your neighborhood: Bellevue

As the borough’s iconic sign on Ohio River Boulevard attests, Bellevue is indeed a great place to live, shop, and worship. It’s an imperative that locals take to heart, too. In fact, the Web site www.enjoybellevue.org has pages titled “Live,” “Worship” and “Shop.”

This charming north suburban borough is becoming an increasingly popular place to live. Affordable houses and apartments attract newcomers—singles, couples and families—who are happy to mix with long-time residents.

Easily accessible by foot for most of its nearly 9,000 residents, Bellevue is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh region. Within blocks of many of the borough’s homes, the Lincoln Avenue business district not only includes a variety of shops and services, but it also is home to other essential amenities, like the North Boroughs YMCA and a Kuhn’s grocery store.

The Andrew Bayne Library, housed in a large Victorian-era mansion, and Bayne Park are just steps off of Lincoln Avenue. Bellevue is also home to Suburban General Hospital.

With 13 churches and religious communities in its immediate vicinity, Bellevue offers ample opportunity to worship for a variety of Christian denominations: Lutherans, Catholics, and Presbyterians, among others. Those congregations also give back to the community, engaging in community service activities including tutoring and feeding the homeless.

Bellevue’s residents aren’t the only folks who can appreciate its charm. Visitors are welcome, too. Although it would be easy for Route 65 travelers to pass Bellevue by as they drive to destinations like Sewickley and Moon, they are missing out if they don’t stop. It’s well worth the right turn up the hill to check out the town’s Lincoln Avenue business district, which is also easily accessible from the Parkway North.

Shoppers can find an array of goods for sale in Bellevue. Fred Dietz’s Flowers and Gifts has an impressive amount of square footage for a flower shop, and that space allows for ample displays of seasonal decorations. Stew’s Hobby Shop is another unique business, and the Shepherd’s Door’s offering of religious items allows visitors to combine both worshiping and shopping.

Considering its small size, Bellevue is also home to a remarkable number of resale and consignment shops. The newest business, Heirlooms, benefits Family Hospice and Palliative Care. Antiques and Uniques and Bellevue Consignment Shop are also good places to find bargains. Don’t be fooled by the Mane Attraction Hair Salon’s moniker. The front of the shop is devoted to an eclectic collection of secondhand items.

Bellevue lives up to all that its sign promises; however, it’s missing one word: Eat. The borough features a bevy of dining options, ranging from white tablecloth to home-style cooking.

With its upscale atmosphere, Vivo is an ideal location to celebrate a special occasion. Located next to Around the Bend Books, Mojo Bistro has a menu that also features higher-end fare. Just don’t forget to bring your wine with you to either of these locations, if you go. Bellevue is a dry town, so its establishments are BYOB.

Two diners—Dari-Villa Restaurant and Bellevue Diner—serve up classic American fare, and Joe’s Rusty Nail and Frankfurter’s Hot Dog Shoppe are also sources for good grub.

Diners in the mood for something a little lighter might choose one of Lincoln Avenue’s two coffee shops: Muddy Cup and Affogato. The latter features a morning pancake bar each weekend that draws quite a crowd, and it also offers a small selection of used books for sale, as an added bonus.

Passersby can satisfy a sweet tooth at Nibbles and Licks, which offers ice cream and candy, or at Lincoln Bakery, which is worth a stop if only to see the amazing cakes that are more like pieces of artwork.

So, whether you’re in need of a place to live and worship or more in the mood to shop and nibble, Bellevue is worth a look.