The actual cross in the data occurred last October but the first real appearance on the chart happened yesterday - for the first time in modern history the number of food service and drinking places employees in Pittsburgh is greater than the number of manufacturing employees. This marks an incredible shift from a town that made steel to a town that now makes cocktails.
Whether or not this is a good thing is up for debate...
BLS: Industries in the Food Services and Drinking Places subsector prepare meals, snacks, and beverages to customer order for immediate on-premises and off-premises consumption
Including hospitality workers the shift occurred over five years ago...
BLS: The Accommodation and Food Services sector comprises establishments providing customers with lodging and/or preparing meals, snacks, and beverages for immediate consumption
