Newly Opened Downtown Store Embraces Love

By Layla Joseph

A beloved Pittsburgh shop that features a variety of local art and goods has opened a sister-store Downtown.

Love, Pittsburgh has been operating since 2017, opening the first of three storefronts in Mount Washington. The women-owned business quickly expanded, opening a shop in the Golden Triangle in 2018 and a third store in the Strip District in 2021.

The stores host selections from over 100 local vendors and prides itself on sustainability and supporting the community. From stationary to clothing, pet accessories to ceramics, Love, Pittsburgh is a one-stop-shop for the perfect souvenir.

The storefronts are owned and operated by Pittsburgh locals, Kelly Sanders and Monica Grunick, who met in 2016 and shared the same passion for celebrating the community’s creators.

Grunkick said that they can contribute some of Love, Pittsburgh’s success to how well the products resonate with the customers.

“People are really proud to be from Pittsburgh,” she said. “It is a sense of place that is so unique.”

“It’s something that is easy to take for granted when you’re here every day, but we really have a strong sense of home,” she continued.

It’s clear that the pair love Pittsburgh but with their new brand Love, they hope to share the things they personally love with others.

Love, is the sister-store operated by Sanders and Grunick located on Market Street. This is the fourth store the pair has opened in the Pittsburgh area and their second store Downtown.

Grusnick said that although their love for Pittsburgh is strong, the two opened Love, to share things they adore outside of their PGH identity.

“This brand is to focus on things that we really love and put them all on store shelves,” she said.

Grusnick said that since the store opened she has received positive feedback and energy from patrons who come in, which means the store is fulfilling its mission. She explained that the driving force behind the products they create at Love, is to inspire people to love and treat themselves.

At Love, Pittsburgh locations, the business owners work with various nonprofits and organizations in the area to help fundraise.

For every purchase over $10, the business donates 50 cents to Tree Pittsburgh when a customer declines a bag.

When you purchase a Hello Neighbor Gift Box, 5% of the proceeds go to the organization that supports refugees and immigrant families that have recently resettled in the area. They are also currently supporting a cat rescue team, Nose 2 Tail, holding donation banks at all Love, Pittsburgh locations.

At Love, like its merchandise, its mission is unique and strays from its sister locations. Grusnick shared that their mission at Love, is still supporting aspects of the community, but blended it with Grusnick and Sanders’ shared love of self and music.

“Our mission is essentially to make more love songs in the world,” she said. “Music is very important to us and we are talking to different local organizations now about how we can potentially give back or collaborate.”

Grusnick highlighted some of the items available for purchase at Love, and explained the apparel that is designed in-house and commissions local artists to make products with their designs.

She explained that all of the candles are poured locally, the incense and perfumes are curated by local makers and the apparel is embroidered or screen printed in PGH. While some stationery and jewelry is sourced from outside of Pittsburgh, she said the vast majority is made locally.

Love, will be open every day of the week in the Golden Triangle and also has an online store to shop from the convenience of your home.