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There are many opinions about Downtown Pittsburgh. Some people love the sights, local haunts, and events. Others think we don’t have quite enough to do Downtown — especially during the day — and I agree.
While there are plans in place to revitalize the area, it can be difficult to find things right now that make people want to casually be downtown. While Downtown Pittsburgh already has some bars and restaurants, many dinner places tend to aim at big spenders, rather than everyday folks, and many lunch and coffee places are, unfortunately, chains.
So it’s refreshing to find a lunch and coffee spot like PAIR Charcuterie, which sounds boujee but is affordable, approachable, and friendly.
PAIR recently opened in the Pitt Building at 211 Smithfield St. The building was acquired earlier this year by the Greenwood Plan, an incubator for Black-owned businesses that has turned the former Beauty Shoppe coworking space and Republican social club into a new coworking space, plus five shell spaces for new business storefronts. The “turnkey-ready” property formerly occupied by Gloria Jean’s Coffees was the perfect spot for PAIR to set up shop.
On a busy workday, when we have many important items to discuss here at City Paper, I sometimes need to take thirty or so minutes of respite around lunchtime to clear my head and start fresh. I enjoy strutting down Smithfield in my thrift store couture, especially if a good cup of coffee and a well-made sandwich or snack awaits at my final destination.
My go-to break spot used to be Creative Coffee & Supply which shut its doors “temporarily” back in April and simply never re-opened. After Creative’s initial closure, I reluctantly tried the Downtown Starbucks a few times and decided that it wasn’t for me. The busy corporate giant with its sugared coffee concoctions and mass-produced snack packs (not to mention its labor issues and greed) didn’t quite hit the mark of a “relaxing break in my workday.”
For two months, I had nowhere to go. Then, in June PAIR Charcuterie opened. It’s decidedly my favorite place to grab a coffee, a snack, or lunch on an exceptionally busy day. PAIR is the brainchild of charcuterie maven and catering queen Shaquala Swinton-Betts. Along with her business partner, Ieshia Hearn, Swinton-Betts is bringing the charcuterie experience to Downtown Pittsburgh with her charcuterie cups and adult lunchables.
PAIR offers the kind of comfort food I need. As a foodie and a snob for clean eats with great flavor, a cute lunchbox filled with colorful fruit, nuts, chocolates, prosciutto, various cheeses, crackers, and thick jam speaks directly to my soul.
But it’s not just the Charcuterie that’s comforting. It’s the selection of home-baked goods such as pies, sweet potato tarts, and locally made pastries, not to mention their macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and delicious homemade sandwiches.
PAIR’s charcuterie offerings go beyond the storefront. Swinton-Betts started PAIR as a catering operation, bringing a charcuterie experience to local homes and businesses. That side of the business is still going strong, adding charcuterie classes and special events. (From time to time, you may find PAIR’s events on our Events page on Pittsburgh City Paper’s website.)
While it’s clear that Swinton-Betts has a passion for charcuterie, her partner Hearn shares her passion for community. Hearn is the “face” of PAIR on Smithfield and enjoys meeting everyone who comes through the door, sharing updates on all of their delicious inventory. PAIR makes it their business to fill their shelves with goods from their local partners: baked goods from Better Bets Bakery, pies from Early Mae’s, vegan pastries from Wild Rose, floral arrangements by Serenity Bloom, and giftable candles by Blis 23 candle company.
To be frank, I like PAIR so much better than Creative Coffee & Supply. It’s friendlier. Whoever is behind the counter on any given day is always smiling. The space is better, in my opinion — it’s filled with natural light, even on a dark and gloomy day. Also, the music is quieter and has a more relaxing vibe. PAIR also has solid Wi-Fi and plenty of seating for such a small coffee shop. It’s a great place for Downtown workers like me to bring a laptop if need be or take a quick break from the office.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2024.
