I'm definitely partial to South Side Works -- I have been working in one of the office buildings here for 2 1/2 years -- but it's sad to hear about the shops that were once here and to see the shops that are continuing to close.
Since I started working here, Nine West, Steve Madden, Joseph Beth Booksellers, and Tusca (wine and tapas restaurant) have closed. All of these closures were a blow to me. Tusca was an office happy hour favorite, and Joseph Beth Booksellers was a fantastic place to browse and pick up a last minute greeting card or present. I also like both Nine West and Steve Madden shoes, so having both of those shoe stores closing within months of one another was a major disappointment.
I like getting out and about in SSW once or twice each week during my lunch breaks. They have three hot spot restaurants frequented by a lot of local employees - Qdoba, Pita Pit, and Subway, but I'm personally not a fan of any of these options. My favorite lunch spot is The Cheesecake Factory. I also like going to Claddagh and Hofbrauhaus for a drink and appetizer after work.
Of course, SSW does still have a few shops left. REI is fantastic for winter apparel and for the outdoor enthusiast. I personally like shopping at Aerie, Urban Outfitters, and Forever XXI. This Aerie store is one of three full-sized stores in the city, with the other locations being Robinson and South Hills Village. I have been most impressed with the staff at this location compared to the service I've received in the other stores. I believe it's also the largest store of the three. This Urban Outfitters also seems to be a pretty large store. They do a good job of greeting customers while I'm normally ignored in other Urban Outfitters. Though this Forever XXI is on the small side, I always have good luck finding product here, while quickly becoming overwhelmed in huge locations while the one in Ross Park. Though a random spot for this store in my opinion, I have also grown to love Sur La Table. Yes, they're pricey, but they have great products that you can't find anywhere else.
Overall, I enjoy SSW and am happy to work within walking distance of all of these shops and restaurants. However, if I didn't work here and have free parking at any time, I would be more likely to only rate this shopping area only 3 stars.