Pittsburgh is unique with its cluster of boroughs surrounding
the city, many of which have transformed into hubs for new businesses giving
these areas a stronger pulse. I grew up near a little town called Bellevue which is just 5 miles north of Pittsburgh. I have not explored my childhood neighborhood in
over 10 years. Bellevue recently hosted
an annual Wine and Art Crawl, closing the main street, Lincoln Ave, for wine tasting,
food, music and art. I discovered a main
street that was revitalized with new businesses but also one that retained the
historical establishments of my past,
resulting in a blended charm.
Reflection
In my elementary school years, my three girl pals and I made an adventure
of walking or riding our bikes the 30 minutes to Bellevue. We visited the
movie theater, the penny candy store (dating myself now) next to the theater, ventured
though G.C. Murphy’s that seemed to have
a little of everything, and somehow always ended up at the Lincoln Bakery for a sweet. Although the mega screen
theater is gone, and I bought some “nostalgic” penny candy for $2.00 during the
wine crawl, Bellevue still has a main street where just about everything you might need is within walking distance.
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| Dietz Floral |
During the wine crawl we strolled Lincoln Ave with a glass
in hand making our way to 20
businesses to sample local wine from Volant Winery. I thought that maybe Andy
Griffith from the 1968 sitcom, “Mayberry R.F.D” might pop out because Bellevue still had that small town feel. The main street was lined with banks, saloons, restaurants,
medical establishments, various shops, a drug store, a
barber shop, a florist, a jeweler, and even a hardware store and car dealership!
Bellevue's past survived as we examined diamonds at Fodi Jewelers which has been in business
for over 33 years. Dietz Floral, a full service floral shop, and Erin's Hallmark, with rows of cards and trinkets for gifts, are still operational after 50 plus years. The mom and pop restaurant, Rusty Nail, and the diner, Dairy Villa still serves a mean
breakfast and I had an éclair at the iconic
70 year old Lincoln Bakery.
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| Cake it Easy -cake pops |
There are new and even some unusual trends in the borough.
Open are several new coffee shops but Cyclops Cafe intrigued me with coffee,
music, art and the ability to get a tattoo. One of my favorite stops during the crawl was Cake it Easy, a custom cake
store that paired the wine with “to die
for” cake pops. There is also a new family owed cookie store, Good L' Oven, which would likely have been a place visited on my childhood bike adventure.
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| Cyclops Cafe/coffee, music and tattos |
Entertainment with food is available most nights at Grill 565 Live which just opened a back deck. Children’s Theater is alive at Mariposa Theater which has performances, classes, an adult monthly themed cabaret and
more.
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| Revival on Lincoln fine dining to open mid September |
Bellevue’s changes on the horizon will continue to add flavor to the past and future
of this town. Fine dining will arrive mid September with the opening of Revival On Lincoln, located in an historic landmark building. A micro brewery, Lincoln Brewery, is in the works to also open in
September. With The Center of Bellevue, a revamped church/community center, providing various community programs, Bellevue will likely continue to buzz with an energized pulse.
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| Lincoln Brewery to open in September |
I will not wait another 10 years to revisit the neighborhood of my childhood. I say visit yours or try mine- Bellevue. You will experience a mixing of the past with the future.
(On August 11, 2018 Bellevue will again close the street down for Wizardvue, a Harry Potter themed festival!)
(On August 11, 2018 Bellevue will again close the street down for Wizardvue, a Harry Potter themed festival!)
Spiritual Reflection
"...Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:15-16)