10 Beloved Places In Pittsburgh That We'll Never Forget
When you think back to growing up in Pittsburgh, what are some of the places you remember most? Maybe begging for a slush and a soft pretzel or popcorn at the snack bar at Hills? Sitting on the bottom of the cart as your parents grocery shopped at Foodland? Or meandering down the aisles at Phar-Mor, which sold a little bit of everything? Here are 10 beloved places in Pittsburgh that we’ll probably never forget.

Anyone who's spent any amount of time in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh has undoubtedly been to the Original Hot Dog Shop. If you haven't been there, you've definitely walked by. The Pittsburgh institution, known for its hot dogs and massive helpings of fries, suddenly closed in April 2020, after a 60-year run.

After a storied run, The Beehive on the South Side shut its doors for the final time in 2018. The popular coffee shop opened in 1990, attracting artists and a younger crowd. Billed as Pittsburgh's number one coffee shop, The Beehive offered an eclectic selection of drinks and food.
Advertisement

Pittsburgh said goodbye to Tom's Diner in Dormont in October 2019, after having been in business in 1980. The charming, old-school diner boasted some of the city's best gyros and a full menu of traditionally delicious diner fare. What was your favorite meal at Tom's Diner?
Advertisement

You can still find Isaly's products, but nothing will compare to yesteryear when you could seemingly find an Isaly's in every town. The popular deli served some of the best deli meats and cheeses. We could grab a quick lunch or even have a scoop or two of ice cream when we stopped by.

Who remembers Kaufmann's? In addition to Kaufmann's in local malls, it had a downtown location, packed with floors of men's, women's, and children's clothes; jewelry; and everything you'd expect in a department store. You could also sit down with a scoop or two of ice cream from the ice cream shop or grab a bite to eat at Tic Toc Restaurant.

If you worked or spent time in downtown Pittsburgh in the 20th century, you likely walked by Warner Centre every now and then. In addition to an assortment of shops, Warner Centre also featured a second floor food court, which closed in 2003.

Three Rivers Stadium saw its fair share of sports history, being the home of the Steelers and the Pirates, beginning in July 1970. The riverside stadium also hosted other events, including concerts, during its run which ended in December 2000. It was demolished in 2001.

Home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Civic Arena hosted countless concerts and other events during its history, which began in 1961. The arena's retractable roof was one of the first of its kind. Unfortunately, the Civic Arena's run came to an end in June 2010 and was demolished just two years later.
Advertisement

Who remembers a pretty impressive snack bar at G.C. Murphy? The popular shop sold just about everything - from food and toys to holiday decorations and magazines. Even better? G.C. Murphy boasted affordable prices. Its locations shuttered permanently in 2002.

Century III Mall was once the mall for shopping and eating. Its three floors housed a large assortment of stores - from National Record Mart to Montgomery Ward. Certain times each year, including back to school and Christmas, meant a packed mall. Unfortunately, after years of decay, Century III Mall closed for good in February 2019.
What are some other beloved places in Pittsburgh you would add to a part two of this list? Let us know in the comments! Then see if you knew that these nine inventions came from Pittsburgh.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Featured Addresses
Pittsburgh, PA, USA