Christmas Eve Visit to the Strip, 2025

Like many years in the past, Ann Marie and I visited Pittsburgh’s Strip District on the day before Christmas. Unlike so many of the people rushing around, we had no objectives except to enjoy the atmosphere, watch the people around us and to have a good time.

    After parking our car at one end, we strolled towards Pittsburgh, joining in with the crowds. We weren't the only ones that came down to enjoy the scene. Parents were walking by with their children in tow. Grandchildren were leading their grandparents. Couples strolled down the crowded sidewalks arm in arm and Santa hats could be seen everywhere. Most people were dressed as normal but there were families that were completely decked out in holiday attire and others looked as if they will be going to a formal party or a concert. Red and green were the predominant colors.

    We made a stop at S&D’s Polish Deli just to look at all the ethnic meats and candies. A bit further down, we went into Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop. Remember those old-time candies you used to love; chances are they have them here! My blood sugar was rising as we walked out the door.

    Passing “our” coffee shop, La Prima Espresso, we saw that there was a crowd around it with people spilling out into the street. Luckily, we weren’t in a hurry for our caffeine fix.

    We continued on to the Enrico Biscotti Company where we got a couple cookies to eat later with our coffee.

    As is usually the case on the day before any holiday or sporting event, Pennsylvania Macaroni was packed. Looking in the windows, we could see that customers were packed 5 deep at the cheese counter. Even though they were squeezed together like sardines, almost all of them were smiling, patiently waiting their turns! 

    The smell of the evergreens piled along the sidewalk gave a Christmas scent to the air. Wreaths hung on the building fronts with red ribbons and holly woven through them. A few blocks further down we crossed the street to walk through Wholey’s. A crowd stretching to the end of the block was patiently waiting to get into the hot food section. Thoughts of crab cakes, smelts and fish sandwiches were running through their heads.

    Since we were just walking through, we could skip the line. The smell of Wholey’s is something to savor; it is a combination of different types of fish, lobsters, clams, and shrimp. It is the smell of potential dinners and banquets. The fish is laid out in nice displays with salespeople waiting on you, ready to wrap whatever you need, fresh or frozen, heads on or off, your choice. Ann Marie and I love their crab cakes!

    Back on the sidewalk we ran into another line waiting to get into the Mancini’s Bread store. We squeezed by and made a quick stop in Penzey’s Spices. There were a couple things in the spice cabinet that needed refilled, and this was the place to do it! Another minor road block came at the food stand outside of the Sambok Korean Grocery where mung bean pancakes and other delicacies were being sold.

    Outside of Sunseri’s, a festively dressed man was selling their bread products. We passed stands on the sidewalk where artisans were selling dog treats, photographs and pirogues. The rich smell of coffee drifted out from inside the Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange, raising our desire to get to La Prima! We passed DeLuca’s Diner and went through the tunnel of clothes, toys and “do-dads” in front of Lucy’s Clothing. I made a quick stroll through Reyna’s Foods to see if they had any fresh meat pies, (they didn’t) and then we crossed the street where we saw that the crowd had dissipated in front of La Prima.

     While I joined the crowd inside, Ann Marie snagged a table out on the sidewalk. The line came out the door but as everyone in line knew, the coffee and atmosphere was well worth the wait! The shop smelled like strong coffee and there was a mixture of Italian and English being spoken, intermingled with laughter and greetings being yelled across the crowd. Returning outside with our coffees I sat down with Ann Marie and we settled in, being warmed from the sun shining on us and, the faces of all the people passing by.

    Ann Marie opened the bag from Enrico Biscotti and pulled out an almond cookie and a polenta bar. We nibbled on these as we people watched. Festive costumes were everywhere, we saw children dressed in their “special” Christmas suits and dresses. Sweatshirts and sweaters with wreaths and holiday sayings caused us to stare, trying to read them without being TOO obvious.

    Dogs went by, sometimes stopping to be petted, their owners sometimes dressed up as extravagantly as their pets. We watched as people would come up to the door of the shop and we could see the decisions going on in their minds; do I have enough time to wait for this or not? Most of the times, they did!

    With our cookies and coffee gone, we walked back to our car and returned home. There, we worked on a jig-saw puzzle, played some Scrabble and prepared our Christmas Eve feast.

    It was a beautiful day. The weather co-operated making it pleasurable to walk around the area. We saw smiling faces, heard laughter and holiday greetings. We left the Strip District feeling uplifted and happy!

    My Christmas wish is that every day would be filled with this same kind of spirits, joy and happiness. Our days may not be quite as joyous as this but… we can still keep trying! Keep those smiles on your faces and you’ll be surprised at how many will be returned!

  Merry Christmas!