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 PGH Candle, The National Aviary and local author Lauren Peterson

Photo: PGH Candle owner Kayla Hefferman, left, stands with her store’s lone employee Anna Calabrese during the store’s grand opening on Nov. 26

By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

PGH Candle opens first brick-and-mortar store

PGH Candle, a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in all-natural scented candles, opened its first physical storefront in the Northside this November.

PGH Candle’s store is located at 839 Phineas St., in East Deutschtown. A grand opening celebration was held on Nov. 26.

The candle-makers have offered their candles online and at various stores across Pittsburgh in the past, such as Pageboy Salon on North Avenue, or Northside’s own The Farmer’s Daughters Flowers. However, the closest the business has had to having its own storefront beforehand was a pop-up shop last winter at the Ross Park Mall, according to owner Kayla Hefferman.

Hefferman said the reason PGH Candle sought its own location was to enable the business to offer its full collection all at one place, and due to the advantages of selling candles in-person versus online.

“Candles are one of those things you can fall in love with in person,” she said. “It’s harder when it’s online.”

Hefferman told The Chronicle that the grand opening went well, and she was “blown away” by the amount of people who came and supported the store.

PGH Candle is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The business can be contacted at (814) 881-5611 or through its website, at pghcandle.com.

American Flamingos wade through the waters of the National Aviary’s newly renovated Wetlands habitat. A grand opening for the space was held on Oct. 31 and is now open to the public. Courtesy photo by Kristen Migliozzi

National Aviary reveals renovated Wetlands area

The National Aviary held a grand opening for its renovated Wetlands habitat on Oct. 31.

The renovations included the replacement of the glass panes lining the habitat’s walls and roof — many of which were original to the 1969 construction, according to the National Aviary — with 20,000-square-feet of bird-friendly glass by Vitro Architectural Glass.

In addition, a 20-foot custom sculptural tree with “immersive elements for guests and birds alike” was installed, the Aviary said in a press release.

“As the National Aviary continues our year-long celebration of our 70th anniversary, we are thrilled to welcome our guests back to our second oldest, and our largest, habitat,” said National Aviary Executive Director Cheryl Tracy in the release. “Every element of this renovation was designed to support the excellent welfare of our birds, while enhancing the immersive experience of our guests.”

Other improvements include a resurfaced walkway, energy-efficient enhancements and the inclusion of new plant and bird species. Some new birds include the Blue-billed Curassow and Scarlet-faced Liocichlas. Longtime species to the habitat have also been retained, such as the American Flamingos and Brown Pelicans.

The cover and interior art of ‘Lemons in Pittsburgh’ are done by April Hartmann. Contributed photo

New book set in Northside released

Northside resident Lauren Peterson has recently released a children’s book, titled “Lemons in Pittsburgh.”

The book, which is Peterson’s first children’s book, takes place on the Northside and follows the story of a girl named Emma as she attempts to grow a lemon tree in Pittsburgh while dealing with the area’s hectic weather.

The story takes place entirely on Pittsburgh’s Northside, and features several notable people and places associated with the area, such as Allegheny West Park or the food cart Gus and Yiayia’s.

Illustrations for the story are done by April Hatmann.

The book is available for purchase online at lemons-in-pittsburgh.square.site.