocks with many smaller repair and speciality shops crammed in nooks above and inbetween. Granted, the demographics are hugely different in Pgh, but the same community feel could work. My business is all about Niche. Just like two antique dealers or restaurants can exist side by side. There is power in numbers ... but I digress

I really have to plan a visit and do some serious footwork. I am very interested the Lawrenceville area although it's the complete opposite of Lebo.

If you're considering Penn Ave, look into the Penn Ave Arts Initiative. I believe they have loans/grants available for arts related businesses wanting to locate there. Penn Avenue Arts Initiative :: Home I don't know much about it except that an artist friend of mine got an incredible deal on space there. Whether or not it would suit your business is another story. Good luck!