Strip District's former Produce Terminal welcomes new tenants

Visitors to Pittsburgh’s Strip District can now buy plants, candles and locally-made crafts, take golf lessons and shop at a liquor store at the landmark former Produce Terminal on Smallman Street.

The sprawling, low-slung building is familiar to anyone who’s eaten a fry-filled sandwich at Primanti’s original location on nearby 18th Street in the neighborhood. Tony Ciotoli remembers the former site from decades ago when he first came to town and ate at Primanti’s.

Now the business he owns with his wife, City Grows, based in Lawrenceville, is expanding with a second location in the renovated building. Neighbors include a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store and OnPar Now, a locally-owned golf instruction business.

The liquor store opened in December. This week city officials marked the formal opening of the other businesses.

7 years in the making. Historic building preserved. An adaptive reuse that will continue the unique history of the Strip District. https://t.co/LS00cat5oC

— bill peduto (@billpeduto) March 3, 2021

It’s a project seven years in the making, spearheaded by the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, which worked with Chicago-based McCaffery Interests on a $70 million plan to renovate the building. The project is branded as The Strip District Terminal.

McCaffery didn’t respond to messages seeking comment for this story.

Despite overcast, brisk weather Thursday, the Strip District was bustling and people were exploring the renovated building.

“I’m hopeful it will be successful,” said Curt Kovach of Oakland. “It’s been preserved so I think that’s a wonderful thing.”

The 95-year-old building, five blocks long, once served as a wholesale produce hub. The renovations retain the industrial design, but now there’s a lot more glass, new sidewalks, angled parking and room for businesses and offices ranging from 2,000 square feet to 36,000 square feet that are ready for occupancy.

“They’ve done a wonderful job. You can’t recognize it to what it used to be. It doesn’t look like the same place,” Ciotoli said.

City Grows opened quietly a few weeks ago and has had a steady stream of new customers, he said.

McCaffery sought out the business to consider becoming a tenant and Ciotoli said he and his wife decided to try on the expansion.

McCaffery paid the URA $2.5 million for the building and inked a 99-year lease on it in 2019. Before that, the URA used $4 million in state funding and $7.2 million in tax incremental financing to pay for infrastructure and street improvements at the site.

McCaffery is also developing a building across the street, 1600 Smallman. A new parking garage has been built beside it.

The response to the development has been positive, said Audrey Railey, who works at the liquor store. She enjoys reading at a covered walkway that’s adjacent to the store before each shift.

“I love where I work, it’s beautiful. I’m really excited for new things to open up,” said Railey, of Lawrenceville.