New Businesses Coming to Canonsburg

Canonsburg Manager Terry Hazlett said the borough has seen “an uptick” recently in businesses wanting to set up shop in the borough.

Hazlett said in the wake of announcing nationwide expansion plans, retailer Dollar General has expressed interest in a parcel along East Pike Street for possible development later this year.

In addition, he said that Arleo’s Pizza has applied for a change of use permit through the borough’s zoning office. The business wants to occupy a storefront located at 800 First St, which is currently occupied by a Mexican Restaurant.

Hazlett said Arleo’s was described as a traditional pizza and hoagie shop with take-out and delivery options. The business is expected to have about five employees, he said.

While he said he couldn’t name names – Hazlett confirmed that a large retail chain is also looking to open a location in Canonsburg, as is a bakery. Details on those projects, he said, will be announced as soon as they become public.

Then there are the new additions coming to the heart of downtown Canonsburg.

Manager Nadeen Steffey said one new business is opening its doors and two others are expanding and renovating.

She said Willie Nixon is currently meeting with vendors and obtaining the proper permits for a sandwich shop planned for North Jefferson Avenue (the former home of Carmen’s).

“He will specialize in regional favorites,” Steffey said. “It won’t be a deli per se. They will have soups and salads and sandwiches and desserts – and it will all be homemade.”

She said Nixon will offer both a dining area and a delivery option – something she said was a nice complement to downtown’s current offerings.

Additionally, Camersini’s clothing shop, she said, is expected to undergo an interior renovation. Owner Mike Camersini is overhauling his inventory – and will no specialize in jeans and T-shirts.

The Colaizzo-Thompson Insurance Company is also expected to expand and renovate. Steffey said the business, located on Pike Street, has leased an adjacent space (the former election headquarters for state Rep. Brandon Neuman and state Sen. Tim Solobay) to expand its offices.

She added that additional staffing is expected as part of the expansion.

All this bodes well for the borough, she said – and reinforces what she’s always thought about the community.

“I look at Canonsburg and I see a town with so much potential,” she said.