Coronavirus may have ruined our plans but it hasn’t dulled our Pittsburgh pride. While you’re sitting at home, give local businesses a boost by visiting their online stores. Make it a twofer and send a gift to family members or friends you’re not able to see now.
Order a book
Pittsburghers love to read, as evidenced by the independent bookshops located throughout the city. Many of them are offering deals, delivering tomes and conducting curbside pickups. Ordering a stack of bestsellers helps you fight boredom and keeps them in business. Want to do even more? In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the American Booksellers Association, James Patterson, Reese’s Book Club and the Book Industry Charitable Foundation have formed Save Indie Bookstores to help the little guys live happily ever after.
Penguin Book Shop, 417 Beaver St., Sewickley
Beyond Bedtime Books, 1453 Potomac Ave., Dormont
Amazing Books & Records, 2030 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill and 929 Liberty Ave., Downtown
Mystery Lovers Bookshop, 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont
White Whale Bookstore, 4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
City of Asylum Bookstore at Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., North Side
The Tiny Bookstore, 1130 Perry Hwy, Pines Plaza, #106, McCandless
Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., McCandless
City Books, 908 Galveston Ave., North Side
Spark Books, 14 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall
Caliban Books, 410 South Craig St., Oakland
Classic Lines Bookstore, 5825 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
Completely Booked, 201 Blue Spruce Way, Murrysville
Give a green thumb’s up
You’re rooted to your humble abode. Time for a new roommate. These businesses will ship a little bit of Mother Nature to your door. The purchase will not only spruce up your living space or backyard garden, but it will also give you something to talk to.
Perrico Plant Co., 158 41st St., Lawrenceville
Soergel’s Garden Center, 2573 Brandt School Rd., Wexford
Roxanne’s Dried Flowers, 2115 Penn Ave., Strip District
Dormont Florist, 2900 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont
The Farmer’s Daughter, 431 E. Ohio St., North Side
Change your T-shirt
Everyone’s got a quarantine tee, and by now, it’s probably getting pretty ripe. Update your look by purchasing some new threads from local makers. Your purchase can even help retail and service industry employees who are out of work due to COVID-19.
Commonwealth Press, 415 West Warrington Ave., Allentown
Steel City, 625 Smithfield St., Downtown
Goods and Evil, Tarentum
Etna Print Circus, Etna
Give yourself an at-home spa day
Barber shops, hair salons and nail studios are closed, but that doesn’t mean you have to put an end to your daily beauty routine. From makeup and skincare products to beard oil and soap, these local businesses will keep you beautiful under quarantine.
Subtl Beauty
Una Biologicals, 4322 Butler St., Lawrenceville
Black Sheep Products, 35 E Katherine Ave., Washington
Pip & Lola’s Everything Homemade, 134 E. Main St., Homestead
Send some Pittsburgh love to out-of-towners
We’re all missing family and loved ones. No matter where they are, you can brighten their day by sending a gift of these local products. And don’t forget the many gift card options from local restaurants!
love, Pittsburgh, 805 Liberty Ave., Downtown
Johno’s Art Studio, 1705 Arlington Ave., South Side
Handmade Arcade’s 412 Maker Takeover Series and #shophandmadefromhome campaigns
Eat n’ Park Smiley Cookies
Basket of Pittsburgh, 210 Bilmar Dr.
Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel
Shop WQED
Heinz History Center Online Store
