{"id":347,"date":"2018-06-13T00:00:10","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T04:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/?p=347"},"modified":"2018-06-11T11:47:02","modified_gmt":"2018-06-11T15:47:02","slug":"where-to-shop-in-oakland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/2018\/seen-style\/where-to-shop-in-oakland\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to shop in Oakland"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of Pittsburgh shopping destinations, Oakland isn\u2019t often at the top of the list. It doesn\u2019t have a high-end mall or boutique-lined streets. But tucked among the pubs, pizza shops and ethnic food places, you\u2019ll find a handful of locally owned shops, some with an international flair.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Unique <\/a>
Unique jewelry at Whimsy on Fifth on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Pittsburgh-based <\/a>
Pittsburgh-based Brewed 2 Burn, “hand poured beer inspired candles,” at Whimsy on Fifth on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

\r\nWhimsy on Fifth\r\n<\/h3>\n

3402 Fifth Ave., Oakland<\/em><\/p>\n

Rebecca Suter has an ear for shoppers\u2019 needs and an eye for fashion. She considers both when curating women\u2019s clothing, accessories and small gift items for her boutique, Whimsy on Fifth.<\/p>\n

Situated across the street from Carlow University, it\u2019s been around since February 2017. Ms. Suter bought it from the original owner last summer and reopened in September. Since then, she\u2019s been phasing out its one-of-a-kind resale pieces to make room for collections she picked up at buyers\u2019 markets in Atlanta. She also stocks things from local brands, such as beer-inspired candles by Brewed 2 Burn in West Mifflin and handbags made in Monroeville from repurposed upholstery fabrics.<\/p>\n

So far, Whimsy on Fifth has been particularly popular with women in their 30s or older who work nearby. It\u2019s also common for college students to stop in for something to wear to a formal event or night out. As the store\u2019s inventory continues to grow, Ms. Suter is planning to carry more lines that include sizes small through 2X.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t see what you\u2019re looking for? Just ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to know who you\u2019re shopping for and what\u2019s the occasion,\u201d Ms. Suter says. \u201cI enjoy the scavenger hunt and being a personal shopper with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 412-586-4224<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\"Colorful <\/a>
Colorful quilts at the Irish Design Center on South Craig St in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"2Chic <\/a>
2Chic shawls at Whimsy on Fifth on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div>
\"The <\/a>
The Irish Design Center on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Clara <\/a>
Clara Celtic Ware new bone china & Irish Breakfast tea at the Irish Design Center on South Craig St in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Spring <\/a>
Spring scarves designed by Belinda Northcote Designs at the Irish Design Center on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

\r\nIrish Design Center\r\n<\/h3>\n

303 S. Craig St., Oakland<\/em><\/p>\n

No need to jet to Ireland to find authentic jewelry, clothing or even food from the Emerald Isle. The Irish Design Center has made a home for them in the heart of Oakland for 40 years.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, owner\/manager Paul Carey announced his retirement and turned the business over to Maura Krushinski, one of the founders of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur effort is to try to maintain that vision of his and keep up with those things that are coming out of Ireland and Scotland,\u201d she says. \u201cBut there are a lot of contemporary, fun, whimsical areas to be covered, as well, which is what I want to add.\u201d<\/p>\n

She travels to markets in Dublin as well as to Irish merchant shows in Chicago, Philadelphia and Secaucus, N.J., to find the right mix of traditional and modern selections. Keep an eye out for more options for men, children and brides. She plans to hold more events in the shop to educate the public about the cultural significance and history behind what\u2019s for sale.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality with brick and mortar now is it has to be an adventure,\u201d Ms. Krushinski says. \u201cWe want to make sure that folks know not just the beauty of the items but what they mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. 412-682-6125<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\"Snow <\/a>
Snow Lion Imports on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Silver <\/a>
Silver jewelry at Snow Lion Imports on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Sherpa <\/a>
Sherpa Adventure Gear at Snow Lion Imports on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Inside <\/a>
Inside Snow Lion Imports on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Water <\/a>
Water Pashmina skull caps, scarves and shawls at Snow Lion Imports on South Craig Street in Oakland. (Pam Panchak\/Post-Gazette) <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

\r\nSnowlion Imports\r\n<\/h3>\n

201 S. Craig St., Oakland <\/em><\/p>\n

Ornate statues, colorful garments and the light scent of incense put shoppers at Snowlion Imports in a Nepali state of mind. <\/p>\n

For 16 years, owner Nima Habjanetz has made the store a snapshot of her native country, with many pieces brought here from Nepal. She complements them with things she finds at trade shows in New York.<\/p>\n

The shop is known for its regal semiprecious-stone jewelry, most of which is handmade in Nepal. Also popular is the Sherpa Adventure Gear clothing line by her brother. The brand donates 50 cents to charities in the Himalayan region for each piece sold.<\/p>\n

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. 412-687-5680<\/em><\/p>\n

Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you think of Pittsburgh shopping destinations, Oakland isn\u2019t often at the top of the list. It doesn\u2019t have a high-end mall or boutique-lined streets. But tucked among the pubs, pizza shops and ethnic food places, you\u2019ll find a handful of locally owned shops, some with an international flair. 3402 Fifth Ave., Oakland Rebecca Suter… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"coauthors":[10],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2018\/06\/20180425ppShopsSnowLion5DISTINCTION-8.jpg?fit=1920%2C1281&ssl=1","wps_subtitle":"Tucked among the pubs, pizza shops and ethnic food spots, you\u2019ll find a handful of locally owned shops, some with an international flair.","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9EDbT-5B","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":364,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions\/364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsinteractive.post-gazette.com\/distinction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}