There’s Even More to Love With love, Pittsburgh’s New Concept Shop
love, the new concept shop Downtown from the founders of love, Pittsburgh, will focus on meaningful lifestyle items that expand beyond the shop’s traditional Pittsburgh branding.
PHOTO COURTESY LOVE, PITTSBURGH
In the last six years, Love, Pittsburgh founders Kelly Sanders and Monica Grunick have launched three successful gift shops featuring products from local makers around the region. Now, they’re hoping shoppers will really go ga-ga for their newest concept, love,.
Set to open this spring, the love, retail storefront in Market Square, Downtown, will focus on handpicked, meaningful lifestyle items such as socks, T-shirts, candles and journals — all branded with the love, logo. Unlike love, Pittsburgh, the love, logo is not specifically tied to a geographic location.
“Our vision is to create a brand that extends beyond the Pittsburgh region, and to continue to utilize the local artists and makers who have partnered with us over the past six years to help us realize that vision whenever we can,” Grunick says.
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The love, products first began appearing in love, Pittsburgh stores — located Downtown, in the Strip District and Mount Washington — and got a warm response from customers, who encouraged Sanders and Grunick to expand their brand.
Like love, Pittsburgh, the owners say the new love, store will draw on their practices of sourcing from local artists and incorporate a mix of those products and exclusive collaborations — such as a lace heart incense dish made by Pittsburgh-based Emmanuelle Cermanics — in their new product lines.
“This store is full of our hearts,” Sanders says. “Each product selection lights us up, excites us, and makes us swoon. We hope that delight is felt when people walk through the door and experience our concept.”
This is Sanders and Grunick’s second Downtown location. Their latest storefront at 489 Market St. was previously occupied by the PG&H Store, which announced near the end of 2022 that it was closing its flagship, brick-and-mortar store selling products made by local artisans.
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A collaboration between Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, PG&H continues to operate an online directory featuring more than 150 regional makers.
Jeremy Waldrup, PDP’s president and CEO, says he is excited to have love, open in the space.
“Independently owned retail is such a valuable component in creating memorable experiences for our workers, residents and visitors,” he says. “We greatly appreciate the commitment and vision of the love, team in expanding their brand in Downtown.”
Adele Morelli, owner of nearby Boutique La Passerelle on Wood Street, also showed some “love” for another independently owned retailer in the city.
“I love sending my customers to other local shops, and cannot wait to suggest they visit love,” she says.
Customers may also shop for love, products online. Sanders and Grunick says a launch party to celebrate the new opening is expected to take place in mid May.
