PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Thousands of people will be in downtown Pittsburgh for next weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and they may not recognize Market Square.

After months of construction, it has been transformed and business there is booming.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Mee Li, of Mount Washington. “I have an art studio here so it’s going to bring me a lot of business.”

Business, and the money it brings, is why more shops are coming to Market Square, like DiBella’s Subs, which specializes in healthy sandwiches.

“It’s an exciting area. There’s a lot of stuff going on down here,” said Adam Burton, of DiBella’s. “There’s a lot of people down here, and we think there’s a demand for our products.”

DBella’s is packed at lunch, as are many other eating establishments on the square, like the recently opened Chipotle Mexican Grill, and the brand new Winghart’s Burger and Whiskey Bar that claims the best burger in the ‘Burgh.

“We’re starting to get a name out there, and people are really enjoying our food,” said the restaurant’s Zachary Winghart.

Two more restaurants are on their way, Nola, a New Orleans-style bistro, and an unnamed establishment to be opened by the owners of Primanti’s.

“We have about seven new places that are opening, that have already opened or will open very soon,” said Hollie Geitner, of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership helps to maintain and promote Market Square.

“I think it has come a long way in the recent past six months, since the reconstruction and everything,” said Tony Schipani, of Mount Washington. “They should put some more bars and restaurants in, but it still has a way to go.”

Creating a stronger night-life scene is the wish of many young Pittsburghers like Schipani and his friends.

“I think it will come and I expect it to, but I think it will take a little bit of time,” he said.

With all the construction at Market Square, it’s easy to be optimistic that new life is coming to the area. But the future really depends on how many folks come down to eat, to shop and to just have fun.

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