A Pittsburgh bookstore owner is openly prioritizing her opposition to federal immigration enforcement over potential business losses, underscoring a growing activist trend among left-leaning small businesses that treat political signaling as part of their brand.
According to Fox News, Lizzie McCoy, owner of Blythe Books in the Pittsburgh suburb of Brentwood, has used her stores Instagram account to warn followers about alleged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
She told Pittsburgh Public Source that she posted an alert about ICEs presence through the shops social media, turning what is ostensibly a neighborhood bookstore into a platform for progressive immigration activism.
"Please check in on any neighbors you have who might not be able to leave their house in these conditions," she wrote in one such post.
"Youre always welcome to tag our store, and we will do our best to spread any [sightings] we see," she added, using an ice cube emoji and writing, "[ICE] out of Pittsburgh!"
McCoy acknowledged that her stance could alienate some customers but insisted that is not a concern.
"To me, thats really not important," she said. "If I lose followers, but I let the community as a whole know that theres ICE presence in Brentwood, at the end of night, I lay my head down and sleep. It doesnt bother me."
Inside Blythe Books, the activism is not confined to social media.
The store offers free ICE whistles, accompanied by a sign that reads, "Anti-ICE whistle. Free. Take and share! Please don't test in store, they work."
McCoy is not alone in treating opposition to immigration enforcement as a core business identity.
Marla Solnik, owner of Creative Chem Co, also in Pittsburgh, joined the national "ICE Out!" protest on Jan. 30, during which some businesses shut their doors to demonstrate resistance to ICE.
"Its an unprecedented moment, and it is a human issue," Solnik said, framing the matter in moral rather than legal terms.
"It is not OK to be pulling people off the streets. It is not OK to not be doing due process. Its not OK to see violence like this happening in our communities, and I am not going to stay silent in these moments."
Other businesses chose to remain open but still aligned themselves with anti-ICE causes through fundraising.
Some donated proceeds to groups such as Frontline Dignity, an organization that conducts anti-ICE trainings and advocacy.
Pittsburghs Public Source reported that Trace Brewing raised $300 for Frontline Dignity on Jan. 30.
The brewery has embraced activism as part of its public image, using its space and events to promote progressive immigration groups.
"If we can grab someones attention with a printed flyer or a QR code, I think thats really important," said Trace Brewing general manager Katie Rado.
"Attending some of our fundraising events, which are always free, gives more access to that specific charity or anti-ICE movement or thats creating a greater, stronger community."
Trace Brewing staffer Aadam Soorma described the companys anti-ICE posture in explicitly moral terms.
Aadam Soorma, who also works at Trace Brewing, said anti-ICE advocacy is a "moral obligation."
"I think a lot of the people you talk to in Pittsburgh embody that characteristic," Soorma said.
"I think of it more as a bit of a moral obligation to provide that space and be like, yes, you can thrive here."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Soorma, head of marketing and guest experience at Trace Brewing, said the business is unconcerned about any backlash from customers who support immigration enforcement or simply prefer apolitical establishments.
"To be honest, most of our day to day guests at Trace are a reflection of our own staff and community here in Bloomfield," Soorma said. "We're lucky to be surrounded by compassionate people and we're intentional in how we program and activate our space to prioritize access and inclusion. I don't foresee us losing business for peeling off a portion of our sales proceeds to benefit Casa San Jose and Frontline Dignity. We'll be doing more benefit nights throughout the calendar year."
While these business owners insist their activism is about compassion and "community," their efforts effectively target a federal agency tasked with enforcing immigration law, raising concerns among conservatives about local campaigns that undermine the rule of law and public safety.
Fox News Digital reported that attempts to reach Blythe Books and Creative Chem Co for further comment were unsuccessful, leaving unanswered how far these businesses are willing to go in opposing ICE operations and whether they draw any line between humanitarian concern and active resistance to lawful enforcement.
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