Shopping – Bleubug

I’ve been meaning to put these images up forever. About a month or so ago I spent a weekend in Pittsburgh, PA and found it quite a nice place to be. From a church that was converted into a restaurant/microbrewery to a shopping center that once was a train station I found a lot of creative reuse of structures. Two things that I did take quite a few pictures of included the Duquesne Incline which brings you up and down a steep hill and the J.R. Weldin Company which is one of the oldest businesses in Pittsburgh.

In 1877 the Duquesne incline connected the Duquesne Heights and Mount Washington sections of the City of Pittsburgh. It’s been going up and down since then and is now a working museum staffed by volunteers. Even the cars that you ride in date from the opening. It’s a bit scary to think your life depends on the 140 year old equipment creaking around you. Still, it’s a fun ride and the view at the top of downtown Pittsburgh is incredible. For a small fee you can tour the equipment room where the ancient machinery continues to chug away. A large wheel in there still uses wooden teeth!

[Show as slideshow]

These last photos are of the J.R. Weldin Company which has been operating since 1852 in Pittsburgh. It’s a bit of an odd store since it carries stationery, art supplies, fountain pens, knitting stuff, leather goods and more. There are a few cats and a big dog around to help you with your purchase as well. A few of the menagerie deigned to pose for photos.

[Show as slideshow]

When a friend sent a link to show me a desired calligraphy pen at an online vendor I was impressed that a place with such a large stock of this specialized merchandise existed. A second surprise happened when I looked at this stores contact information and I found they were located in the city I work in. A few days later I trekked there for a look in person.

I didn’t know if they had an actual storefront so before going I checked and found reference to some clearance books being “next to the door”. That’s all I needed to see since where there’s a door there is a way in. I’ve not seen the door that can keep me out yet (unless it is locked or heavy or had a confusing latch that I couldn’t make work)!

John Neal, Bookseller does sell books on drawing, calligraphy, typography, bookbinding, and more. Beyond that they carry the things you need for binding your own books and creating lovely lettering. All this is packed into a small, funky warehouse like environment that zigzags through the first floor of an old commercial building. It’s not really a “store” so to speak but they still let customers wander around and look. I had fun pulling books off of the shelves in the narrow nooks and the staff was friendly and helpful.

It’s probably more convenient to order off their web site and you are not missing out on any memorable retail experience but seeing a small, hospitable business firsthand at least made me happy. I took a few quick snapshots to share the experience and the claustrophobia with you.

$John Neal, Bookseller\'s building.$