ROSEWOOD ON WASHINGTON We could describe the kind of women’s clothing they have at the new Rosewood Shop, 670 Washington Road, but then we might be wrong. That’s because owner Kathryn Richardson—nee Gerstenberger—will change it to fit what her customers want. That said, you’ll be sure to find affordable clothing and accessories, home items, handmade items and baby gifts, most of which are under $100. New inventory comes in twice a week to the store, which is similar to one she owns in Sewickley. “In Sewickley, I cater to a lot of moms. Once I learn my customers’ tastes, I buy specifically for them. So I’m excited to see what that will translate to in Mt. Lebanon. I expect a wide range of ages, from teens to 60s,” Richardson says.

Originally from Wexford, Richardson has a degree in fashion design from Philadelphia University. For a time she lived in Hong Kong, where she would buy clothes and bring them back to the United States to sell at trunk shows. “Few people realize it, but if it’s on the streets of Hong Kong now, it just might end up in your closet a year or two later. They pick up the Tokyo trends almost immediately. For instance, I remember waking up one morning in Hong Kong and suddenly everybody’s wearing chunky-framed glasses. That was in 2007. Five years later, I still rock a tortoise-shell pair with red lipstick and a loose bun.”

After the trunk shows, she  opened her first boutique with her sister-in-law Jamie Richardson in her husband, Cullen Richardson’s hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. “When our business grew during the depth of the recession, we knew we had something.” When they moved back to the area, they chose Sewickley, and her store did very well. “We feel that Sewickley and Mt. Lebanon have a lot in common,” she says. “We’ve been bowled over by the kindness of our [Mt. Lebanon] neighbors so far.”

Richardson says that although she doesn’t live here, she practically grew up here. Her dad’s Gerstenberger clan all were raised here and she still visits Nana, Paula Gerstenberger, a few blocks off Washington Road.

Rosewood’s operating hours are subject to tweaking but right now the store is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Phone: 412-343-3800. Rosewood is on Facebook and a webpage is in development.

STRUMMIN’ STUDIO The Lyons Guitar & String Lesson studio is open at 1665 Washington Road, offering classical guitar and violin lessons. Owner Brannon Lyons, who received his bachelor of arts in music from Seton Hill and has more than 20 years teaching experience. He will teach classical guitar and hire another teacher to teach string violin. The studio, which will offer lessons to children ages 3 and up, will not be a full-fledged music store but it will offer accessories and smaller instruments for rent. Lyons hopes to create ensembles of students to perform throughout the community. Lyons chose Mt. Lebanon because of its accessible location and the large concentration of kids within the age group that he would like to teach. Studio: 412-833-2111.