5 LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses to Support in Pittsburgh This Pride Month
By Olivia Miller
As is evident by the 85,000 people at the Pride parade at the beginning of the month, Pittsburgh has a vibrant LGBTQ+ and ally community. Here are 5 great LGBTQ+ businesses to support this Pride month and all throughout the year:
412 Apotheca: This North Side shop is an oasis for skin and haircare fanatics. Their selection of premium body, hair, and face products is specially curated by owner Christopher who is a licensed cosmetologist with a penchant for hair care. He offers guests a free scalp and hair analysis and a personalized routine based on their needs.
Leona’s Ice Cream: When those hot, sticky, humid Pittsburgh summer days return, reach for a cool cookie sandwich featuring a scoop of Leona’s Ice Cream. Owned by Katie and her partner Christa, the business churns out lactose free, “super premium” ice cream in flavors like black sesame, coffee, and brownie sundae. Their cookie sandwiches perfectly pair it with their chewy homemade cookies in a variety of flavors. You can find Leona’s Ice Cream at a variety of stores in Pittsburgh; you can find the location of your next ice cream fix on their website.
Knotzland: As the name may suggest, Knotzland is a bow tie company with a mission of sustainability and quality. Started in 2014 by Nisha Blackwell, they recycle textile waste to make each of their handcrafted bow ties. Since their creation it is estimated that they have saved over 7000 pounds of textile waste from ending up in landfills. They have a shop in the Point Breeze area as well as an online shop on their website.
Pigeon Bagels: Since 2019, Pigeon Bagels has been satisfying Pittsburghers’ cravings for crusty on the outside, fluffy on the inside bagels. Operating out of their Squirrel Hill location, their menu features countless flavors of bagels like garlic and sea salt, everything, and marble as well as a list of flavorful schmears to go along. Be sure to start your morning off right with one of their bagel sandwiches with vegan carrot lox.
Kards Unlimited: This quirky Shadyside card store and gift shop has a selection of trinkets, books, and cards that would put Hallmark to shame. Per their website, they “are unique, eclectic, sometimes irreverent, often weird, and always striving to learn and do better.” Throughout their 55 year history with their legacy of female owners, they have always prioritized supporting the LGBTQ+ community and promoting anti-racist values.
