Marketing The Square

Really, it's no secret that Market Square is one of the hottest go-to lunchtime stops for most people living, working or just dropping in on Downtown. Now one group of people — besides us — wants to spread the word that there's something going on in the Square just about anytime most days of the week. Which is why the Market Square Merchants Association (MSMA) is extending an open invitation to everyone to enjoy Summer in the Square  — and much more.

"The goal of the association is simple," says Mike Geiger, an MSMA member and owner of Moe's Southwest Grill in the Square. "We want to provide everyone who visits the very best experience possible, whether they're here for lunch, St. Patrick's Day, Light-Up Night or any other day of the year."

Now there are certainly plenty of special occasions to plan a trip to the Square. But the truth is that the very best reason to spend some time in the heart of Downtown is the merchants in and around the Square. In one of the city's most compact shopping and dining districts, you'll find hip clothing stores, stylish shoe shops, bakeries, pizza parlors, Mexican-flavored dishes, classic American burgers, longtime Pittsburgh eateries, donuts, New Orleans infused cuisine, coffee shops, traditional Italian, and hoagies and submarine sandwiches. They're all within a few seconds walk from the center of the Square — and many are open for business every day from the early hours of the morning to way past sundown.

Whether you start off with a Mellow Mondays lunchtime concert, get over the hump with some Mid-Week Music or unwind after a long week at work with a drink and dining special during Friday Night Live performances, the MSMA wants you to know this is Downtown's newest entertainment, dining and shopping venue.  Tomorrow evening features Jamie Bruno at 5pm and Saddle Up at 6pm with prizes and give aways from Y108.  It will be like a little preview for the July 2 Kenny Chesney concert - Saddle Up will be playing Heinz field that day also.

But, as they shout out in those wacky TV ads—wait, there's more! With a new can-do spirit of pulling together, the MSMA is planning to bring even bigger events to the Square all year-round, like the spooktacular Zombie Fest. And they are busy telling people that the Square is the perfect place for al fresco conferences, parties, weddings and just about any happening you can imagine.

So the next time you visit the Square, think about what brought you there. And chances are, the answer will be a stop at one of the many members of the MSMA.

To see the schedule of all weekly events, check out the Market Square Programs.  With seven regularly scheduled programs, you want to make sure you've got your days straight!