New in Pittsburgh's Little Italy:

Bloomfield received more press in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this weekend, in Joseph Mistick’s article “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy”. In the article, Mistick discusses the benefits of distinct neighborhood “destination spots”, and the modern challenges they face.

Can the city once again be all things to all people? Only if the distinct cultural character of every neighborhood is emphasized — not blurred.

If the city were a homogenous urban blob, there would be no reason to spend time here.

The article focuses on Bloomfield as an example of a successful neighborhood business district, and cites our award-winning “Little Italy Days” Festival as a sign that the neighborhood, and the city, is going to make it.

What do you think about the future diversity of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods? Leave us a comment below if you have an opinion.

On a cold day several months ago, I wrote an article called “Almost Summer at Grasso Roberto” about the press the café’s new spaghetti ice cream received in the Post-Gazette. Today, this European gelato confection once again received attention in the local press, this time in a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article punnily titled “Grasso Roberto serves a little Italy in Bloomfield”.

Grasso Roberto owner Dana Acton serves up Spaghetti Ice Cream.
Photo Copyright Jasmine Gehris, Tribune-Review

While spaghetti ice cream is made with vanilla gelato, the article also mentions other seasonal flavor offerings, as well as Italian ices, milkshakes, and the lemon gelato with Chambord that I previewed in the March post. Beyond dessert, the article also covers Grasso’s popular lunch options and the new “breakfast all day” menu, as well as an upcoming wine tasting and new canine confection that I look forward to posting more information about as it becomes available.

Come and learn about the development of Baum-Liberty Crossing this Wednesday, June 25 at 6 PM in the West Penn Hospital auditorium (next to the cafeteria). DOC Economou, the developers of the $230 million complex on the former Don Allen Auto City site, are holding a community presentation to discuss the project.

The development was recently the subject of an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and another in the Pittsburgh Business Times, which detail the current design plans and portray how DOC Economou is responding to feedback from community meetings such as this one. If you’re interested in learning more about the project, or have concerns that you would like to voice, then this is your chance to get involved.

For information call Christine Fulton, vice president of public finance and external relations for DOC Economou, at 724-935-4480.

On Tuesday, June 10, at the Townie Awards Gala hosted by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center in Gettysburg, PA, the Bloomfield Business Association won the first place award in the Special Events/Promotion Category for our Little Italy Days Festival. The Townie Awards are held annually to recognize those communities that have developed and implemented outstanding programming or events within their communities that contribute towards the overall mission of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is “to advance the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s downtowns, traditional neighborhood business districts and nearby residential areas”. 2008 marks PDC’s eighteenth year honoring revitalization efforts and achievements.

Eight new surveillance cameras were installed in the business district as part of the BBA’s commitment to public safety and crime prevention. This project was made possible though the assistance of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.