Welcome to our fall 2026 issue—celebrating the Strip District and Lawrenceville in the magazine’s 20th anniversary year!
The fall edition also marks another milestone for The Strip! This is my final issue as publisher. I founded The Strip! two decades ago, and now it’s time for someone else to enjoy the fun. That someone else is Bill Bingham. Bill has been our creative director for nearly all the years of the magazine’s existence, so there is substantial continuity moving forward. As for my role as we proceed, I will still participate in the publishing process in suggesting editorial content and generating advertising sales. I’m not a fan of rocking chairs.
There are of course many to thank for the existence of The Strip! Becky Rodgers and Cindy Helffrich, the founders of the original Neighbors in the Strip, opened doors (and more) for me throughout the Strip District and beyond. Without their early support, there would not have a Strip! magazine.
Bill Paviol has guided our advertising sales from the very first issue, and will be continuing his contributions moving forward. Dakota Shane (proudly, a relation) certainly earned his title Assistant to the Publisher, while providing the designs for our ads and covers in recent years. And much thanks to our original advertisers, who wrote checks to a guy they didn’t know based on his promise that he could publish a magazine that would benefit the merchants in the Strip. The following have advertised in every issue in the last 20 years: Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea, Jimmy and Nino Sunseri, Bella Notte, Fragasso Financial Advisors—and there are a host of others who have supported us for much of that time and continue to do so.
Most importantly, the reputation of a publication is based on the quality of its editorial content. We have been very fortunate through the years to attract writers of considerable talent. My heartfelt thanks to the writers who during these decades have given The Strip! their very best—guided by Greg Suriano, our editor (and article contributor) for more than 15 years. The Strip! is fortunate in having Greg continuing to direct the editorial content of the magazine under Bill Bingham’s leadership.
If you’re still reading, thank you—it all had to be said. Undoubtedly, and as usual, I will continue to see you in the neighborhoods.
Chuck Shane
And on that note, may I add our appreciation for everything Chuck has done over the last 20 years to make the The Strip! one of the outstanding print publications in the Pittsburgh area. I hope to maintain the high standards set for the magazine over this time, while serving our readers and advertisers by adding new and innovative content, special features and columns, and an exciting new visual direction to The Strip!
And, of course, see you all in the neighborhoods!
Bill Bingham, Publisher