Spotlight on local businesses
Houston, Pennsylvania has a population of just a little over 1,000 residents. The borough may not be as big as Houston in Texas, but what the borough lacks in size, it makes up for in neighborly spirit. “I moved here intentionally for the small-town feel. The community likes to band together and help each other,” says Marie Lynch with Keller Williams Realty who’s been selling homes in the area for almost a decade. The borough of Houston has a main street business district with an assortment of local restaurants and businesses located next to Chartiers Creek. The neighborhood is also just 3 miles from a popular casino, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, which is a major employer, according to Brenda Deems, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway The Preferred Realty. Deems used to live in Houston and has worked in the area now for over two decades.
Pike Inn Diner, Lovie’s Frosty Twist
There’s a variety of locally owned eateries in Houston’s main street of businesses. “Everything is small and family-owned here, including Pike Inn, a favorite little diner,” Lynch says. Pike Inn Diner serves classic breakfast dishes in a vintage atmosphere provided by the records hung on the walls and the checkerboard floor. Houston Cream & Sugar Coffee Co. is a café that offers baked goods like maple donuts in a brightly lit interior. Voodoo Brewing Co. at West Pike offers 24 craft beers on tap to enjoy on the brewery’s large patio or in its colorful interior. For a sweet treat, Lovie’s Frosty Twist serves over 30 flavors of soft serve and sundaes at a counter-serve joint. “Girls softball plays at the ballfield and then meets at Lovie’s afterward. It's a community favorite,” Lynch says. The nearest grocery store is Shop n’ Save on West Pike Street.
Bungalows starting from $250,000
Single-family homes sit on medium-sized lots, sometimes decorated with small bushes and hedges and detached garages. Architectural styles include bungalows and ranch-style houses that range from $250,000 to $500,000, depending on the number of bedrooms.
College-level classes at Chartiers-Houston Junior/Senior High
The Chartiers-Houston School District serves children in the area and earns a B-minus from Niche. “The smaller class sizes are a draw. We know all the teachers by name,” Lynch says. “Our four kids in the district wouldn’t move. They are happy exactly where we are.” Kids can attend Allison Park Elementary School, which receives a B and serves kindergarten through sixth grade. Students can advance to Chartiers-Houston Junior/Senior High School which earns a C-plus and has college-level courses like computer science and statistics. Private school options include Central Christian Academy, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade, and Faith Christian School, which teaches kindergarten through 12th grade. Nearby churches include Victory Faith Center, First United Methodist Church and First United Presbyterian Church.
Arnold Park
Arnold Park is a multi-purpose green space with a playground, softball and baseball fields, and pavilions for picnics and parties. The park is a popular location for weekly Little League and softball games. The nearest golf course is at Meadowbrook Clubhouse.
Houston Pumpkin Festival
The neighborhood is known for its award-winning Houston Pumpkin Festival, a three-day event that includes pumpkin decorating, a parade and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. The festival also has craft and food vendors, plus live music on a pavilion stage. Chartiers-Houston Library offers community-focused activities and classes including a book club, arts and crafts and yoga classes. Hollywood Casino at The Meadows is the go-to nightlife spot nearby. It was once a racetrack in the 1970s, but now is a popular indoor location to let loose with friends.
Commute to Pittsburgh on I-79
The commute to downtown Pittsburgh is about 23 miles. Interstate 79 and the public bus stops that sit along Pike Street are used to reach the city and the Pittsburgh International Airport. Houston has a CAP Index crime score of 2. The national average is 4.
Photography Contributed By
Jeffrey Muschar
