1. Celebrate Quinfest
The annual street wide, family friendly festivities honouring the one of Halifax’s busiest streets, returns this Saturday, September 20 from 11am-3pm. “It is important for the [Quinpool Road Mainstreet District] Association and its members to host Quinfest every year because it gives us a chance to show appreciation to our many customers and members of the community who support us,” says QRMDA’s Karla Nicholson. From Windsor to Beech Street, the strip will be partying via carnival games, giveaways, food samples (from 12-2pm), live music, live reptiles and sidewalk sales.
2. Say so long to Beads ‘R’ Us
The pretty purple house at 6082 Quinpool Road has been home to this jewellery-maker and belly-dancer hot spot for five years, but with rent on the rise, Galia Ali has decided to close her shop, take some time off and offer at-home services in jewellery repair (902-240-4085). Beads ‘R’ Us will close up shop for good later this fall. Until then everything in store is 50 percent off.
3. Wash down your burger with local beer
The joyful grillmasters at Relish
(6024 Quinpool Road) are always serving up local meat, housemade sauces and preserves and creative takes on your standard hamburger, but they’re pouring up great deals when it comes to drinks, too. Direct your cravings for burgers and dogs (Nathan’s!) here Monday through Wednesday, and cash in on $2.50 Propeller on tap—a perfect way to test out that new Organic Ale.
4. Remind everyone how smart you are Q: Where is the best place to put all your useless knowledge to use? A: Trivia. Pizza paired with competition makes for a wonderful evening, and Freeman’s Little New York (6092 Quinpool Road) serves up both of those things on Tuesdays at 7pm. At this weekly trivia night there are prizes to be won, egos to be stroked (yours) and most importantly, laughs to be had.
5. Pimp your bike
Enjoy the last days of Cyclesmith at
6112 Quinpool and reap the benefits of its
upcoming (early November!) move to 2553 Agricola Street. As a way of saying goodbye to the building it’s called home for 18 years, select bikes, parts and gear are on sale for 10 to 40 percent off.
6. Take a Therapeutic Approach
Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio (6156 Quinpool Road) started on Coburg Road, teaching yoga to classes of six or seven students and now, 17 years later, it boasts 10 practitioners, a schedule of 45 classes, teacher training courses and continuous evolution. “It’s really kind of blossomed into more than I ever thought would happen,” says Mike Munro, physiotherapist, yoga educator and TAYS co-owner. September brings even more exciting growth—with more options for early morning practice, the addition of nia dance to the schedule (dance meets martial arts meets yoga), plus an anniversary deal of 17 classes for $170. Here’s to 17 more!
7.-15. Eat everything in sight (except KFC)
Take a Night Out on Quinpool Tour
with the Local Tasting Tours team. The tours—which run at 7pm Wednesday through Saturday—will get you five courses of food and drink, from five regions of the world, plus you’ll be able to brush up on some west end history with a local food buff. LTT’s Emily Forrest shares her seven favourite flavours on Quinpool Road, some of which you can taste on her tour.
Turtle cheesecake at Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery (6148 Quinpool Road): “My favourite part is the sticky layer of caramel just over the crust.”
Thai hot and sour soup at Thai Ivory Cuisine (6306 Quinpool Road): “There are so many flavours going on in your mouth at the same time, and there’s just enough heat.”
Taro chips from Taishan Asian Grocery (6466 Quinpool Road): “It’s such a simple, salty, crispy snack. Also good with seafood appetizers at home.”
Mia Dela Riva pizza and a Hell Bay English Ale at Bramoso Gourmet Pizzeria (6169 Quinpool Road): “This is a great pairing, and they always have amazing deals on the price.”
Anything lamb at Mezza Lebanese Restaurant (6386 Quinpool Road) “I love anything they serve with lamb—it’s always local and so tender.”
Green tea at The Ikebana Shop (6417 Quinpool Road): “These guys are tea experts. They give demonstrations and advice.”
Tzatziki and the flaming cheese at the Blue Olive Greek Taverna (6196 Quinpool Road): “The flames hit the ceiling! It’s all about the spectacle.”
The calamari salad at the Athens (6273 Quinpool Road): “No lettuce, just chunks of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives and that light, crispy seafood on top.”
16. Bundle up at Aerobics First
There’s a lot more than shoes going on at Aerobics First (6166 Quinpool Road). Don’t get us wrong, after 34 years in the business of properly fitting footwear—whether it’s running shoes or ski boots—they care a lot about your feet and what’s on them, but this indie business veteran can look suit up rest of your body, too. From top-quality sports bras, to winter-friendly running gear, to head-to-toe Smart Wool, you might as well start with your feet and work your way up.
17. Collect them all at The Deck Box
One of the street’s freshest faces is The Deck Box (6299 Quinpool Road, in the former Halifax Cycle Gallery), a sister store to Summerside’s Game On run by Joshua Carter. With a focus on collectible card games—mostly Magic, but Pokemon and YuGiOh too—this new shop single sells cards (and it has SO many of them), but will also host organized tournaments, and game nights. Follow the fun at @TheDeckBoxJPC.
18. Send the welcome wagon
Though we’re not fully finished mourning the departure of The Greek Village (6253 Quinpool Road), its former space is fully re-decorated and awaiting the arrival of Shanghai Bistro. We’re wiping away tzatziki tears but are happy to see this spot wasn’t empty long.
19. Feel like you’re wearing nothing at all
Bhavana Yoga Boutique (6252 Quinpool Road) carries clothing that you can safely bend, stretch, commute and look good in. Check out clothes from mindful designers like Downtown Betty (pictured), a BC-based line of yoga and lifestyle clothing made with natural fibres, for nature-loving, active shoppers.
20. Wish Secord Gallery a happy anniversary
Stop by and have a good, hard look at Secord Gallery’s (6301 Quinpool Road) Anniversary Exhibition—its been 35 years in custom framing, and 21 years as a gallery for the Quinpool veteran. The exhibit hangs until September 27, and 10 percent of its sales will support NSCAD.
21. Prepare for icy conditions What about fall, didn’t it just show up this week? Regardless, The Trail Shop (6210 Quinpool Road) is fully prepared to get you ready for Oval season—its shipment of long- and short-track speed skates has arrived offering loads of options for newbies and speed-demons alike. Stop by and chat with John Annett, he’s got all the answers.
22. Eat shawarma
Where Extreme Pita once was the one-week-old Shawarma Stop (6290 Quinpool Road) now stands, offering up the same grab and go convenience but focussing on shawarma, falafel, shish taouk and other delectable lunch options.
23. Lock your shit up
Maybe you just bought yourself some bling at Trinity Jewellers (6226 Quinpool Road), or maybe you just don’t trust your house-mates, regardless—if you’ve got cash or valuables you’d like to ensure the safety of, look to Nova Vaults (6024 Quinpool Road). Canada’s first private bank vault gives you access to your safety deposit box, and your things—all day, every day—while protecting them from fire and theft and operating outside of the banking system.
24. Caffeinate accordingly
Your coffee intake options on Quinpool have changed a bit, for the better. Ireland 32 is now called The Other Bean (6220 Quinpool Road), but is still the same bright (and now licensed!) hangout with hot drinks, quick snacks and hilarious sandwich board signs. And the ever-growing Pro Skateboards and Snowboards family—did you read about Oddfellows Barbershop last week?—has welcomed Anchored Coffee Espresso Bar & Toastery (6451 Quinpool Road) to its front end, bringing with it not only delicious Dartmouth-roasted espresso and artisanal toast, but handmade versions of snack cakes, Pop-Tarts and other convenience store sweets. It’s so cute, guys. And so tasty.
25. Have a classic movie-going experience
Whether a classic film, a special screening or just your regular Tuesday night, take in a talkie at the Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool Road). After nearly 80 years in the movie game this is still Halifax’s best theatre.
26. Paint away a rainy day Whether you’re on a date, entertaining a creative kid or simply in search of a new favourite mug, Clay Cafe (6413 Quinpool Road) offers up pre-made pottery (sorry, no Ghost moments here) for you to slap your artistic abilities, or lack thereof, all over.
27. Calm your nerves at Aardvark Computer Solutions
The next time your computer’s brain goes AWOL, do refrain from throwing it against a wall. After over 20 years in the computer biz, chances are Aardvark Computer Solutions (2070 Oxford Street) can help you retrieve it, and all those documents, photos and files. “That’s how I spend a lot of my days,” says Krista Conway of Aardvark’s mad data recovery skills. “It's not an easy thing to do, but it's certainly rewarding. We do it all here on the spot. Better than having to worry about mailing an already damaged hard drive away.”
28. Do a diner breakfast right Even though it’s packed tight with people, and its staff is hustling hard to get you your eggs lickity-split, we’d believe it if someone told us the phrase “easy like Sunday morning” was coined at the Ardmore Tea Room (6499 Quinpool Road). Classic breakfasts, thick milkshakes and bottomless coffee...what more can you ask for?
29. Have a Happy Hour feast
When the clock strikes 9pm hurry to Wasabi House (6403 Quinpool Road), order an absurd amount of sushi, get it for half-price, share it with all your favourite people. Go home, put on loose pants and dream about doing it all again.
30. Support a community-based
pharmacy
This isn’t your typical in-and-out pharmacy. Anastasia Hanias is all about giving her patients a personal experience, ensuring they’re comfortable and informed by getting to know them. Her Quinpool Wellness Centre at The Medicine Shoppe (6407 Quinpool Road) takes a holistic approach, and while its known for Hanias’ commitment to the hormone health of thousands of patients, you can also fill your regular prescriptions here. a
