5 Popular Historic Wholesale Districts

A wholesale district is an area where a compact cluster of intermediary entities that buy in bulk and sell to resellers rather than to consumers are located. Here's a quick look at five century-old central city wholesale districts that contribute a unique sense of place and a different type of vibe and excitement to urban living in their respective communities.

4. The Strip District - Pittsburgh

Located just northeast of downtown, the Strip District rose to prominence as an early 19th century district populated by mills and factories along the Allegheny River. Anchored by names such as US Steel, Westinghouse, ALCOA and the HJ Heinz Company, by the early 20th century its infrastructure had attracted a vibrant network of fresh produce, meat, poultry dealers and auction houses.

By the 1920s, it had become the economic center of Pittsburgh. Althougth it lost a lot of its luster with the proliferation of highways and newer areas for development, it has been reborn as a historic market district mixed with a collection of lofts in old factory and warehouses. Today, it’s known as a place where industry, nightlife, dining and wholesaling seamlessly blend together. It’s also home to the original Primanti Brothers sandwich shop. Founded in 1933, the chain is known for its signature sandwiches of grilled meat, an Italian dressing-based coleslaw, tomato slices, and French fries between two pieces of Italian bread.