The Dormont Business District Advisory Committee wishes to recognize Diversity, a new addition to downtown Dormont since November 2012. Owners Buddy and Michelle Hall opened their shop on Black Friday and have been enjoying bringing a host of unique and diverse products to the area. 

The Hall's opened the store with the primary intention of selling electronic cigarettes. Buddy, a longtime smoker, tried electronics cigarettes himself and became sold on this great alternative which he says comes with all of the enjoyment and none of the unhealthy side effects of traditional cigarette smoking. Diversity sells the electronic cigarettes, kits, regular strength fluid, and many flavorings such as root beer and tooti fruiti. Electronic cigarettes convert the liquid into a vapor. "You still have nicotine but none of the negative side effects and carcinogens found in the burning process," explains Buddy. "Additionally, there is a substantial cost savings in vaping versus smoking. An average smoker spends about $210 per month on cigarettes versus $15 per month for the needed fluids for the same amount of vaping," says Buddy. 

If you are walking by Diversity, you might think it's a music store. The Hall's also sell guitars on consignment. These custom guitars are the work of music enthusiast, Don Oriolo and are adorned with the logo of Felix the Cat. Felix is a 90 year old cartoon character to which Mr. Oriolo owns the rights. Additionally, the store sells Divine Scentsations candles, incense, Himalayan salt lamps, scarves, pashminas, jewelry, local music CDs, and other local handmade items. A space is reserved for a different local artist each month to display and sell his/her craft. The Halls' make this space available to local artists and all profits from these sales go directly to the artist. 

If all that Diversity offers isn't enough, they also feature in-store, free concerts. Recent performances have included Liz Berlin of Rusted Root, and Jesse Hall and Bear Cub. Upcoming on February 22nd, you can come out and hear Scott Blasey of The Clarks performing live at 7:30 PM. 

We are happy to feature "A Taste of Dormont", Dormont Main Streets' Annual Reds, Whites, & Blues for its great contribution to our community and business district. The event which was held in September was an exciting, fun-filled, successful time as always. The festival included some of the area's finest eateries, local wineries, and breweries including as many local businesses as possible. Sensational entertainment was provided by the Good Guys Duo as well as other local talent.  

The festival is organized by Dormont Main Street, a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization efforts of the Dormont business district. This year's proceeds were earmarked to help with the necessary match to continue Dormont's participation in the Allegheny Together program.  

The Dormont Business District Advisory Committee (BDAC) is pleased to feature Dormont Appliance Centers this quarter as its featured Downtown Recognition Recipient.

Dormont Appliance Center opened its doors on West Liberty Avenue shortly after World War II. Now owned by Craig and Alan Scheimer, it was founded by Buz Scheimer (their father). The early days featured a small store which controlled costs for its customers. The present day big box store mentality requires providing all the new major appliances. To be able to provide the best products at the best prices, Dormont Appliance works with over 7,000 other stores around the country in the Nationwide Buying Association.

Dormont Appliance Center employs trained professional career salespeople who are familiar with Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Washers & Dryers, Cooking Products, etc. from over 25 Brands. Dormont Appliance is committed to serving Dormont and the surrounding area by supporting many Local Organizations. The new, very attractive, store front façade shows they intend to be around Dormont for the foreseeable future providing quality products that we all need and use on a daily basis.

Stop in and see the friendly staff where they continue a tradition started by its founder of offering a refreshing beverage to their customers while they shop.

In November of 2009, a little shoppe blossomed in Dormont. Cassandra's Florals opened its doors, and has taken on the task of beautifying Dormont's storefronts! 

A full service florist, Cassandra's Florals caters to your every need, providing Cinderella-special treatment every time.  With this approach, Cassandra offers an entire package that can't be matched by the big box stores - she gives customer service and special attention, conveying a story with each arrangement she creates.  Her designs cater to fresh floral creations, and include baskets and arrangements, funerals, weddings and more.  Her wedding approach is "full service", meaning that she will contract only one wedding per day, including pinning on corsages and making sure the vision is perfect for the bride and groom. 

Recently, Cassandra Gillen was awarded the Business Woman of the Year Award by the Women's Small Business Association (WSBA). This organization was founded by Susan Miller, a local businesswoman who saw the need for women to support other women in our area. The WSBA includes Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Butler Counties, and provides a networking opportunity that helps women promote their businesses and succeed. 

Cassandra's Florals also won the Dormont-Brookline Patch Winners Choice Award for Best Florist in our Area, selected by Patch readers. 

Cassandra's Florals is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, and 9am to 2pm on Sunday, and is available 24/7 by calling (412) 531-1770. For more information, contact Cassandra's Florals by phone, through Facebook or Linked In.  You can also enjoy her weekly blogs on the Patch! 

The Dormont Business District Advisory Committee is pleased to feature Sugar Café as its quarterly downtown recognition recipient. Sugar Café, located on Potomac Avenue in the heart of Dormont, is a vibrant, welcoming place to get comforting breakfasts, artisan sandwiches, slow cooked soups, fresh local salads, and La Prima coffee. Local restaurant critics have touted the 24-seat café, painted in bright turquoise hues, as a prime spot for brunch. Most recently, fans voted Sugar as one of Pittsburgh's best bakeries in a readers' poll in Pittsburgh Magazine. The café is also home to coffee zealots who enjoy bottomless cups of Sugar's very own blend of La Prima coffee and free Wi-Fi. Of course, no one can forget the delicious homemade pastries and desserts produced from scratch daily.  

The wildly popular breakfast and weekend brunches serve up such items as cinnamon French toast with caramelized bananas, homemade granola, smoked salmon bagel sandwiches, and oatmeal with honey, toasted almonds, candied ginger, and blueberries. Daily, the café also makes fruit and streusel muffins, biscotti, and cream scones to enjoy in the dining room or to take home. On the weekends, Sugar Café serves breakfast all day and offers unconventional specials. Lunch offerings include hand-carved turkey and ham sandwiches, grilled vegetable wraps, salads, and homemade soups. Sugar's bakers are hard at work every day creating delectable treats in their mezzanine-level pastry studio and the seasonal selection changes daily. Examples of their most coveted desserts include lemon pound cake, assorted cupcakes like the Irish Car Bomb (dark chocolate stout cake soaked in whisky with Bailey's butter cream frosting), bread pudding, Grand Marnier cheesecake, chocolate chip and sugar cookies, French macaroons, and chocolate tarts. Pittsburgh Magazine summed it up best: "Is it any wonder that this small café, which opened last year, instantly earned the love of local pastry fanatics?"

In the community, Sugar Café's charitable contributions include pastry donations to SIDS of Pennsylvania, Make a Wish Foundation, and Variety the Children's Charity. They also hosted a soup dinner for hunger relief benefitting Just Harvest with bowls crafted by local artists. On February 23, 2012, Sugar Café hosted a book signing party with local author, Lindsay Smith, with proceeds furthering the Strong Women, Strong Girls Organization. Upcoming plans for 2012 include an Alice and Wonderland themed tea party slated for March, the highly anticipated evening of culinary delights at the sixth annual Taste of Dormont, and Dormont's beloved October Street Fair.

Sugar Café is open daily from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.