Embarking on its journey in 1979, Roberta Weissburg Leathers had its humble beginnings in a small apartment in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood. The inception of this venture followed my decision not to pursue a career as a tenured professor of English Literature, given the challenges associated with academic employment during that period.
Little did I know that this choice would lead to an immensely rewarding path, providing both my dedicated staff and myself with the joy of running a thriving business and the daily opportunity to enrich our lives in myriad ways.
A Creative Collective and Neighborhood Revival
In December 1980, I joined forces with three other talented women artists, and together, we established a working studio and gallery on East Carson Street in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. This initiative coincided with the neighborhood's resurgence, marking the beginning of a vibrant chapter. In 1984, I took a significant step by purchasing a building to live and work in, actively participating in the neighborhood's redevelopment. Alongside building my business, I served on the board of directors for 16 years and held a two-year term as president of the South Side Local Development Company. My dedication to the community endures as I remain a resident and contribute as a volunteer to various local projects.
Returning to Shadyside
In 1991, I returned to the Shadyside neighborhood, opening a 200-square-foot space on Walnut Street. Despite its modest size, this location significantly boosted our business. In 1999, we expanded into a larger adjacent space, and in 2008, the culmination of our efforts resulted in the restoration of two storefronts into one expansive boutique.
Craftsmanship at Its Core
Our upstairs workshop, skillfully managed by the talented Emma White for over 35 years, has been offering expert leather services to the community. With a legacy spanning 40+ years, our mission has been to curate the most captivating selection of fine leather goods from the market while consistently delivering finely crafted, custom-designed leathers.
As Pittsburgh's exclusive Brighton Heart store, we take pride in showcasing the full line of accessories from this exceptional company. Our stores feature unique leather, shearling, and fur outerwear that stands apart, along with exciting accessory brands like Hammitt Handbags, UNOde50, and Mariana Jewelry sourced from around the world.
We invite you to explore our offerings online and, for the complete experience, visit our Shadyside store location to "TRY IT ON!"
