After sitting empty on the North Side for nearly 20 years, the historic Garden Theater building is finally ready for a show.
Its new tenant, Mayfly Market & Deli, is bringing fresh eats and local goods to W. North Avenue — a street dotted with businesses, a popular busline, and a large urban green space.
“When it was a theater, it was a really important, thriving part of the community, and that just fits with the whole ethos that we have,” market owner Ann Gilligan says. “We want to be a part of a thriving, healthy community, and this just feels like it was meant to be.”
Mayfly previously operated out of a rowhouse on Arch Street, just a few blocks away. The shop is now double the size and carries everything you’d need in a pinch — pantry staples, produce, eggs, meat, dairy, bread, and snacks — plus deli offerings like sandwiches, soups, and salads.
The menu rotates seasonally, but you can always expect something fresh at the counter and grab-and-go meals in the fridge. (I’m a big fan of the curry chickpea sandwich.)
In addition to groceries, look for local gifts like flowers, candles, and cards. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
You can find lots of local goods in stock, too: Pittsburgh Pickle Company, Best Ever Granola, Goat Rodeo Cheese, and a freezer full of Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches.
If you can’t do dairy, don’t worry. Mayfly makes their own Gilligan’s Sorbet in-house. Choose from flavors like kiwi, mango lime, and blueberry lemon. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy on a stroll through nearby Allegheny Commons Park.
Look out for more action coming to the Garden Theater. Homestead’s Golden Age Beer is launching a new brewery concept in the other half of the space called “The Bohemian.” Gilligan says she’s excited to expand Mayfly’s menu to appeal to the happy hour crowd.
The effort to restore this early 20th century theater has been years in the making. TREK Development Group and Q Development led the project and also built apartments next door.
“I have to give credit to them. They saw this and saw the potential and made it happen.” Gilligan says. “Just inviting everyone back into the building has been really special to watch.”
