The Swissvale Business District Advisory Committee has chosen to recognize eight businesses that have opened in our downtown within the past three years.  These businesses are being honored for choosing to locate here, thereby demonstrating their commitment to our business district.  Through their investment in downtown Swissvale, they are helping to build a stronger business district and community. The Swissvale BDAC wishes them many years of continued success in our downtown. 

Art & Book Learning Center
2027 Noble Street

Premier Photo Works
7430 Washington Street 

Community Flower Shop
1703 Monongahela Avenue 

Skyblue 7 Gallery
1709 Monongahela Avenue 

GMK School of Dance
2027 Noble Street 

Illusions Studio
2006 Noble Street 

Get Nails
2012 Monongahela Avenue 

Street Level Clothing & More
2027 Noble Street

Second Quarter 2010

The Swissvale Business District Advisory Committee has named Sharon Ramsey its second quarter Downtown Recognition Recipient. Sharon attended West Penn Hospital School of Nursing and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.  She has lived in Swissvale since 1977. Sharon enjoyed a 30 year career in nursing in the operating room of UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

Upon her retirement from nursing Sharon says, “I was looking for something worthwhile to occupy my time.  I first became a user of the library and then a volunteer at their book and bake sales.  I was approached by a staff member who was looking for someone to rejuvenate the 'Friends of the Library" program.  I didn't know much about the group and even less about the library operations, but having a great love of books it seemed a good match for me.  Our group started very small and has grown to over 40 members in the last 3 years.  The more involved I have become with the library the more I have come to appreciate the staff and the invaluable service that they provide the community.  I see reading programs for young children, daily usage of the computers, a book and movie review group, a knitting group and many senior citizens making visits.  It is a vital hub for the entire community.”

Sharon has assisted in many neighbors and local residents becoming involved in the library. The group is now able to provide desperately needed extras for the library such as furniture, carpeting, a refrigerator, many books and movies for adults and children and countless other items.  Sharon says, “It is especially satisfying to the group to be able to see immediate changes in the physical environment and programs implemented for the children.” 

Sharon is hopeful that attention to the library will remind residents of the value and importance of the library to the community and the possibilities that it can provide to our youth in the future.  The building and staff are in place and need the support and attention that they deserve.  Federal, state and local budget cuts have had a big impact on the library system of Western Pennsylvania and thanks to many articles in local newspapers many library users have been happy to volunteer their services.  Everyone brings something unique to this organization.  The Friends of the Library organization is currently investigating ways to recycle unsold books from our book sales to local charity organizations.

The group’s goal is to continue to provide needed services to supplement the library and to support additional programs such as 'Summer Reading Programs' and children centered activities for the community.  “We have seen that a little effort from many people can have a large impact.  And, we all have fun making a difference.”

Located at the corner of Schoyer and Monongahela Avenue, this bakery is sure to delight the sweet tooth of any Swissvale resident.  Owned by Dave Green Sweetie Sweetie was located on S. Braddock Avenue in Regent Square for six years, Dave moved his bakery to Swissvale at the end of October 2007. 

Orders can be placed by stopping in a week or two ahead of time Dave can accommodate a myriad of requests including: Weddings, Birthdays, Holy Communions, Graduations, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.  He also bakes cookie trays, fancy pastry trays, and breakfast pastry trays.  In the bakery customers can find an assortment of muffins, Danish, coffee cakes, puff pastry items and cookies, and whatever else Dave has time to bake on a given day.  Sweetie Sweetie also carries an assortment of Breadworks bread (which can be ordered in advance). 

Hours are Friday 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until there isn’t a crumble remaining, usually around 1:00 p.m. 

The next time you are passing by don’t just smell the sweetness in the air stop in and enjoy the heavenly goodness Sweetie Sweetie has to offer.

Krohmaly’s was founded in 1957 by Arnold Krohmaly of North Braddock.  Arnold was born in North Braddock and as a young child he returned to Slovakia.  Arnold studied printing in Presov, Slovakia.  He then returned to Pittsburgh, PA where he opened his first printing business in the basement of his home on McDonugh Avenue in North Braddock.  Shortly after he rented property on Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale and developed a printing business that he hoped one day would grow.  Several years later in 1961 he was introduced to additional property on Washington Avenue> He built his printing shop and from there you could walk into this business and see Arnold and his son print on his historic Linotype, Heidelberg and Printing Presses. 

Since then, Krohmaly’s has changed with the times. Bob and his wife Patti went digital and upgraded the printing equipment.  Their business continues to grow – they have branched out into the sign business and gratefully are maintaining steady business through these tough economic times.  Krohmaly’s provides a full range of printing services to fit every budget. In most cases, jobs can be emailed to Krohmaly’s.  A proof is then emailed to the client for approval, and before you know it, your printing job has been shipped to your business - - all without you having to leave the office. 

Bob and Patti are community minded people who assist with printing jobs for numerous non-profit agencies within the borough and support the many local youth and borough related activities.  Swissvale is proud to have Krohmaly’s Printing in the community for over 50 years.