Shopping local this year? Take it to the next level and fire up your web browser for some Pittsburgh online shopping.
Pittsburgh artists, entrepreneurs and boutiques are among those joining the online frenzy, offering everything from beer gadgets to children's vintage books, fashion, political posters and, yes, a different Pittsburgh towel.
Pittsburgh native Albert Ciuksza was on a camping trip with three buddies, struggling with an unwieldy keg, when the guys hit on the idea for a website for great beer gadgets.
Portabeer.com only has several items for sale but all are unique and work great, says Cuiksza.
"We enjoy beer but we're frustrated by the glorified frat boy mentality," says Cuiksza. "People will buy a $500 wine opener. This will elevate how beer is presented." In addition to openers, a picnic tap and six-pack carrier, Portabeer is in stealth mode on a portable keg mover. Pittsburgh startup
Levlr has also created a fun mobile beer app, Beerby, that tracks your favorite beers and bars.
Jamie Grassman is the owner of
Beyond Bedtime Books, a gem of a shop in Dormont that sells-hard-to find vintage children's stories through eBay. The holidays are a particularly busy season for her when childhood memories inspire families to enlist her help in tracking down children's titles. If you're in the nabe this Saturday, PG columnist Brian O'Neill will be in the shop for a book signing.
South Side clothing store
Jupe Boutique is launching a new website sometime this week says co-owner Cara Moody. The website was designed by Wall-to-Wall's Bill Krowinski, And let us not overlook Pittsburgh-based, eco-friendly designer
Kelly Lane who is available online through
ModCloth as well as Pavement and The Picket Fence.
If you haven't visited
JustSeeds.com already, you've been missing out on a great network of artists committed to creating prints and designs with a radical, environmental and political perspective. Founded in 1998, the project relocated its distribution center from Portland to Pittsburgh this year where it runs the expanded operation.
And here's one that has been flying under the radar: the
Turbie Twist, a super absorbent towel made just for hair. The Butler company, founded by two entrepreneurial Pittsburgh sisters, has been snapping towels out since 2005. The company was also listed on the INC 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies in America.
Got ideas for more Pittsburgh online shopping? Tweet them to us at
@PopCityPgh.
Writer:
Deb SmitMany Sources