‘Happy that we’re staying’: Land purchase preserves North Park ‘gateway’

Local businesses in North Park along East Ingomar Road in McCandless are staying put for now, thanks to a local resident and business owner who bought the property in late December.

Jason Wolfe purchased the 41-acre parcel from Joy Irwin, the daughter of the late Joan Ammer of Fox Chapel, whose family had owned the property for more than a century.

The founder and chief executive officer of The Wolfe Companies in Pittsburgh wants to keep the property as it is, including leasing to the multiple businesses currently there and keeping it a public space for the Pittsburgh community.

“We are happy that the tenants and businesses that have been in existence for decades are remaining, with the exception of one, which we still have hope he will decide to stay and continue,” said Wolfe, referencing the North Park Bicycle, Bait and Tackle Shop.

The businesses are located in what many refer to as the “gateway into North Park.”

Ammer, who had been leasing to the businesses there, passed away in May, and Irwin, who lives in Tennessee, inherited the land, according to a December press release from Wolfe.

The site is home to multiple businesses, including Chub’s Place Restaurant, GFC Wellness Center and Tomato Pie Cafe. It also is home to North Park Batting Range Inc., which includes a par-3 golf course, driving range, miniature golf and batting cages.

Several local residents expressed concern at an October McCandless Town Council meeting over speculation that the property was going to be redeveloped into town homes.

The site, along with other areas of the town, was part of an overhaul of zoning ordinances that hadn’t been updated in about 50 years, Michael Tarle, town council president, said in October.

The process began in 2019, during the development of the town’s new comprehensive plan. In 2021, the town budgeted for the zoning modernization project, led by the town’s planning and development administrator, RJ Susko.

The update put the property in a Neighborhood Center zoning district, which restricts development in the corridor to what is “neighborhood-appropriate,” allowing for a “gateway” of sorts to North Park rather than allow development of large retail options of more than 3,000 square feet, according to an Oct. 4 statement from the municipality.

The owner of Chub’s Place restaurant is relieved now after hearing about the purchase.

“We’re very happy that we’re staying,” said Angel Iannelli, owner of the restaurant for 41 years.

“We were up in the air” said Iannelli about whether the land would be sold. “We’re ecstatic.”

According to information from Wolfe, Irwin, who realized the challenges of operating the land from afar, was approached by several developers. Wolfe contacted the Irwins and offered to buy the land and keep it as it is.

Wolfe, his wife, Susan, and their children live in McCandless.

“We are in total support of keeping North Park recreational and family-friendly without large-scale housing complexes and Airbnbs that disregard the park’s beauty. We have a lot of fond memories tied to North Park,” Wolfe said.

Rico Lorenzini, owner of The Tomato Pie Cafe, said the lease with Wolfe is only for one year, but he’s pleased with the outcome.

Wolfe said all of the businesses are in one-year leases as of now, as “we needed something in place to close the sale of the land.” They still have to assess the cost of taxes on the property after the year.

“We will do what we can to keep everyone there. So far so good, I would say,” Wolfe said.

Like several of the other businesses there, Lorenzini’s restaurant is closed for the winter, but he’ll be opening up for his 29th season this spring,

Lorenzini, though, knows that redevelopment probably will come sooner or later.

“It’s inevitable. It’s a prime spot,” he said, adding he hopes everything works out not only for each business but for the new owner.

Town manager Brian O’Malley said McCandless has no other updates about the property.

“The Town of McCandless is not involved in the sale of property from one private party to another. The town has received no applications for land development, nor building permit applications for this property,” he said.