Local business and consumer news. Openings, closings, deals, sales, what to buy and where to buy it, we round it all up and give you an insider's shopper's special on small business in Halifax. Contact shoptalk@thecoast.ca to send a tip.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Openings / Neighbourhood Shopping Proskates, Utliity and Moksha Yoga: Shoptalk Facts and Rumours
We hear things
Posted by Carsten Knox on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 4:00 AM
This we know is a fact, as has been reported in Shoptalk: Pretty Things Boutique (5685 Cunard Street, 492-8329) is moving into the Pro Girl space at 5240 Blowers Street, while the ProSkates empire, including Pro Girl, prepares to move into new digs on Quinpool Road. The ProSkates move was prompted by the news that their building, which also houses Utility (5224 Blowers Street, 420-1348), is being torn down.
Shoptalk has also learned that Utility is looking to move into the space on Cunard vacated by Pretty Things Boutique.
And here's the rumour portion of this story: Shoptalk has heard that when ProSkates opens their new store on Quinpool Road, they'll be sharing a part of their business with a new location of a popular local cafe. More details on that when we have them.
And, finally, the same reliable source reports that Moksha Yoga (1512 Dresden Row, 420-0888) is planning on opening a location in Dartmouth.
UPDATE Tuesday, August 31, 6:23pm
Utility emailed Shoptalk to assert they've made no final decision as to where they'll wind up, so moving to Cunard Street isn't a sure thing. They can still be found on Blowers for the time being.
Openings / Home Style Bouclair opens two new stores
Quebec-based home store goes in at Dartmouth Crossing, Bedford
Posted by Carsten Knox on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 4:00 AM
On the hunt for bedding, furniture, laps, rungs, etc? Give Bouclair a look. The Canadian company has just opened two stores, one in Bedford at 85 Damascus Road and at Dartmouth Crossing at 72 Finnian Row.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Openings / Neighbourhood Shopping 24twentyeight opens
A new fashion/lifestyle/jewellery boutique off Barrington
Posted on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Logan Hudak and his buddy Lee Fraser, two DJs in town, have collaborated on a new business that opened this week, 24twentyeight (5181 Sackville Street, 440-7957). As they conceived of it last November, they struggled with a name. “Why don’t we use our ages?” says Hudak. “I guess it could be 25twentynine, now.”
The store is a streetwear/casual wear/lifestyle spot, offering “a bunch of new clothes” not available in stores in the area, including brand names Cardboard Robot and Kill City. Since, in Hudak’s own words, they “don’t have any money for advertising,” they’re serious about getting the word out in grassroots ways and on social networks. And to give back to the community, they want to carry local artisans, designers and craftspeople. “We want to have our finger on the pulse of the local design scene,” says Hudak. Their walls are also available for local artwork, which they’re happy to sell on consignment.
Hudak and Fraser are going to busy in the coming days, performing at Antic, the 12-hour party in Windsor, September 4 and 5, holding an end-of-summer cruise on September 15 and as well as sponsoring the DJ Olympics. Check at the store for more information on all of this.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Gottingen Street's opportunities
Young people can become entrepreneurs
Posted by Tim Bousquet on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 5:30 PM
The vacancies don't make sense to me---with alll the new condos and apartments being built in the area, why aren’t more businesses opening up to cater to the resulting boom in neighbourhood population?
Openings / Salon, Spas Alicia Melanson is happening
A new hair and makeup salon on Barrington Street opens
Posted by Carsten Knox on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 4:00 AM
“I'm a native of Halifax, and have always been in love with the arts,” explains Alicia Melanson, an experienced hairstylist and makeup artist, about her new business, Alicia Melanson Hair & Makeup (1725 Barrington Street, 3rd Floor, 433-1616), which she’s opened with fellow beauty expert Meaghan Ryan. Melanson has trained at Bumble & Bumble in New York, been a stylist to the stars for special events and worked at Thumpers.
“When I found this funky little space on Barrington (shared with Strut International Modelling Agency) I had to jump on it,” says Melanson. “It's really a unique space---that really allows Meg and I to work creatively with our existing clientele and have the freedom to work on some fun projects with fashion, photography, and wedding parties both in-salon and on-site.” Melanson is working to make her salon a green business, and as such she uses a number of “eco-friendly products, cleaning products,” and colour with very low ammonia. She supports local artisans by carrying “handmade reinvented vintage jewellery” amongst other items. For more detail or to book an appointment, visit her website at aliciamelanson.com.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Salon, Spas Moksha Yoga closes ...for 48 hours
Renovations close popular yoga studio temporarily
Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Shoptalk reported a couple of weeks ago that there were some changes going on at Moksha Yoga (1512 Dresden Row, 420-0888), which might include a brief closure as they expand to the floor upstairs their current Dresden Row location. Well, that's what's happening: August 26 and 27. All unlimited passes will be extended two days. The result of this work: expect to have 10 classes a day to choose from after Labour Day.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Party Bus busted
Utility and Review Board shuts down Party Bus Atlantic, Inc.
Posted by Tim Bousquet on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Read the entire UARB rulinghere.
Closings pur alternatives closing up shop
Health and beauty shop going online only
Posted by Carsten Knox on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Last week Shoptalk provided details of a toxin-free soap from the fine folks at pur alternatives (Barrington Place Shops, 1903 Barrington Street, 407-3660), and sadly we have to report this week that the store is closing on September 4, as we have heard from manager/co-owner Christopher Galbraith. He asserts that the online venue for pur alternatives remains active (puralternatives.ca), and pur alternatives products will still be sold at the Saturday Alderney Landing farmers market. Starting on September 1, they'll be at the Wednesday market, too. Until the closure products in the store will be on sale from 15 to 75 percent off.
Openings / Neighbourhood Shopping / Fashion Fresh Prints kisses EC Lips
North end clothing outlet offers East Coast Lips and more
Posted by Carsten Knox on Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Shoptalk had reported it was an East Coast Lips location, but that was only partly true. "A couple of the guys in here are involved with EC Lips," says Fresh Prints (2411 Agricola Street, 404-6468) co-owner Nigel Lutes. Though Fresh prints carries EC Lips product, it's into other kinds of apparel, including dresses, ball caps, tank tops, hoodies and a whole lot of t-shirts. Lutes has a screenprinter in the back of the store, with six-colour presses ready to create garment magic. Also, ask about Bang-On t-shirt designs... they have a folder full of images, including the supercool classic Marvel transfers---you too can sport the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America or The Thing on your torso, in the colour shirt of your choosing---not to mention some awesome Sesame Street characters. (Yes, Bert and Ernie are indeed BFFs.)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Openings Outcast Ink sets up shop on North
Third location lucky for local tattoo artists
Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 4:00 AM
They used to be up on Titus in Fairview, then they moved to 152 Portland in Dartmouth, but that wasn’t quite the right fit for Outcast Ink. “Business wasn’t as good,” says Matt McNamara, an apprentice tattooist at the studio. “We had a lot of clientele, but this is a better spot. It’s a prime location.” The shop is now at 5682 North Street, just a few doors down from the corner of North and Agricola, on the south side of North. On a sunny Friday afternoon there’s plenty of pedestrian traffic, plus it’s filled with tattooed folks, draped over comfy chairs and each other, while a gentleman with a dagger on his arm gets the work touched up by proprietor and artist Chris Weagle. “Actually, it’s my wife that owns the place,” he says with a smile, before outlining his specialties: “Custom work, the more custom the better. Cover-ups, anything black and grey.” He has two other artists in the shop, including McNamara, and a piercer, if you’ve got a nipple, septum or labia that needs an ornament. They’re open noon to six, Monday to Saturday, with a phone and sign coming next week… find them on Facebook for more information.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Salon, Spas / Neighbourhood Shopping Soled Out to move, Moksha Yoga expanding
Popular shoe store moves up the street while yoga studio moves upstairs
Posted by Carsten Knox on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Celebrating two years in the downtown, Moksha Yoga (1512 Dresden Row, 420-0888), the specialists in “hot yoga," are expanding this month to the second floor of their building, the former home of Soled Out (and more about them in a second).
This will mean bigger change rooms, more showers, a greater variety of classes and more of them. There may be some occasional construction noise and a brief closure of the studio towards the end of August to finalize some of these changes, so yoga practitioners should inquire at the location for more detail on all of that. As for Soled Out, Shoptalk wasn’t able to speak with the owners, but Spring Garden Road Business Association manager Bernard Smith reports that they are setting up in new digs up at 1587 Dresden Row, between Casa Dante and Pino's Salon, so “there is no excuse for these young guys not to look well-groomed.” Smith says he’s sorry to see them moving further away from Spring Garden, and that the owners didn’t want to go, but “Soled Out have been wanting more space and more of a street level presence for some time.”
Monday, August 9, 2010
Neighbourhood Shopping Simmons Mattress Gallery Student Specials
Yes, Back to School is starting to happen. Sigh.
Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 4:00 AM
It’s August. The month after August is September, which means the population of Halifax will swell as the students return is a big, beer-drinking deluge. All you eager student bodies will need a place to rest your heads, so you should consider the student deals available at Simmons Mattress Gallery (172 Chain Lake Drive, 450-0233), which includes perks such as free delivery and free pillows. “Time to get that mattress organized now!” says Simmons specialist Jordanna Caine in an email. “We have heaps of stock---but it always gets a bit hairy towards the end!”
Thursday, July 29, 2010
HB Studios to close Halifax operation
Posted by Tim Bousquet on Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 6:00 AM
Lunenburg-based videogame producer HB Studios is closing its satellite Halifax operation. "The current projects under development at the Halifax studio are to be completed before the studio officially closes on September 17," confirms Melanie Williams, director of operations at HB. "Twenty-five of the 29 staff have been offered the chance to relocate to Lunenburg; six have taken up the opportunity."
Aimed at videogamers who are also sports enthusiasts, HB has produced games with titles like NBA Live, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and, most recently, Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers. Founded in 2000, HB opened its Halifax operation in 2008. Blame "the current economic climate" for the scaledown, says Williams.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Neighbourhood Shopping More Yoga Opportunities
Kundalini Yoga is happening all around us until the end of August
Posted by Carsten Knox on Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 4:00 AM
This may be of special interest to those mourning the passing of the Yoga Loft at the end of July. All skill levels can enjoy Kundalini Yoga at the following times and locations: Mon/Thurs 6-7:30pm at EFT Atlantic, 5663 Cornwallis, Suite 104, Wednesday 5:30-7pm at DANSpace, 1531 Grafton, 3rd floor and Saturday 9:30-11am at GPI Atlantic, 3008 Oxford, Suite 203 (entrance on Cork). Fees are as follows: Drop-in: $12, 5-class pass: $50, 10-class pass $90, unlimited: $200 and passes are valid at all locations. For more info on the yoga or the instructor, visit the Facebook Group “Kundalini Yoga in Halifax.”
Friday, July 23, 2010
DigitalCare Computers opens
Posted by Tim Bousquet on Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Coowners Derek Lewis and Matt Webber have opened DigitalCare Computers (1535 Dresden Row, 428-8777), providing computer sales and service in the downtown core. "We saw that there wasn't anyone providing this kind of service for small and medium businesses downtown," says Lewis, explaining the business concept. DigitalCare will help businesses without their own IT department, by way of in-home and in-shop repairs, data recovery, network administration and the like. The four technicians are "the most certified in Nova Scotia," says Lewis, with 20 certifications between them.
DigitalCare is hoping to bring in the curious by offering to pay the sales tax on all service through August 7, as well as having hard drives on sale at 10 percent off. It's also a good time to take advantage of the factory re-certified computers for students---you can get as good as new computers (maybe used for one-time events, then with everything reinstalled) at low prices.
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