Businesses excited about Market Square reopening in downtown Pittsburgh
The square has been closed for a year
Updated: 4:56 PM EDT Apr 22, 2026
Market Square reopened Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting, after about a year of being closed, and the excitement has been translating to the nearby businesses that are looking to get a boost back.”When the programming was stopped with the farmers market and the Holiday Market, I definitely noticed a downturn,” said Jordan Nicholas, who owns Nicholas Coffee and Tea Company.As Market Square reopens, the NFL draft will begin Thursday in Pittsburgh. The event is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to the area.NFL Draft in Pittsburgh >> Visit our special draft page for latest headlines and what you need to know about the draftThe Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said Market Square was closed in order to upgrade infrastructure, improve the pedestrian experience, add better lighting, more power sources and expand outdoor seating options for restaurants.”The patio has gotten bigger. The pedestrian-only sort of situation in the square now is great,” said Ryan Wilkinson, a spokesman for Primanti Bros.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
Market Square reopened Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting, after about a year of being closed, and the excitement has been translating to the nearby businesses that are looking to get a boost back.
“When the programming was stopped with the farmers market and the Holiday Market, I definitely noticed a downturn,” said Jordan Nicholas, who owns Nicholas Coffee and Tea Company.
As Market Square reopens, the NFL draft will begin Thursday in Pittsburgh. The event is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to the area.
NFL Draft in Pittsburgh >> Visit our special draft page for latest headlines and what you need to know about the draft
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said Market Square was closed in order to upgrade infrastructure, improve the pedestrian experience, add better lighting, more power sources and expand outdoor seating options for restaurants.
“The patio has gotten bigger. The pedestrian-only sort of situation in the square now is great,” said Ryan Wilkinson, a spokesman for Primanti Bros.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.