‘I’m glad Tarentum’s opening up’: Night Market draws customers to small businesses on covid rebound

David Gartner paused to get a satisfying whiff of the ribs and chicken sizzling atop a barbecue grill on the sidewalk outside J&G Corner Store on Thursday night.

The 66-year-old Tarentum resident and his companion had just “completed the whole circuit” of small businesses participating in the Tarentum Night Market, a monthly event during which a slew of local places extend their hours until at least 8 p.m.

Gartner topped off his evening of shopping, live music and visits to some of his favorite merchants by heading to Cindy’s Soft Serve on East Fourth Avenue for a slice of pie.

“I love it when they have these events and everyone comes out and we buy local. Even on a cold evening, it’s just great,” Gartner said as temperatures dipped into the low 40s shortly after a bout of light rain. “Staying open until 8 at night, especially as the weather gets warmer, it’d be great if they did it more.”

Dartlin Lucas, who was manning J&G Corner Store’s grill, said that even for businesses that usually stay open later, the event was a boon.

“We’re getting a lot of traffic,” Lucas said. “There’s a lot of people coming to say, ‘I’m glad Tarentum’s opening up.’ ”

Dozens of customers and community members of all ages bustled along Corbet Street from Fourth to Sixth avenues, stopped by sidewalk vendors and popped into businesses participating in the event to promote activity in Tarentum’s central business district.

A DJ played Top 40 jams and dance music outside Harvest Moon Cafe. A few blocks up Corbet Street, near a Tribune- Review promotional booth, musician Derrick Beattie jammed out on a guitar, playing a mix of reggae and classic rock.

Nick Como performs at Dry Bones in Tarentum. pic.twitter.com/8JSX1kCYfg

— Brian Rittmeyer (@BCRittmeyer) April 15, 2021

“There’s people around, buying stuff and having fun. I’m here just for the human connection and to be able to play for a couple people that I don’t even know and have fun,” said Beattie, who grew up in Lower Burrell but now lives in Irwin. “There’s a bunch of cool businesses, not just the art and all the food, but you’ve got, like, Dry Bones skate shop making skateboards for kids. A couple of smaller bars are probably getting more business.”

At the Murphy Building, Duquesne University Pharmacy School offered free blood pressure screenings.

The event also drew regional vendors such as Vigneta Winery based in Buffalo Township.

“It gets people out and about — and they’re ready to be out,” said Fred Sammons, winemaker with La Vigneta Winery. Business has slowed during the pandemic, but he and other small business owners are ready to rebound.

“We’ve been hanging in there,” he said.

After asking Sammons a few questions about his wines, Joseph Ayala, 21, of New Kensington opted to buy a bottle of apple pie moscato.

“It’s a bright idea to bring more people down here business-wise,” said Ayala, who works as a barber around the corner at Willy T’s Cuts and has high hopes for the area’s revitalization.

Inside the Manos Gallery in Tarentum during the Night Market. pic.twitter.com/uJqyx6Wrwg

— Brian Rittmeyer (@BCRittmeyer) April 15, 2021

David Rankin, executive director of Faith Community Partners and one of the organizers, has said if it proves popular enough, the event could be extended to more than one Thursday a month.

“I love the concept,” Beattie said. “It’s getting people out. This is pretty safe — we’re outside and everyone wearing their masks and stuff.

“It’s just a great thing for the community, especially smaller towns like these that have a lot of potential and cool things that can be done.”