Shop Local - Two-Day Virtual Shopping Experience Happening this Small Business Weekend

URA and Circles Greater Pittsburgh partner to create virtual Black Friday and Small Business Saturday events

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 24, 2020)   The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), in partnership with Circles Greater Pittsburgh, announced today that virtual Black Friday and Small Business Saturday events will be held from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Gallery on Penn on November 27 and the Gallery on Centre on November 28. Potential customers can tune in via this Zoom link; those joining will need to download the Zoom software. The events will also be streaming on Facebook Live.

"This holiday season, like the rest of 2020, will look different. Now more than ever, it's critical that we support our local small businesses, especially women- and minority-owned small businesses. Thanks to the creativity of the URA, Circles Greater Pittsburgh and the Catapult program, Pittsburghers can safely and virtually support our local businesses on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. What a great way to find gifts for loved ones while supporting our local entrepreneurs," Mayor William Peduto said.

The Gallery spaces will be set up to look like shopping channel sets, and vendors will demonstrate and talk about their products. Products will be also be available online. More information on the participating businesses can be found in the links below.

“It’s been a very tough year for small businesses. Small Black-owned business have been hit particularly hard and have had little recourse for recouping lost profits. We’re so proud of how hard they have worked to pivot, innovate and develop strong virtual presences through this pandemic. We’re honored to spotlight them and help them increase their profits at the kickoff of the holiday season,” said Circles Greater Pittsburgh Executive Director Tammy Thompson.

Friday, November 27, 2020 businesses include:

• 10:30 a.m. -  Pip & Lola's Everything Homemade
• 11:00 a.m. -  Self-Care Senorita
• 12:00 p.m. -  Naptural Beauty Supply
• 12:30 p.m. -  RoyallyFit LLC
• 1:00 p.m.   -  Minnie and Me LLC-Custom Design Company
• 2:00 p.m.   -  IMIHI

Saturday, November 28, 2020 businesses include: 

• 10:30 a.m. -  Farmer Girl EB (Ebony Lunsford-Evans) 
• 11:00 a.m. -  RoyallyFit LLC
• 12:00 p.m. -  Deeper Than Grits Studios
• 12:30 p.m. -  Clean & Classy Candle Co.
• 1:00 p.m.   -  IvyCraft Designs (Ivy Craft)
• 2:00 p.m.   - The Simple Bow
• 2:30 p.m.   -  Meles Gifts & Party Planning
• 3:00 p.m.   -  Northern Scents Candle Co. 

The Gallery on Penn is a retail space located in East Liberty available for participants of Catapult: Startup to Storefront - a 12-month minority and women entrepreneurship accelerator and retail business incubator program. Since its beginning in early 2018, 30 minority and women entrepreneurs have received monthly one-on-one mentoring and group seminars, help with accessing capital and other business resources, and the opportunity to sell their products, both online and in the Gallery on Penn. This space benefits not only the business owners, but also the entire East Liberty community.

In September 2020, URA Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker announced the expansion of the Catapult program, with the development of the Gallery on Centre retail incubator space in the Centre Heldman Plaza in the Hill District. Scheduled to be fully open in Q2 2021, the Gallery on Centre will include retail spaces for Catapult participants, as well as consultation and meeting space. The expansion was made possible by funding from the PNC Foundation. 

“We’re so excited about the expansion of Catapult in the Hill District,” Walker said. “Not only will the Gallery on Centre give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their businesses and gain foot traffic in a physical retail space, but they will become part of a network and support system that encourages growth.”

The first Hill District cohort is slated to begin in early February 2021. Applications are now being accepted here.

“The Catapult program focuses on building Black wealth as well as community health and strengthening the neighborhood. It’s the perfect example of the Avenues of Hope initiative. I highly encourage everyone to tune in and shop small, shop local during the Gallery events this holiday weekend," Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle said.

Catapult: Startup to Storefront is a program of  Circles Greater Pittsburgh funded in part by the URA. 

About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development agency, supporting the City’s economic development goals, which are designed to create a city of inclusive opportunity for residents, stakeholders, and communities. The URA is committed to creating more housing that is affordable to the average Pittsburgher; encouraging more entrepreneurship and small business development; promoting inclusive growth and quality job creation; expanding neighborhood and main streets revitalization efforts; and developing a talented workforce that is equipped with the skills of the future.

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