We’re shining a light on Pittsburgh’s locally-owned businesses and the talented, dedicated people behind them with HEAD OF THE TABLE.
In every neighborhood across Pittsburgh, from buzzing boulevards to quiet, historic lanes, small businesses bring lively activity and vibrant creativity to our city. These local champions embody the warmth and work ethic that define our ‘Burgh. At TABLE Magazine, we’re proud to introduce a new section dedicated to celebrating remarkable enterprises that skillfully blend professional knowledge and personable interaction.
With HEAD OF THE TABLE, we spotlight innovative trailblazers who not only deliver exceptional goods and services but also build meaningful relationships within their communities. Whether it’s a design company transforming local homes, a jeweler bringing sparkle to our lives, or a duo of dentists helping us look our best, these folks deserve a seat at the head of our table and yours. We hope their stories both inspire you, and remind us all what makes Pittsburgh truly special.
Diving Deep Into Pittsburgh Businesses and Their Owners
Louis Anthony
Left to Right: Andrea, Lou, Veronica, Geeg, Vanessa, Amie.
While communication has evolved—from handwritten notes to AI support—customers still seek connection, care, and quality. They want to be dazzled…and happily so! That’s what Louis Anthony delivers. The family-owned business blends cutting-edge technology with timeless, personal service to create a shopping experience that feels both modern and meaningful. As the next generation of Guarinos steps in, they carry forward a legacy built on integrity, craftsmanship, and the belief that thoughtful service is the ultimate luxury. At Louis Anthony, it’s not just jewelry—it’s a family tradition.
Cardello Lighting and Electric Supply
In a city defined by reinvention, Matt Cardello stands out as a force of resilience. Throughout his tenure, he has streamlined operations, reinvested in his team, and doubled down on the company’s founding values: quality, service, and a deep connection to the community. As the owner and CEO of Cardello Lighting & Electric Supply, he carries forward a 75-year legacy. Matt may not be the loudest name in local business, but, like good lighting, his impact is subtle yet transformative.
In Pittsburgh, that kind of quiet brilliance feels right at home. Cardello Lighting is more than a lighting store—it’s part of the architectural memory of our city. From Victorian restorations to sleek new builds, if a space shines, chances are it’s Cardello’s. With showrooms in Cranberry, and Canonsburg, the company serves homeowners seeking perfect pendants as well as contractors in need of quality electrical supplies. It’s a rare mix of style and substance.
Today, Cardello Lighting is thriving as a family business with a designer’s eye. The curated vignettes, the attentive staff, the careful layering of light: it all speaks to a larger mission. The team at Cardello isn’t just selling lighting—they’re helping Pittsburghers live beautifully, one room at a time.
SPLASH Showrooms
SPLASH’s satellite branches: Back Row, L to R: Michelle (Glenshaw), Plumbing / Sunshine (Murrysville), Plumbing / Jill (Collier Township) Plumbing / Sally
(Collier Township), Tile / Janice (Murrysville) Plumbing. Front Row, L to R: Taylor (Collier Township) (Kitchen & Bath) / Amanda (Glenshaw) (Kitchen & Bath).
At SPLASH, design comes to life through the artistry and expertise of the “Ladies of SPLASH.” This remarkable team of women, all employee-owners, brings technical skill, sharp style, and a personal investment to every project. Whether guiding a client through plumbing fixtures, tile, hardware, or custom cabinetry, their approach is intentional and intuitive. Every choice is made with both beauty and function in mind, resulting in kitchens and baths that feel elevated, enduring, and entirely one-of-a-kind.
Inside SPLASH showrooms, design becomes a tactile experience. They encourage visitors to open drawers, test faucets, run their hands across tile and stone, and feel the grip of a door handle. It’s all part of a deeply held belief: design should be experienced, not just imagined. But SPLASH is more than a showroom—it’s a place where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to bring their ideas to life. With a mission rooted in service, innovation, and care, the team at SPLASH is building more than beautiful spaces—they’re building trust, loyalty, and the confidence to dream bigger.
Brenda Friday Design’s Shoppe B
Brenda Friday Design brings a quiet strength to Pittsburgh’s interior design scene. Located in Lawrenceville, her studio and retail space—Shoppe B—reflects a style that’s layered, personal, and intentionally outside the trend cycle. Brenda’s work combines soft textures, sculptural elements, bold but nuanced color, and vintage-meets-custom pieces, to create spaces that feel lived-in and balanced. Shoppe B extends this vision, offering home goods and art that spark inspiration. Drawing from a trusted network of local makers and artisans, each project is thoughtfully curated to tell a story. Brenda doesn’t just style homes—she creates atmospheres that resonate, endure, and reflect the people who live in them.
Caesar’s Designs Fine Jewelry Creations
At Caesar’s Designs Fine Jewelry Creations in Shadyside, Caesar Azzam defines luxury with craftsmanship, personal connection, and a bold embrace of lab-grown diamonds. As one of the first in the Pittsburgh region to champion lab-grown stones, Caesar understood their virtues. Because they are ethically produced, environmentally conscious, and virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds, they offer clients beauty with intention.
Whether designing a custom engagement ring or reimagining an heirloom, Caesar brings deep expertise and a collaborative spirit to each consultation. Every piece is personal. The stones may sparkle, but it’s the process of this private atelier that truly shines. In a city that appreciates both tradition and innovation, Caesar’s Designs offers a rare fusion of both: fine jewelry with a modern conscience.
Cranberry Dental Studio
In the heart of Cranberry Township, Drs. Brian and Robert Klaich are quietly revolutionizing cosmetic dentistry. They have built Cranberry Dental Studio into a practice where precision, artistry, and personal connection result in smiles that are beautiful and transformative. The Klaichs trained at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, with residencies and certifications from institutions like the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.
But credentials alone don’t explain the studio’s growing following: their spa-like space sets the tone for a personalized experience. From exquisite porcelain veneers and bonding to laser contouring and Botox treatments, each service is thoughtfully chosen to support both form and function. The results speak for themselves. Patients report renewed confidence, frequent compliments, and even a sense of rediscovered self. This exactly fulfills the studio’s core philosophy: beauty, built to last.
La Storia Design Company
Left to Right: Maria Diven, Tia Nitsopoulos
Founded by Maria Diven and Tia Nitsopoulos—creative partners with complementary backgrounds in interior architecture and industrial engineering—La Storia is both a design studio and a thoughtfully curated boutique. The name translates to “the story” in Italian, and storytelling is the soul of their approach. Every project begins with a conversation and ends with a space that reflects the people who live, work, or gather there. Their design philosophy is rooted in timeless elegance and quiet luxury—classic details balanced with a modern, livable sensibility.
Maria leads with nearly two decades of design experience and an academic career shaping the next generation of designers. Tia brings business insight and a meticulous eye for beauty. The boutique, furnishings, finishes, and objects are selected with care—pieces that honor craftsmanship, celebrate global artisans, and carry the kind of character that can’t be mass-produced. Every texture, every form, every material tells a story. At La Storia, design isn’t just visual—it’s emotional. It’s how your story comes to life, beautifully and intentionally.
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Story by TABLE Magazine Staff
Photography by Laura Petrilla
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