10 Things You Can't Do In Pittsburgh Anymore... But Wish You Could
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Don’t you sometimes wish you could go back in time, even if just for a few hours? Maybe you would toss a blanket down in front of your car and enjoy an evening at the drive-in. (Sure, we’ve still got drive-ins but they are few and far between). Or, perhaps you would dine at a favorite restaurant just one more time. Here are 10 things from the past you wish you could do in Pittsburgh.
Kaufmann’s wasn’t just a department store you spent a few minutes in. It was an adventure. Finding bargains in the basement. Eating at Tic Toc Restaurant. Riding the escalators to the fifth floor for a big scoop of ice cream. Today, only Kaufmann’s iconic clock remains.
How many of us walked through the tunnel at Kennywood and immediately wanted to ride the Turnpike? It was an especially big deal if we weren’t young enough to drive for real. Alas, the Turnpike is now but a fond memory.
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Sure, we can still find Isaly’s products in the grocery store and there are a few delis in the area. But, do you remember when all you had to do was drive a couple of miles to find an Isaly’s, where you could have a hearty sandwich, a juicy pickle, crispy French fries, or a scoop of ice cream?
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Today’s food court was yesterday’s ice skating rink, the masterpiece of Monroeville Mall. We can still ice skate at different area sports facilities and at PPG Place during the Christmas season, but there was just something about ice skating at the mall that can’t be replicated.
G.C. Murphy – or Murphy’s Mart as some of us called it – had just about everything you could want. It also boasted a pretty delicious snack bar, too.
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You might not remember what you bought at Hills way back when. But, chances are you – at least once – begged your parents for a popcorn or a warm soft pretzel and a slush from the snack bar, hands down the best part of going to Hills.
PNC Park and Heinz Field may be spectacular stadiums but there’s just something about Three Rivers Stadium and the memories made there.
Technically, Century III Mall is still open but it’s a virtual ghost town compared to its heyday when shoppers would flood the three floors every weekend and especially during the Christmas season.
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Burger King, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s are the big three burger joints in the 21st century. But for a few decades in the 20th century, Winky’s was one of the most popular burger spots in the area.
Long before Toys R Us, we had Children’s Palace. You might even remember the exact spot of your Children’s Palace. Wouldn’t it be nice to go back – even just once – to the toy store of so many of our childhoods? (The photo above is of Child World, formerly Children’s Palace.)
Okay, fellow Pittsburghers, let’s have fun with this! What else do you wish you could do in Pittsburgh? This list is far from complete so share your thoughts and maybe we’ll write a part two.
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