:Commonwealth Press:
Pittsburgh T-Shirts
Commonwealth Press is one of my favorite locally-owned businesses. The founder, Dan Rugh, is a self-described old punk rock guy who seems to make business decisions based on a few simple filters:
Is the project fun?
Is it good?
Will it help my community?
Will it benefit my employees?
Obviously that’s incredibly simplified but spend 10 minutes with Dan and you'll quickly realize his motivations tend to center on those four things. And good luck keeping up with him. When we meet, it’s like Dan grabs my arm and then the entire world becomes a series of colorful, horizontal lines. A few minutes later, we’re bidding each there farewell, having covered hours worth of discussion. It’s exhilarating!
Because of all of this, and Dan’s complete openness to try anything, I will always say yes to a Commonwealth Press collaboration. Which brings us to these t-shirts.
There is something in the rivers here in Pittsburgh. I think we have an above average number of deeply influential sons and daughters for a city of our size. It doesn’t matter if a person was born here. Pittsburgh gets into their marrow. And greatness flows through them. Andy, Fred, Rachel and Roberto had an enormous impact on our city and the world. It seemed only fitting to tip our hats to them.
It always grates me a little when someone declares Pittsburgh to be the <<Insert City>> of the east, as if it’s a compliment to be the copy of another place.
Pump the brakes. Pittsburgh does things its own way with its own tenor. Don’t make me list the number of (hit) shows and movies filmed right here. Hollywood is cute. If they keep grinding, maybe they’ll grow up to be the Pittsburgh of the west.
These t-shirts are now available in Commonwealth Press shops and online.
Profits from the sales of these T-shirts will be donated to the Tree of Life Synagogue.
Photos // Lauren
