Community spirit
Councillor Tim Outhit's favourite spot in town is up on the Bedford waterfront, where he goes with his wife, daughters and black Lab to enjoy the sparkling blue view and to breathe in the salty sweet air. The representative for District 16, Bedford-Wentworth, says that the community is looking to go even further with the waterfront and incorporate a larger public library.
The increasing number of facilities in the Bedford area includes building two new fire stations, where the existing one will become a larger police station. With the amount of growth happening, HRM is adding several new bus routes, implementing a park and ride, and working with VIA Rail and CN on a possible commuter rail to help improve existing traffic conditions. Along with the tremendous amount of growth happening, councillor Outhit says that even Bedford's small-town spirit is growing. There's no way Bedford is losing its community feel.
Contact Tim Outhit at 902-490-5679 or [email protected]
It's in the bagel
Before you go for that warm mid-morning stroll, you'll need to carb up. What better place to do so than at Izzy's Bagel Co., where they never say no—no matter how outrageous the request.
Is it a chocolate chip bagel with zesty cheddar cream cheese that your heart desires? Why don't you even throw some salmon on top? Izzy's got it. With 18 different bagel flavours and nine types of cream cheese, you could stop by every morning for an entire year and still have a completely different combination each time. If you get bored with traditional breakfasts, then this is the place for you.
Izzy's has their own style of bagels that are made with no preservative or additives. So, you don't need to feel bad about the French toast bagel with caramel apple cream cheese—it's made completely natural. Their bagels are so delicious, even the holes taste good.
Izzy's Bagel Co., 1180 Bedford Highway
Taste of tradition
Go back to basics as you enjoy traditional Acadian food made from scratch. Cafe l'Acadie takes their time making your favourite dish so that you don't have to. You won't mind the wait when you catch a whiff of grated potatoes with salted green onions, summer savory and chicken. Do you remember that smell? It instantly transports you back into your mother's kitchen. That's right, you'll feel like you're eating her rappie pie. It's one of the oldest dishes in the culture and connects you with your Acadian roots.
At the cafe they like to call the area their Little Village, where they celebrate Acadian traditions through music and food, as well as cook up some Canadian comfort food like seafood chowder and homemade bread. That's what Café l'Acadie is all about. It's about creating that magic in their dining room and making you feel like you're part of the ever-growing Acadian community right here in Bedford.
Café l'Acadie, 636 Bedford Highway
Really big deals
Are you looking for a new stainless steel stove, or are you sprucing up your cottage look? Bedford Buy and Sell has all that you need, and everything in between. Don't be deceived by the name—this Bedford destination has evolved over the years into a major force for discount appliances. This family owned business has been around Bedford and serving surrounding communities for 24 years.
All of Bedford Buy and Sell's appliances are detailed to perfection, with a 90-day warranty guaranteed for refurbished appliances, and up to one year warranty for brand-new ones. A recent addition to the company is signing with PurewashPro—an innovative and green product that helps wash your clothes without the use of any laundry detergents. Whether it be high-end Electrolux-Frigidaire stainless with a scratch that you can get for half the price, or an excellently refurbished appliance for an income property, this is the place to scout out for the deal.
Bedford Buy and Sell, 1743 Bedford Highway
You've earned a Resto
It's been a long day of walking around Bedford, and maybe you even had to head to work for a bit. You forgot your lunch too? Well, it's a good thing Resto Urban Dining is better than your home-cooked meal—and the food is even made in-house!
Resto Urban Dining controls what goes into the food, and making from scratch helps Resto cater to customers with allergies. Instead of defaulting to salad, because it's the only thing you can have on the menu, let the staff know your needs and they'll whip up something just for you. They want to make sure everyone has the same great experience. You wouldn't want to miss out on their smoked sausage and chicken pasta or maple Cajun fettuccini, would you?
Grab a seat on either of the two patios and lounge around with your sweet tooth. Say goodbye to debating between your two favourite desserts with their sample board, because at Resto, you can have it all.
Resto Urban Dining, 1516 Bedford Highway
Relax to the max
You deserve a break from all that food, so get back on your feet, but not for too long. The best workout is to get some cardio in while shopping at the full retail store located in Mudwraps to Manicures. Treat your feet with some FitFlops, Keds, Toms or Sorel shoes. After all, those feet have worked hard. Better yet, pop over after your shopping splurge and get a pedicure. Yes, you can shop and spa all in the same place.
Mudwraps to Manicures wants to do everything, and succeeds. They specialize in advance skin-care with micro needling, dermaplaning and endermologie—a cellulite reduction treatment. Pair that with one of the best-airbrushed tans in the HRM and you're golden. Since they're fully licensed, you can even sip on a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the view that overlooks the water. If you weren't relaxed before, you should be now.
Mudwraps to Manicures, 1083 Bedford Highway, suite 201
Affordable fine dining
Finish out your Bedford tour with some more tasty local food and drinks. You can't pass up a visit to The Butcher's Block Pub & Eatery—it'll be the cherry on top of your great day. The Butcher's Block makes you feel like an upper-scale member of their special club as soon as you walk through the doors. From the decor to the food to the service, you will be getting a fine-dining experience at an affordable cost.
Join The Butcher's Block Privilege Club by leaving your name and email with your server and voila! You're in. You will receive a monthly newsletter and possibly be the lucky dinner of a dinner for two.
Four nights of the week you can enjoy live entertainment, unique dinner specials and even wing-night Wednesdays. You may come for the crowd-pleasing burgers, but you'll stay for the five-star experience.
The Butcher's Block Pub & Eatery, 540 Southgate Drive
