WTAE-TV: Downtown Pittsburgh Residents Get Grocery Store Wish

The market sells fine foods, prepared meals, meats, organic fare, pastries and more.

 

"I can park in the parking garage, come in here, get something before or after work, and it''s super convenient," said Rosebud shopper Tracy Edmunds.

"I thought I''d stop in," said downtown worker Linda Gagliardo. "This would be ideal if I can stop here instead of getting off the bus and getting back on and going home."

During Rosebud''s soft opening Monday, more than 120 shoppers filed in.

"They were banging on the windows while we were stocking the shelves," said Rosebud employee Patty Lampenfield.

Pittsburgh''s last downtown grocery store shut its doors in 1994, but with $3 billion in new development downtown, Rosebud seems to be the answer to what downtown dwellers have been clamoring for.

"Our residential downtown is a steady slow growth," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. "It''s up 2,000, and we expect 2,000 more in the next few years. And that allows business and stores like this to open up, and as long as you are growing, they will take the risk."

"Pretty much everything you need to have a full service grocery store is here," said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. "Hopefully this is a another step in the revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh. The ham was great. They offer catering services. I''ll put a plug in for them."

"A giant relief," said Rosebud owner Robin Fernandez. "You know this is a risky venture. Nobody has done it for 15 years. There''s been a reason for that. But I feel pretty good about it."

In addition to groceries, Rosebud will sell coffee, flowers, magazines and cleaning supplies.