Squirrel Hill feels the pinch
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Merchants are edgy in the Squirrel Hill business district.
Sagging sales, a few empty storefronts and a personality overhaul have caused some business owners to lose faith in the area's ability to attract large numbers of consumers. Most categories of enterprise in the Murray Avenue-Forbes Avenue district seem to have been dealt a blow.
Dominic Mineo of Mineo's Pizza House, 2128 Murray Ave., said, "2009 was the first time in the history of our business that we've ever seen a decrease."
Only about half of its losses have been recouped this year, he said.
"I've noticed people ordering less -- less toppings, smaller orders."
To make up for slow sales, Mineo's has obtained a liquor license for the first time in 53 years. A permit to sell beer came through about 11 weeks ago.
Across the street, Classic Persian Carpets also has seen better days. Owner Ali Afshar started his business at 2218 Murray Ave. 10 years ago, and was so successful that in 2008, he moved one block north to a space three times the size.
Since then, to keep business afloat, he's expanded from just selling carpets to repairing and hand washing them.
He randomly selects a page from his telephone log, revealing that only two calls came in during one week in September.
"My phone used to ring all the time. 'What's your address, what kind of work do you do?' Now we don't even get those."
He's cut back on advertising 70 percent, and in September he started to rent rugs to make up for poor business. Nevertheless, he has hope and is gladdened that three movie crews recently rented or bought carpets from him, including one for a film directed by Steven Spielberg.
Robin Exler of Squirrel Hill Flower Shop also has felt the effects.
"The recession definitely took a bite out of business," said the co-owner of the 74-year-old establishment at 1718 Murray.
To cut costs, the shop closed on Sundays in 2007 and has reduced its other hours of operation. But it is still not thriving.
"We specialize in weddings," she said. "But in 2008 and 2009, we had very few. Some weekends zero."
First Published November 4, 2010 5:23 am
