Explore ... Sewickley
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Inside Spoiled Chics on Beaver Street in Sewickley. -
The Porcupine Needlepoint Shop in Sewickley, stocked with needlepoint supplies. -
The Village Candy Store in Sewickley is a classic candy shop.
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Sewickley is a juxtaposition of small-town ambience and cosmopolitan sophistication, thanks in part to the boutiques, gourmet food and pastry shops, and specialty and gift shops that line its business district. Warm fall days and the upcoming holiday shopping season are the perfect times to visit this quiet, yet vibrant, borough.
An 11-mile drive northwest of Downtown on the Ohio River, Sewickley is a pretty little river town with tree-lined streets and a mix of lovely Victorian houses, mansions and family homes. Its population is 3,902, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Population in the nearby borough of Sewickley Heights is 981. The median home price in Sewickley for the one-year period ending June 2008 was $155,000, and $695,000 in Sewickley Heights. Sewickley's median household income is $39,598, and the median age is 42.
The town's name is said to come from an Indian term that translates as "sweet water." It's not clear if it refers to the waters of the Ohio or to the syrup from the many maple trees growing in the area. Some establishments in the business district -- Sweetwater Center for the Arts and Sweetwater Grille, for example -- maintain the historical name.
Beaver Street and Broad Street are the two main commercial arteries, with more interesting storefronts tucked away on side streets. This quaint and easily walkable shopping district invites browsing and serious shopping.
Clothing stores offer a spectrum of elegant and trendy clothing -- from the classic lines of Pendleton to the hip and youthful offerings at boutiques such as Spoiled Chics. For gently worn better-label and designer clothing, visit Consignment Cottage. For babies and tots, Monday's Child is a must-see.
Anyone shopping for kids will find a wild array of imaginative gift possibilities at places such as Party Ants and Kidding Around.
There's a treasure trove of home decor options here -- from paintings and decorative items at Gift Corner and Acacia to quaint country-style gifts at Cheers Gifts Antiques Interiors.
Sewickley is strong on interior design and antiques outlets. Habitat Decorative Plumbing and Hardware offers an impressive selection of vintage kitchen, bath and door and cabinet hardware. There are several quality antiques stores, along with The Antiquarian Shop, which specializes in high-end reproductions.
Sewickley has a varied dining menu. Cafe des Amis, with its French cuisine and desserts and European-style facade, is a slice of Paris tucked away on Division Street, a side street behind Beaver Street. There's Greek cuisine at Little Athens of Sewickley. At the Sharp Edge Bistro, one finds quaint ambience, a varied menu and a large selection of Belgian microbrews and other imported beers. The Sewickley Hotel isn't a hotel but rather a charming restaurant with an outdoor courtyard.
Penguin Bookshop is an independent book store with an atmosphere that calls out to bookworms, a large selection of quality fiction and nonfiction, and comfy chairs to sample them in. At the Open Mind Bookstore and Wellness Center, the focus is on spirituality and holistic healing.
Crafters will find great supply outlets here, such as Porcupine Needlepoint Shop, which specializes in fine needlepoint and supplies, and Yarns Unlimited, with its huge collection of yarns. Jewelry makers will be drawn to Sewickley Bead Company, which has thousands of beads and gemstones and even helps jewelry makers assemble their creations.
For a final shopping stop, try Village Candy, a classic candy store with an old-time atmosphere. And if it's eye candy you're after, Orr's Jewelers will dazzle you with an outstanding collection of diamonds and other sparkling gems.
First Published October 18, 2008 12:00 am
