📣 Small Business Shoutout 📣For this week's Small Business Shoutout, we're featuring a local favourite—Almonak! If you're looking for small businesses you can support across the HRM, follow along on Instagram for more.  Q: What's the story behind why you started your businessMy husband/business partner, Barrett, always dreamed of living an entrepreneurial life. I, on the other hand, am less of a risk taker, but decided to take the plunge. We had spent a number of years working in Western Canada, before making the decision to relocate our young family to Halifax, to be closer to family in Cape Breton. We both love great food, and the excitement of the restaurant industry, and feel honoured that we were able to be part of opening a restaurant to serve the North End Halifax community. Q: What challenges have you faced during the pandemic? There's no getting around that one; the pandemic has been incredibly hard on the hospitality industry. The constant changes to restrictions, the ongoing shut downs, staffing challenges - every part of it was hard. For us specifically, we had decided to focus our energy on brunch, instead of multiple services, but every time we were shut down, we switched to a dinner menu, and had to re-engage our customers. What was a fun novelty for the community in the beginning, waivered through the multiple shut downs. It became increasingly difficult to operate a restaurant through the unknown of Covid. It was very trying and stressful as business owners, and also very difficult for our team, who we weren't able to give all the answers to. Q: What can customers expect to find when they visit? Customers will find a modern, clean, nordic inspired esthetic, speckled with lots of greenery. We have a dedicated cafe area offering up third wave coffee, wellness lattes, and fresh baked goodies. Our brunch menu highlights fresh, creative, flavourful, unique dishes curated by a fantastic chef and kitchen team. We are known for serving up some exceptionally tasty Eggs Benny, but have recently expanded our brunch menu to include items like savoury french toast, and pakora brunch. When the warm weather hits, we will open up our patio, which is one of the few in North End Halifax. Another exciting addition will be the return of our dinner menu in Spring 2022. We focus on beautiful ingredients, prepared for you to enjoy with your favorite people! We will have amazing cocktails, and local beer and wine to complete your experience. Lastly, we are very proud of the consistently positive reviews we receive on the hospitality, knowledge, and welcoming nature of our serving team. We love being able to work with such great people! Q: What is your favourite part of having a shop in your area? The North End of Halifax is a really exciting, vibrant, and growing area to be. Over the last 3 years, the amount of residential and commercial growth has been exponential. We love seeing our little area flourish, and for locals and tourists to enjoy and support other small restaurants and shops in our area. We have also been lucky enough to connect with other business owners with similar goals, and have been able to support each other through the pandemic. We are also grateful to be part of the North End Business Association, whom are incredibly supportive, Q: How can Nova Scotians support small businesses like yours? We would love for you to come in and enjoy a meal or your favorite coffee. If you aren't able to do that, all small businesses truly appreciate the purchase of gift cards to use later, as well as following along on our social media. Liking, commenting, saving, and sharing Instagram or Facebook posts does not take much time, but is so helpful. Lastly, tell your friends and family about your favorite small businesses to support. It is true that small business owners do a happy dance with every sale. A lot of heart and soul goes into operating a small business, and without the support of our community, many of us would not still be here. Thank you for all you do to keep us small fish going!
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Hidden EAster 'eggs' in nova scotiaOne of my favourite parts of being a real estate agent is sharing my passion for this city and all things local with Haligonians or soon-to-be Haligonians. For this special Easter edition of the newsletter, I hunted up a few hidden 'eggs' for you to find and enjoy this Easter season. Rosa Rugosa Seaside Market  If a short drive along the lighthouse route is in your weekend plans, make sure to stop by Rosa Rugosa Seaside Market in Hubbards. This year-round farmers' market has a little something for everyone, featuring a restaurant, general store and vintage shop. They offer a wide variety of local products sourced from all over Nova Scotia, including edible market goods, antiques, vintage clothing, flower bouquets, plants, and a full-service restaurant offering lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Narrow Espresso  If you're following me on Instagram, you know I love hunting for new coffee shops to try all over the city and Narrow Espresso Cafe may be Halifax’s narrowest coffee shop. Tucked in between two buildings on the corner of Fenwick and Queen Street, Narrow Espresso is a great place to pick up a coffee before exploring the South End. Narrow Espresso serves drinks made with premium quality, organic, fair trade & locally roasted coffee beans, which are delivered fresh weekly. In addition to their traditional coffee menu, they also offer a rotating menu of seasonal drinks, tea and smoothies, plus a variety of local baked goods and treats. Make it your destination to meet up with friends before going for a weekend walk through Point Pleasant Park or checking out what's new at the Seaport Market. Ori Foods Co.  Something brand new is coming to North End Dartmouth. Today we're welcoming Ori Foods Co. to the corner of Wyse Road and Russell Street in North End Dartmouth and I can't wait to check it out. This new resto-bakery is offering a selection of pastries, lunch fare, wine, beer, and coffee featuring quality local ingredients. You can expect to see favourites like key lime pie, cream puffs and creme brulee cookies on the menu. Ori will be located near the Dartmouth commons, making it the perfect place to grab a treat before walking down Park Avenue to see if the Cherry Blossoms have bloomed (the surest sign that winter is actually over in Nova Scotia!) Easter Egg Hunt Wine Tour  Looking to make plans with friends for the Easter weekend? The annual Easter Egg Hunt Wine Tour is back, after being temporarily paused in 2020 and 2021. Go North Tours is currently offering this unique Easter Egg Hunt-Wine tour experience for private groups of 8. You’ll stop at three wineries: Grand Pre, Planters Ridge and 1365 Church Street, for guided tours and tastings, and compete in easter egg hunts to win prizes. Transportation to and from HRM is included in the price. Click here for more info and to book your spot.
March Break In The MaritimesStaying put this March Break? That doesn't mean it can't be an adventure! One of my favourite parts of being a REALTOR® is exploring neighbourhoods across the province, so here are my top picks for family-friendly March Break activities in Nova Scotia. 1. Downtown artwalk Did you know there are over 20 Murals located in Downtown Halifax? A self-guided tour of these murals and other public art pieces can be found on the Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s website. I recommend starting your exploration at 5151 South Street where you can pick up one of Rousseau Chocolatier’s famous house hot chocolates before heading North to the downtown core. Make sure you have your camera ready! 2. Alderney ferry  Looking to make a day trip from Halifax? You can hop on the Alderney Ferry for free between March 14th to 19th and arrive in Downtown Dartmouth. I suggest lunch at Humble Pie, Canteen or Portland Street Creperie before checking out the 15 public art pieces on the Downtown Dartmouth Art & Selfie Walk. 3. The Board Room Game CafE Weather not cooperating? Check out The Board Room Game Cafe. Located on Barrington Street in downtown Halifax, it features a large gaming area with a collection of 600+ games to play, an espresso bar, local craft beer and soda, a tasty menu, AND an extensive retail area. The retail area opens daily from 12-5, cafe open Thursday- Sunday 12-12. 4. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia  The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will be open for extended hours —March 12-20, consecutively— over March Break. You can explore their current collections including Witnessing: Alicia Henry, which is running from March 12th to May 22nd, alongside their extensive regular exhibitions. 5. Peggy’s Cove  The winter is the perfect time to enjoy this iconic Nova Scotia tourist attraction without all the crowds! Bundle up and head out to watch the waves and explore the rocks. On the way, stop by the new coffee shop/café Labour Day Picnic Café located at Paul’s Hall in Glen Haven. Grab a soup or sandwich off their “Lunch(ish) Menu” or a coffee and a sweet treat from Lure Caramels for the road. 6. Overnight stays Cabot Shores Make the most of winter on the Cabot Trail! Snowshoe by day, then curl up by the fire and watch the stars in a spectacular dome skylight. Cabot Shores has packages that include meals, snowshoe rentals, yurt or chalet accommodations, outdoor hot tub access, and a morning meditation or Qi-Gong session.  The Prince George Hotel
Treat your whole family (Dogs included - they have pet-friendly suites available) to a bit of luxury at The Prince George Hotel. Pretend you’re someplace sunnier and take your staycation poolside (indoors.) LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA 1. Pantry Gift Boxes Obladee Obladee Holiday Gift Boxes make the perfect gift for friends, family or colleagues to enjoy. This year, Obladee has two options to choose from. The cheese box includes four Nova Scotia cheeses (with product notes for each), a jar of their house-made festive preserves, special dark chocolate goat's milk fudge, locally-made Sea Coast Crisps, and a local beeswax candle. Their wine and cheese box includes all of the above, plus a bottle of Sommelier-selected wine (your choice of Sparkling, White or Red) or upgrade your wine to a special Cellar Selection for $25 more! The wine and cheese box is one of my family’s favourite gifts to give and receive. Order yours here by December 22nd at 12:00 noon to receive it on the 23rd.  Black Bow Gift Co. When it comes to gift boxes, there are so many choices out there. What I love about Black Bow Gift Co is that they offer a huge selection of items, thoughtfully curated or individually selected by you, and the presentation is absolutely stunning. One of my favourites is the Seasons Greetings Box, which comes with a variety of artisanal items, including a holiday adirondack ornament, cranberry, sour cherry and port preserve, gourmet basil and EVOO crackers, brie cheese, milk chocolate hazelnut pralines, and premium ground smores coffee—perfect for a Christmas day brunch. All this, packaged artfully in a premium gift box for a picture-perfect unboxing experience with a handwritten card of your choice. December 21st is the last day to order for pick up, local delivery or to ship anywhere in Canada.  2. Local Libations Benjamin Bridge Nothing says celebration more than sparkling wine and Benjamin Bridge makes internationally recognized sparkling wine right here in Nova Scotia. Pick up a bottle of their Brut to toast before dinner, a box of Nova 7 cans to give as stocking stuffers, or even an annual subscription for your favourite wine-lover. The winery is located in the Gaspereau Valley but for those in the Halifax Metro, they offer contactless free delivery, right up until Dec 21, or pick up as late as December 23.  Lightfoot and Wolfville Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned and operated by the Lightfoot family who has been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations. This year I've been enjoying their gift boxes since it takes a lot of guesswork out of delighting my friends and loved ones. Gift boxes range in price from $50 - $100 and include a bottle of their fantastic wine and some Lightfoot & Wolfville merchandise. Their soy wine bottle candle in Chardonnay, Lemongrass and Tea Tree is one of my favourite housewarming gifts. Lightfoot & Wolfville are offering free, contactless delivery in HRM, the Valley and South Shore. Order by midnight on Tuesday, December 21 for deliveries to arrive on December 23.  Good Robot Have someone in your life who isn’t a wine lover? Good Robot Brewing Co. offers gift-wrapped holiday boxes with a handwritten card. Choose from a huge selection of beers and fermented seltzers, or allow the experts to select a variety based on your loved one’s individual tastes. Order up until December 23rd for guaranteed delivery within 2 hours in Halifax.  3. Last Minute Local Shops In A Box Gifts (1468 Dresden Row, Halifax) In a Box Gifts is a locally owned boutique that features one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home goods, and unique giftware. Pop in as late as December 24 at 5:00 to pick up a gift you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Top pick: Their gorgeous wool throws would make the perfect gift to tuck under the Christmas tree.  Trainyard General Store (137 Portland Street, Dartmouth) Trainyard General Store offers handcrafted whimsical & practical gifts from Canadian small businesses, holiday gifts, cards and stationery, accessories, kids toys and books, even gifts for your pets. Best of all, they’re open until 3:00 on the 24th. Top pick: Trainyard General is one of six local retailers where you can pick up Brad Hartman’s Pop-Up Halifax.  Kept Gifts & Housewares (75 King St, Dartmouth)
Kept Gifts & Housewares offers a balance of locally sourced goods and fine gifts & home decor. They offer an extensive variety of cards, ornaments and holiday decor; there is truly something for everyone! And, even if you’re down to the wire at 5:00 pm on the 24, they’ve got you covered. Top pick: Paper Hearts East Coast Ornaments are the perfect addition to any holiday tree. Choose from one of eight local landmarks, such as the Bluenose, Sullivan’s Pond Geese, the Ferry or Woody the Talking Xmas Tree AWESOME LOCAL HOLIDAY GIFTS IN HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA Check out these awesome local holiday giftsThe holiday season is upon us and you might be wondering what to get the special people in your life. This year, consider giving a gift that will leave a lasting impression by supporting local businesses. We've put together our annual Local Gift Guide which includes some of our favourite local businesses, plus where you can find them in-store and online. P.S. Don't forget to check out their Black Friday deals! Online only: Cheerfetti Cheerfetti has a number of holiday items available, both individual gift items as well as gift boxes made up for you, so you can skip the wrapping this year: Holiday Collection 2021 Want to shop for Nova Scotia Artisans specifically? They also have a number of everyday items that make great holiday gifts, many of which are made in our province. You can shop Cheerfetti by theme and choose: Made In Nova Scotia Follow her on Instagram to get her Black Friday sale details! 2. The Lemonade General Store This holiday season The Lemonade General Store will continue to offer its high-quality & convenient gift basket options, including luxurious necessities like Erbe Solingen nail grooming kit and silk patchwork ties made in Sicily! More international cheeses have arrived to restock on their favourite local board spreads as well. Try their small-batch ice cream available for take-out starting November 15th, including a Roquefort and honey addition. 3. 11 Street Boutique 11 Street Boutique aims for each customer to find that "special piece"—whether that is a bold printed dress or an amazing classic white tee—making them the perfect place to help you with your holiday list. For Black Friday, you can enjoy 20% off regular-priced merchandise + a 40% off sale rack, followed by a surprise cyber Monday sale! 4. Eunoia Lifestyle Shop Eunoia Lifestyle Shop is a place in North End where you can find joyfully created & thoughtfully curated collections! They offer a range of products including home decor, a large selection of unique gifts, biodegradable balloons, stationery & accessories, and more. For Black Friday you can enjoy 20% off in-store and online by using the code: blackfriday20% 5. Ana + Zac Ana + Zac thinks about fashion in a slow and holistic way. They acknowledge trends but move in their own direction, at their own pace. They make things that they both love, can wear every day and that will last a long time. For Black Friday you can look forward to 15% off Ana + Zac instore brand. Check out their holiday guide for more ideas. 6. The Independent Mercantile Co The Independent Mercantile Co was born from a love of travel, love of hosting, love of decorating, love of cooking, love of plants & gardening, love of parties and love for Halifax. They have lots of new inventory in the upcoming weeks, including holiday items, barware, lovely gifts and decor. They are also having a wreath pop up on Dec 4th from Foraged Cove Wreaths. 7. Biscuit General Store Biscuit General Store is an independent boutique offering stylish clothing, accessories & gifts. They have lots of new holiday stock including Christmas ornaments & candles. Looking for gifts under $25 with bonus points for being Canadian-made? This shop is your go-to. 8. Inkwell Inkwell is a modern handmade boutique and letterpress studio located in downtown Halifax, with an abundant selection of specialty printed paper products and handmade delights made with love, by artists from around the corner and across the world.
November 26th-29th in-store and online, Inkwell is celebrating Small Business Weekend!: Spend $75+ Save $10 + Free Inkwell Tote Bag with code: SHOPSMALL10 Spend $150+ Save $20 + Free Inkwell Tote Bag + Free Shipping with code: SHOPSMALL20 Spend $300+ Save $50 + Free Inkwell Tote Bag + Free Shipping with code: SHOPSMALL50 *Total before tax. One code /purchase. Discount codes cannot be combined. November 30th: A percentage of revenue on that day will be donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association (Nova Scotia Division) for Giving Tuesday. Did we miss your favourite place to shop for the holidays? Comment below so we can share them on Instagram! EXPLORING NOVA SCOTIA THIS AUTUMN WITH KAYLA SHORT As the fall brings in crisper weather and the leaves start changing, many Nova Scotians are planning their autumn travel to find the best places to enjoy the colours of the season. This week, I caught up with Kayla Short, award-winning lifestyle blogger and Instagrammer behind Short Presents. Q. What are your top 5 travel destinations in Nova Scotia for the Fall?Can I say anywhere in NS? I don’t think you can make a bad choice!! End to end, Nova Scotia is amazing in the Fall! Definitely can't make a wrong decision when it comes to touring around the province this time of year. With so much nature around us, I would say our province really does come alive in the autumn. If you’re going to twist my arm (lol) some of my faves would be:  1) Cape Breton - I might be slightly biased, because I grew up there, but there’s something pretty spectacular about the crisp fall air coupled with the truly stunning colours of the leaves that’s really worth seeing in person! And those rolling hills?? I mean, what’s not to love? If you happen to do the Cabot Trail be sure to check out the new Gandella at Cape Smokey! 2) Annapolis Valley - Apple picking, haunted houses, corn mazes, and wineries? It’s a must!  3) Sensea Spa in Chester - arguably amazing any time of the year, but definitely a must if you're looking for some much-needed R&R. Be sure to book early as spaces fill up quickly, but don’t be afraid to check back to the site, as people do cancel! Might I also suggest dining at the Rope Loft while you're in the area? Fun fact, did you know the Rope Loft is the oldest building still in commercial use in Nova Scotia?? Pretty cool right. Food is also pretty great!  4) Halifax - there is always something going on in the city! Our culinary scene here is pretty great and I love that most Halifax restaurants change their menus seasonally, so it’s fun to stop in to see what’s new!! 5) Windsor - known for producing some of the world’s largest, world record-setting pumpkins? I’d say it’s worth a visit in the fall! Do yourself a favour and take the old highways to get there to experience some of the best fall colours! Q. Your favourite businesses to make time to visit in the fall?Oh my goodness I wouldn’t even know where to begin! I love them all. I would say start making a bucket list—I have a whole section of my blog dedicated to my travels to get you started!—and every time it’s a nice day, or you feel like getting out and about, tick a few more items off your list. Be sure to mix it up, visit lots of restaurants, cafes, markets and take time to do lots of activities while they're available. I definitely try to support local as much as I can all year, but some places do close up for the winter so it’s great to get out and support them while you can!! Q. Favourite places to stay in the fall in NS?So many places!! We tend to visit family on the long weekends in the fall, so you’ll always find us in Cape Breton!  However, I JUST did an amazing stay at the brand new, La Have Cabin which you should definitely put on your bucket list. Located on the water’s edge, it was seriously the most relaxing place!! It feels like you’re sleeping on the ocean, and listening to the waves of the ocean is so unbelievably calming. The wood-fired hot tub is a nice touch on cool fall evenings too!
Definitely check out my Instagram for more details @shortpresents. You never know where I’ll be headed next! |
Margaret CraigReal Estate Advisor based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I help people buy and sell homes with Engel & Völkers. Archives
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