Carnegie Crawl expanding as its seventh year commences

There’s something special about Carnegie’s business district, with its wide range of mom-and-pop shops and notable eateries.

On the second Friday of every month, starting May 10, it will go on display for the public as the Carnegie Crawl returns for its seventh year along East Main Street.

The family-friendly event keeps stores open late — until 9 p.m. — as they offer a wide array of specials and sidewalk deals. Restaurants and bars, too, have their own promotions.

“It draws a lot of people in,” said Joanne Letcher, executive director of the Carnegie Community Development Corporation.

The Carnegie Crawl was the brainchild of business owners in the area who wanted to create something special.

“We thought, instead of just doing it once, let’s do it every month,” Letcher said. “Everybody really enjoys it.”

So, the Carnegie Crawl began. For the past six years, it’s only run in the summer months. This year, it’s expanding to a yearlong event.

In the winter and spring, there likely will be themes to draw people in. Think Turkey Crawl or Santa Crawl or Valentine’s Day Crawl.

The premise of the crawl is simple: Businesses stay open late. Some invite special guests to highlight what their business has to offer on that night. Others offer appetizers and drinks. Entertainment can be found at the corner of Broadway and East Main streets. On May 10, Wisdom World Beat will be performing from 6 to 9 p.m.

Parking is free after 5 p.m. at the meters, so you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket.

Each crawl is different. You never know what you might find. And, there’s no limit to which businesses might partake.

Participating businesses will have a sign with Carl the Snail in the window. You can also get postcards about the crawl at participating businesses.

Usual participants include everyone from Bakn to Country Chic Sisters and many lined up in between. Later this summer, plans are to expand the crawl to West Main Street, Letcher said.

The event is a great opportunity for people to socialize and hang out in the walkabout downtown business district and “enjoy a nice summer evening,” Letcher said.

At Ooh La La Boutique, owner Jo Beth Barr always offers sales during the crawl. She also has a prize give away and often serves cocktails and dessert.

“It’s a really good atmosphere,” she said. “I think it makes people take a second look at Carnegie. Why go to the mall when you can go here?”

The event draws people from all across Pittsburgh to Carnegie to shop and eat, Letcher said. Even if they don’t find something that night, they often return later.

That’s a plus for businesses in the area.

“Once they come down and they see what we have, they come back,” Barr said. “I don’t think people know what’s here.”

Even after the event wraps up, some restaurants are open later with entertainment.

“There’s always something to do,” Barr said.