PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The $5 million dollar facelift of Pittsburgh’s Market Square has apparently paid off.

There are at least eight restaurants that have opened on or near the square since the renovation was completed in October of 2010.

Gordon Percy, who lives downtown, says there was a time he wouldn’t have headed to Market Square for dinner. “It was just too seedy,” said Percy. “Now you see people around. It’s an upbeat crowd. I think it’s the right direction.”

Nola on the Square, Diamond Market, Chipotle, DiBella’s Subs, Las Velas Mexican Restaurant, Winghart’s Burger and Whiskey Bar and La Cucina Flegrea have all opened in the past year.

Ann Walczak, a manager at Nola, says weekend nights are extremely busy and that all restaurants make the square more of a dinner destination. “We don’t feel any type any of competition or rivalry,” said Walczak. “There is a Market Square Association, and we all feel part of the same group.”

Still to open: Vallozzi’s Italian Restaurant from Westmoreland County, Noodles & Co., My Big Fat Greek Gyro, originally from Peters Township, will move into the old MixStirs Cafe location, a yet to be named restaurant will move into the old Ciao Baby space, and Il Pizzaiolo from Mount Lebanon will open a second location in the former Lubin and Smalley florist location.

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