Small Town, Big Living in Ellwood City
- Vanessa Orr
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Like a lot of Pennsylvania towns that built their economies on steel, Ellwood City faced some hard times in the 1980s. But the borough of roughly 7,500 people persevered, and today the town that spawned the seamless tube industry is attracting new businesses as well as families looking for a welcoming place to call home.
“While we come from an industrial background, we’ve developed into a really unique place to be,” said Ryan McCandless, executive director, Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to a number of mom-and-pop shops, we’re seeing a lot of new businesses coming in and people reinvesting in older properties.
“A lot of these new businesses are run by young entrepreneurs—people between 20 and 40,” he added. “The elder people shaped the town, and now the younger generation is stepping up.”
Eric McAnallen, an Ellwood City native, and his wife, mead master Misa McAnallen, who grew up in Hermitage, opened Fitzgibbon Meadery on Lawrence Avenue—Ellwood City’s main street—in 2020.
“We started making mead together when we got married,” explained Eric McAnallen, who said his wife introduced him to the trade. “Our friends wanted us to sell it, but since that would be illegal, we figured that we should start a business and run it ourselves.”
Fitzgibbon Meadery is a micro-winery that offers mead flights and country (fruit) wine tastings set within a Viking-themed Mead Hall. The meadery also offers axe-throwing, which McAnallen described as “a very Viking thing to do.”
Having grown up in town, McAnallen has seen Ellwood City go through economic ups and downs.
“I remember what it was like in the 1980s with storefronts closed and boarded up, but it’s getting better; we’re definitely getting more businesses on Main Street,” he said.
“The Chamber of Commerce is doing a good job of encouraging people to come into Ellwood City, especially for our street fairs,” he added, noting that the meadery benefits from the increased foot traffic from patrons who come to sample their ‘adult’ slushies.
Ellwood City is known for its festivals and events, which include Wander Ellwood, which runs from June to September.
“The second Wednesday of the month, we bring in about 60-70 vendors and line them up on Lawrence Avenue; we also have food trucks, wineries, breweries, and our local businesses host specials,” said McCandless. “It’s a great way to get people in, and it brings a lot of people to town.”
Ellwood City also hosts a Fall Fest and Car Cruise, which will be held this year on Sept. 26 and brings approximately 7,000 visitors to town. A three-day Ellwood City Arts & Crafts Festival, held around the Fourth of July, includes tons of craft vendors, entertainment, and fireworks. The holidays are kicked off with Let There Be Lights, a drive-through display of hundreds of light displays in Ewing Park.
“We’re creating reasons for people to come and to stay as well as creating very positive experiences for our community,” said McCandless. “Our slogan is ‘Small Town, Big Living,’ and that’s what we’re trying to capture.”
Visitors and residents alike are attracted to the area’s six parks, which include 20-acre Ewing Park, a local favorite. In addition to a nature trail that meanders alongside Connoquenessing Creek, the park has 10 picnic pavilions, a 35,000-square-foot jungle-themed kids’ park, basketball and bocce courts, a skate park, pool, and tennis courts.
“The parks are a huge amenity and just a great place for families,” said McCandless, noting that he and his wife moved to Ellwood City after having children. “This is a safe, fun place to be, whether you’re looking for entertainment, outdoor exercise, or somewhere good to eat. We love it here.”
“It’s really surprising how much nature there is right in the middle of town,” added McAnallen, noting that Connoquenessing Creek runs directly through a gorge downtown. “The walking trails in Ewing Park are wonderful, and Moraine State Park and Buttermilk Falls are also fairly close to town.”
For those who prefer less strenuous activities, National Grind Coffee & Tea Shop offers a great place to people-watch and enjoy “almost world-famous” macaroni salad and other products made fresh. The Tee Box has an array of indoor sports simulators, including virtual golf with more than 100 courses from which to choose, and Marketplace on Main is stocked with cool antiques and unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. Dinner and cocktails at 2nd Ward Sanctuary restaurant is a must, and Crystal’s Cakery is the perfect place to find a sweet treat; they even offer cookie-decorating classes.
Located close to Beaver and Butler and only about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, Ellwood City is a great place to visit as well as to live. McCandless noted that the cost of living is much less expensive than in surrounding areas, which is attracting even more people from Cranberry and Harmony to relocate for “big living in a small town.”
“I think a lot of that has to do with our events and how much is actually going on here,” he said.