Lawrenceville’s Market House is a place for donuts, chocolate, books, jewelry
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Most people are familiar with co-working spaces for business operations and organizational meetings and offices.
People rent a portion inside a larger area for a short period of time, such as a month or two or three.
The Market House in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood was inspired by that concept –only for stores.
Eight out of nine spots are currently filled in the former Mellon Bank.
A grand opening was held on Thursday.
“All of the vendors are really happy,” said Brian Mendelssohn, 45, who owns The Market House with his brother, Irwin , 49. “We are trying something new here. It’s about access to a retail location where you have your own spot. It’s a take on the shared co-working spaces.”
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The anchor store is Oliver’s Donuts, the Mendelssohn brothers own.
The daily options are chocolate sea salt, huckleberry, vanilla glaze and maple bacon. New seasonal flavors about to be released include lavender lemon and rose pistachio.
At a recent media event, Alex Shewczyk, who lives in Friendship and works in Lawrenceville for BikePGH, said the chocolate sea salt was her favorite.
All are cake donuts.
‘It’s both savory and sweet, but really all of the flavors sound good,” she said. “In these uncertain times this is a way to help other businesses grow. This entire space is so encouraging for the neighborhood.”
They’ve collaborated on the donut recipe with pastry chef Erika Bruce of Squirrel Hill. Bruce owns Le Beau Gateau through the Center for Regional Agriculture Food and Transformation at Chatham University.
“The donuts are really good,” Bruce said at the media event. “I think we came up with some tasty combinations.”
The donuts can be complemented with coffee from Elementary Coffee Co. in Harrisburg. The shop is named after Brian Mendelssohn’s cat, Oliver. The feline died in December 2020 at 17 years old.
“On his last day, we let him loose in the store,” Mendelssohn said. “It’s a way to remember Oliver, who was an amazing pet.”
The brothers also run a bookstore which is two-in-one. Material Books features a lot of local authors who wrote about architecture, film, photography and Pittsburgh history. The Scholarly Worm showcases children’s books.
“Kids books are really good books,” Mendelssohn said. “I’ve been reading them every day to my 1-year-old daughter.”
The brothers’ company is Botero Development, which includes Fulton Commons, a co-working kitchen space in Manchester on Pittsburgh’s North Side. They often redevelop historical properties.
The two, who live in Lawrenceville, grew up in South Florida. In 2014, they bought the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville.
“We are so excited about this neighborhood and we wanted this space to be available for the people here,” Irwin Mendelssohn said. “It’s about support local businesses and helping them grow.”
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It is helping Black Cherry Design, owned by interior designer Lauren Piasecki of Stanton Heights. She said the Market House is a perfect spot in a neighborhood with so many great businesses.
“It’s such a cool opportunity to have a retail shop and sell pottery, jewelry and artwork as well as do some interior design work,” Piasecki said. “Many of the items are locally made. There are vintage pieces and merchandise from other small makers across the country.”
Piasecki’s employee Emi Driscoll, an artist, said working at Black Cherry Design is a way to connect with and showcase local artists.
“It will be fun being on this journey with other artists,” she said.
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Chocolatier Daniel Stevey, of Green Tree, owns Fat Cat Chocolates. His husband, Art Germer, designed the colorful, fun packaging. Stevey said people shop with their eyes.
“I focused on the childhood nostalgia of candy such as strawberry milkshake and cinnamon toast crunch, cherry pie and peanut butter cookie,” Stevey said. “I love this space for all of us artisans.“
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Erin Smreklar, of Dormont, who owns Storehouse Neutral, said the shorter rent times sold her on the space, especially for a small business. It’s so much better than having to sign a year or longer lease. She sources products from small businesses across the country. Items include home décor, jewelry, accessories, and apparel.
“I look for unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind items,” Smreklar said. “This concept is wonderful because it draws traffic to all of our businesses.”
Emily M sells magnets and stickers.
And Authentically African by Moa has items from the Ivory Coast such as handbags and jewelry, some which have been made here.
A restaurant is planned for the lower floor sometime later this year.
The stores will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Oliver’s Donuts will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays by mid-February.
Some will have other hours throughout the week.