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When Carl Grefenstette moved his business from Bloomfield to the South Side in 1986, he had no idea he was in the midst of what would become a benchmark for urban redevelopment.

He was just looking for a place to sell more guitars.

"I thought Carson Street had great potential because it was centrally located," said Grefenstette, 51, owner of Pittsburgh Guitars. "Even though a lot of buildings were boarded up, there was still a lot of traffic passing through.

"I guess my hunch was right. We've been very successful here. In fact, we'd like to expand."

Today, evidence that the South Side continues to be a hot spot for business can be seen in what some call the "second wave" of development: the $170 million South Side Works, a retail, entertainment, office and housing complex along the banks of the Monongahela River on the site of the former LTV steel mill.

But development of the South Side Works, with its promise of modern convenience and amenities such as ample parking, raises questions about whether it will help or hurt the Carson Street business strip.

"I think there definitely will be competition from South Side Works," said Don Carlson, 52, a real estate developer who served as the first executive director of the South Side Local Development Co. beginning in 1982.

"But there also will be several thousand people working, living and shopping there, and Carson Street businesses will get a share of that — as long as they continue to be unique and not try to compete with the chain stores that move in."

Penny Folino, who heads the South Side Chamber of Commerce, believes that even with the coming of the South Side Works, Carson Street will not only hold its own, but grow.

"New businesses that move into the historic district need to look at what has worked — and that means being unique," said Folino, 35, whose family owns the kitschy 1950s-theme Tom's Diner on Carson Street.

"I think the clientele here is looking for something different," she said. "That's what the local residents have become accustomed to, and that's what draws new people in. There's a certain expectation that businesses need to fulfill."

Grefenstette agrees that uniqueness is important.

"We purposely tried not to be like every other music store," he said. "We only carry what we love — guitars and amps. We don't try to be everything to everybody, and it's worked."

Carey Harris, executive director of the South Side Local Development Co. for the past five years, said the approach that helped resurrect Carson Street needs to continue to ensure its survival.

"This is in no way a time to rest on our laurels," Harris said. "There is significant work that needs to be done to sustain our efforts and build upon what we have already done."

Architect David Morgan, president of the South Side Local Development Co.'s board of directors, said the organization soon will begin focusing its attention on linking Station Square to the Carson Street business district, which begins at 10th Street.

"We are very excited about redeveloping what we call one to 10 (from Station Square to 10th)," said Morgan, 38. "There is so much potential down there that is only just starting to be realized."

A key aspect of South Side's turnaround in the past two decades has been the participation of residents, said Hugh Brannan, who chairs the South Side Planning Forum. The forum's job is to coordinate development efforts between the business and residential communities.

"From the beginning, it was clear that residents needed to be part of the planning process," said Brannan, 53, executive director since 1983 of the Brashear Association, a local social services agency.

"Sure, there were disagreements between residents and the business community — there still are — but we've always been able to iron them out and reach a consensus," he said.

Jim Garvey, 47, who grew up on the South Side Slopes and recently regained ownership of the tiny neighborhood tavern at the corner of Mission and Sterling streets that his grandparents opened in 1939, believes the upheaval that decimated many Pittsburgh neighborhoods largely passed over the South Side.

"This was a great place to grow up, and it's still a great community," he said. "Look, you're gonna have problems anywhere. But, for the most part, people feel safe."

Phil Gitzen, 42, who tends bar for Garvey and also grew up on the Slopes, said he has talked to many people who moved away in the late 1970s and early '80s, and yearn to come back.

"How many places are like this, where there are as many punk rockers with blue hair as grannies with blue hair and everyone gets along? It's still a community where people know their neighbors, and folks look out for each other."

Harris, who bought a home on the South Side with her husband shortly after taking the South Side Local Development Co. job, believes the community has a lot to offer beyond great shops and night spots.

"A lot of attention is focused on the business district, which is important," said Harris, 33, who is expecting her second child in August and will step down from her post in May to have more time to raise them. "But we have a wonderful grade school here and great housing stock — from beautiful luxury lofts and apartments to nice family homes that are very reasonably priced."

Dan Robinson, 28, who is an owner of Cafe Du Jour on Carson Street and has rented a home on the Slopes for the past three years, said he is considering buying a home on the South Side.

"I've lived in several cities, including Charlotte (N.C.) and Detroit, and by far this is the best place I've ever lived," he said. "There's so much, yet there is still such a small town feel. I love it here."

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