Out From Under The Bridge: The Big CJ Move To North Lexington Street
As many of you know, 2019 is the 20th year of CJ working to support the reuse of building materials. In May of this year ,we marked the 17th anniversary of the opening of CJ in our current location in North Point Breeze. In the two decades that I have been involved with CJ, this is the single best decision the organization has made – with the notable exception of opening in the first place.
We are grateful for the number of customers who tell us “I have been shopping with you guys since you were under the bridge” – that’s the 62nd Street Bridge in Lawrenceville for those of you who have not been with us that long!
“Under the 62nd Street Bridge” was not an ideal location for CJ to get its sea legs and test the material reuse concept. People used to “turn the car around” when they got past the shadow of the bridge and would be staring at the auto salvage yard, because they did not think there could be anything beyond that giant pile of scrap metal. But things really took off when we came out from under the bridge! Our move to North Lexington Street afforded us a bigger building (from 30,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet), a larger parking lot (from 15 spaces to over 60 spaces) and a more accessible location. It really helps when people can find you!
It is decidedly easier to find us today. Seventeen years ago local officials, including County Chief Executive Jim Roddey and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy welcomed us to the neighborhood, and we have expanded our operation and created partnerships that continue to this day because of the support from the Pittsburgh community and the region, and of course from our staff. Our ability to generate building material reuse has grown over 350% since that impactful move.
The best way to celebrate with us this weekend is visit! Come out and shop or maybe gather up some stuff you’ve been meaning to donate and come see just how far we’ve come in the last 17 years! Blackberry Meadows Farm will be here Saturday with their pop-up farm market, so grab a bite to eat and take a stroll through history – literally – as you peruse all of the salvaged, reclaimed and secondhand materials we have jam-packed into this 100 year old building we call home.
Checkout next week’s blog, when I will share some memories from Joe Lamar, the only current CJ employee who remembers the days under the bridge because he was there helping customers and donors from the first day!
Thanks for supporting reuse, both under and out from under the bridge!
Mike Gable
Executive Director
- Earth Month Events 2024
- Handmade Arcade Spring Market
- Upcoming Events: Tickets on sale for the 15th Anniversary Big Pour and Reuse Box Truck Documentary
- Reuse Box Truck documentary film screening and roadshow comes to Pittsburgh Aug. 27th
- Pennsylvania Solar Center Watts and Learn Webinar Series: Solar Made Easy for Communities
