The Eighth Avenue corridor in Homestead continues to add new businesses, most recently with the addition of a coffee house and co-working space, thanks in part to Steel Valley Accelerator, a nonprofit offering launch and growth opportunities for businesses in Munhall, Homestead and West Homestead.

“Our organization’s goal is to accelerate new business growth in the community,” Executive Director Diane Walter said. “We help shorten the time between having a great business idea to actually hanging the ‘We’re Open’ sign on your front door. Navigating that entire process can be daunting and we’re here to help.”

Facade grants are available to qualifying businesses for up to $5,000.

“We have several more facade improvements in the works for various businesses, and it’s exciting to see how each one elevates the overall look and feel of the entire business district,” Walter said.

Homestead native Gregory Harris and his girlfriend, Hannah Kemp, both avid coffee drinkers, opened Arabica Robusta Coffee House last week in the former Steel Valley Roaster’s space located at 207 E. Eighth Ave.

The Homestead Blend is the star there, featuring a curated Arabica custom blend.

“We worked with a local roaster, Commonplace Coffee, to perfect our blend and create something that represented us. This blend provides a smoothness with fruity and citrus undertones and is truly one of a kind. We’re very proud of it,” Kemp said.

The full-service coffee cafe serves desserts, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pastries, croissants, wraps and all the usual specialty coffee favorites.

Other evolving or new businesses along Eighth Avenue include the Bank on 8th, which houses an axe-throwing experience; Co-Sign Speakeasy; The Brooke (event space and bar); and Secretos de mis Abuelos, which serves authentic Puerto Rican fare.

Other establishments include Los Gallitos Taqueria, Rogue BBQ, Golden Age Beer, Mexican grocer La Veracruzana, Hops Brews & Sunshine and The Glitterbox Theater, housed in an old automotive repair space.

“No other community in the area boasts our unique combination of access, amenities and affordability,” Walter said.

Creative uses of space in the Steel Valley include Bowtie High luxury apartments inside a former high school and transforming the historic Schwab Industrial building into high-end apartments.

“Like the buildings themselves, Eighth Avenue and the Steel Valley are being reimagined into vibrant, creative spaces. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit and a very strong sense of community and history. Things are happening here,” Walter said.

Courtesy of Arabica Robusta Coffee House Arabica Robusta Coffee House co-owners Gregory Harris and Hannah Kemp opened a coffee shop in early September to fill what they say is a need in Homestead.  

Co-working space offers parenting work perks

Busy mom, professional wedding planner and entrepreneur Jade Granda of Overbrook is used to working with her toddler in tow.

“For the first two years of my son’s life, I was a stay-at-home working mom and he was my sidekick. I had very minimal help and it was hard,” Granda said.

Granda, formerly of Freeport, opened Joyful Commons on Sept. 2.

Courtesy of Kathryn Hyslop Joyful Commons is a new co-working space designed for parents and their children in Homestead’s Eighth Avenue corridor.  

It’s a family-friendly co-working space for parents looking to work alongside their children.

Memberships include access to the supervised play space, a co-working area during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Work perks include Wi-Fi, a kitchenette, free coffee, a private nursing area, bassinets and private restrooms.

Monthly membership prices for infants under 1 year old range from a day pass ($30), monthly partial passes ($149) or an unlimited monthly passes ($299).

Rates are a bit higher for parents of children over the age of 12 months.

Joyful Commons isn’t a day care as parents must remain on-site.

“We’re here to support your workday, not replace you,” Granda said. “So you can focus knowing your little one is close and cared for.”

Youngsters are able to play nearby in the same area under the watchful eye of a licensed staff member on-site.

The parents are responsible for tending to any of the children’s personal needs such as trips to the bathroom, eating or diaper changes.

“It’s classified as supervised play because the parents are co-working in the same room,” Granda said. “I knew there were more people like me so it’s what I can do to help and I felt called to do.”

The maximum number of children permitted is eight.

Granda chose an Eighth Avenue location for several reasons.

“I think the building is just beautiful. It was an old hotel, and Joyful Commons is located in what was once the lobby,” said Granda, who signed a two-year lease.

She compared the uptick in new businesses coming to Homestead to how Lawrenceville went from a once floundering area to thriving.

“I think it has a lot of potential and charm,” said Granda of Eighth Avenue. “The locals talk about how there’s hope that this street will turn into the next Lawrenceville.”

Joyful Commons serves another business purpose: It converts to a venue space during the weekends, offering sit-down event space for 40 guests or ceremony-only options for up to 55 people.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---