Chiodo's Tavern, a Homestead landmark that made its reputation serving beers to tired steel workers but survived long after the giant plant across the tracks closed down, could be making way for a Walgreens drugstore.

	Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette Chiodo's Tavern in Homestead is an icon in the steel town. Click photo for larger image.

A Cincinnati developer yesterday filed an application that details plans to put the national drugstore chain's second store in this area on West Eighth Avenue, near the base of the Homestead Grays Bridge.

Anchor Properties is seeking permission to demolish the existing Chiodo's Bar, a Subway restaurant and 76 gas station. A new Subway would be built, along with the drugstore and a parking area, according to paperwork submitted at the borough office.

"The redevelopment will be a major improvement to the business district," said a letter signed by Anchor's Michael S. Ricke. "A Walgreens drugstore is a solid neighborhood business providing goods and services to the Homestead community."

The demolition of Chiodo's, if the proposal is approved, would appear to put an end to a place that has become a symbol of Pittsburgh's past.

The bar has been Homestead's front door since before it had to add "former" to its title of "Steel Capital of the World." Its widespread fame comes from the thousands of people from all over the world -- including public officials, celebrities and media types -- who've dropped in and become intoxicated with the bar itself.

The bar is filled is filled with photographs and memorabilia from its past.

Owner Joe Chiodo bought the bar and gave it his own name in 1947.

Online chat sites debate the popular Mystery Sandwich and the authenticity of the bar's Pittsburgh atmosphere, but stories of the faithful who return regularly from great distances are not hard to find.

Chiodo couldn't be reached for comment, but bar employees said they've heard speculation for years that the place might be sold. Borough officials had also heard the talk with little evidence it was serious.

The neighborhood around Chiodo's has changed dramatically since the U.S. Steel Homestead Works plant was torn down and replaced by the Waterfront shopping area. Hundreds of cars come across the bridge to the Loews movie theater and the big-box stores at the Waterfront. Officials are still working to bring that energy across the railroad tracks onto Homestead's main street, Eighth Avenue.

The neighborhood has been wary about the kind of development it allows. In the past few years, an outcry over a plan to demolish historic buildings on East Eighth Avenue stalled a proposal for a CVS pharmacy.

How warm a welcome this new project receives will likely depend on what exactly the developers want to do, said John Dowling, spokesman for the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development.

Private investment is good, but aesthetics will be important, he said. "Our goal has always been to facilitate development that maintained the architectural integrity of Eighth Avenue."

Anchor's letter indicates the developer is aware of the potential pitfalls, explaining that the 14,500-square-foot pharmacy will use building materials, colors and features that comply with local architectural guidelines. "We have included two-story building elevations of all brick with the architectural features and appearance of an older building," the letter says.

The parking area will include an urban streetscape treatment with landscaping, brick columns and a metal fence, the letter said. In addition, Anchor said it would remove four billboards and multiple building signs.

Walgreens has been actively seeking sites in the region. The Deerfield, Ill., company's first location in the region is under construction in Crafton. A company official recently told a group of real estate executives the chain had identified 10 locations it was interested in.

"We're continuing our interest in expanding in the market," spokeswoman Carol Hively said yesterday, but she couldn't confirm plans for the Homestead site. Typically, developers assemble the properties and get the needed approvals before Walgreens signs a lease.

Anchor Properties withdrew a proposal for a Walgreens near South Park earlier this summer after opponents raised concern about traffic.

In this case, Anchor addressed its letter to the Steel Valley Historical Architectural Review Board, a panel of representatives from Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead. The developer would like to be on the group's Aug. 4 meeting agenda.

That group will made a recommendation, then forward the request to the Homestead borough council.