Pittsburgh is often reduced to three words — tech, med, and ed but its retail story runs much deeper. In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, the full crew sits down with Tom Julian to unpack the city’s fashion past, its evolving retail present, and where real opportunity is emerging next. From the decline of downtown department stores to the rise of regional malls, specialty retail, and neighborhood-driven demand, this conversation explores what makes Pittsburgh a uniquely instructive market. It’s also a practical playbook for students, early-career merchants, and designers building careers outside the traditional fashion capitals.