New Businesses Fuel New Kensington’s Revitalization
- Hilary Daninhirsch
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
New Kensington may lay claim to one of the most inspiring stories of community revitalization in the Pittsburgh region. Once nicknamed “The Aluminum City,” this river town—based in Westmoreland County but part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area—suffered from blight as a direct result of its main employer, ALCOA, closing up shop. People left the city, businesses boarded up, and the downtown looked like a ghost town.
“We were an original city of innovation, with ALCOA employing 7,000 to 10,000 people. Like steel in so many Western Pennsylvania towns, our economy relied on ALCOA. When that left, so did a lot of the commerce,” said Mayor Tom Guzzo.
Mito Insulation, a construction company headquartered in New Kensington, saw the need for new life in the city. The company formed Olde Town Overhaul, dedicated to reinvestment and reconstruction, and began buying buildings in the community to rehabilitate—transforming one into a brewery: Voodoo Brewing Co. – New Kensington Pub. Mito’s operations manager, Michelle Thom, said the brewery is a popular stop for those interested in craft beer tourism, though it attracts many others. “People said the day a brewery came to town is the day it turns around,” said Thom—a phenomenon she has witnessed firsthand.
Fast forward to today, and New Kensington is vibrating with new life, thanks in large part to the city government, Olde Town Overhaul, and those who took a chance. Guzzo said that about 150 new businesses have opened in recent years, many of which are female- and minority-owned. These include a variety of retailers and restaurants on the main drag, Fifth Avenue; new manufacturing companies moving into ALCOA’s former 64-acre industrial park; and other businesses at Riverview Plaza on Tarentum Bridge Road.
“The industrial park is a very exciting part of what’s going on in the city, giving us an opportunity to create well-paying manufacturing positions. So we’re very excited about that,” said Guzzo.
In addition to small businesses, national companies like Harbor Freight, Starbucks, and Aldi have also moved in. “When you see national companies come in, you get a feeling you’re on the right track,” Guzzo added.
Many of these new businesses are receiving acclaim, including the highly regarded Mexican restaurant Taqueria El Pastorcito and botL, noted for its burgers.
Jillian’s is another standout restaurant, serving high-end, locally sourced farm-to-table food and drawing patrons from all over the Pittsburgh region.
“We work with 12 to 15 local Pennsylvania farms to get all of our proteins and produce,” said co-owner Jillian Ludwiczak, whose husband, Phillip Call, is the executive chef. Ludwiczak, a New Kensington native, has seen the economic upswing firsthand. “Growing up, there wasn’t really much—if anything—to do here, until they started the revitalization. They’re redoing buildings with such history and trying to bring them back and fill them with small businesses. I’m happy for that, as I love to support small businesses. It’s nice to have them filled with life again,” she said.
Sweet Tillies is one of the newer businesses to open in New Kensington. One of five bakeries in town, Sweet Tillies specializes in baklava, with six signature flavors. Owner Amy Johnson, also a New Kensington native, worked with Voodoo Brewery owner Mike Malcanas, who offered small businesses a break on rent. “I wanted to be a part of the revitalization, so I opened Sweet Tillies,” said Johnson, adding that she has received a great deal of community support.
Knead Community Café is not a new business, but its concept is unique: a pay-what-you-can lunch restaurant. Owners Kevin and Mary Bode established the café to help spark downtown revitalization, basing it on the model set forth by the One World Everybody Eats association of community cafés. “For two years, we traveled around the country and followed the paths of community cafés, did our research, made sure we truly understood what we were getting into, and modified it to fit our community,” said Mary Bode.
“We have a twofold mission: that everyone eats with dignity, and to create community connections and strengthen our bonds by creating a welcoming space,” added Kevin Bode, noting that they also host events and other activities.
The New Kensington Arts Center, a nonprofit that’s entirely volunteer-run, has been supporting the local arts community for almost 10 years through monthly art shows, classes, studio space for artists, and a new project called The Craft Café. “It’s new and exciting to be part of the Arts Center now more than ever, with new leadership and a new café that will enhance the creative culture and support our mission,” said Vice President Dania Zayn.
Voodoo Brewery paved the way for two more breweries to come to town, along with Vinci Winery, a restaurant scheduled to open in June.
The New Kensington Recreation Committee sponsors wildly popular events like Fridays on Fifth, held the last Friday of each month from April through October. These events draw thousands of people from across the Pittsburgh region and feature breweries, eateries, food trucks, live music, and extended retail hours. A new seasonal farmers market also launched this year, running every Saturday between April and October.
With business growth has come population growth: New Kensington is now home to 12,500 residents. “We are a microcosm of Pittsburgh in that we have twelve distinct neighborhoods,” said Guzzo. The community also boasts six parks—one of which recently added two new basketball courts—and includes a bandstand, as well as pickleball and tennis courts, a YMCA, a library, and a branch of Westmoreland County Community College.
Though Penn State’s New Kensington campus is scheduled to close in 2026, the university plans to continue operating its LaunchBox accelerator program for entrepreneurs, as well as the Digital Foundry, a business development center that prepares workers for current and future manufacturing and tech jobs.
The city is also working to revamp its housing stock in partnership with Westmoreland County to combat blight. Guzzo said they have demolished 65 structures and are exploring whether to turn the cleared land into parks, gardens, or new housing. Though progress has been gradual, they are beginning to see an influx of newcomers, and housing remains affordable.
Guzzo encourages newcomers to experience all that New Kensington has to offer. “We’re very proud of the transformation that has taken place—whether it’s restaurants, breweries, small clothing shops, or bakeries, it’s here. Plus, we’re really excited about the fact that we’re creating real jobs. In this day and age, that’s pretty important. You’re getting a mix of everything here in the city of New Kensington: businesses, jobs, and entertainment,” he said.
“I just feel like it’s such a solid community with so many diverse people. Everyone is so supportive and open and wants to be part of something—to make it the new New Kensington,” added Johnson.