News:

Specialty Group is an industry resource to local and national media and is regularly contacted for comments and insights. In fact, our Broker, Terri Sokoloff, has been dubbed "Realtor to the Bars." Specialty Group has appeared in regional and national magazines such as Nations Restaurants News, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pittsburgh Business Times, The Tribune Review, Real Estate Today, Real Estate Executive, Real Estate Business, and Night Club and Bar Magazine.

Additionally, our executives have authored articles for numerous publications such as The Pennsylvania Observer, Server Magazine, Restaurant Matters, PA Real Estate Journal, Business Brokerage Press Business Reference Guide, Pittsburgh Realtor Magazine and Business Broker Newsletter.

Ned Sokoloff, the CEO & Founder of Specialty Group, is currently a featured author in the Pennsylvania Observer with his monthly column entitled "Behind the Bar." To read Ned's recent articles, scroll to the bottom of this page.

As an industry expert, Specialty Group has also conducted professional seminars, such as "How to buy a Restaurant" at the Pennsylvania Restaurant Show. We've also provided speakers for the Small Business Administration and the Nightclub and Bar Annual National Convention

Wargo opening Strip District steak house next to future film studio
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
September 5, 2008

Two Former Restaurateurs Planning Return
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
May 23, 2008

Bars say deck is stacked against them as police crack down on poker machines

Despite outrage over drink tax, restaurateurs' outlook mixed
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
February 1, 2008

Restaurant group forecasting local, national industry growth
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
January 29, 2007

Cook-Your-Own Steak Place Files Chapter 11
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 07, 2007

Drink Levy Taxing for Bars, Restaurants
By Justin Vellucii, Tribune- Review
December 15, 2007

Drink Tax Still Confounding Foes
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 07, 2007

Boardwalk Could Float to Barden
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
October 19, 2007

More steak, please: Capital Grille tries its chops Downtown
Sunday, August 26, 2007
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Another longtime restaurant makes way for a pharmacy
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
August 2007

Former Chartroom reopens tavern
By Tim Schooley, Pittsburgh Business Times
July 2007
South Siders lament bar boom

Despite plans to close, the 'O' remains open
By Kim Lyons
Tribune Review
Monday, July 16, 2007

Former owner of Primadonnna to make return with Uptown bistro
Pittsburgh Business Times- Tim Schooley

One year after restaurant closes, owners of Poli's seek Chapter 11
Legendary eatery faces debt of up to $1 million
Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley

Restaurants capitalize on crowds of theater-goers, new residents
Pittsburgh Business Times- by Tim Schooley

Can Downtown support more upscale eateries?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
By Cristina Rouvalis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ned Sokoloff Elected to Board of Directors PA Restaurant Association
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
2007.02.12

Can Downtown support more upscale eateries?
Cristina Rouvalis
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2007.01.28

Resturaunt Group Forecasting Local, National Industry Growth
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2007.01.26

Bar-limit measure may get vote today
Jeremy Boren
Tribune-Review
2006.11.20

From pool hall to Brazilian rodizio
South Side tavern converting to restaurant with foreign flare
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.11.17

Restaurants tackle trans fat backlash
Local establishments consider switching oils
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.11.17

Bar-limit measure may get vote today
Jeremy Boren
Tribune Review
2006.11.20

Some dining institutions having trouble standing heat
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.09.08

Partners seek to re-create 56-year-old Ambridge landmark outside Zelienople
Len Barcousky
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.09.03

Bistro 19 to bring creative upscale dining to South Hills
Jennifer Baron
popcitymedia.com
2006.08.09

ClubCorp's Member magazine whose topics focus on the lifestyle interests, golf, ... "Best 50 Women in Business": Terri Sokoloff
Louis Marroquin
Private Club Magazines
2006.08

Awards and Honors
Gov. Ed Rendell and five Pennsylvania business journals recently announced the winners of the 11th Annual Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business award. Included on the list of award recipients is North Hills Business owner, Terri Sokoloff of Specialty Group.
Natalie Hill
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2006.08.04

Deal cooking for Dunlap to buy Tambellini's: LeMont owner to add S. Hills institution
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.07.24

Theme: "Family Owned Businesses" with Co-Host Terri Sokoloff ... Partnership team of Terri's & Ned Sokoloff has worked together since 1986 2006.07.29

Tidbits
Governor Edward G. Rendell and five Pennsylvania business journals recently announced the winners of the 11th Annual Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business award. Included on the list of award recipients is North Hills Business Owner Terri Sokoloff, of Specialty Group, located in Pittsburgh.
Nightclub.com
2006.07

South Side restaurant files for Ch. 11: Priscilla Dining in Art remains open, focuses on Thai food
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.06.19

Restaurateurs combine concepts to create newest dining venture: Caliguiri and partners hope to open more Walnut Groves
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.05.29

Governor Rendell Announces 50 Best Women in Business Award Winners; Recognizes Contributions to State's Economy, Communities
newpa.com
2006.03.26

Hospitality leaders set mayor's table
"I would hope O'Connor would do what he could do to protect the liquor licensee and the licensee's rights. I would hope he would do what he could to protect the mom-and-pop business." ~ Ned Sokoloff
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2006.01.30

South Side leasing rates soaring. Businesses blame cost for vacancies on Carson
Robert Sandler
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.12.06

Bikki bids good-bye to restaurants, will continue to consult
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.09.09

Confessions of a Restaurant Broker
By Specialty Group
Seminar at PRA TRADE SHOW PA Restaurant Matters
2005

Terri Sokoloff of Specialty Bar & Restaurant Brokers awarded CREWS "Most Creative Deal" award Pittsburgh Commercial Real Estate Women November 2005
Most Creative Deal Award: recognizes the successful completion of a real estate transaction which required overcoming significant and/or challenging obstacles in order to see the deal through to completion:
2005 Winner- Terri Sokoloff of Specialty Bar & Restaurant Brokers

Landmark Irish pub in Etna is on the block
Elwin Green
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2005.10.05

Popular dining franchises fish Pittsburgh staples to hook their staff and sales
Mackenzie Carpenter
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2005.10.02

Tapping into Tapas: A number of restaurant owners find a growing market for light Spanish cuisine
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.08.08

Despite high failure rates, restaurant business still attractive to many: Some rookie restaurateurs have success in competitive industry
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.08.08

Bloomfield eatery latest to try suburban expansion
Tim Schooley
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.06.24

Pittsburgh Business Times names regions "Fast Trackers"
Pittsburgh Business Times
2005.06

"Behind the Bar" - Ned Sokoloff

Ned Sokoloff, the CEO & Founder of Specialty Group, is currently a featured author in the Pennsylvania Observer with his monthly column entitled "Behind the Bar." Below is an archive of some of Ned's past articles:

Too Much or Too Little
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
November 2011

Boring
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
October 2011

Be There
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
September 2011

I'm Sorry
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
August 2011

Grow Slow
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
July 2011

Customers are not 'We' or 'Guys'
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
June 2011

Waiting
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
May 2011

Need to be Recognized
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
April 2011

Over and Above
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
March 2011

To Take Out or Not Take Out
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
February 2011

What's Hot / What's Not
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
January 2011

The No Problem Psychology
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
October 2010

Don't Make Them Ask
By Ned Sokoloff, Pennsylvania Observer
September 2010