Bellevue Blossoms with New Energy
- Hilary Daninhirsch
- Oct 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 2
Ask just about anyone who lives in Bellevue about what makes the northern suburban borough a special place, and they will invariably point to the same factors: the friendly people, its walkability, and its proximity to Pittsburgh.
Bellevue is relatively small — it covers just over 1.1 square miles and is home to just over 8,300 people, based on the latest census. But for a compact borough, it has a big heart and a growing business district. New business development in Bellevue can be attributed, at least in part, to the fact that, as of 2015, a referendum passed to end its status as a dry town, as it historically had been since the town was incorporated in 1867.
Mark Helbling’s 565 Live Speakeasy & Stage was one of the first businesses in Bellevue to receive a liquor license. Prior to that, it was a BYOB. Helbling grew up in Bellevue and never really thought about the fact that it was a dry town. “After college and the military, I came back here, and it wasn’t happening like it used to, so I thought, what could I do? I got involved in the community and joined the council,” he said.
Helbling’s friend, another Bellevue business owner named Aaron Stubnar, realized that more life could be infused into the borough if customers could buy alcohol, so they worked together on this. “In every other town, the restaurants have the ability to serve drinks with dinner. Otherwise, you don’t draw as many people, and restaurants are not as likely to invest in a town that can’t serve. That was a big deal, and it worked to make Bellevue a destination location,” he said.
“I didn’t realize how good for business having a liquor license is. Young people want to come here and have something to do. It’s been great, and the bars are all responsible; a lot of them close early. It’s done wonders for the business community even though there are only five liquor licenses,” agreed Seth Murphy, owner of Wunderbar, a purveyor of Italian-inspired coffees, French crepes, and other tasty options. “I think Bellevue is the friendliest and most engaged neighborhood I’ve lived in, and I have lived all over Pittsburgh.”
Chris Balouris decided to take some of his family’s authentic Greek recipes and open a restaurant in Bellevue called Evia. Like many other business owners, Balouris grew up in Bellevue, and the restaurant has garnered tremendous support from the community. “Bellevue has gone through a lot of ups and downs through the years, but it’s in a strong spot now,” he said. What has contributed to the upswing, he said, is, “Folks are smart with their money, and Bellevue is a smart bet: close to Pittsburgh, affordable, and you can get something to eat and drink.” He agreed that the referendum helped, especially when a recent Brewfest brought 1,000 people to town.
Liquor license or not, other businesses are thriving in Bellevue.
Wagsburgh, a specialty pet store, recently moved to Bellevue from the North Side. “After my first visit, I felt the area and business district was exactly what I was looking for — a friendly, walkable community,” said Joe Thornton, owner. “One thing that truly stands out here in Bellevue is how much the community and neighboring businesses support one another. It’s nice to know you have other businesses that are willing to support you for the betterment of the district and the community — not just their own interests.”
Another newer business is Rockin’ Cat, an organic coffee and tea company that opened in 2021. When deciding where to open his business, owner Tim Gaichas conducted a deep-dive analysis based on various criteria, and Bellevue kept coming to the top of the list. Fortunately, a building on Lincoln Avenue was for sale. “I think Bellevue is one of those hidden gems of Pittsburgh where you still can find a place to buy or rent and open the business you’ve always wanted to open; you can’t do that in very many other places,” he said. He added that there are several community organizations invested in Bellevue businesses and that it is nice to be in a welcoming community.
One such organization is Bellevue Forward, a new neighborhood group with the purpose of driving economic growth and fostering cultural engagement within the community. “I’d say Bellevue has a spoil of riches, so to speak. It’s an incredibly walkable community,” said RJ Thompson, president. “The walkability supports Lincoln Avenue, our core business corridor; you can walk from business to business. They are owned by people who live in Bellevue itself, so these are neighbors who own these businesses. They are staffed by friendly and inviting people who want to see Bellevue succeed. It’s very much a rising-tide-lifts-all-ships situation.”
Other businesses, like Good L’oven Cookie Shop, have been part of the neighborhood for a while. Michele Wilson, manager, grew up in Bellevue. She said that not only do Bellevue businesses support each other but they also work together with the surrounding communities of Avalon and Brighton Heights.
Wilson remembers when Bellevue was going through a hard time, with closed storefronts. However, she is heartened by what is in the works for some of those empty buildings, many of which have already been filled. “We had a time where it felt like it was every man for themselves. I think people are coming back around and realizing, ‘Hey, it takes a village,’” she said.
Some of Bellevue’s businesses are located in historic buildings, which is true for Revival on Lincoln, a fine dining restaurant that attracts customers from all over the city.
“Bellevue has really grown; there are a lot of new people who are moving into Bellevue, including a lot of families moving in, which is really nice. There are quite a few businesses that have opened up recently; it has really taken off,” said owner and executive chef John King. “The reason we decided to go ahead and invest in Bellevue is we saw the potential many years ago. And we’re so glad we did — it really has taken off and has become a hot spot.”
The Andrew Bayne Memorial Library is in another historic building; it is perched on a hilltop that overlooks the town and is widely considered to be a gem of Bellevue. Built in 1875 and owned by the Balph family, the building is Italianate in architecture. “We call Bayne Library and Park the heart of Bellevue. Not only are we located in the geographic center of town, but we are also at the center of our community,” said Ellen Goodman, the library’s director.
The surrounding grounds of the library are also the site of Bellevue’s farmers market, held each Wednesday between June and October.
Bellevue hosts other events throughout the year that draw crowds from around the city. These include the annual summertime Rhythm and Brews Festival; an early fall music festival; Bellevue Night Market on the third Thursday of the month from April to October; and Light Up Bellevue, a holiday light-up night scheduled for Dec. 6 along Lincoln Avenue.
Besides the library, other amenities include Bellevue Memorial Park, which features a fenced-in dog park and a swimming pool; Bayne Park, which features a skate park; and the Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Memorial Garden, a community farm operated by North Hills Community Outreach.
Residents say that Bellevue is an exceptional place to live. In fact, there has been a spate of newcomers to the area, driven in part by affordable housing. Although housing prices have gone up recently, they are still considered to be in a good range, with Redfin.com reporting that the median price for a single-family home in Bellevue is $240,000.
In connection with the town’s revitalization, Helbling, who is a contractor, said that he is seeing homes being renovated, with new people moving in. “I see the future as very bright; the more we get noticed, the more people will come. It’s a charming town to visit.”