Timothy's World Coffee owner Ross Miller says the decision to close the Spring Garden location of the coffee-shop chain was purely economical. "It's beneficial to the overall health of the business. There are still two locations remaining open." (On Barrington Street and in the Historic Properties.) The lease on the storefront at 5686 Spring Garden has been taken over by Bell Canada, which could mean either the first Bell Mobility location in Atlantic Canada, or a new downtown Aliant dealer (Aliant is a subsidiary of Bell). When asked if the opening of Starbucks across the street had had an impact on the business at Timothy's, Miller says, "Not really. I bought the location just after Starbucks opened and there were actually increases in the numbers." Despite the steady business, factors such as the high rent on Spring Garden have made Miller look elsewhere for his coffee-shop locations. "There will be expansion of the business," he says. "Just not on Spring Garden Road."
Internet killed the video star
The south end loses a gem this week. Super Video is closing. The silver lining to this dark cloud for movie fans is that the store is selling off its entire stock. Super Video will be open daily from 4 to 10pm until everything has been sold, which is expected to take a week or two. Owner Greg Boudreau was forced to make the decision to close the movie rental store after a considerable downturn in business. "It appears that video is going the same route as music," he says, referring to the popularity of internet downloading. Super Video has been open for 20 years, which means people have been renting from there since Three Men and a Baby was a hot new release. Boudreau says the movies are mostly priced in the $6 to $16 range and they are expected to sell quickly. Thrifty film collectors can find the store at 1300 Queen for a limited time only. Call 425-3060 for more information.
Tommy, can you beer me?
"No puffin' but still smokin'!" is the slogan for the 10th anniversary of Tom's Little Havana. There were some who feared for the future of the popular Doyle Street bar and restaurant after the smoking ban threatened to take the "Havana" out of Tom's little establishment. When it first opened, and for most of its years of operation, Tom's was a cigar bar, offering a wide choice of things to smoke as well as to drink and eat. For better or for worse, you can no longer light things on fire and stick them in your mouth at Tom's, but you can enjoy the full menu, or a drink on the patio: because a scotch doesn't necessarily need a cigar. Contact the restaurant by calling 423-8667.
Book a bigger space
If you've been to the John W. Doull book store, you'll know it could use a little more space. It's not uncommon to find yourself carefully stepping around waist-high piles of books during a visit. After 20 years of buying and selling all types of books, the two-storey shop is bursting at the seams. However, it will now be expanding to a second location—a block up from the current shop's Barrington and Prince address—at Argyle and Prince. The sister store will provide Doull with another 1,000 square feet and the plan is to move several categories of books, including children's literature, to the smaller shop.
The zen of 'za
Just because it's fast doesn't mean it can't be healthy. Angelo Wayne Alof is trying to change the way the world thinks about fast food by starting up the first organic, halal and kosher franchise restaurant. The name will be Angel's Organics and the product will be organic pizza. The first store will be opening soon on Dutch Village Road and Alof plans to make it the first of many. "We're taking a product that is popular globally and making it organic," he says, explaining his strategy. "I want to make Atlantic Canada a gateway to the world. I want to bring to the world a sample of what we can do. If we put our hands together and our minds together we can raise a healthy generation." Alof is tireless when it comes to spreading his message that organic food is not only healthy, it's environmentally friendly and can even increase land security. Can a pizza bring world peace? Maybe not exactly, but Alof sees it as a step in the right direction. "We all have to work together," he says, and right now he's working with provincial health and education ministers, discussing with them the benefits of having organic food in public schools among other issues. Alof will also be competing on behalf of Canada at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo. Look out for Angel's Organics, which will be making its debut soon.
Bits and bites
The Scooter Commuter has scooted on over to 6247 Quinpool after closing both its Dresden Row and Bedford Highway locations. For more information call 422-RIDE...Also on Quinpool, rumour has it that a Greek restaurant will indeed be filling the space formerly occupied by The Nail and Kneecap. The name is believed to be It's All Greek to Me...You can now catch the pretzel craze that's sweeping the nation at Scotia Square. A Pretzelmaker has opened in the food court, replacing TCBY. Now how about an Orange Julius? I could really go for a Tropi-colada.
Twist and shout. Email: [email protected]
