I'd like to give a little preview about the next location I'll be traveling to, the Strip District in Pittsburgh. Unless you're actually from the Pittsburgh region, it is likely that you have never heard of this place before. It may not be as popular as some of the other "Strips" in the United States (like the Sunset Strip in California, or even the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada), but it has so much to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, and history.
The first glory days of the Strip District date all the way back to the early 1800s when it was primarily reliant on the Allegheny River to fuel its farmland and factories. It was a place that was recognized as useful for industrial growth at the time, which led to the development of countless markets, businesses, and corproations setting up there. Among the businesses to first make their mark on the Strip, some of the earliest include the famous H.J. Heinz Company, Westinghouse, and U.S. Steel. Then, by the mid-1900s, the Strip became populated by a variety of small markets and businesses that offered fresh meats and produce to the public. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strip_District,_Pittsburgh)
Many of these goods and services markets are still in operation today, and they make up most of the places in the Strip District that I plan on visiting. Specifically, I will be going to Wholey's Market, the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, and Enrico's Biscotti.
Wholey's Market is a shop which specializes in selling fresh meat and produce to the public, with fish and seafood being their speciality. It was founded in 1912 by entrepreneur Robert L. Wholey. The business soon became a family affair after Robert L. had his son, Robert C., who helped his father in the market by handling and selling live poultry, live meat, and fresh produce. Wholey's Market moved from its former location in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania to its current location in the Strip District in Pittsburgh, where Robert C. ran the business himself until his sons, known as the Wholey Brothers, took over in the mid-1990s. (https://wholeyscurbside.com/about-us/)
The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company was founded by brothers Michael, Augustino, and Salvatore Sunseri in 1902. They, of course, specialized in making fresh pasta and selling it to the masses. After a devastating fire burnt the shop to the ground, the brothers had it rebuilt and started manufacturing olive oil, fresh spices, and Italian cheeses to coincide with their famous pasta. Boasting itself as one of the best Italian food shops in the United States, the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company is still in operation today. (https://www.pennmac.com/)
Enrico's Biscotti is another famous place in the Strip District that specializes in making premiere Italian cuisine. The cafe is famous for its wide variety of handmande Italian desserts and pastries: including biscotti, tortas, and macaroons. They claim themselves to be unique for their authentic baking techniques that have been used by artisans for hundreds of years. (https://www.enricobiscotti.com/about-enrico-biscotti/)
Visiting non-food related places in the Strip District is part of my plan, as well. One such place is the famous St. Patrick's Church. The thing that separates it from other churches in the region are what are referred to as the "Holy Stairs." Churchgoers are imemdiately greeted by a sign that reads, "Holy Stairs. Ascend on knees --- ONLY." Evidently, the reason for these strange directions is due to the fact that they are replicas of the stairs located at the Vatican, and they represent the stairs of the same name that Jesus ascended during the Passion. I am definitely looking forward to seeing such a grand piece of religious history. (https://www.thirdstopontheright.com/holy-stairs/)
I also will take a trip to ride one of Pittsburgh's immensely famous inclines. For those who aren't familiar with the concept, the inclines are like cable-pulled trolleys that travel up a sloped hill. They were originally built to carry cargo and merchandise across long distances. One famous incline in the Pittsburgh area is known as the Duquesne Incline. Built in 1877 for the original purpose to transporting goods, it was rebuilt in 1963 as a tourist attraction, where it takes passengers up-and-down the hillside. Being well-over a century old, the incline requires a lot of maintenance but delights tourists daily with its antique charm. (http://www.duquesneincline.org/)