Watch CBS News

Campaign Raising Thousands To Save Iconic Frick Park Market

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Frick Park Market was well-known in Pittsburgh's East End, long before popular rapper Mac Miller made it internationally famous on one of his albums.

"I always wanted to live above the market, but I never had the money to pay the rent," the Pittsburgh native says.

But the neighborhood market faced quite a dilemma. Co-owners Maggi Cook and John Prodan were hit with an unexpected expense.

The future of the Point Breeze landmark was threatened when the owners were faced with a $15,000 bill for a fire system and a ventilation hood.

That's when customers became friends.

Chelsa Wagner, who happens to be Allegheny County Controller, was acting as a neighbor when she set up a "GoFundMe" site to help raise the money. To visit the campaign's crowdfunding page, visit this link.

Regulars like Phyllis Dreyfuss and Esther Nathanson came through.

"It gives you a sense of community, and you don't often have that sense of community," Dreyfuss says.

"I think we want to support that kind of thing, which obviously is fast fading in our community," Nathanson adds.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

The owners were reluctant to accept help in any form. But loyal patrons convinced them that they, too, benefited from keeping the 75-year-old location just as it is.

"The response is overwhelming, and it's really heartwarming," Cook says. "I keep telling everyone I feel like George Bailey in 'It's a Wonderful Life.' A lot of tears come to my eyes. Families who haven't lived here in 15 or 20 years are funding and sending pictures of themselves."

Mac Miller isn't the only one who remembers the Frick Park Market.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.