The big news in the tony Hydrostone Market is that the
delightful Rogi Orazio Pasta & World Cucina has closed.
Hamachi Kita, now at 5543 Young, will be moving into the Rogi
Orazio space at 5537 Young this week. Hamachi Kita will move one door
over and a casual bistro, called Little Europe, will be opened
by the Hamachi folk. They’ll still carry some of the Rogi dishes like
gelato and pasta, but with sandwiches added to the menu as well.
The space occupied by Dignity by Design at 5530 Kaye will
soon be filled with a new business: Ed’s Unique Gift Store (830-7815), which will house a number of businesses under one roof,
says owner Ed Levick. “I put images on canvas, art and photos.
They last forever.” He describes the new venture as a co-operative of
sorts. Along with his work, expect gift bags, toys made from recycled
materials, chocolate and ice cream.
At Maritime Beer & Wine Making Supplies (5528 Kaye,
454-8278) they’re experiencing a bit of a lull, says employee Jack
Stone. “People like to make beer and wine in cooler weather. This
is an indoor activity.” That said, he thinks a “tanking” economy is a
plus, with people wanting to save money by making their own beer and
wine—and, presumably, having more reason to drink. You’ll find
monthly specials for wine kits and fruit wine kits.
Toulany’s Lunch Box (3081 Gottingen, 455-5535) specials
include lasagna with Caesar salad ($5.99) and both Caribbean jerk
chicken and more mid-east fare such as kafta, fatier, falafel and
veggie plates, with freezers full of frozen treats. On the eastern-most
end of the Hydrostone Market is the Alliance Francaise (5509
Young, 455-4411), the French language and cultural centre, offering
classes for adults and kids, including individual tutoring and
corporate business classes. Next door is Rusty Hinges (5513
Young) in the space once occupied by Topiary. If it looks
surprisingly similar, that’s because Rusty Hinges used to supply
Topiary with iron pieces and garden products. Rusty Hinges has been in
business for 11 years and was located across the street for less than a
year before moving into this space. They manufacture furniture and
products for the cottage, home and garden using old shelving units,
mirrors, cabinets, signs, birdhouses and dressers. Other items include
soap, candles and bubblebath. Call Saundra MacKenzie at 406-1056
for more information, or just drop in.
Basking in their recent 2009 Best of Food reader’s poll win for Best
Bakery, Julien’s (5517 Young Street, 455-9717) is irresistible
for anyone wandering by with a taste for fresh bread and sweets. The
home bakery—in Chester—has recently been renovated, so there’s even
more of their popular baked goods to be enjoyed, delivered daily.
Julien’s also sells fair trade organic coffee roasted in the valley,
and does custom orders and catering.
Lady Luck has been open approximately 13 months, operated by
Melanie and Jennifer Huntley in this second location of
the business, with the first in Historic Properties on the Waterfront.
It’s a bright, open store, showcasing all made-in-Canada jewellery, as
well as bags, candles, cards, retro-styled bathing caps and cosmetic
bags made from bathing caps. In the back is the Hydrostone
Gallery, featuring paintings through June by Michael
Lewis.
Chrysalis Spa & Skin Care Centre (5521 Young, 446-3929)
will have been open seven years this June and is celebrating by
introducing Canadian-made Daniel Thompson Mineral Cosmetics to
Halifax. Thompson will be at Chrysalis Saturday June 6 doing makeup
applications.
The stalwart Antique Shoppe (5515 Young, 471-2448) is
offering a deal on old vinyl, a dollar each or 15 for $10. We found
Best of Styx, The Carpenters Christmas Album and a whole
whack of Roger Whittaker records. Next door is Bogside Gallery (5527 Young, 453-3063) offering unique crafts and gifts created by
local and national artisans. Epicurious Morsels has a dynamite
weekend brunch menu, including Belgian waffles, banana pancakes and
stuffed French toast.
Sappho Griffin and Denise Coulter have plenty on their
hands at henhouse (5533 Young, 423-4499). Offering custom
furniture since 2001, they’ve recently started two new lines: one clean
and contemporary and one with a more rustic elegance. They also build
custom kitchens, with a showroom right in the store. The home
accessories are still on site as well, with a full third of the store
devoted to a new kids line; toys and such.
The pizza king, Salvatore’s Pizzaiolo Trattoria, (5541 Young,
455-1133) has been once again anointed by Coast readers with Best Pizza
Pie in the city award. Long may it reign. LK Yarns (5545 Young,
431-9633) has a bundle of handmade yarn ends on sale at the moment,
from Fleece Artists and Hand Maidens.
If you continue up the street (Isleville, specifically) from the
Hydrostone Market you’ll find Kay-Cee’s New & Used Items (3132 Isleville, 454-3838) and Sweetleaf Smoke Shop &
Hydroponics (3132, Isleville, 454-6646). Sweetleaf has an
impressive selection of growing supplies, for any kind of operation, as
well as the requisite bongs, papers, pipes and “smelly proof” plastic
bags. A little further up is Willman’s Fish & Chips (5644
Kane, 454-0929), open since 1946 and offering Digby clams and scallops
and shoodogs (battered hot dogs), along with the fish and the chips.
Look for a Willman’s chip truck to straddle Argyle this summer. Head
west on Kane and you’ll find Halifax Seed (5860 Kane, 454-7456),
another kind of growing centre, for all your fertilizer, rose and
grape-vine needs.
Super Natural Health Products (5575 Young, 454-9999) is
nearing the end of renovations. Soon they’ll have a deli, with coffee
and tea available, upstairs seating and a larger supply of health
supplements. “Our aim is to expand our health service to the
community,” says owner Shahrooz Sobhani. Across the street
you’ll find The Futon Store & Pineworks (5730 Young,
454-9029), full of furniture and futons. The pine is locally milled,
with some coming from Quebec. After 27 years, they know what they’re
doing. “Students are our main business,” says manager Kevin Carter, who
sees a spike in interest in both furniture and futons before holidays,
“when relatives come to town.”
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This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2009.