As a lifelong resident of Arnold, Heather Irene Houser says she knows what people in the city want and need.

She also knows that the stores that met those needs when she was growing up are long gone from the city. And not everyone is able to get to the nearest shopping areas in Lower Burrell, Frazer and Harrison.

That’s part of why she and her mother, Cassandra Houser, recently opened their first business, Downtown Discounts, on Fifth Avenue in Arnold.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Heather Irene said. “It’s about convenience.”

And it’s about being affordable. “That’s why I’m the queen of discounts,” she said.

Heather Irene, 48, is a mother of five grown children and grandmother of five. She’s a residential support worker at Arc Human Services and previously managed a gas station.

Cassandra, 67, worked for Alcoa for 25 years. She also has a son, Kristofor, of Greensburg.

“The store is Heather Irene’s,” Cassandra said. “She’s running the store. I’m just a silent partner.”

Heather Irene said she always has wanted her own business.

“I’m good at sales. My mom’s good at buying,” she said. “This is what she does. She buys in bulk. She’s been doing this since I was little. She loves to shop.”

Cassandra bought the building at 1805-1807 Fifth Ave. for Downtown Discounts in February. It was previously home to Arnold “Best” Cleaners and Country Counter, which did custom framing and cross-stitch.

“It felt right,” she said.

The illuminated sign remaining from Arnold “Best” Cleaners is now a memorial to Cassandra’s parents, James A. Houser Sr., who died in June 2020, and Shirley Irene Houser, who died a little over a year later in 2021.

In addition to the double storefront on the first floor, the building has five apartments on the second floor, one of which is rented.

Heather Irene said they looked at other buildings, including some in New Kensington and others that would have required them to spend $10,000 to $15,000 on repairs while only renting them, when the building in Arnold near her home appeared. They jumped on it.

“Look what God blessed us with. This is our own,” Heather Irene said. “It’s perfect. There’s not a soul on Earth that can tell me that wasn’t God.”

But they found the building looked in better shape on the outside than it was on the inside.

“It was horrible,” Heather Irene said. “I never thought we were going to get it done.”

After about nine months of early mornings, long nights and lots of blood, sweat and tears, the space was ready. Downtown Discounts opened on Dec. 7.

“I wasn’t going into 2025 with those doors not open,” Heather Irene said.

The store offers a little bit of everything, she said. There are clothes, intimates, health and beauty products, hair products, pet supplies, electronics and bedding. Toys and games are in “The Kid Cave,” a room at the front of the store.

Some merchandise is considered “imperfect,” such as having a dinged box. There is also a section of gently used clothing and shoes that are like new.

“I’d never sell anyone something I wouldn’t wear,” Cassandra said.

They do not carry any food, tobacco or vape products.

The store’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, but they might have longer hours in the summer and are considering opening on Mondays.

Being in business with her mother can be rough at times, Heather Irene said, but she says her mom is “amazing.”

“None of this could have been possible without her,” she said.

“She’s a great daughter,” Cassandra said. “We have lots of ideas. We’re letting God lead us.”

As they go forward, the mother and daughter plan to offer services, such as fittings for those who buy wigs, and having raffles.

“It’s just going to be so much to look forward to,” Heather Irene said. “This is just the beginning.”