Pittsburgh native Emily Slagel chats about all things Pittsburgh with 50 States of Style, a website that highlights creativity and quality-made American products. Slagel is the owner of Mid-Atlantic Mercantile, a Lawrenceville shop featuring ethically manufactured, heirloom quality clothing and housewares.
As a business owner, she is proud to be part of Pittsburgh’s resurgence. Slagel chose to live in Pittsburgh after college because of the city’s, “magnetic authenticity,” which she says can be found in communities and neighborhood gathering places.
Her day begins with a trip to Espresso a Mano for a cold brew or chai latte. “It’s a wonderful place to say hi to everyone you know,” she says.
Amid Pittsburgh’s growing restaurant scene, Slagel favors the mac and cheese at Kelly’s bar for its perfect, “cheese-to-noodle ratio.”
For culture, it’s “everything Andy.” The Warhol inspired Slagel as teenager and has been her favorite museum since. “We’re incredibly lucky to have it as a museum and educational resource,” she says.
For a night out, Slagel frequents Pittsburgh’s Livermore which she calls “Ernest Hemingway’s absinthe cafe,” then heads out for live music at a small venue like Brillobox, “where you can grab a beer and catch a friend’s show.”
Slagel tells 50 States of Style that visitors should check out Maggie ‘s Farm Run in the Strip District, St. Anthony’s Chapel in Troy Hill-and even the iconic view of the city from Mount Washington.
To get away from urban life, Slagel says the green space at Frick Park is the perfect remedy.
Read the full interview here.