From creative coworking spaces to community-owned bookstores, these spots offer something that many people have missed during the years of isolation: a chance to be with other people.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chem-Co-Lounge-scaled.png\")
Photo courtesy of Creative Chem Co.<\/p>\n
Creative Chem Co<\/a>.: A hotspot in Garfield\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At Creative Chem Co. in Garfield, owner Marla Solnik designed the space for the way many people work today: digitally immersed, but still craving connection and creativity.<\/p>\n The space functions as a hybrid coworking and creative space where freelancers, artists and entrepreneurs can work alongside one another. Laptops are welcome, but Solnik says the goal is to balance digital work with other opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want people to be able to work digitally here, but also to step away from their screens and use their hands,\u201d Solnik says. \u201cSo many of us spend our days online, and this space gives people the chance to reconnect with creativity more physically.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Inside the space, this philosophy follows throughout the art-making stations to the collaborative work tables, where visitors can experiment with materials and work on their personal projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rather than separating the creative fields, Solnik believes the goal should be to bring them together.\u00a0<\/p>\n When writers, designers, artists and entrepreneurs share a space, unexpected collaboration follows, which can turn a simple workspace into something much more.<\/p>\n @lanatelreads<\/a> looking for literally any excuse to make the 5 hour drive back to Beyond Bedtime Books so I can shop some more \ud83d\ude2d #thrifting<\/a> #usedbooks<\/a> #indiebookstore<\/a> #pittsburgh<\/a> @VisitPITTSBURGH \u266c original sound \u2013 ALANA\ud83d\udcda\ud83e\ude75<\/a> <\/p>\n Beyond Bedtime Books<\/a>: A bookstore built on relationships\u00a0<\/p>\n Celebrating 16 years in business, Jamie Grassman has curated a bookstore that feels like home. Settled in Dormont<\/a>, the shop offers a mix of new and used books for all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI would describe it as just a cozy, warm feeling,\u201d says Grassman. \u201cIt\u2019s solely who I am as a person. \u2026 People often tell me it feels like home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The bookstore doubles as a meeting space, hosting events like Booze and Books, which offers complimentary wine for readers to relax, connect and enjoy literature together. These personal touches are what sets her store apart from larger chain retailers, says Grassman.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI am my store, and I give recommendations. \u2026 Even if no one comes into my store to shop, they\u2019ll often stick their head in and say \u2018that joke made my day.\u2019 So I think it\u2019s the little things that set you aside from the big box stores for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Post-pandemic, Grassman observed her renewed aspiration for in-person interactions, \u201cBooks brought people together again. \u2026 Everybody wants to kind of have that unity.\u201d<\/p>\n Heat Check<\/a>: A hub for local creatives\u00a0<\/p>\n Brendan Kelly and his business partner, Ricky Daley, founded Heat Check almost 13 years ago, aiming to merge vintage fashion with other creative fields.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just wanted to create somewhere where people can be themselves and connect with other unique individuals through fashion, art, music and just creation in general,\u201d Kelly says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Heat Check highlights local artisanship and collaboration. The space also hosts events such as comedy shows, latte art throwdowns and workshops in jewelry and crochet.<\/p>\n Kelly describes the impact of these interactions, \u201cIt is honestly the most rewarding and prideful part of what I do. \u2026 The relationships and friendships with the community make everything worth it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Supporting local makers within the city is central to Heat Check\u2019s identity. Kelly notes, \u201cThere is nothing like interacting with the human being who actually made this thing from scratch with their own hands. This is the stuff I like to buy and support.\u201d<\/p>\n Third Space Bakery<\/a>: Learning, baking and connecting<\/p>\n In Garfield, Beth Taylor helped to build Third Space Bakery, which doubles as a teaching kitchen<\/a>. From sourdough bread to seasonal pastries, the bakery focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients and hands-on culinary opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cKeeping the money local as possible and supporting other small businesses. \u2026 Our coffee is roasted three blocks down the street, and our flour is milled at the beginning of the week. It just tastes better \u2013 fresher, better,\u201d says Taylor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Classes and workshops are foregrounded in the bakery\u2019s mission, providing opportunities for people to learn together. \u201cI\u2019ve seen strangers exchanging phone numbers by the end of a class and wanting to meet up again. \u2026 People are longing for that connection, and it makes them come out more.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Behind the scenes at the bakery, there\u2019s a full orchestra of processes happening. Maintaining sourdough starters, prepping ingredients and converting the space for classes requires tedious planning. But the payoff is meaningful engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the bakery\u2019s open, I love it when we\u2019re busy. \u2026 In the class, I\u2019m just happy when people are connecting and talking, and sometimes we all just sit down and eat together at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Kamani Kegler is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the\u00a0Pittsburgh Black Media Federation<\/a>\u2018s Chris Moore interns.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/heat-check--scaled.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Heat Check.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20240325_161330381-scaled.jpg\")
Third Space Bakery\u2019s modular sales counter and open production space. Photo by Roman Hladio.<\/p>\n