Pittsburgh entrepreneur Jason Wolfe inks deal to protect North Park Gateway tract from large multi-tenant housing development

Jason Wolfe, the Founder and CEO of The Wolfe Companies, purchased the Gateway entry to North Park, intercepting a potential mixed-use development project that was being considered by the owner as a result of recent re-zoning. The 41-acre parcel will remain a public space for the Pittsburgh community and simultaneously ensure that the local businesses that have operated on the land for over half a century are still able to remain open.

The Gateway entry to North Park came into question when Joan Ammer, the owner of the parcels of land in question, passed away this May. Ammer left the land—which had been in her family for over a hundred years—to her daughter, Joy Irwin. Irwin lives in Tennessee, but with family still in the area she still considers Pittsburgh her home. The family resisted opportunities to develop the property through the years, but after rezoning and living out of town, Irwin realized that operating the property from afar would not be in the best interest of the tenants and the community. After being approached by several developers, Wolfe approached Irwin with an alternative idea.

Wolfe, his wife Susan, and their kids live near the park and have fond memories of spending time on the land over the years. Tens of thousands of other families frequent the park, which is a local icon. In an age where constant digital interaction has left people feeling disconnected from the environment and each other, the park serves as one of the few remaining public spaces where the city can recapture its identity. When Jason found out about the potential development of the land, he contacted the Irwins and offered to buy the land and “keep it as it is.” Tearful with happiness, the Irwins agreed.

North Park’s Gateway is home to a variety of local businesses – North Park Batting Range, Inc., which includes a Par 3 golf course, driving range, miniature golf, and batting cages, Chubb’s Place Restaurant, GFC Wellness Center, Tomato Pie Cafe, and the North Park Bicycle, Bait and Tackle Shop that have been staples in the community for over fifty years. Wolfe purchased the land for an undisclosed amount and has since provided all five of the existing businesses with leases to stay as they are. All but one has signed on. Wolfe and his family intend to improve the property’s signage and make some small cosmetic changes, but other than that their mission is to keep the atmosphere that families love intact as long as possible.

“I never wanted the property to be developed,” says Joy Irwin. “But I had no choice until Jason reached out. I know my mom would be happy with this outcome, which makes Jason’s act even more meaningful.”

Jon Williams and his sister Jennifer Jorden co-own the North Park Par 3 and Driving Range which their family started in 1952. “We are happy beyond words that things are turning out this way. We thought after all those years we were done and it was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking to an extent nobody could really know unless they lived it. We always knew Divine Intervention was the only way we could stay and it happened! His name is Jason Wolfe! We can never truly repay the debt of gratitude that we owe Mr. Wolfe for what he has done! And everybody that enjoys using all of the businesses (and there are a lot of them) in the Gateway to North Park owes him a huge debt of thanks as well!”

“We are in total support of keeping NorthPark recreational, and family-friendly without large-scale housing complexes and Airbnb’s that disregard the park’s beauty.  We have a lot of fond memories tied to NorthPark,” says Wolfe. “It’s a sanctuary for the Pittsburgh community, which has supported my gift card business since the beginning. In honor of the holiday spirit, I thought I would give a gift back.”

Related Links:

Gift Card Granny

GiftYa

Reaf Marketing

Give InKind

PerfectGift.com

Contact:

Lindsey Morrison

866.739.4914

lindsey.morrison@wolfe.com

About Jason Wolfe

Jason Wolfe is the Founder and CEO of The Wolfe Companies. He is a serial entrepreneur and community leader serving on several boards including the Board of Managers of the Milton Hershey School and the Board of Directors of the Hershey Trust Company. He’s been awarded the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Governor’s Impact Award, The Pittsburgh Business Ethics Award, and many others including the Carnegie Science Center’s Award for Top Entrepreneur in Pittsburgh. His vision of the ‘perfect gift’ that focuses on the recipient is the purpose of the company. He fosters a core culture of caring, teamwork, drive, and integrity.

About The Wolfe Companies, LLC

The Wolfe Companies, LLC is a leading force in the gifting and rewards industry committed to creating the next generation of gifting technology. Wolfe’s companies include Gift Card Granny, Gif The Wolfe Companies, LLC is a leading force in the gifting and rewards industry committed to creating the next generation of gifting technology. Wolfe’s companies include Gift Card Granny, GiftYa, Reaf Marketing, Give InKind, and PerfectGift.com, which have collectively sold upwards of 13M gift cards and over 4M eGift codes. The Company has been honored with numerous awards, including its 382nd rank on the 2023 Inc. 5000 magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in America and the #3 rank in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Other awards include the Top Workplace Award from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young, the Pittsburgh Business Ethics Award, Governors Impact Award, Pittsburgh Business Times Diamond Award, and CEO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Wolfe also holds well over 20 patents and prides itself on being customer-focused despite its award-winning growth rate (with a three-year revenue growth of 1,521%).