“THE EVENTS UNDER THE BRIDGE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD,” STEPHANIE SAYS. “THE VIBE HERE IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POSITIVE.” Another unique place to get food and drinks is Honest John’s restaurant. Open since late January, Honest John’s offers French-American cuisine proudly made from scratch in-house; owner John Wray (the restaurant is not actually named after him; it is named after John McLuckie, the mayor of Homestead during the infamous steel strike of the 1800’s) is proud to be cooking on 8th Avenue, especially with family nearby.
OPEN SINCE LATE JANUARY, HONEST JOHN’S OFFERS FRENCH-AMERICAN CUISINE PROUDLY MADE FROM SCRATCH IN-HOUSE
“The response has been very positive,” Wray says. “The locals are thrilled to have another nice business on the avenue and have been extremely supportive. The reviews, in our short time operating, have been better than I anticipated.” Another place that hasn’t been getting many bad reviews is Voodoo Brewery on 9th Avenue. Part of it could be that they recognize an important part of coming to a historical neighborhood is making sure not to erase that history. With that in mind, Voodoo Brewery set up their Homestead location in the town’s old firehouse, doing little to hide the space’s former self, in fact keeping some firefighter jackets hung on the walls.
VOODOO BREWERY SET UP THEIR HOMESTEAD LOCATION IN THE TOWN’S OLD FIREHOUSE, DOING LITTLE TO HIDE THE SPACE’S FORMER SELF “My wife and her family are from this area,” Wray says. “My brother-in-law, owner of the Local Motion fitness studio across the street, lives in West Homestead and is on the community development council. He is aware of the path Homestead is trending toward and is very optimistic on this neighborhood's future.” Wray, too, is optimistic: Honest John’s dishes—from Crispy Pork Belly to Bourbon Bread Pudding—have proved to be hits.
ART IS OFTEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF ANY THRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HOMESTEAD IS CERTAINLY NOT LACKING. One of the best-known around the city is Baron Batch’s Studio AM, which aims to be a cultural space that not only houses many of former-Steeler-turned-painter’s vibrant, color-drenched works, but also hosts Sunday brunch and a new Summer sound series. Tori Meglio, Studio AM’s marketing manager, says that Batch, along with chef Steve Morehouse, hope to celebrate creativity in Homestead.
ART IN THE
With a food truck parked outside and a pinball arcade across the bar, Voodoo has kept busy since their opening. During weekends it’s even possible to check out some amazing photographs at Chuck Beard’s Abandoned Pittsburgh gallery / storefront, right next door to Voodoo and accessible from the bar. Of course, it’s hard to leave said bar when they line the back wall with always-interesting local art and offer delicious brews like the Rakau Pale Ale or Voodoo Love Child, their Belgian-style tripel.
STEEL VALLEY
| Issue 15
19