Fifth & Forbes Prime for New Business Activity
Uptown’s Fifth and Forbes corridors have a storied history as a mile-long business district lined with shops of all kinds, many reflecting the diverse nationalities who settled in the neighborhood. Early in the last century, it hosted the largest wholesale district of clothing and household wares between New York City and Chicago. In the ‘60s, as the neighborhood declined, many of these businesses shuttered or relocated. Two or three remain, including National Fabrics Co., with over 80 retail and wholesale businesses making a home in Uptown.
Uptown is ripe for a boom in new business activity! Food-related shops, like Moonlit Burgers Uptown, Back to the Foodture, Yabas412, and RedHawk Café have taken root along the corridor and an abundance of empty storefronts provides exciting opportunities for business development. Inside Uptown’s historic Forbes Pride & Stevenson buildings as well as the Paramount Film Exchange buildings, multiple tech, biotech, and community startups led by young emerging talents are turning innovative ideas into full-fledged companies. Driving economic development along the Fifth-Forbes corridor, these rising entrepreneurs are “unlocking their own potential at the same time they unlock the potential of their communities,” says Uptown entrepreneur Dale McNutt, founder of Avenu, Pittsburgh’s first co-working space.
Thanks to the Uptown Public Realm Zoning District passed by the City in 2017, Uptown is also a place where live/work spaces are encouraged and permitted “by right”. This means that no variance or a special exception will be required to reside where you run your business (including a dedicated workspace or shop). This helps foster the innovation facet of the EcoInnovation District. Many other Uptown innovative initiatives are highlighted in the EcoInnovation District Plan.
Uptown Business Directory
Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh proudly supports all businesses investing in Uptown, especially our local and independently-owned businesses that make Uptown unique. On Small Business Saturday ’22, we launched the Uptown Business Submission form to kick off our new initiative to revitalize the Fifth and Forbes business corridors. It starts with knowing our businesses, understanding their needs, and leading more people into their doors.
Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh maintains and updates this directory.
Want to see your business in the directory? Need to update your listing? Complete this form.
Programs for Businesses
To support sustainability, Uptown Partners links new and existing businesses to helpful programs and opportunities through the Mayor’s Office, Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Sustainable Pittsburgh.
Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant Program: this is a sustainability performance program run by Sustainable Pittsburgh, providing recognition for leading restaurants in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Sustainable Small Business Designation Program: a voluntary program also run by Sustainable Pittsburgh that recognizes small businesses for implementing actions that are simultaneously good for their bottom line, the environment, and the social fabric of their communities.
Other Resources
URA Resources for Business Owners
Small Business Administration Pittsburgh
Bridgeway Capital Financing
Note! For business support and more information on events, neighborhood meetings, opportunities, and sponsorship opportunities, please email Eric Vanistendael, Uptown Partners’ Real Estate & Development Program Manager, at evanistendael@uptownpartners.org.