Slippery Rock: Small Town with Perks

Imagine yourself in a small town with less than 5,000 people. Put yourself in that town where only a few stoplights, a grocery store, and some other miscellaneous shops exist. You take a step outside your door and it’s much like the theme from “Cheers,” a place where everybody knows your name. In a small town, about an hour north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sits the town Slippery Rock. The city itself has a small town feel to it, with quaint shops and friendly folk. The town got its name from the local creek, none other than, Slippery Rock creek On Main Street; you can find the local hot spot for breakfast, which is The Camelot Restaurant. Right up the road is a recent addition to the town, North Country Brewery, the only microbrewery in the area. With hand carved wooden furniture and an eclectic feeling, this brewery has become the talk of the town. The local university has none other than the name, Slippery Rock University, or as the locals call it, ‘The Rock.’

If you can imagine a town with the charm of suburbia with the dreams of becoming a thriving place, you’ve found Slippery Rock. Many people who live in the town have been there for generations and still choose to call this small town their home. It’s far enough from the hustle and bustle of Pittsburgh, yet if someone needs to commute into the city, it’s not too far either. The picturesque old buildings make for a sense of comfort when you’re looking to get away from the everyday chaotic lifestyle. If you want to get some good pizza, just pop your head into Luigi’s Pizzeria on the far end of Main Street. The staff is polite and the food is great. However, the best place for a quick bite to eat would have to be Bob’s Subs. This little submarine station has been around for more than 15 years and they still bake their breads and have what some say, ‘The best submarine sandwich in the world.’ Joe Cuda, a faculty member from Niagara University, travels back to Slippery Rock where he received his college degree from every year just to indulge in these amazing sandwiches. It just goes to show you that even small towns have traditions that travel to far off places, yet still find themselves back where they began.

The small town mindset sometimes gets lost in the everyday struggle of life, however, sometimes all it takes is a little adventure to a new place to put everything into perspective. If you are ever in the Western Pennsylvania area, just hop on Interstate 79 and head towards Slippery Rock. The people will welcome you with open arms and hearts and will show you a bit of what they like to call home. Slippery Rock may not be the biggest place on the planet, but it surely is one of the quirkiest and fun places to visit if given the opportunity. Slippery Rock will not leave you disappointed, if anything it will leave you with a smile on your face, a full stomach of good food, and the sense of greatness still left in a small town.