Groundbreaking Expected Next Month on New Bike Shop, Running Store, Restaurant near North Park

Craig Cozza, owner of Pro Bikes LLC, is hoping to break ground next month on a new building which will house a bicycle sales shop, a running speciality store, and restaurant on Kummer Road at the edge of North Park, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports. He hopes to be open for business by the end of the year.

The building is going up on a site, formerly occupied by Brendan's restaurant, located at 9999 Kummer Road. The restaurant was torn down several years ago.

Cozza, a real estate developer and former owner of the Palace Inn in Monroeville, owns three other shops in Squirrel Hill, Bethel Park, and Monroeville.

Their bike brands include Cannondale, Specialized, Giant, Blue,Breezer, and Seven Cycles, according to Pro Bikes web site.

"In addition to Pro Bikes, we will have an Elite Runners and Walkers store ," said Cozza. "Now we have to pick the right restaurant. We want it to complement an active lifestyle by offering healthy foods and drinks."

Cozza said he also wants the restaurant to be a destination spot, particularly in the winter months, and he likely will seek a liquor license.

In the summer, he envisions the location to be a hub of activity.

"Our company supports 80 plus events, including rides, runs, races and charity events in the region," Cozza said. "It only makes sense we open a business healthy lifestyle type business here, every person in the park is our potential customer, and we just have to do it right."

Construction of the building will be an event, Cozza is planning an Amish barn raising, similar to the one featured in the movie "Witness ."

"It will be true post and beam construction, very authentic," said Cozza. "We want this to be an amenity to the park, it's what we think the community wants and deserves."