Strip District in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

GNC

Live Well

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

1. GNC Marker

Inscription. During the darkest days of the great depression, with America plagued by uncertainly and desperation. David B. Shakarian dared to think differently. He followed his dreams and opened a small health foods store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He specialized in healthy foods like honey and whole grains and introduced America to the health benefits of an exceptional new product called yoghurt. As his vision grew, so did his business. One store became many, and his innovative thinking helped ignite the food revolution of the 1960s, with new exotic natural remedies. Shakarian's little store grew into "a leading global specialty health, wellness and performance retailer." GNC continues to honor David's vision of guiding mankind toward a better way of living. We are doing what we love, defying convention, following our dreams, and daring the world to live better.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 40° 27.08′ N, 79° 59.098′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in the Strip District. It is on Smallman

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Street east of 19th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15222, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franco Harris (within shouting distance of this marker); Myron Cope (within shouting distance of this marker); Martha Graham (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmy Stewart (within shouting distance of this marker); Mario Lemieux (within shouting distance of this marker); H. J. Heinz (within shouting distance of this marker); Shirley Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); Nellie Bly (within shouting distance of this marker).

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 14, 2026

2. GNC Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . . GNC.com. (Submitted on November 1, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

3. GNC Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on October 15, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.