New local butcher and produce market to open in the Hydrostone

Jessi Gillis worked in Ontario for six years. The Haligonian was really impressed by the connection some consumers had with their suppliers. "I saw some amazing small-scale butcher shops there," she says. Coming back to Halifax, she noted the locavore movement really taking off, especially with the growing success of farmers' markets and was inspired to open her own butcher shop. That's what Highland Drive Storehouse (5544 Kaye Street) will offer, come April; local meat and produce directly from the Annapolis Valley. "I love Nova Scotia," says Gillis."I think we have beautiful farmers and amazing practises." She's currently operating a catering and culinary arts instruction business, which you can find out more about by visiting highlanddrive.ca/catering. She'll continue to do that from the shop when it opens.