your neighborhood: Sewickley

Sewickley took its name from a Native American word that means “sweet water.” The debate goes on whether the water in question is that of the nearby Ohio River or the sweet sap that flowed from the town’s ample supply of maple trees. But there’s no argument that Sewickley is a destination spot for many Pittsburghers.

If you haven’t been to Sewickley, you’re missing out on one of the most attractive and welcoming business districts in the Pittsburgh region. Its careful design projects a small-town ambience, and the friendly shop owners only enhance that effect.

Anyone who’s dedicated to shopping and dining at locally owned establishments will adore Sewickley’s Beaver Street. Here, you’ll even find CDs, DVDs, and books offered at independent shops like Yankello’s Audio and Video and the Penguin Bookshop. Safran’s Supermarket and Fondi’s Gourmet Market are other alternatives to big-box grocery stores.

Restaurants abound here. Try the Sewickley Café; The Naked Grape, a recently opened wine bistro; or the

Green Chef Deli, which is not your average sandwich joint. And don’t let the Ultimate Pastry Shop’s name fool you; they serve quiches and sandwiches, too. Of course, be sure to save room for the homemade gelato at the Sewickley Confectionery.

Sewickley’s stores address virtually every shopping need from party supplies (PartyAnts) to knitting supplies (Yarns Unlimited); from cigars (El Fumador) to environmentally friendly goods (Friends of the Planet). Clothing boutiques are aplenty here, too.

For those in the mood to be pampered, there’s no better place to be than Sewickley. Casa Dolce Spa, Van Salon, and the popular Sewickley Spa are all within walking distance of each other.

Even if shopping and spas are not your thing, it’s worth the drive up Route 65 simply to take in the scenery. Renowned for its wealthy populace since the names of steel barons dotted Pittsburgh’s society pages, and sometimes referred to as the second home of the Pittsburgh Penguins (many of the players live within its limits), Sewickley is full of beautiful mansions and Victorian houses. Even the local post office and the water treatment plant are architecturally pleasing.

Sewickley’s beautiful public green spaces and parks also add to the borough’s charm. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Sewickley Civic Garden Council, a local volunteer organization, residents and visitors can enjoy the town’s meticulously maintained landscapes.

The Garden Council also hosts an annual May Mart where plants and garden accessories are sold. And within the past few years, the council also launched an annual Garden Tour and Gala that is held each summer.

There are plenty of other reasons to be out and about in Sewickley, starting with the Sweetwater Center for the Arts, which is housed in a former U.S. post office building. The center sponsors a series of outdoor jazz concerts in the summer, the MAVUNO Festival of African American Art and Culture concert series in September and October, gallery walks in spring and fall, and a Holiday mART featuring handcrafted pieces by local and national artists. The center also offers classes for adults and children in a variety of art forms and music, and can host birthday parties built around a number of themes.

The Sewickley Valley Historical Society is another active group that offers a number of events each year, covering topics from vintage clothing to Neville Island’s role in World War II. The group also publishes a monthly newsletter and even has a gift shop on its Web site.

And be sure to mark your calendar for this year’s Harvest Festival (Sept. 14) and Light Up Night (Dec. 4). A visit to Sewickley will definitely be a “sweet” one!