South Hills Living - Nov./Dec. 2023

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November-December 2023

New Mt. Lebanon coffee shop and record store offers eclectic, unique selection Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse voted best South Hills business

Crazy Horse Coffee

expands to second location

A dozen things to do in and around Pittsburgh this holiday season

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 1

November/December South Hills Living

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Mt. Lebanon’s coffee Crazy Horse South West Regional A dozen things to do Bedner’s voted best and records store a Coffee launches Chamber of Commerce this holiday season South Hills business chic local destination McMurray location merges with South Hills Chamber of Commerce

from the editor

NICHE PUBLICATION 122 South Main Street Washington, PA 15301 Washington & South Hills 724.222.2200 Greene County 724.852.2602 Mon Valley 412.944.5575 www.southhillsliving.net

Spending the holidays curled up with a coffee

Editor TRISTA THURSTON tthurston@observer-reporter.com

Since we’re in mid-November, we’re in the thick of the holiday season.

Advertising Director Carole DeAngelo

Like many of you, I have no idea what to do with myself each weekend now that I can’t comfortably hike in my favorite park or take a day trip to a scenic location. If left to my own devices, I’ll make a cup of tea, curl up under my favorite fuzzy blanket and finish a book in a few days.

Graphic Designer Megan Morris Contributors Kristin Emery Katherine Mansfield Mandi Pryor Rick Shrum

However, if you’d rather get off the couch and spend some quality time with your loved ones, I’ve gathered a dozen ideas in and around Pittsburgh for you that are friendly for various ages, interests and abilities. If you’re hunting for something to do with your family in the coming months, I hope this list gives you an idea. Even if you don’t partake in an activity from the list, maybe it will inspire you to create a new tradition together or create a memory with those you hold dear. Or maybe you’ll end up watching your favorite Hallmark movie again. No judgment on my end! I’m determined to finish the stack of to-read books on my bedside.

on the cover

Also in this edition are two separate stories on coffee shops. I love coffee, so I guess my bias is showing here.

First up is our cover story on the new Needle and Bean in Mt. Lebanon. This cozy spot isn’t simply a place to pick up your favorite brew or sit and get some work done. It’s part cafe, part record store. Order your favorite drink and browse the more than 1,000 vinyls on sale. You won’t find the radio hits on owner Mike Butala’s shelves, though. He’s catering to a more niche, indie-appreciating clientele.

“I’m not necessarily driven to compete against places that carry a lot of pop music,” he told writer Katherine Mansfield. Read her story within, and if it’s up your alley, stop by Needle and Bean.

Next is an expansion of a coffee shop that’s become a Washington-area favorite and is making more of a mark in the South Hills with its new Peters Township location: Crazy Horse Coffee.

Owner James Bendel borrowed the name of his Army unit when he opened in 2018. The second location opened in McMurray at Donaldson’s Crossroads in August. Crazy Horse, besides offering coffee and tasty treats, also works to give back through Bendel’s nonprofit, Help-Hard.

Also inside is a feature on the business voted the top South Hills business at our annual Best of the Best gala earlier this month and an update from the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce. I hope you enjoy.

As always, thank you so much for reading. If you have feedback or a story suggestion, call me at 724-222-2200 ext. 2421 or email me at tthurston@observer-reporter.com.

Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.

As always, thank you so much for reading. If you have feedback or a story suggestion, call me at 724-222-2200 ext. 2421, or email me at tthurston@observer-reporter.com.

Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.

Editor SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 2

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter “We make our drinks strong,” said Mike Butula, who takes pride in crafting quality coffee drinks at Needle and Bean. Currently, Butula serves as the shop’s owner-manager-barista, while his mom runs the cash register.

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Mike Butala grew up in Hermitage, graduated from Penn State Behrand and served as an engineer out west and in the midwest before returning with his wife Irene to southwestern Pennsylvania, where in August he opened Needle and Bean. The coffee and record shop sits along Castle Shannon Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon.

Mt. Lebanon’s coffee and records store a chic local destination Story and Photos by Katherine Mansfield

Needle and Bean markets itself as “coffee and records,” but really, When Butala moved to Chicago, Reckless Records became his it’s a destination: a sleek space that smells like java, sounds like a go-to spot for all things music, but he had a hard time finding movie soundtrack and feels like a place in which one could start an coffee that suited his tastebuds. Finally, he discovered Just Coffee ink drawing, finish a novella or write a song.

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“I wanted something for the community,” said Mike Butala, who Needle and Bean proudly serves (and sells bags of) Just Coffee. opened Needle and Bean along Castle Shannon Boulevard in Au- When Butala first conceptualized the coffee and record store, his gust. “We like people to drive here and visit from distances, but focus was mainly music. the big drive is the community that’s around us. It’s something “I wanted to have a record store that had just drip coffee. I local for everybody to enjoy.” thought that was a great idea because I would charge like a buck Butala grew up in Hermitage and, after graduating with a degree for a cup of coffee, and you can just have it while you’re looking in engineering from Penn State Behrend, moved west. A love for music began with a CD collection in his youth, and an affinity for at records,” Butala said. coffee started over cups with high school friends at the local Eat ‘n Park; both passions were cultivated in California.

But Butala’s wife Irene said the space needed more than just drip coffee. It needed an espresso machine.

“Around 2004, I got a turntable. I lived in San Diego at the time – not the good part – but the good part of that is that there are a lot of consignment stores. My roommate and I, every weekend we, would go to four different consignment shops. We would just get great albums for a dollar. You could really start to explore B sides and deeper cuts from things that you didn’t listen to that much,” Butala said. “During the work week, I would still make Folgers.

Then we would just get either Pete’s or Starbucks, my roommate and I, and that would be our treat for the weekend.”

“It started snowballing and getting to be a completely different business idea,” Butala laughed. “That’s kind of how we ended up with what you see here.”

Needle and Bean offers a full menu of drinks coffee shop-goers have come to expect, including flavored lattes crafted with house-made syrup, iced coffee and a selection of teas, pastries and chocolate (yes, there’s drip coffee on the menu, too, a nod to Butala’s original vision).

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 4

Along with vinyl, Needle and Bean offers record players and accessories, a variety of notebooks, a small selection of home decor, and store and indie label apparel and drinkware.

Needle and Bean sells records and coffee, but the Mt. Lebanon shop is more than just a retail store: it’s a place owner Mike Butula hopes the community will frequent to work, to tap into their creative sides, to meet friends and family members for good conversations, to enjoy great coffee and to discover new music.

Folks are invited to grab their beverage and a seat at the street-facing bar or a sleek white table beneath the gold geometric chandelier or browse the more than 1,000 records for sale in the shop’s vinyl section.

“Most of what we focus on is independent labels,” said Butala, who works directly with labels like Dischord Records, Polyvinyl, Sub Pop Records (who produce The Shins and Father John Misty) and Matador Records (who put out boygenius’s EP). “We don’t have any Taylor Swift here. David Bowie’s music is good, unequivocally; you have to have David Bowie. Led Zeppelin, a lot of classic rock, you just can’t avoid. I want to have that as an option because it’s great music, but I’m not necessarily driven to compete against places that carry a lot of pop music.”

“When you put a record on, you’re committing to at least 20 minutes of one side of an album, and you don’t skip around. If the record’s lucky, you flip it over, you play the other side. It’s all about the process. You go through your collection. You physically pick out the album. You drop the needle, and then you’re almost committed to listening to it versus just putting it on and then working on something. The music has more of a center stage. For me, coffee’s no different,” said Mike Butala. “A lot of people that come in share that same perspective.”

Butala said he caters to a niche audience, which sets Needle and Bean apart from other local record stores, all of which have their own flavor and regulars. For Butala, music is personal, and he aims to support independent labels and artists so that they can continue putting out great – though not always mainstream or chart-topping – work.

“The exploitation of some of the artists is kind of sad. It’s just about trying to be good to the artists and trying to keep things as personal as possible,” Butala said.

Being good – to artists, to the community – is what led Butala to open Needle and Bean in the first place. A decades-long engineer who worked on a major project during the COVID-19 pandemic, Butala burned out of the corporate world.

“I wanted to retire. This is all during COVID, when everyone kind of was reevaluating their lives. I was like, well, I can’t retire,” he laughed. “Why not do something I’m more passionate about? Is there something I can do that I wouldn’t mind doing until I can retire?”

At the height of the pandemic, Butala’s personal record collection contained over 2,000 titles. He launched Needle and Bean on social media in 2021 and started selling vinyl online. It took a while to find the perfect space for a brick-and-mortar, but eventually, Butala settled on the current location, which is a quick walk from his home.

Needle and Bean offers a relaxing space in which to connect with friends, work from home or create art while music – available for purchase in the vinyl section – wafts softly from the speakers.

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 5

“Originally, I wanted to be on Washington because of foot traffic. This place popped up, and I was not super enthusiastic. I had the blinders on. I wanted to be somewhere with more commerce. When I came in here, I saw it. I saw the potential,” he said.

Renovations took longer than expected due to resource and labor scarcity.

Butala and Irene wound up doing much of the aesthetic work, including installing the eye-catching black-and-white backsplash behind the coffee bar and constructing the shelving that holds all the records.

“Being patient with that was tough,” Butala said The storefront officially opened in August, and while he’s already got a few regulars, Butala is eager to welcome first-time visitors into the clean, chic space and help them discover all that Needle and Bean has to offer. ”We’re doing better and better every day. What I’m most proud about this business is it’s different,” he said. “I want to be accessible as much as possible, to give people what they want all the time. I would love to be open all the time. Always have every single album in the history of music. It sounds grandiose. But you have to stay grounded. I want everyone to feel like they can count on us. I want to be a beacon.”

Needle and Bean is a clean, chic atmosphere with a few whimsical decorations, including three portraits, of owner Mike Butula, his wife Irene and their dog, all holding vinyl over their faces (the dog’s image was photoshopped, Butula laughed).

For store hours and more, visit needle-bean.webflow.io/ or follow Needle and Bean on Instagram at instagram.com/needleandbeancoffeeandrecords/.

Needle and Bean is down the hill from Mt. Lebanon’s main drag and within walking distance of several neighborhoods, making it easily accessible to the community. Owner Mike Butula welcomes folks to work from home inside the minimalist storefront, to meet friends for coffee, pastries and conversation after work, to discover new music in the shop’s vinyl section, and to visit often.

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James Bendel, left, and staff outside the new Crazy Horse Coffee location

Crazy Horse Coffee launches McMurray location Story by Kristin Emery Photos courtesy of Crazy Horse Coffee James Bendel knows all about coffee shops. The Latrobe native spent plenty of time in them during his years in the oil and gas industry. “I would stop in coffee shops to send my sales reports,” says Bendel, who ventured into the coffee business himself back in 2018 with the launch of Crazy Horse Coffee in North Strabane. “I liked the vibe, quiet in a busy room feel. It’s a great atmosphere for business as well as the demographic not always forgiving but mostly supportive of local brands.” After serving his country in the US Army, including two tours in Iraq, Bendel left the military in 2008 and began a business career. By 2017, he was ready for a new challenge. “In 2017, I was in the middle of shareholders trying to steer the business I was working for and decided my livelihood was in the hands of people who had a different mindset that did not protect the employees,” he explains. “On Veterans Day 2017, I decided I was opening a coffee shop named after my Army unit.” That’s how Crazy Horse Coffee was born. He created a business plan, started shopping the idea to banks and got funding with the help of Northwest Bank and his partner (and stepdad), Gary Downs. Crazy Horse Coffee opened its doors at 900 Wildflower Circle, Suite 911, in December 2018. The cozy location off Route 19 near Racetrack Road by Planet Fitness offers fresh coffee, baked goods and snacks.

Expanding to second location Juggling his business career and the new coffee shop wasn’t easy, but Bendel managed to do it for several years and even started thinking about opening a second location. “I partially owned a small oil and gas business for the first four years of owning Crazy Horse Coffee,” Bendel says. “We sold the business, and I took a position with the buyer for about a year. During that time, we began building McMurray and planned to open this past May.” That’s when Bendel went all in on the coffee business and transitioned to working on Crazy Horse Coffee full-time. The timeline for opening suffered a few setbacks, but the brand-new McMurray location of Crazy Horse Coffee opened its doors in August at 3939 Washington Road in McMurray at Donaldson’s Crossroads and celebrated an official grand opening on Veterans Day. “Peters Township is growing, and the median household income is close to double that of the first location in Washington,” Bendel says of his choice for a second outlet. “It’s also far enough down Route 19 to where I could capture a new group of customers yet increase the convenience for folks who now drive the 40-minute round trip for the best cup of coffee around.” In addition to the two brick-and-mortar stores, Crazy Horse also supplies Fresh Start Cafe in Canonsburg and Rinkside Cafe in Southpointe and is putting the final touches on the Trinity High School cafe.

Driven to give back Most days, you’ll find James at one of the two Crazy Horse Coffee locations, and you’ll likely see his best helper, his son, who is also named James, right by his side. Young James is already learning the family business and getting life lessons in giving back from his dad. Bendel spends much of his time giving back to the community through his nonprofit called Help-Hard. He says the name is derived from hard-working Americans receiving assistance. “The inspiration behind starting my very own nonprofit was because, for several years in the oil and gas industry, I was part of a group which held wonderful events, and their philanthropic mission introduced me to a new understanding of how giving back and doing business go hand in hand,” Bendel explains. “In 2018, I was nominated for Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest and raised a little over $40,000 by having a machine gun shoot at Washington County Machine Guns.” He says that event broke some records for fundraising, and that spurred him on to do even more. In 2020, he held a car show in the Crazy Horse Coffee parking lot and raised $3,000 for the Washington Humane Society. “Our business provides support to several local nonprofits as well as local emergency services through special fundraisers and in innovative ways,” he says. “The goal is to eventually build up the reserves to where we can issue grants to local technical school students with the entrepreneurial spirit.”

When he’s not organizing a fundraiser for his own organization, Bendel is busy donating to other efforts, including donating brewed coffee to local events. “Help-Hard receives applications daily through our web portal with people reaching out with all sorts of opportunities,” says Bendel. “It’s grown to the point where we field well over 100 applications for assistance per year.” That has ranged from helping a local veteran get a service dog trained to participating in fundraisers such as Bentworth soccer and Trinity choir, assisting the Washington Salvation Army with their Love in a Backpack initiative, an annual Thanksgiving food drive with United We Smile, the Crazy Horse Coffee Annual Toy drive and touch a truck with the Pennsylvania State Police. “Our biggest drive of the year and next upcoming fundraiser is to buy a bag of coffee, and we donate a bag to deployed troops and active service members,” Bendel adds. “Our last effort yielded 200 bags in just under two weeks.”

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 8

South West Regional Chamber of Commerce merges with South Hills Chamber of Commerce

By Mandi Pryor South West Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director Photos courtesy of South West Regional Chamber of Commerce

In 2023, the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce experienced exponential growth, welcoming the South Hills Chamber of Commerce as a growing part of the chamber’s footprint. With this expansion, the chamber has fostered the development of even more business and community partners from around the region.

South Hills Chamber of Commerce board President Chris Conroy said, “After a thorough review, the SHCC board of directors decided that entrusting the South West Regional Chamber with our members as we moved forward to dissolve the South Hills Chamber of Commerce puts our members and community first. Working together as a single chamber allows us to focus more resources on the ultimate goal of enriching the economic environment for business in our shared communities. It provides the members with more opportunities to promote their business, interests and passions.”

Focused on community togetherness, the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce has also recognized that its social impact extends beyond just networking events and business building, focusing on efforts that address issues such as hunger through the Free Little Pantry program and volunteering with Food Helpers of the Washington County Food Bank, aiding women in the workforce with Dress for Success, as well as supporting local seniors through our Blizzard Bag volunteer sessions for South West Meals on Wheels hosted through the chamber’s RISE: Networking for a Cause initiative.

Beyond this, the South West Regional Chamber also has two programs to help empower local youth, including a scholarship program, which works in conjunction with The Common Good Foundation, the chamber’s sister non-profit, as well as a free membership program for post-graduate students.

Jennifer Wells, The Common Good Foundation board President, said, “The Common Good Foundation is a beacon of opportunity, offering students in our communities assistance to pursue their dreams through higher education. The SWR Chamber’s scholarship fundraising efforts help The Common Good Foundation foster a stronger, more prosperous community for all.”

Regarding member benefits, launched in 2023, the chamber’s SWPA Business Podcast broadcasts on Upper Saint Clair Public Television, Apple, Amazon, iHeart, Pandora, Spotify and Stitcher. The SWPA Business Podcast gives members a place to shine and share their sto-

ries, whether it is a non-profit supporting cancer victims or your local HVAC service member, such as Denillo Heating and Cooling.

Additionally, the podcast has become an outlet to discuss important issues that directly affect our local business owners, such as the previously aforementioned banking crisis with Chase Bank, the integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace with Cozza Law Group’s owner and managing partner, Rocco Rozza, and a ten-year automotive industry outlook with Colussy Chevrolet.

As 2024 approaches, the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce will push forward, continuing its mission to integrate easily accessible technology alongside the traditional chamber offerings of business, educational and leadership programming by launching an app focused on member engagement and lead generation.

With nearly 100 years of chamber history, we hope that by 2027, when the South West Regional Chamber hits that 100-year mark, we will have something really groundbreaking to show for it, and we’ve already started the preparations.

With an increase in membership and a robust line-up of events, programs and benefits, members of the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce are in the early stages of a larger, growing business community. The chamber has proven that regional growth is not limited by boundaries but is defined by vision, col laboration, and a commitment to help businesses succeed for a brighter, more prosperous future for this region.

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 9

A dozen things to do this holiday season

By Trista Thurston

If you’re anything like me, this time of year, you’re starting to wonder what you will do with your free time now that the weather is less forgiving for traditional outdoor activities. Especially if you have little ones who will be out of school, in no particular order, here is a list of a dozen holiday-related activities to add to your calendar this season to make merry and keep spirits bright (and occupied) through the winter doldrums. Did I miss one? Let me know!

7) Ring in the New Year at First Night

1) Visit the Crèche at the Steel Building

This year’s schedule is still TBD, so visit firstnightpgh.trustarts.org for more information.

The Pittsburgh Crèche is a lifesize nativity scene located in the outside courtyard of the U.S. Steel Tower downtown. The crèche is available annually during the winter season, from November’s Light Up Night to Epiphany in January. It is the only authorized replica of the nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

2) Skate at PPG First opened in December 2001, the seasonal outdoor skating rink, UPMC Rink at PPG Place, is a classic family favorite every season. In the center of the rink is a beautiful illuminated tree. The 60-foot-high structure is decorated with more than 103,200 lights. The rink is also larger than the noteworthy Rockefeller Center ice rink.

Buy tickets online ahead of your visit and check hours at pgplace.com/directory/ the-rink/. Tuesdays are family nights, and one kiddo gets in free with each adult ticket. Tickets are $10-12, and skate rentals are $5-6. Lockers are available for $1.

3) Visit the International Santas exhibit

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh allows visitors to explore the Cultural District like never before. Last year’s event allowed attendees to enjoy free art and entertainment in the many theaters, galleries and one-of-a-kind spaces with outdoor stages, public art installations, visual arts galleries, a parade and fireworks.

8) Check out outdoor light displays The region is home to lots of beautiful and detailed outdoor light displays, including those found at Ogleybay and the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.

The classic drive-through Festival of Lights at Ogleybay is available nightly from dusk to midnight, including holidays, until Jan. 7. Each car costs $30, so pack up the kids and friends and drive over! Six miles of lights await. The website suggests avoiding the lines if you visit Monday through Wednesday and beating the rush by arriving early, between 5 and 6 p.m. Get more information at oglebay.com/ lights-drive.

The Botanic Garden’s Dazzling Lights begins Nov. 24 and runs through Jan. 1.

A field of 2,000 illuminated flowers dance with light. Walk through a tunnel of giant stars. A light show around the Lotus Pond dances in time to music. This is a walk through the property, so dress warm and wear proper shoes. Tickets must be purchased in advance at dazzlingpittsburgh.com.

While you’re in the area for skating, make sure to stop inside PPG for its annual “Spirits of Giving From Around the World” exhibit in the Wintergarden. There are 16 versions of life-size Santas from various holiday traditions throughout different countries. Best of all? This cultural celebration is free!

9) Take in a show at Little Lake

4) Take in a concert

“White Christmas” is based on the beloved, timeless film. The heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs brought to life with live musicians. Purchase tickets online at littlelake.org/whitechristmas, at the box office or by calling 724-745-6300. Adults are $25, and children 18 and under are $15. Shows are selling out quickly, so get your tickets fast!

There are many festive concerts in Pittsburgh this season. On Dec. 16, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform at PPG Paints Arena during their winter tour. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s take on the classic “The Nutcracker” runs Dec. 9-28 at The Benedum. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Highmark Holiday Pops show features all the holiday favorites and is at Heinz Hall Dec. 15-23.

5) See the trains at the Science Center Visit all of the sights of Western Pennsylvania in one convenient location at the Carnegie Science Center’s Miniature Railroad and Villiage. It’s the largest train display in the area. The railroad celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019 and shows realistic scenes that feature the Pittsburgh region’s rich and diverse history up until 1940. New models are added yearly to the village.

Though open year-round, it’s a holiday tradition for many families. According to the website, the original creator, Charles Bowdish, made a small display with trains and model buildings of downtown Brookville to honor his brother’s wedding on Christmas Eve, 1919. As news spread, Bowdish opened the show for the public, and it remained a holiday feature until December 1954, when it was relocated to the Buhl Planetarium. It’s been at the Science Center since 1992.

6) Enjoy the Phipps Flower Show Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ annual Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden run through Jan. 7. This year’s theme is “Season’s Greetings,” and new displays, such as holiday trees adorned in jewel tones and signature floral delights, including amaryllis, orchids and 21 varieties of poinsettias will be illuminated for all to see. The Winter Light Garden fills the outdoor and discovery gardens with lights in vivid shades for an adventure outside, too.

This season, Little Lake Theatre in Peters Township has “the perfect holiday show, good for families,” said managing director Patricia Knapp. Running Nov. 30 through Dec. 16, Irving Berlin’s

10) Shop unique gifts at the Downtown Holiday Market Market Square becomes a festive celebration each season, with more vendors than ever this year. Stroll through an illuminated Market Square at the eleventh annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market, with wooden chalets offering one-of-a-kind gifts and holiday experiences filled with international flair and local charm.

Check out the list of full-time and visiting vendors at downtownpittsburghholidays.com/holiday-market, as well as the entertainment schedule.

11) See the splendor of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s trees Since 1961, the museum has decorated the Hall of Architecture with massive Fraser fir trees yearly. The Women’s Committee of the Carnegie Museum of Art hand-makes ornaments to fit the theme, which this year is “Wintry Days and Frosty Nights.” The exhibit runs through Jan. 7. Learn more about the seasonal offerings, including musical offerings amid the Carnegie Trees, at carnegieart. org/series/welcome-this-winter-2023.

12) Grab hot chocolate and Potato Patch fries at Kennywood Holiday Lights

Also on display is the new Garden Railroad: Pennsylvania Through the Four Seasons. Miniature recreations of the four seasons, as experienced in Pennsylvania, will honor the state with distinct features and landscapes.

Yes, Kennywood in the wintertime is still a blast! See the park in a whole new light – two million of them, in fact. The tallest Christmas tree in the state will also be on site. There are exciting rides and memorable entertainment, like visits with Santa, model trains and more. Grab your tickets at kennywood.com/discover-the-park/plan-your-visit/holiday-lights.

Read more and get tickets at phipps.conser vator y.org/ca lendar/detail/ holiday-magic.

Hopefully, something on this list delights and inspires! Happy holidays to you and yours this season.

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Bedner’s voted best South Hills business

By Rick Shrum Photos courtesy of Bedner’s Farm & Greenhouse

As if owning and running a destination operation weren’t intensive enough, Russ and Melanie Bedner expanded their workload.

“I make wine as a hobby and got my winery license,” Russ said. “We sell my wines in the store: five different dry reds, two or three dry whites and some fruit-based.”

The couple has added grape expectations to the great expectations they have for their Cecil Township business.

And why not?

For three-quarters of a century, Bedner’s Farm & Greenhouse has provided diverse wine, flowers, food, food for thought, landscaping and hospitality for residents across the region. They and their employees deserve many toasts and got a rousing one recently.

Their operation was voted best overall South Hills business in the Observer-Reporter’s annual Best of the Best competition.

Bedner’s was one of three finalists for the award, which was presented at an invitation-only, gala-type honors ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe. The event took place shortly after the family shut down for the season.

The garden center will reopen March 29.

“It’s always nice to be recognized within the community,” Russ said, appreciative of the public vote.

He and his wife, director of finance and marketing, own 66 acres off Coleman Road, 42 of which are farm and farm store. They reside on the gently rolling property, which has a McDonald mailing address, but is near Bridgeville.

His father, Robert, and grandfather launched the business in Bridgeville in the 1940s when they opened a farm market.

Robert went on his own in 1997 and moved the business to its current location, where it continues to evolve.

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 12

“We grow about 80% of what we sell,” Russ said, listing a bountiful number of farm-grown items, including seasonal herbs and vegetables, along with annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and porch pots.

“We started a landscaping division in 2013, then started a full-blown nursery,” he explained. “We have an opportunity to choose what we grow, and we pick the best plants that customers should do well with, healthy plants they can take home.”

He said he and Melanie “have scaled back” on vegetables and have focused more on flowers.

Bedner’s, he stressed, strives to be consumer-friendly. “Customers like to pick their own produce,” Russ said. The owners select dates – usually in the summer – when visitors can enter the fields and handpick beets, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. There also are pick-yourown-bouquet opportunities.

“We also offer educational classes and value them,” Russ said. “We can educate the public and our staff.”

Russ and Melanie Bedner operate a farm market, of course, but he said it should not be confused with the similarly named Bedner’s Farm Market on Bower Hill Road in Upper St. Clair. Russ said the Bower Hill location is not affiliated with his business but belongs to a cousin, Nancy Rostron, and her husband, Dave.

Another relative named Bedner has a large farm in Florida specializing in vegetable production.

Although the pandemic had an initial impact on Russ and Melanie’s operation, he said, “business has definitely increased since 2021.

“The ascent has continued every year. We’re doing well.”

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 13

neighborhood favorites

SpringHouse Creamery, Eatery, Country Store and Catering opened in 1975 on the Minor family’s dairy working farm in Eighty-Four. In our old-fashioned country story, you can enjoy family-recipe meals, goodies in our from-scratch bakery, a smokehouse for old-fashioned hickory smoked hams, classy catering, ice cream concoctions galore and, of course, farm fresh milk and famous rich chocolate milk.

At CRUST! Café and Pizzeria we pay attention to quality and that starts with the dough. Our mission at CRUST! Café and Pizzeria is to give you the freshest product, made with the best ingredients, prepared by people who care.

509 Painters Run Road Upper St. Clair 412.564.5748 crustcafeandpizzeria.com

1531 Route 136 Washington 724.228.3339 springhousemarket.com

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A Pittsburgh family tradition since 1958. Our dough is homemade from scratch, our sauce is slow cooked from Italian tomatoes, our signature cheeses are hand grated daily... just as John Mineo did in 1958. We believe never change a great family recipe.

713A Washington Road Mt. Lebanon 412.344.4967 412.344.9468 mineospizza.com

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724 809 1385 Commercial SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 14

A U T O D I R E C T O R Y

BUDD BAER BUICK GMC | MAZDA | SUBARU Richard Bortz Jr. Owner 249 E. Roy Furman Hwy. Waynesburg, PA

Mark Baer, Owner 71 Murtland Avenue, Washington, PA

3073 Washington Pike Bridgeville, PA 15017

724.627.6171 bortzchevy.com

724.222.0700 buddbaer.com

412-564-9829 colussy.com

667 East Maiden Street, Washington, PA

3344 Washington Road McMurray, PA

3644 Washington Road McMurray, PA

724.223.0600 premiereautosales.com

724.941.3000 southhillsauto.com

724.942.3000 southhillsauto.com

STAR LAKE FORD

THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN

PREMIERE AUTO SALES PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

SOUTH HILLS LINCOLN

1212 Main Street Burgettstown, PA

John Bauer, General Manager 3694 Washington Road McMurray PA

724.941.1600 southhillslincoln.net

724.947.3381 starlakeford.com

724.941.6100 3riversvw.com

TREGEMBO MOTORS

WARNE MOTORS

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

Jeff Innes, New Car Manager Route 19, McMurray, PA

WASHINGTON CHEVROLET

Barry Tregembo, Owner 1-70, Exit 32B Bentleyville, PA

John Warne, Owner 100 East Pike Street, Cannonsburg, PA

Intersection of Rt. 19, I-79,& I-70 Exit 19A Washington, PA

724.239.2200 tregembomotors.com

724.745.5956 johnwarnemotors.com

724.222.2800 washingtonchevy.com

WASHINGTON HONDA

WASHINGTON HYUNDAI

SOUTH HILLS TOYOTA

Rt. 19 Strabane Square Washington, PA

Rt. 19 Strabane Square Washington, PA

2403 Washington Road Rt. 19 Cannonsburg, PA

724.222.2213 washingtonpahonda.com

724.222.2213 washingtonpahyundai.com

724.743.1144 southhillstoyota.com

TRAILER SALES & SERVICE 2070 Smith Twp. State Rd. Burgettstown, PA 724.947.9720 www.wysockiinc.com

If you are interested in advertising on this directory, please contact Mauriann Curtis at

724.222.2200 ext. 2504

SOUTH HILLS LIVING | NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | 15

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WHS Center for Orthopedic Excellence is the only local hospital in Washington and Greene County that offers same day discharge for your joint replacement.

With safe, effective pain management and home therapy starting the next day, we allow you to recover and focus on healing in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to replace pain with relief because when knee and hip pain ends, life begins again.

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whs.org/ortho 724.206.0610