Last weekend, like many home improvement warriors, I faced a classic equipment meltdown—my trusty power washer went kaput right in the middle of a job. After a failed attempt at DIY repairs inspired by a YouTube video, where a rogue valve assembly shot into my wildly overgrown yard, I was about ready to scrap the whole thing. That’s when my neighbor chimed in with a life-saving suggestion: “Why don’t you check out J and D Lawn & Tractor Sales? They do repairs.”

With nothing to lose, I called up J and D in Wexford and explained my predicament. They were incredibly accommodating right from the start, offering to diagnose the issue for $30, which would be credited towards any repair costs. Seeing an opportunity to possibly save my power washer, my son and I made the trip from Ross Township to their shop.

Upon arriving, we were immediately struck by the professionalism and methodical approach of the repair team. It was clear they knew their way around lawn equipment, and I felt reassured that my power washer was in good hands. While I dealt with the repairs, my son was enamored with the array of impressive tractors on display. Though they were certainly more machine than we'd ever need for our modest yard, he couldn’t help but dream a little.

Adding to the shop's charm was a mounted buck's head on the wall, which caught my son’s attention—a perfect touch to what felt like a true man's man type of store. 

Though they mentioned the repairs might take a couple of days, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call the very next day letting me know my power washer was ready for pickup. When I arrived, I found out they had replaced the entire pump on the motor, a necessary fix that cost me about $200. Considering a new 3300 psi gas-powered washer would have set me back $500 at Home Depot, I felt the price was just right.

Not only had they fixed the main issue, but they’d also noticed a few other missing parts like a new soap dispenser box, which they added without a fuss. They even polished up the entire machine, adding those extra touches that really make a service stand out. My power washer looked nearly new, and it wasn’t long before I was back at home, the patio looking better than it had in years thanks to the revived equipment.

The experience has reminded me to take care of my tools better and not to forget about that gas blower that hasn’t started up for two years. Thanks to the professional and thoughtful service at J and D Lawn & Tractor Sales, I know exactly where it’s going for a much-needed revival. Here’s to many more productive weekends, with equipment that keeps running thanks to a great local shop!

 Walking into the newly opened Dick's House of Sport at Ross Park Mall is like stepping into the future of retail — a future where spaciousness, modern design, and tangible, interactive experiences take center stage. From the moment I entered, I was struck by the store's clean and contemporary look, a refreshing departure from the cluttered and cramped spaces often found in traditional retail settings. The use of space is not just about aesthetics; it enhances the shopping experience, making it easy to navigate through the wide array of sports gear and apparel.

One of the most captivating features of Dick's House of Sport is the array of life-sized mannequins, each expertly posed to display the clothing and equipment sold in the store. These aren't your average, static displays; they are dynamic, showcasing the gear in action — a skier mid-slalom, a basketball player poised to shoot, a cyclist in full sprint. This creative presentation not only showcases the products in a realistic way but also inspires shoppers to envision themselves in the midst of their favorite sports activities.

What truly sets Dick's House of Sport apart, however, is its innovative concept that bridges the gap between online convenience and the desire for tangible product interaction. In an era dominated by digital shopping, this store offers something that online retailers simply cannot: the opportunity for one-on-one product interaction. Customers can touch, feel, and even test the products before making a purchase. The climbing wall, outdoor track, and multi-sport cages are not just showpieces; they invite customers to engage with the products in a real and meaningful way. It's this hands-on approach that transforms shopping from a mundane task into an exciting and immersive experience.

The brilliance of Dick's House of Sport lies not just in its design or product range but in its understanding of what today's consumers seek — genuine connections with the products they buy. The opportunity to interact with items, to test them in real-world conditions, offers a level of confidence in purchase decisions that online shopping can't match. This innovative retail model not only elevates the shopping experience but also fosters a sense of community among sports enthusiasts, inviting them to gather, explore, and share their passions in a space that celebrates athleticism and adventure.

In conclusion, Dick's House of Sport in Ross Park Mall is a trailblazer in the retail industry, offering a spacious, clean, and modern shopping environment filled with life-sized mannequins that bring the store to life. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, it's the store's commitment to interactive and hands-on product experiences that truly sets it apart, offering something unique and valuable that online retailers cannot replicate. It's a testament to the enduring power of physical retail in an increasingly digital world, and a must-visit destination for anyone looking to connect with their athletic spirit. 

I took my Mom down to Fox Chapel shopping plaza to get her new iPhone set up at the Xfinity Store. If this would be the only reason I was there that day, then I probably would not have walked around the entire shopping plaza taking pictures and then putting up a review on Across North Hills. However, I ended up back at the Fox Chapel plaza an hour later after dropping my Mom off at her home in Verona, which is across the River from here (and outside our Across North Hills coverage area). 

So after I dropped her off in Verona I made the mistake of thinking that the Highland Park Bridge would be open to head back to the heart of the North Hills by taking North Rt. 8 and then snaking my way up through Etna, Shaler, and back into my home base in Ross Township. Now, the Pittsburgh exit was closed, so I had to take 28 North to a point where I would exit and get back on 28 South. The exit took me right to Freeport Rd. and boom, I was smack dab right at the Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza, the same place I had just left an hour before. 

I am one to make the most out of travel frustration be it in a car or on an airplane - or even a pogo stick for that matter. Therefore, I took this opportunity to walk around the mall and snap some pictures. Plus, I ducked into two stores while there, the Coffee Tree Roasters coffee shop and a newer restaurant, Local Provisions. 

While Fox Chapel shopping plaza is a strip mall plaza, I like the array order of stores. More, in particular, the Coffee Tree Roasters around a corner and side, next to the Alta Via restaurant, is located well. You are off the beaten path and feel like you can settle back in for a coffee and do some thinking, which is exactly what I did.

Now after having another one too many cups of coffee, I walked along the entire perimeter of Fox Chapel shopping plaza. Some unique stores I noted were Splurge, an eclectic gift shop selling a variety of housewares, bath and body provisions,  candles, seasons stuff, handbags, jewelry, and various women's fashions. 

Another notable store was the Goldfish Swim School. In short, they teach kids from 4 months to 12, how to swim. Not sure why, but never imagined a swimming school would be found in a strip mall shopping plaza. I like it. If I had a kid that needed to learn to swim, I could drop him or her off and then get some shopping done or maybe a bite to eat. 

Another destination shop is Gentilcore Jewelers, a purveyor of classic and contemporary jewelry, giftware, wedding rings, and watches. They also offer appraisal services for insurance and estate purposes plus jewelry repair.  

So Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza has enough unique stores to make it worth your while for a special trip. However, between these shops, you have a number of convenient stores that would make this place a daily stop for many that live nearby.  For starters, there is the Xfinity store (though I am a Verizon man, and take no particular pleasure in stating that). You will also find a shoe service, which to me is old-world practicality. Don Royal Cleaners can help with the dry cleaning while you can pick up some packages at the Amazon Hub Locker located at this shopping plaza. Rite Aid and a PNC bank round out the practical and convenience shops and services. 

The food offerings can't be overlooked either. I think what sets Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza apart from a run-of-the-mill type of strip mall is that you have some very nice dining options. You have modern Italian cuisine in the form of Alta Via. Next to that, you have the aforementioned Coffee Tree Roasters. For lunch bites you got Zoup! offering a variety of melty sandwiches, soups (naturally), and salads. Loafer's Bread Co. provides warm-from-the-oven bread. I'll save the place I liked the best for last: Local Provisions. 

Local Provisions is a cool, hipster multipurpose shop, bar, and restaurant featuring casual fare dining that includes breakfast sandwiches, quiches, farmers' breakfasts, and omelets. Seasonal produce and a variety of specialty groceries are available as well. I enjoyed the local craft beer six packs they had to go! 

Recall that it was a traffic detour that led me back to Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza. You might say that when God gives you lemons you make lemonade. I say when God gives you lemons, you pick up two sixers of craft beer. In this case, I snagged a sixer of Old Thunder Bay cream ale and another of Oh, Mama Renegade Styx. 

Oh, Mama, it made me think. When will you need to go back to the Xfinity store?     

In an effort to get started early on a New Year’s resolution - yes, it is right about that time - I signed up for a free trial at Crunch Fitness along McKnight Rd. in Ross Township. The free trial entitles me to 7 days of workouts before making up my mind if Crunch Fitness is worth joining. This review is about day one. 

First, the timing couldn’t be better for Crunch Fitness as a long-standing and locally owned and operated gym, Club Julian 24-Hour Fitness closed at the end of summer in 2022. Here, Crunch Fitness opened its doors in the Fall of 2022, thus filling a void. Yes, I am one of the former Club Julian patrons who now need a gym that is convenient to get to and is also not named LA Fitness. Crunch Fitness met my needs in that regard, but this gym is certainly not your father's or mom’s Club Julian (or mine).

When I first entered I was greeted at the main foyer island, where a very friendly desk assistant walked me through my guest registration on an Ipad. She then proceeded to show me around the facility. 

You will see from the pictures that there are so many machines in each row, be it ellipticals, exercise bikes, or stair climbers you are half expecting that you are really staring into a carnival tent mirror room and everything - as these exercise machines surely did - appeared to stretch to infinity. So, yes, there is plenty of machines here. 

Generally, the spacious gym is divided into three main areas. When you walk back to the entry area, the right is filled with various HIIT (high-intensity interval training) stations and weight machine training circuits. 

The HIITZone delivers high-intensity interval training designed to torch fat, sculpt muscle, and increase metabolism by burning calories long after you stop sweating. In this medieval-looking area, you will find a plethora of fitness equipment including free weights, kettlebells,  sleds, tires, rope pull-downs, battle ropes, heavy bags, medicine balls, power rowers, monkey bars, and what have you. 

The left area, from the perspective of having just walked into the place, is filled with free weights and powerlifting equipment. This area appeared to cater to the younger crowd.

So this takes me to the philosophy of this gym. They stress positivity, inclusivity, and fun. You get the sense that they go out of their way to make Crunch Fitness an embodiment of those ideas. Now, if only I can embody in my body the ideas of fitness, I will be set. 

Other features of the gym can be accessed in the surrounding and adjoining rooms. There is a group exercise room, a stationary bike riding room, and even a room where you can drop young off so that they can entertain themselves while you get a workout in. 

Now the last walk around contained the hydro massage and tanning rooms. All seemed state-of-the-art and modern. The locker rooms too were squeaky clean, and in this department, I can speak to the men’s locker room( but I would imagine the women’s locker room would be just about like the men’s).

The location along McKnight Rd. is easy to get to with plenty of parking. It is located at the former Steinmart site (wow, what a change) and conveniently sits next to a Dunham’s sporting goods department store. So, even if you forgot your water bottle, you can run next door and get a new one. 

Part of me misses Club Julian. Heck, I worked out there when I graduated from North Hills High School in, eh, the 90s whatever. Still, with the closing of Club Julian, it is time for a change. It is a time for Crunch Fitness. 

Times are typically 12 AM to 12 AM most days of the week. They close a little earlier on Fridays and weekend hours a shortened to 7 am to 9 pm. They also offer a scheduling app and online classes you can do from the comfort of your home. 

Bellevue Beer, located along Ohio River Blvd. in the Bellevue community of the North Hills of Pittsburgh is a great place to go to find a well-provisioned craft beer selection. I did that the other day when I had to drop my son off for a doctor's appointment and was looking to make the most out of a half hour. I decided this was the perfect time to get my holiday hoard of craft beer. I asked my phone for directions to the nearest beer store and I was soon directed to Bellevue Beer. 

Bellevue Beer has a cool-looking face. It is black and white themed and evokes a very hipster vibe. But more than that, Bellevue Beer offers a wide variety of beers, both local and national, as well as a rotating selection of seasonal brews. I didn't need their assistance, but their knowledgeable staff seemed ready to help you find the perfect beer for your taste. Whether you're a sports fan looking for the perfect game-day beer or a foodie looking for something to pair with your meal, Bellevue Beer has something for everyone. 

With IPAs, microbrews, stouts, lagers, and a great selection of craft beers from all over the world, you'll be sure to find something that quenches your thirst. Whether you're hosting a party or just relaxing at home after a long day, Bellevue Beer has a wide variety of brews to satisfy your craving. 

Shopping for beer can sometimes be overwhelming, but the knowledgeable and passionate staff at this store makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. Whether you're looking for a new craft variety or just a classic lager, they seem to have it. 

Beer lovers listen up! If you’re in the mood to stock up on your favorite brews, at prices that won’t break the bank, then now is the time. Reasonably priced beers are out there and ready for you to enjoy. Whether it's lagers or ales, smooth stouts, or IPAs with a kick, a few bucks will go a long way toward filling your fridge – and your glass. So grab your wallet and make a beer run - refreshment awaits!

The Block Northway, ah, "Northway Mall", as it will forever be called by me as a long-standing resident of the North Hills, has undergone many iterations over the decades. This latest one is a great one. 

Heck, they even added a BJs as an anchor tenant too. Remarkable, somehow, this shopping plaza, compliments what you have across McKnight Rd. over in McIntyre Square and Ross Park Mall down the street. It is somewhat of a combination of both of those shopping experiences and still something different. 

You can't beat having the only Dave & Buster's in the north hills area of Pittsburgh. Moreover, you got a Wahlburger's restaurant too. This is to say nothing of some of the more fast-casual offerings such as Blaze Pizza and Piada Italian Street food. There is a little something for everyone at The Block Northway. 

The location is convenient to many communities in the North Hills as it sits literally on the border of Ross Township and McCandless Township, both of which are centrally located in the heart of the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Yes, right up the street, McNightmare Rd for us locals, you have McCandless Crossing and that is a great little shopping plaza, replete with all stores you, and is home to the area only movie theater (I still like the good old movie theater experience), but The Block Northway just might be the keystone block in the wall of shopping options that constitute the retail mecca that is today McKnight Rd (McNightmare to use locals) that runs through North Hills up out of Allegheny County. 

What's not to like about McCandless Crossing? Okay, maybe the parking is a bit of an adventure with all the high curbs and labyrinthine parking islands. But, parking aside, I just got the only big gripe I have about McCandless Crossing, out of the way. Well, maybe. 

I guess it is bisected by McNight Road and so a concrete river runs through it. However, can one complain about that since, in all likelihood, McKnight Rd. running through it, is probably why they named McCandless Crossing exactly that - you are required to cross McKnightmare Rd. (sorry, using local vernacular there) if you want to explore the whole shopping plaza. 

Let's focus on the really good stuff. 

Lights. Camera. Action. McCandless Crossing has a movie theater. Now, how many other places across the North Hills can say that? The answer is none. 

For my entertainment dollar--and call me old school here--I love taking the kids to the movies as a family outing experience that you just can't replicate at home watching streaming services. 

Let's expand upon what is awesome. 

What about cool hipster coffee shops? It's got one of those in Convive Coffe, which is the perfect place for me to wait out a shopping spree. On more leisure trips to McCandless Crossing, I might venture over to BJ's Brewhouse and enjoy a Jeremiah Red. 

On that note, there is a lot of shopping to be done at McCandless Crossing.

McCandless Crossing won me at Dick's Sporting Goods. Of course, I am a dude. Still, not only is that where I get all my golfing gear, but it's also where I outfit my kids with the stuff they need for youth sports. Moreover, for the DIYers, you have a Lowe's Home Improvement store too. But, those stores cater to the guy in me. 

For the ladies, there is also a wide variety of beauty salons and massage spas too. My wife particularly likes Style Encore, and Trader Joe's. We both love Riverstone Books.  Some unique stores include Ft. Pitt Piano and Deer Creek Winery. 

Not the piano and wine type? There is practical shopping to be done as well. 

Sprinkled in McCandless Crossing are everyday lifestyle shops and services including a bank, pharmacy, and various medical offices. So, McCandless Crossing pretty much has it all. 

What about its location? 

Let's summarize.

You have a great variety of nice restaurants and a blend of unique and useful shops and services. You also have entertainment too. McCandless Crossing features live music from the late spring to late fall on the green lawn town square too with their Summer Concert Series.

So on top of a good selection of shops and services, restaurants, and entertainment options, I have to ask one more time: What is not to like about McCandless Crossing?

This time, I'll answer my question: Not much.

Agree? Disagree? Leave your review on this page. 

The other day I took my wife's car to get all four tires changed at Discount Tire in Ross Township. Now granted, I got a price that I wasn't sure if it was high or not. At North Hills Toyota earlier. Furthermore, it was one of those strange buy three tires and get the 4th tire free type of deals which always feels like I’m about to be had somehow. Knowing that a Toyota Rav 4 should be able to get away with some decent middle-of-the-road, no pun intended, tires, then I thought I could go to Discount Tire and save a bundle.

Well, I quickly found out when I entered the posh and spacious and exquisitely clean, and the orderly Discount Tire garage and showroom on McKnight Road in Ross Township, that I had mistaken this Discount Tire for the Discount Tire Center in Bellevue over yonder on Ohio River Blvd. The young kind counter mechanic explained that that is a totally different place and they are Discount Tire Center, whereas they were just Discount Tire. 

I should have suspected something was different because the place in Bellevue was kind of an off the Ohio River Blvd grease monkey pit. However, you could get in and out and get some fabulous deals on tires so far as I remember. 

Here the tires were priced about just what I would have got at the North Hills Toyota dealership. However now I was already here and how many trips am I going to devote to getting new tires to save 100 bucks or so? Perhaps in today's day and age, maybe a couple. But jeez, just the gas it would take to make several more trips might make it worth it just to pay whatever and to get the heck out of a garage with new tires and as quick as time possible.

The speed at which they were able to put new tires on the car and look them up and price out several different levels of tires was impressive. I really liked the showroom or waiting room because it was spacious and clean. You could sit there and even watch them work on your car throw a window. I got the sense that everything from customer service through tire rotation was a well-defined process that they had down pat. 

The customer service folks were pleasant enough. My only gripe might be that they try to add on some sort of $20 policy or something where you can, I don't know, you can come back in a year or so if your tires are defective and they will handle it. It just seemed like something that I didn't want to pay for, so I told them to take that off my price. Like any business, they're gonna start you off with the high-end tires. Which could run you quite a bit of money.

They started me out with tires that cost over 200 bucks per tire for a Toyota Rav 4 and I thought that was really high. So, I kept saying, do you have something a bit lower, and the guy kept showing me the tires that went lower in price on his monitor. 

I finally felt that after seeing tires that cost over 200 per tire, well, maybe tires around the 150 a piece price is probably what I'm looking at. When he got to those tires, I said OK, now we're in the ballpark. Nonetheless, I asked him if he had anything cheaper, and then he said, oh yeah, we have the “laughers.” Surely, I don’t want to put the laughers on my car. 

I was too embarrassed to ask to even see the laughers, but something tells me, those tires may not have been that bad either.

This pricing experience has nothing uniquely to do with Discount Tire at all, but I'm wondering if a good tire tip is just to go with something that's going to get you around 40,000 miles per tire. After all, all of the tires that claim that you get 70,000 or 80,000 thousand miles will mean you must spend out the wazoo to get them. I have never, to date, talked to anyone that got the advertised mileage out of a tire that was sold to them on that millage. Heck, it's always your fault if the tires don’t last right? You didn’t put enough air in them or rotate them? Heck, don’t they rotate every day I drive the freaking car? Okay, I am just being silly there. Why not laugh about typical tire sales tactics. It seems better than buying the so-called laughers. 

Case in point, my wife's Toyota Rav 4 has 37,000 miles on it and needed all brand-new tires. And this on a car that barely makes it out of the North Hills. So, I don't know if I get another 40,000 miles out of a set of tires, I guess I'm happy with that. I am wondering if the laughers would have delivered 37,000 miles. If so, then maybe the name is ironic since I would have had the last laugh if my laughers lasted that long. 

I still wonder what I might have paid at Discount Tire Center in Bellevue, but oh well. I'm not going to drive across the north hills to find out. I'm going to save the next 40,000 miles on this Toyota Rav 4's tires for where it will be needed, McKnight Road.

All in all, I recommend Discount Tire if you are looking to get a decent pair of quality tires at a decent price and to get in and out fast. I think Discount Tire did extremely well in that regard and the showroom/waiting room is spiffy and spacious and well-lit; not a bad place to kill some time on your iPhone while your car gets outfitted with new tires. 

 

The other day I went with my family to the Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township store to upgrade my wife's iPhone 6 and to simply get my son who's in fifth grade a phone for the first time. Of course, he already had an Android assigned to him, but he never used it. In fact, he refused to use it until it was time for an iPhone. That time came last week. 

When we first entered the Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township, we quickly found out that you need in the appointment to get your phones checked out or to do whatever you wanted to do except maybe to buy something off the shelf. To do an upgrade we had to make an appointment and it was about two or three days out for that, so we made an appointment and came back a few days later. 

When we got there at our appointment time on a Tuesday afternoon we were quickly greeted and had to wait about 10 minutes before a kindly young gentleman brought up our account information and confirmed it all and advised us on how to upgrade our phones. 

He was very knowledgeable about the cell phones they sold and all the accessories as well. However, he was heavy on trying to get us to upgrade our plans for extra lines and other discounts which may save you money in the short term but might end up costing you more money in the long run. Now I have been a Verizon customer for years, but I am guessing most major cellular brands push the same kind of deals. 

I recall two years ago when I upgraded my phone and my daughter upgraded hers to an iPhone 11, we were told that if we added an extra line to our family plan (of which we didn’t need) we would get a free iPad and the phones would be BOGO. 

OK, that sounds like a good deal I guess and who doesn't want an extra iPad? Therefore, we did go with that deal a few years ago. One of the things that are not very clear is that there are new fees for adding new lines and you must pay taxes on the free iPad and pay taxes on both phones at the full price (I am pretty sure). All of this, even though one phone and the iPad were supposedly “free”. Then there are upgrade charges and oddly enough when I look at my cell phone plan today it seems that from adding those free devices a couple of years ago and adding the extra lines, plus getting all the discount deals, it just turned out to be more money, in the end, no matter what. So take the long-term view when upgrading. 

One nice thing at Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township is that you get interest-free financing on your phones. So whatever phone you get they can put you on a 3-year interest-free financing plan which means an iPhone 13 at 800 bucks as we are not the “Pro” types or the “Pro Max” types. Each new phone would amount to an extra $22.00 a month on our phone bill. There were $35 upgrade fees and that was about it. Once we added some cell phone cases and glass to protect the cell phones and plus get some charging blocks because charging blocks are no longer included with cell phone purchases, we still spent around 300 dollars to upgrade two old phones. 

I find upsells an annoying aspect of visiting any cell phone store for that matter. Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township did try to sell us on Verizon credit card that guarantees a lower discount or something on our regular plan but the last thing I want to do is open another credit card. So, we turned that down. 

On the positive, the sales professional was knowledgeable and polite and knew what he was doing. If there was one minor drawback is that from what I recall they usually turn on the new phones for you and make sure you leave, there knowing that your phones work and that you're getting reception and everything like that. We were basically given instructions to power on the phones when we got home. When we did that later it didn't necessarily go as smooth as possible. For whatever reason, we couldn't connect to our cellular network. Therefore, I had to get a chat tech representative on the computer which did involve more time at home chatting with a bot that basically instructed us to reset the network using the general settings on both iPhones. Following those procedures, everything worked fine. 

All in all, we went there knowing we were going to have to spend some money so I'm not really complaining about that. The customer service was very good, and the products are top-notch. The store is clean but maybe a little bit hard to get to. If you're heading north on McKnight Rd., you must circle back at the Ross Towne Center shopping plaza intersection since Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township is a southward bound McKnight store. 

I don't know but I don't think I'll ever fully enjoy going to a cell phone store period. To me, it's like the modern equivalent of visiting a dentist's office. You must do it every so often to keep up with the latest and greatest. That goes for your cellular networks as well as your dental hygienist. So, if you look at a trip to Verizon Wireless on McKnight Rd. in Ross Township like a trip to the dentist well then, I was happy to be out of there in an hour. My wife and son were certainly showing their pearly whites when their phones successfully connected later that day too. 

There is nothing spectacular about shopping at North Hills village, however, there is a local photography shop of note - Premier Imaging & Camera. Other than that, you will find a variety of big box stores from Best Buy to Target.