Retail Recruitment Sparks Downtown Revival: 39 New Shops & a Bold Vision for the Future!
Written by Christine Julia Dingzon
Over the past two years, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) has played a crucial role in revitalizing Downtown Pittsburgh’s retail landscape. In 2023 and 2024 alone, DNA assisted in opening 39 retail establishments, and our efforts continue into 2025. Through persistent outreach: making phone calls, recruiting new businesses, and collaborating with commercial realtors, we have been able to drive meaningful change. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has recognized our impact and has now agreed to commit $50,000 per year for a minimum of five years to support our retail recruitment efforts, with the potential for renewal.
Our vision is clear: to transform Downtown into a thriving, unique urban village with independent boutiques, cafes, and retail experiences that cannot be found in malls. This includes music venues, outdoor and diverse ethnic options, and a strong emphasis on minority-owned boutiques. A primary component of this plan is job creation and wealth-building within the minority communities. Our goal is for new retail businesses to recruit Downtown to be minority-owned, ensuring that people from all walks of life are included in shaping a diverse and inclusive Downtown.
To execute this plan effectively, DNA will hire a specialized commercial real estate agent dedicated to recruiting businesses from within Pittsburgh, the region, and nationally. This agent will actively travel to cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Philadelphia, seeking out unique, under-the-radar businesses that can bring fresh energy to Downtown Pittsburgh. We have already compiled a database of 50 vacant storefronts, and our goal is to see them all filled within three years. The real estate agent’s role is a vital part of this mission, with $80,000 allocated for salary and expenses—funded equally by DNA’s fundraising efforts and a county match.
Alongside our plan for storefront retail recruitment, we have also launched a second-floor economy program, tracking available second-floor units that could house attractions such as salons, dance studios, martial arts gyms, and yoga studios.
Additionally, Smithfield Street is set to undergo a major transformation. By adding more boutiques and cafes, we aim to establish a distinct shopping district that could be branded as Fashion Row. These changes, alongside housing initiatives, will help create a diverse and dynamic community where workforce housing is available for service industry employees.
We remain committed to recruiting diverse and high-quality businesses to Downtown Pittsburgh. Our proactive engagement, financial incentives, and strategic partnerships continue to reduce vacancies and foster economic growth. We are optimistic about upcoming opportunities and will persist in our efforts to shape Downtown into a vibrant and inclusive urban retail hub.
