Kicking 2023 Off Right at Bakery Square

2022 was an incredible year full of new events that we were so proud of. When we were planning our events for 2023, we were almost stumped with how to top it! Almost. From Elsa and Anna to standing in 7 degree weather for ice cream at 8 AM. Here's what we were up to this winter.

Do you wanna build a snow man?

Last December, you made a remarkable turnout at our Frozen event, and we were ecstatic to see the excitement and enthusiasm you brought along with you. We received a lot of feedback from you, and we took it into consideration when planning our upcoming events. As a result, we decided to kick off the new year with an event that we were confident you would love!

Our Frozen and Friends event on January 28th featured two of the most beloved Disney characters of all time, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, accompanied by their lovable friends, Olaf and Kristoff. We knew that they would bring the same magic to Bakery Square that they did to the big screen. Our event was a delightful blend of singing, dancing, playing, and indulging in some delectable sweets. The children were particularly thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and interact with their favorite characters. We worked so hard to make this event different from the last Frozen event we did and we were pleased to see that our efforts paid off. We received an overwhelmingly positive response, and we are grateful for your continued support.

Keeping it spicy this witer

Winter in Pittsburgh can tend to be a little gray. Well not a little, a LOT. And Tako Torta came up with a solution to bring the color and heat this chilly winter! Instead of Sunday brunch, they decided to open early on Saturdays and offer a mouth-watering brunch menu from 11:00am to 2:00pm. And that's not all - to make the brunch experience even spicer, they have local DJs providing live music every Saturday. This change in schedule means that visitors to Bakery Square can indulge in Tako Torta's delicious food while enjoying live music in a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. All in all, Tako Torta has found a way to make the winter season less dreary by introducing their Saturday brunch and music event, and it's safe to say that we are excited to see what else they have in store for the coming months.

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

As January flew by, we had the opportunity to play host to Jeni's Ice Cream For Breakfast Day! Despite the frigid temperatures and biting winds that came with the season, dedicated Jeni's fans braved the elements, lining up outside the shop in the wee hours of the morning to get their hands on some of the limited-edition Jeni's merch and, of course, their favorite ice cream flavors. Jeni's Ice Cream has long been known for its creative and unique flavor combinations, and their latest creation for Ice Cream For Breakfast Day was no exception. Inspired by founder Jeni Britton Bauer's childhood memories of real-deal maple syrup, the limited-edition flavor featured slow-churned butter and sticky-sweet syrup, resulting in a creamy and delicious taste that left ice cream lovers craving more. Ice cream for breakfast day was a fun chance to come together with friends and family, brave the cold, and celebrate the joys of life. And ice cream. We can only hope that Jeni's Ice Cream will continue to surprise and delight us with its innovative flavor creations and fun-filled celebrations.

A little stuffing and a whole lotta love!

February isn't just the month of ice cream, it's the month of love. Bakery Square, we decided to celebrate the sweetest holiday in a unique way by hosting a Build-a-Bear party. This fun event provided kids in the community with the opportunity to come and create their very own teddy bear with a lot of stuffing and a little bit of love. To top it all off, we created an all-red-and-pink sweets bar that was sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. This adorable event was not only a great way for kids to celebrate Valentine's Day but also a fun way for them to spend quality time with their families and friends. We look forward to doing more crafting events like this in 2023!

Almost there!

You know by now we love a princess party! When Mardi Gras came around, we had the perfect idea for a celebration. As a place that is always filled with magic and wonder, we decided to bring in one of the most beloved princesses, Princess Tiana, to help us celebrate this festive holiday. If you attended this event you knew it was a PARTY. Princess Tiana brought with her a whole host of exciting activities to enjoy. From crafting their own Mardi Gras masks to learning about the rich history and traditions of the holiday, there was never a dull moment. This iconic Disney princess brought her infectious energy and enthusiasm to the Conservatory, and the kids couldn't help but join in on the fun. It was a night filled with joy, laughter, and music, and a memory that the kids (and their parents) will cherish for years to come. We truly know how to make every event unforgettable, and this Mardi Gras celebration with Princess Tiana was no exception.

Be a goldfish.

"I think things come into our lives to help us get from one place to a better one."- Ted Lasso. We know one thing that came into our lives and made it better! Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams collaboration with Ted Lasso! Jeni's has always been known for its innovative and delicious flavors, but their latest creation "Biscuits with the Boss," takes the cake. Or the biscuit. This flavor is a delectable combination of buttery, flaky biscuit pieces mixed into a rich and creamy vanilla ice cream bas and it has quickly become a fan favorite. The day it launched, our store sold out of pints within one hour! "Biscuits with the Boss" is a flavor that celebrates the simple pleasures in life, and it's the perfect treat for anyone looking to indulge in a delicious and comforting dessert. We're still serving up scoops though, so be sure to stop in and try it for yourself. "Living in the moment, it's a gift. That's why they call it the present."

Bakery Square Public Art Artist Reveal

One of the most exciting things that happened this winter was that we (along with Walnut Capital) announced the fourth iteration of the Bakery Square Public Art Program, as part of its community initiative, "Grow with Walnut". This program aims to engage public and charter school students from the local area in collaboration with resident artists, with the ultimate goal of giving a voice to the community and enhancing the beautiful reimagined neighborhood of Bakery Square. From a pool of 57 applicants, local artist Sandy Kessler Kaminski was selected as the featured artist for 2023 by the selection committee. Kaminski will work with students from Lincoln Elementary and The Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh to create public art that will be unveiled on two giant panels at Bakery Square in June. The program has expanded this year to include the city's first utility box public art project, which will be led by local artist Korey Edmonson in collaboration with school students. The continuation of the program and its focus on engaging with kids and schools has been praised by committee member Donna Jackson, who emphasized the program's importance in the Larimer community. To learn more about the program and its recent artists' work, be sure to check out the Art page.

Making new connections...

Last but most certainly not least, if you've been around the Square you've seen we're under some pretty heavy construction right now! We've undertaken two projects that we believe will help the community in many ways.

The Portal Project is a new tunnel connection to East Liberty Boulevard. The Portal will feature prioritized accessibility to ease the pedestrian experience through East Liberty and Bakery Square. You can read a bit more about the project here!

The Canopy Project is all about making BKSQ a better place to be at. We know you're curious about the Construction in front of Galley- Bakery Square. Our new Canopy will allow the community to enjoy outdoor dining, rain or shine, under the new canopy cover at Bakery Square! Read more about the project and see some cool renderings here!

Both the Portal Project and the Canopy Project are examples of Bakery Square's commitment to creating a more dynamic, livable, and sustainable community.

We cannot WAIT to show you what we have in store for the Spring. Take a look at all upcoming events here, you won't want to miss a single thing!