ANDWe know many of you started ticking things off your Christmas list before the Halloween pumpkins even hit the curb, but now that Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas shopping time is officially here. Here are 10 of our most popular lifestyle boutiques in the Pittsburgh area to shop for your gifts.
Love, pittsburgh
For the ultimate in Pittsburgh love, head to one of Pittsburgh’s three retail locations. Owned by Kelly Sanders and Monica Yope, the stores stock locally made, handcrafted goods, including home accessories, candles, artwork, and T-shirts. Confused about what to put someone on your list? Let love, Pittsburgh, make the choice. The owners offer a variety of gift boxes specially put together for the holidays.
Love, Pittsburgh, 301 Shiloh St., Mount Washington, 412 / 208-1234; 805 Liberty Avenue, Downtown, 412 / 281-1359; 1728 Penn Ave., Strip District, 412 / 258-6611; lovepittsburghshop.com
PG&H
You can’t be more local than PG & H’s flagship retail location. The nonprofit’s store, which opened in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in 2018, is dedicated to showcasing Pittsburgh’s artisans and manufacturers. Items on offer include housewares, accessories, decorations and gifts. As an added bonus, PG&H returns profits from sales to the creators who made them, meaning each purchase directly supports a small business – and helps the Pittsburgh art community thrive.
PG&H, 489 Market St., Downtown; pgandh.org
From Walter & Funk
Shawn Aversa and Jamie McAdams’ funkadelic lifestyle shop in Lawrenceville, known for its bougie balloon arrangements, sells up to an abundance of vibrant homeware, as well as unique lighting options such as handcrafted, custom globe lights, vintage bulb types, and LED signs.
From Walter & Funk, 5210 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412 / 784-0800, vonwalterandfunk.com
Contemporary craft
For art lovers on your vacation list, check out Contemporary Craft. The arts center, housed in a former manufacturing facility in Upper Lawrenceville, features innovative exhibits, artist-led workshops and community programs, and has a retail store selling handcrafted items by emerging and established artists from across the country. Proceeds from sales support in support of working artists, exhibitions, and educational programs from Contemporary Craft.
Contemporary Crafts, 5645 Butler St., Upper Lawrenceville; 412 / 261-7003, contemporarycraftstore.com
placeholder
Since 2009, Wildcard in Lawrenceville has been delighting its customers with a variety of whimsical cards, clothing, original art prints and gifts for children and babies (Lil Pierogi onesie, anyone?). Many of the items celebrate what it means to be a Pittsburgh, such as yinzer-rific t-shirts from Commonwealth press (including the “Pittsburgh vs. All Yinz” t-shirts) or a tote bag with a complicated map of the neighborhoods. Of course there is also an abundance of merchandise adorned with Pittsburgh icon Fred Rogers.
Wildcard, 4209 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412 / 224-2651, wildcardpgh.com
Songbird artistry
Retail is a family affair at Songbird Artistry. Heard Debbie Jacknin, the cozy three-room store sells handmade jewelry, screen-printed clothing, fan merchandise, and vintage treasures from more than 40 local artisans. One of Jacknin’s daughters, Jennifer Orefice, creates customizable resin jewelry that is sold in the store, while her other daughter, Jacklyn Orefice, is responsible for finding the store’s vintage clothing. Songbird Artistry also hosts art workshops and events throughout the year.
Songbird Artistry, 4316 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville; 412 / 427-5500, songbirdartistry.com
Unlimited cards
Founded in 1968, the Shadyside Stalwart is as far from a cookie cutter chain as possible. The eclectic store is packed with books, teas, jewelry, games, mugs, clothes and, as the name suggests, lots and lots of fun cards for every occasion.
Kards Unlimited, 5522 Walnut St., Shadyside; 412 / 622-0500, kardsunlimited.com
Hot, Haute, Hot
There’s something special to see in every corner of Hot Haute Hot in the Strip District. The shop, which opened in 1999, is known for its mix of furniture, home accessories, jewelry, textiles, lighting and vintage items. If you’re looking to spruce up your home for the holidays (or give a decoration-loving relative a cool gift), be sure to check out Hot Haute Hot’s collection of colorful kantha throws and unique vintage rugs.
2124 Penn Ave., Strip District; 412 / 338-2323, hothautehot.com
Una Biologicals
After being chased from its original Lawrenceville location by fire in a neighboring store in early 2021, the organic body and beauty brand found a new home further down Butler Street this fall. Founded in 2008 by Jessica Graves, Una Biologicals makes its own line of lotions, ointments, lip balms, and other beauty and self-care products (tip: all of these are great teacher gifts). Since moving to the new digs, Graves has started offering artisanal soaps and adding to their crystal inventory. Also worth mentioning: In addition to the organic ingredients, all Una Biologicals products are packaged in recyclable or compostable packaging.
Una Biologicals, 3707 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412 / 621-4126, unabiologicals.com
Contemporary concepts
From babies to brides, Contemporary Concepts has been fulfilling wishes from the gift list for more than 40 years. The family-run business sells jewelry, accessories and plate ware from a number of brand manufacturers, including Jay Strongwater and MacKenzie-Childs. The store is also Pittsburgh-based Riverside Design Group‘s panels with purpose. For every plate design sold, 15% of the proceeds go to the nonprofit organizations that support the various plates, including the Oncology Nursing Society, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.
Contemporary Concepts, 6343 Penn Ave., East Liberty; 412 / 441-4438, contemporaryconcepts.com
Coming soon: Located in a former bank, Lawrenceville Market House The opening is expected to take place this year. The co-working retail hub along Butler Street will feature nine vendors focused on homeware, art, fashion and groceries including Black Cherry Design Shop, Storehouse Neutral, Shop Emily M, Authentically African by Moa, Fat Cat Chocolates and Oliver’s Donuts.
Outside the city:
There are also many great shopping opportunities outside the city limits. Here’s a roundup of local Pittsburgh boutiques that are definitely worth checking out.
Tal & Bert (Sharpsburg and Dormont)
Blue snail gift shop (Crafton)
The new look at home (Zelia Opel)
Splurge (O’Hara)
Molly singer at home (Blawnox)
House15143 (Sewickley)
Gather (Sewickley)
Modern mercantile PGH (Carnegie)
Talented hands (different places)
Allison Glen (Jaw)
Studio PDP (Millvale)
Emma + Jane Shoppe (Sarver)
Comments are closed.