Stay up-to-date on what’s coming, going, and changing in the Northside business community with The Northside Chronicle’s monthly Northside Business Briefs. This month’s briefs feature Pear and the Pickle, Penn Brewery, Yoga with Barbara, Artists Image Resource, Moonshot Museum, Flavors Famous Street Food, Threadbare Cider House, BJ’s Event Center, City Books, and the North Side/Shore Chamber of Commerce.

By Ashlee Green

Photo: “Stretched Thin” by Edie Overturf is part of the upcoming show “2021 PRINTWORK” at Artists Image Resource, premiering Dec. 10.

Pear and the Pickle announces temporary closure

Sunday, Nov. 21 was the last official day of service this year for Pear and the Pickle. Troy Hill’s “modern neighborhood cafe,” according to its website, is now “taking some time away” to “catch [their] breath” and “figure out [their] next step.” The announcement came on Nov. 19 via Facebook. 

Back in June of 2021, the cafe made waves by transitioning from a traditional tipping model for its workers to a service model, where every check included an automatic 20% service fee. A series of setbacks, though, including a water main break and ongoing pandemic-related factors have caused the business to reevaluate how—and if—they will move forward.

“We’ve been operating under very challenging (and completely abnormal) circumstances for nearly two years,” the social media post reads. “Pivoting our business model again and again, food cost fluctuations, labor strains, rising costs, safety guidelines, and on and on… we’re exhausted. Physically, emotionally, mentally.”

The post went on to thank customers for their patience, support, and understanding.

Penn Brewery offering winter tours again

Brewers at Penn Brewery are leading in-person tours again this winter. The next tour date is Saturday, Dec. 18. It starts at 1 p.m. and each $25 ticket includes a 16-ounce beer and a growler fill. Masks are required and guests are asked to wear flat, closed-toe shoes. 

Visit Penn Brewery’s website for more details.

Yoga with Barbara launches online classes ‘for the rock’n’roll lifestyle’

Yoga with Barbara, led by Vice President of Get Hip Records Barbara Garcia-Bernardo, now has a new online class schedule. 

All classes are held via Zoom and there are two options: beginner and all-levels. Beginner classes are held Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m.; all-levels classes are offered on both Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon. Classes are in the power vinyasa style and according to the studio’s newsletter, are “a way to support and enhance the rock’n’roll lifestyle.” The first one is free. 

Visit Garcia-Bernardo’s website for more information and to join the mailing list.

AIR reopening exhibition spaces to the public

Artists Image Resource (AIR), located in Historic Deutschtown, is reopening its exhibition spaces to the public on Friday, Dec. 10 with “2021 PRINTWORK.” Jurors for the show were Rachel Rearick and Joseph Lupo. It takes place from 6-9 p.m. and features 38 artists from around the U.S. Food and drinks are provided. It will run through Friday, Feb. 25, 2022.

2021 is AIR’s 25th anniversary of operation in Pittsburgh.

Direct your questions to info@artistsimageresource.org or visit http://www.artistsimageresource.org/ for more information.

Moonshot Museum releases design renderings for forthcoming facility

Moonshot Museum, set to be “Pennsylvania’s first museum dedicated exclusively to space,” according to a press release, released final design renderings for its facility, set to open in the summer of 2022.

The museum, which is currently under construction and according to the Pittsburgh Business Times, is “halfway through its $2.7 million capital campaign fundraising effort,” will be located inside the headquarters of lunar logistics company Astrobotic in the Northside’s Allegheny West neighborhood.

Moonshot’s final design will include a clean room where guests can watch actual spacecraft, such as lunar landers and rovers, being made through a large glass window.

You can visit the museum’s website for construction updates at https://moonshotmuseum.org/.

Flavors Famous Street Food now offering e-gift cards

E-gift cards are available now, in time for the holidays, at Flavors Famous Street Food. Owned by Executive Chef Curtis Drane, Flavors is known for its “authentic Chicago classics such as the Maxwell Street polish sausage, Italian beef sandwich and Jim Shoe—also known as a Gym Shoe—hoagie,” according to The Northside Chronicle.

E-gift cards can be purchased online at flavorsstreetfood.com and can either be sent instantly or delivered on a future date.

Winter Market returns to Threadbare Cider House

Threadbare’s annual Winter Market returns on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Threadbare Cider House in Spring Garden. 

The market, which is free to attend, features Pittsburgh-area artisans including Cherry Valley Organics, PGH Candle, JP & Son Woodcraft, Olive & Marlowe, Puzz, Siroh & Ivy, and Gluten Free Goat. If you’re interested in vending at the event, email kpascarelli@threadbarecider.com.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; food, drink, and bottle sales will be available in the tasting room and kitchen. RSVP for a free sample of cider.

Holiday pop-up shop at BJ’s Event Center continues this month

A holiday pop-up shop hosted by Young Brothers Bar and located at BJ’s Event Center next door will continue through Dec. 22. 

The ongoing event, which started on Nov. 8, takes place weekly from Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. It’s slogan, according to a Facebook post, is “Giving back to the community & supporting small businesses!”

BJ’s event Center is located at 1439 Woods Run Ave.

City Books to host in-person Q&A with creator of Effin’ Birds

Aaron Reynolds, creator of the popular social media account Effin’ Birds, will be at City Books in Allegheny West on Thursday, Dec. 9 to sign copies of his new book.

The book, entitled “Greetings from Effin’ Birds,” features 100 tear-out postcards with all-new bird images and jokes. Reynolds will also do a 30-minute Q&A before the book signing.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Space reservations for the Q&A are $19 and limited to 20 people. Social distancing and masking will be strictly enforced.

Register for the in-person event as well as the livestream of the event on the City Books website.

Northside Glow kicks off in Allegheny Commons East Park

Northside Glow, an annual festive lights display coordinated by the North Side/Shore Chamber of Commerce, kicks off on Dec. 4 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Allegheny Commons East Park.

Last year’s event was the first of its kind, held in place of the Chamber’s annual holiday gala due to COVID-19. This year’s opening night will include food for purchase from local vendors, a gift market from local artisans and crafters, and photos with Santa.

The lights display will last through the end of the month.