With 9.1 billion dollars comes a lot of change!
Historically referred to as the “Paris of Appalachia”, our tourism site states that the Pittsburgh is rated number three in Hubwallet’s most livable cities in the United States. Pittsburgh is also one of only six U.S. locations placed on the world-wide liveable cities roster. And not so surprising, Pittsburgh is # 1 nationally for both empty-nesting retirees, and job-hunting millennials. So, is it any wonder that a Pittsburgh neighborhood like Oakland — a university, medical and research powerhouse — is expecting 1.9 billion dollars in investment over the next three years? No, Not at all.
It was two years ago, that the Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID) and InnovatePGH formed a partnership with city and county stakeholders to look at ways to change the face of Oakland’s business mainstreet. The key, they conceptualized was increasing opportunities for small business. UPMC provided the all important location: 3608 Forbes Avenue, a 1,000 square foot storefront recently vacated by a yoga studio and near several Oakland eateries including Roots Natural Kitchen, and Chipolte.
Front Studio designed the Versace-esque color theme that gives the building its bold flavor and set the stage for the retail project. Then the call went out to find a company that could turn the former Yoga site into a retail incubator for small businesses recovering from circumstances caused by the pandemic. ULEADx was hired from a broad range of applicants and charged with filling the space with a mix of makers, artists, and creatives. Their goal was to find local talent, quality merchandise, and most important: to create an interior environment with a “cool factor.”
The ULEADx Team searched the region to find just the right mix of artists, makers, and creative people who were not just vendors, but potential business empires. ULEAD has brought to ARGYLE Studio those that love what they do, and have put in the countless hours needed to make, create and select wonderful items that are top quality, many hand-crafted, and all beautifully designed.
Argyle Studio is funded through the generous support of the CIty of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.