New Initiative Shines Light On Mt. Washington Businesses

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - We all know that Mount Washington offers some of the best views of the city, but do you know about the vibrant business district there?

If you don't, you're not alone and now, there is a new campaign to get the word out.

People from all over the world travel to Grandview Avenue to check out the city.

But, there is more to Mount Washington than just the incredible view.

There are shops, restaurants and other businesses. A number of them are on Shiloh Street.

"[About] 1.5 million people come up the Incline and they actually go down Grandview Avenue and sometimes they don't know Shiloh Street is here. They get to the top and they go, where are we and what's going on?" Jason Kambitsis said.

There is now a new marketing effort to answer those questions.

The Mount Washington Community Development Corporation received a $25,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to promote Mount Washington merchants.

Roughly 7,000 revamped maps of the area have been printed and will be available at businesses.

One of the most noticeable changes are new signs that have been added to three newer businesses on Shiloh, including the Grandview Bakery.

"As a small business, we have very limited resources in which we can advertise and market and so we really appreciate partnering with the CDC and other businesses up here," Vickie Pisowicz said.

Another part of this project is an iPhone app that is set to be launched in September. It will have all sorts of information about all of the businesses.

"It's going to be a digital interface for people to come on and say, 'Here is all the businesses in Mount Washington.' So, our map is not only Shiloh Street, its every business in Mount Washington, how to contact them, how to interact with their Facebook and Twitter accounts, any specials that they are having," Kambitsis said.

Business owners said they are looking forward to seeing more people venture past Grandview Avenue.

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