about kenny's

When you've got something to celebrate, do it in a neighborhood worth celebrating.
Kenny’s is an outdoor community and cultural celebration space in Homewood founded by Demi Kolke, who has worked with the neighborhood for over 12 years and lived here for over 4 years.
 
Kenny's was once an overgrown and lifeless vacant lot. Decades ago, it housed an apartment building and donut shop. Since that was demolished, it sat empty, covered in weeds, yet full of potential. ⠀
 
Now a park-like celebration space, Kenny's exists to bring joy into a neighborhood too often forgotten.
 
Kenny’s is a space for… 
  • Elevating the great initiatives already happening in Homewood.
  • Inviting people in other parts of Pittsburgh to be welcomed into Homewood.
  • Encouraging current residents to have a new and different experience of their neighborhood.
 
Vacancy has long proven to be a correlating factor to crime, and the blight Homewood faces leads to its negative misconception. 

By turning a vacant lot into a productive community space, we aim to help encourage a new narrative.
 
We want Homewood to have what it deserves: Beautiful, bountiful spaces, abundant resources, and a neighborhood to be even more proud of for its resilience. 
 
A reason – and a place – to gather, cultivate, and celebrate.


What makes our event space different?

  • Kenny’s comes to life with your vibe. Seriously! You’ll lose hours celebrating within our close-knit yet free-flowing feel that becomes yours when you're in it.

  • ​We’re the only outdoor place in Homewood solely focused on events, both your events and ones we plan on our own. 

  • You get access to a (small and passionate) team to help make sure your needs are met before you show up the day of your event.

  • We’ll help connect you to vendors, community partners, local businesses, and more as you need it. 

  • Kenny's is an ADA compliant space.  We have a fully handicap accessible porta potty and ramp to access our stage.

Who is kenny, anyway?

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​The place where Kenny’s resides was once owned by Kenneth (Kenny) Stubbs.
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Demi discovered the overgrown vacant lot in 2011 while working for Operation Better Block. Through a project, Demi tried to connect with Mr. Stubbs to offer resources for cutting back and repairing the space. It took dedication in reaching out to Kenny, who owned a number of Homewood lots, to make progress. The two formed an unlikely friendship and soon, Kenny saw the potential, too. ⠀
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He cleaned up the space and even became an advocate for the project. ⠀
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Until that screeched to a halt. ⠀
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Mr. Stubbs was murdered on February 23, 2014. ⠀
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This easy-going, community-loving, and eccentric man was gone. Demi was in disbelief.
 
Demi continued her work in Homewood. When she saw a for sale sign go up on a nearby property owned by Mr. Stubbs, Demi knew there was potential for a sale of 7401 Tioga Street.
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Working with the family, she purchased the property without a plan. It needed a fresh start.⠀
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It would be called Kenny’s. ⠀
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Demi convinced two fellow friends to throw a joint birthday party as Kenny’s flagship event. The AMAZING turnout of both longtime residents and new faces all enjoying the neighborhood for the positive place it is was enough to solidify that Kenny’s found its purpose: ⠀
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A celebration space! ⠀

No more weeds, no more trash. A new life full of clear, open space and community gatherings.

Meet demi Kolke, community advocate, passionate Homewood resident, and founder of Kenny's.

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I’m a transplant from a small town in North Dakota to the City of Pittsburgh. I originally came here to attend the University of Pittsburgh for my Master's Degree in Social Work. Through school, I worked an internship at the Homewood YMCA and instantly fell in love with the neighborhood.  

In a way, it reminded me of home. People asked about your family, genuinely greeted you, and were infinitely more friendly than in other parts of the city.

It felt like home, and then it became home.

Since then, I found ways to continue my career in Homewood by listening to stories, assisting with resources, building up family-owned businesses, and forming irreplaceable lifelong relationships. 

Now, I live happily in Homewood with my daughter Journey who was born here in the community and will proudly tell you she’s from Kelly Street!

I truly never imagined staying in Pittsburgh after graduation, but for me and my daughter, this is home. 
We spend lots of time outside (as much as the weather allows), we LOVE reading books and watching musicals (Rent and The Greatest Showman), doing yoga, and driving each other crazy.

Not only did Kenny’s feel like the perfect move for me to create, but Journey has grown to love it. 
In the summertime, it’s a safe and secure space to run wild, play music, and dance! In the winter, we build fires and make smores.
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Continuing to cultivate Kenny’s as a place where people come together to just be is my priority. Kenny’s is a place where all are welcome, new friendships are made and old relationships rekindled. 

​We can’t wait to continue bringing and spreading joy in the neighborhood for a lifetime!

IN THE NEWS

Grant received from Duquesne Light to focus on public art

On air with Lynne Hayes-Freeland, KDKA to tell the story of Kenny's and 'Welcome Home.'

We received a grant through the Allegheny County Health Dept!

Kenny's featured in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Kenny's wins Awesome Pittsburgh grant

​Kenny's receives Neighborhood Allies 'Love My Neighbor' Grant

​Cancers, Cookies and Cocktails featured in the Post Gazette

Kenny's earns New Sun Rising grant
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Spotlight in 'Won't You Be Our Neighbor' Newsletter
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Won't You Be Our Neighbor Newsletter
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