PHOTO COURTESY ROSIE’S WORKSHOP

If you saw “Happiest Season,” the 2020 romantic dramedy filmed in Pittsburgh, you may recall a significant scene taking place at Rosie’s Workshop, a quirky decor and gift shop at Ross Park Mall. 

Now, Rosie’s Workshop, best known for its upcycled vintage camera lights, music instrument lights, and projector table lamps, is settling into new digs in the Arsenal Bowl building along Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Its grand opening celebration was held June 3-4.

“We think this is a great location for our brand,” says Claire Costello, store leader and marketing manager. “It fits the neighborhood vibe with colorful handcrafted merchandise ranging from candles, small décor, floor lamps and high-end Bluetooth music systems.”

Following a successful popup shop in 2018, Rosie’s Workshop, named in honor of World War II cultural icon Rosie the Riveter, opened at the mall in 2019. Besides the surge in sales it experienced after appearing in “Happiest Season,” Rosie’s Workshop, which sells internationally, notably outfitted a jazz-themed boutique hotel in Zurich, Switzerland in 2021. 

Despite the challenges faced by many retailers because of the coronavirus pandemic, company co-founder Blair Koss says Rosie’s Workshop was able to survive the last two years by revamping its online store and expanding its offerings. The company, which also has a location in Westfield, New York, also had support from loyal customers

“It was a challenge, but we figured out how to get our input products timely and find ways to ship efficiently,” says Koss, who founded Rosie’s Workshop with his wife, Jen. “We have been able to reduce our prices in the wake of the inflation gripping our economy. It has been important to our team to keep our products affordable and accessible to everyone.”

With its new location inside the Arsenal Bowl building, Rosie’s Workshop is expanding its merchandise, including selling apparel and science- and space-themed items such as a caffeine molecule beaker coffee mug. The retailer also makes all of its candles, as well as the bulk of its candle containers and vases.

Up next, Rosie’s Workshop has a full spate of programming on tap for summer. Among the offerings are lamp-making workshops, private candle pouring parties and artist classes.

Rosie’s Workshop, 4322 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 412/592-9130, rosiesworkshop.com