With tomorrow’s much-anticipated opening of Right By Nature, Pittsburghers craving natural foods will have a new shopping destination.
Centrally located at Smallman and 23rd Sts., in the Strip District’s
Cork Factory retail complex, the 22,000-square-foot natural foods market carries hundreds of products, including homemade baked goods and made-by-scratch prepared foods, and houses a comprehensive nutrition department and bakery/cafe.
Market owner and operator Bob Stone says he will buy direct whenever possible to keep prices affordable. “We’re going to make good healthy eating available to everyone,” says Right By Nature’s business manager, Peggy McGarry, who teaches in Carlow University’s MBA program.
Store partners have pledged to donate a portion of daily sales to seven area charities following the Nov. 20 opening. Right By Nature is also hiring employees via Educational Data Systems, Inc., which places low-income job seekers. McGarry says the store has hired 100 people in the past two weeks.
With free indoor parking with elevator access directly into the store and curbside pick-up services—Right By Nature expected to draw shoppers from around the Strip, Downtown, Northside, Hill District, and Lawrenceville.
Stone, who returned to Pittsburgh after 25 years working as director of purchasing for top national organic produce companies such as Albert’s Organics, Wild Oats Markets and Goodness Greeness, started his career loading a huckster’s truck in the Strip.
The market follows the Aug. 15 opening of
Cioppino Seafood. Chophouse. Bar., also located in the Cork Factory’s retail property. The remaining 11,050 square feet may house a hardware store, salon, dry cleaner, or smoothie shop.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Bob Stone, president and director of operations, and Peggy McGarry, business manager, Right By Nature; Becky Rodgers, Neighbors in the Strip
Photograph copyright Brian Cohen