Isaly's, the decades-old Western Pennsylvania deli and ice cream brand, is gearing up for a Strip District comeback this summer, with fresh window signs at the Penn Avenue storefront teasing "Coming soon" and "Summer 2026." The planned retro-style shop is set to revive chipped-chopped ham sandwiches and skyscraper ice cream cones in a space the owners say will seat roughly 50 to 70 people. There is still no firm opening date, but the signage makes it clear they are aiming for a summer debut.
As reported by CBS Pittsburgh, the Isaly's Nation Facebook page kicked things off with the tease, "Something very sweet is coming to 2111 Penn Ave," while KDKA photos show storefront art that includes an ice cream cone and the chain's famous chipped ham. The CBS report notes that the window graphics advertise breakfast, lunch, and ice cream, and confirms that no exact opening date has been set.
Where it's moving in
Jim and Leslee Conroy have leased the former Boulevard Glass & Metal spot at 2111 Penn Ave, a two-story glass-front building in the heart of the Strip District. Isaly's lists the planned "Retro Isaly's Store" at that address and describes it as arriving in 2026 with a roughly 3,500-square-foot storefront. A commercial listing for 2111 Penn Ave notes about 3,765 rentable square feet for the building, underscoring that there is plenty of room for counter service and seating, according to the property listing.
Who's bringing it back
The comeback is being led by Jim and Leslee Conroy, who purchased the Isaly's brand in 2015 and have been working to recreate the chain's old-school feel. As Pittsburgh Magazine reported, the Conroys dug into original Isaly's materials, including an operations manual, and consulted local institutions such as the Heinz History Center to help preserve the brand's heritage. Their company, Conroy Foods, will run the new cafe and deli.
Menu and a taste of nostalgia
According to Isaly's, the Strip District shop will feature deli counter staples like chipped ham and sandwiches alongside "Skyscraper" cones, Isaly's Bars, and other ice cream classics, with breakfast on offer all day. The company's site outlines a lineup of deli, ice cream, and candy bar favorites designed to evoke the mid-century fountain experience many locals remember. Those treats will join the products the brand already keeps in rotation with grocery partners across the region.
When to expect it
The Penn Avenue windows now boldly promise "Summer 2026," and the owners and local reporters say the interior is expected to seat about 50 to 70 guests, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Even with the summer target on the glass, there is still no confirmed opening day, as the team continues preparing the space and working through permitting and buildout. We will update readers once the Conroys lock in a firm date.
Why the Strip District
The Strip District's steady stream of shoppers, markets, and tourists made Penn Avenue an obvious candidate for a nostalgia-forward concept, the owners told local outlets. As WTAE noted, the Conroys view the neighborhood as a place where longtime residents and visitors can reconnect with Isaly's. The move fits into a small but growing trend of local legacy brands returning to central corridors with retro storefronts and counter service.
First wrote about the Conroys' lease at 2111 Penn Ave in March 2025, and today's storefront signage is the clearest sign yet that Isaly's is on track to reopen in the city this year. For now, local coverage and the brand's own updates remain the best places to watch for a final opening date.
