Cranberry Township has been one of the fastest-growing communities in the state over the past few decades—and all for good reasons. With a prime location that provides direct access to two major interstate highways, affordable housing, beautiful parks, ample recreation opportunities, and a booming commercial scene, there is a lot to love about Cranberry.
Dr. Cindy Maro lives and works in Cranberry Township. As a veterinarian and chief of staff at Cranberry Holistic Pet Care, Dr. Maro finds the location ideal. “This area has seen so much growth, and many of our clients are located very close. With the nearby access to I-79 and I-76, we are an easy drive for many of our clients who live outside the Cranberry area,” she said. Cranberry is also a “big pet area,” Dr. Maro added. “This is an animal-loving area. There is a great effort to take care of stray cats in our community, and so many people own pets.”
Cranberry is also a great place to live. “There are a lot of family-oriented neighborhoods. People look out for each other and for all of the kids. You have a real sense of community,” she said.
There are numerous reasons why many choose to relocate to Cranberry, according to Dr. Maro. “Cranberry makes sense. It is safe, we have good schools, and homes have great resale value. But there is also a great vibrancy here. There is a growth mentality with a lot of energy,” she said. The numerous shops and restaurants help contribute to this energy, she explained, plus there is the accessibility factor. “We are close to the city and can easily take advantage of all of the cultural activities,” she said.
The businesses located in Cranberry include both small, family-owned shops and larger entities, including the flagship location of Public Lands, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ outdoor recreation specialty store. “When we opened Public Lands, we knew we had a great opportunity here. In Cranberry, there’s so much access to parks, trails, and outdoor recreation nearby. With such a strong outdoor community, we were excited to open our doors and be a part of it,” said General Manager Scott Webb.
Cranberry is the ideal location for the Public Lands store, Webb explained. “What we like so much about the Public Lands retail concept is that it offers an accessible approach to the outdoors. Over the past few years, the outdoor recreation category has grown, and the industry is pointing to changing consumer trends among new outdoor enthusiasts. With this, we saw an opportunity to reach more people who are interested in the outdoors but aren’t currently being served in the ways they need. Given Cranberry’s close proximity to the city of Pittsburgh and abundant outdoor recreational options, we felt it was a great place to reach and serve both outdoor novices and enthusiasts,” he said.
Like Maro, Webb has also made Cranberry his home. “I moved to Cranberry for the opportunity to launch the Public Lands brand. After living here for three years, I’ve seen that spirit of camaraderie not only inside the store but out in the local community in places like North Boundary Park, the farmers market, and at many of the local breweries.”
Mediterra Café recently opened a new location in Cranberry, as it was the perfect spot for the growing market and cafe. “We chose this area because we believe our concept of fast-casual dining, featuring delicious food, specialty coffee, and artisanal products, will be a perfect fit for the northern Pittsburgh suburbs and set us apart from all the chains in the area,” said Nicole McLean, general manager and co-owner.
She continued, “We feel that the community is vibrant and will meet the demand for a quality dining experience in a fast-casual way. Cranberry Township offers a unique combination of affluence, accessibility, community vibrancy, and economic stability.”
Dollar Bank, the oldest bank in Pittsburgh and the largest independent bank in the United States, has a Cranberry location where Mia Mihelich is the Loan Center Officer. “I really love the location right at Route 228, which I think is a fantastic area for Dollar Bank because it really works to serve the community’s everyday needs. This is exactly what Dollar Bank is all about—meeting customers where they are and creating financial opportunities for everyone,” she said. “We are a community bank that is very invested and involved in the businesses, families, and traditions that make up our neighborhoods. We love to participate in activities and events in the area hosted by the Cranberry Township Community Chest, like Cranberry Community Days, Barktoberfest, and the farmers markets,” she said.
Mihelich said that her family spends a lot of time in Cranberry, taking advantage of the community focus that so many people talk about. “It is a very vibrant, welcoming place with its various family-oriented events that make you feel connected. I also love the fact that it is close to everything that your family could possibly need to live a high quality of life while still maintaining a lower cost of living compared to other areas in the Pittsburgh region,” she said. “There are a lot of small and big businesses, which, in my opinion, makes it easy to find jobs here as well. It is a very safe area with plenty of opportunities, which I believe makes it a great place for raising a family.”
Jocelyn Cilik purchased her HouseMaster franchise in Cranberry because she wanted a business close to her home and community. HouseMaster provides comprehensive home inspection reports to home buyers, sellers, and homeowners, Cilik explained. “We also provide termite inspections, radon testing, sewer camera inspections, mold testing, EIFS inspections, well flow and septic dye inspections, and water testing for our clients,” she said.
Cilik echoed what the other business leaders shared as key reasons for choosing Cranberry, including its rapid growth, accessibility to other areas, and wealth of businesses and restaurants.
“My husband and I moved here in 2002. We have been raising our three children here and couldn’t be more pleased with the school district and community that surrounds us. As a working professional mom, it’s so nice to have everything within arm’s reach and know you’re in a community that makes you proud,” she said.
Bruce Hezlep, Cranberry Township board of supervisors chairman, said that the community atmosphere is no accident. “The board of supervisors has always worked hard to make Cranberry Township a popular destination where people and businesses want to be,” he said.
“That includes creating world-class facilities and parks that welcome thousands each year, focusing on improving infrastructure through partnerships, and promoting an environment where businesses, nonprofits, residents, and visitors feel welcomed and encouraged to get involved and support their community,” Hezlep explained. “Through careful planning and thoughtful progress, Cranberry has grown steadily in a managed way for more than two decades. That growth sustains a world-class community that is vibrant, engaged, and always looking to improve.”
There are many reasons that Cranberry is a great community, according to Hezlep. “The members of the community—businesses, nonprofit organizations, visitors, and residents—are always willing to step up and help. Whether it’s assisting a person in need or contributing to the continued expansion of resources, the community is supportive and engaged,” he said. “That makes Cranberry a special place where people feel welcome, considered, and included as part of something bigger.”
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