By Anna Yoder | Columnist
“Coming through the Northside since he was a baby” to visit relatives in Fineview, Jason Farahi is not new to the area. In 2008 following college graduation, he found himself living on the Northside to embark on his career and has been on the Northside ever since.
Lauren Bradley who hails from Zelienople and is Jason’s partner said they were inspired by the “olden times” and wanted to start a business and “live above [it] as the shopkeepers.” Jason describes the Northside as a neighborhood that “has not lost its sense of self,” maintains its “grittiness,” is “not commercial” and “stands out from the crowd of the city.” It is for these reasons and more that he and Lauren decided to build their business here. With hard work and perseverance, those dreams came true!
In 2015, Jason and Lauren purchased and renovated a three-story 1860’s era building on East Ohio Street. They breathed new life into this historic building and in April 2018, opened “Annex” — a high-quality clothing and gift store. And yes, they also lived above the business.
Lauren is credited with coming up with the store’s name — Annex — based in part from the annexation of Allegheny City by Pittsburgh combined with their philosophy that they wanted to “add to the neighborhood.” (As you read on, you will learn that Jason and Lauren’s desire to “add to the neighborhood” also came true).
During a stroll to become more acquainted with my new neighborhood in the Spring of 2019, I discovered Annex for the first time on East Ohio Street. I peered into the window but really did not know what “Annex” was at the time. So, I ventured in and found an outgoing and very friendly Lauren, who warmly welcomed me into the store. I was readily smitten with all their wonderful goods and immediately drawn to a beautiful Wanderlux brand soft taupe long duster-like knit cardigan with pockets, a sheer back complete with a pretty bow tie. I had to have it! The fact that I still have that cardigan to this day, and it looks as good as the day I bought it, speaks volumes about the quality of goods that Annex carries. (And if you look closely, you will see a few other Northsiders who were lucky enough to snag this same cardigan.)
I continued to be captivated by the selection of goods that Annex carried and purchased their super soft and plush Annex hoodie, charming gold cat design rocks glasses, and kitty inspired Christmas tea towels (which I also gave as gifts to my cat-loving friends) and more. However, their selection of fine goods is much more than hoodies and kitty themed gifts. Annex became a popular neighborhood place to buy your well-made, quality clothing and unique gift items that pleased all interests and ages.
During the pandemic, like many businesses, Annex pivoted from an in-person store to an online store to sell their goods. Yet, they wanted more after the pandemic.
Jason and Lauren persevered and pivoted again to reopen their store in November 2023 with an espresso bar combined with a “concept lifestyle store” and renamed their business Annex Espresso & Goods. The couple added an espresso bar to “draw people into the store” regardless of whether they wanted to shop or not. It is also a place where you can relax with neighbors and friends in an inviting and comfortable environment, have good conversation, and enjoy their delectable espresso concoctions. A customer favorite (and now mine after tasting it) is the lavender latte, which is a full body espresso combined with a delicate floral lavender syrup and steamed milk, which is expertly crafted into tulip latte art. All the prettiness and deliciousness you would want in a single cup.
In addition to lattes, the other tasty concoctions Annex Espresso & Goods serves are drip coffee, straight up espresso, Americano, and teas. For those who lean to a lighter coffee drink, Annex Espresso & Goods also serves a cortado which is a Spanish coffee drink consisting of a 50:50 mixture of espresso and warm milk. This mixture reduces the acidity of the espresso and makes its bitter taste more subtle and the “coffee” more drinkable. This drink also does not have the frothiness as found in lattes. For those who prefer oat milk over whole milk, Annex Espresso & Goods has that to offer as well.
Having a firm commitment to support small business, Jason and Lauren serve their espresso drinks in stoneware made exclusively for them from Stone + Sparrow, a Pittsburgh based ceramic studio.
For those like me who may not entirely understand what a “concept lifestyle store is,” it is a store that offers goods that “portray or exude a [specific] lifestyle.” The lifestyle that Jason and Lauren embody and whose goods represent is an “outdoorsy and independent” one. The brands of clothing Jason and Lauren select for Annex Espresso & Goods are from small businesses that offer “quality goods that will last” and “ones that customers can’t find in other places in the city” such as Bradley Mountain (no relation to Lauren) and Iron and Resin. Ever promoting small business, these brands are also ones that Jason and Lauren personally wear — not just sell.
And it’s not just espresso and clothing that you will find in this well-appointed and beautifully laid out store. You will find cards and books, jewelry, elegant wooden serving boards, home goods, bath and body products, gourmet hot pepper sauces, leather accessories and the list goes on and on.
Another small business that Annex Espresso & Goods supports is Catskills Candle Studio from upstate New York and whose 100% soy candles are made with no synthetics and have also become a customer favorite.
These small businesses whose “well made goods made by people who have a passion for their craft” are what resonate with Jason and Lauren, who are equally passionate about everything they do including their involvement in the Northside community. Simply put, community involvement is “dear to the heart” of the owners of Annex Espresso & Goods.
Jason and Lauren relied on their shared passion for motorcycles and cars as a basis for their annual Fahrzeugfest which they hold steps away from their Northside business. Fahrzeugfest is a lively German motor vehicle festival where motorcycles and cars are displayed on closed streets, music sets a festive tone, food is available, and Jason and Lauren brew beer with Allegheny City Brewery (another great Northside small business) to quench any thirst. Jason and Lauren consider this event “an extension of Annex Espresso & Goods” which they believe provides a “nice event for the community to enjoy.” And yes, it is absolutely free to the community and there is no entry fee to show a vehicle. How great is that?!
In late April of this year, Annex Espresso & Goods held a motorcycle “meet up” in anticipation for the May’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The “meet up” was for the Pittsburgh’s Division of the Distinguished Gentleman’s which promoted a “sense of community” for the riders prior to the official Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride that was held on May 18. Annex Espresso & Goods is a sponsor of the Pittsburgh Division of this annual global ride that “unites classic and vintage styled motorcycle riders from all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.”
If community involvement and running a small business is not enough, the owners of Annex Espresso & Goods also have full time jobs! Talk about perseverance and pivoting. WOW.
As Jason so eloquently stated “if you don’t support small businesses, they won’t be here for you.” And it is those small businesses that make a difference in our community. So, the next time you want to explore East Ohio Street, stop by Annex Espresso & Goods for a chat and that heavenly lavender latte. You might also just discover some amazing clothes or gifts that you did not know you needed.
Annex Espresso & Goods is located at 522 East Ohio Street and is open every day but Wednesday. They can be reached at (412) 526-7638 or at their website, annexpgh.com.
