Richard Daniel, who runs the family business with his parents Vilma and Raad, says that the slowdown in the economy and a concern about staying sharp at work has seen his custom-made shirt business climb 30 percent this year. “People are stepping up their performance and the way they look, ” he theorizes, as the […]
Best Of Halifax
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Spa
“We’ve been in our new location for two years and are loving it,” says owner Linda Brigley. “We have a fantastic team of people in the hair salon and in the spa.” The focus of Spirit is to bring in innovative new treatments and services to Halifax, including organic facials, lash extensions and the best […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Sporting Goods Store
As you might expect, MEC is busy preparing for a a long season of the white stuff. “Our new snowsports has all arrived,” says manager Suzane Couture. “That includes all the winter clothing, too.” Apparently, it’s a lot to deal with. “We’re overwhelmed with bringing out the winter stock.” Clearly, they need some help. Head […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Shoe Store
KAS would like to make it clear that women who want fashionable footwear don’t have to break the bank. “Stuart Weitzman has a kick-ass, over-the-knee black leather boot for $750 or you can get the Steve Madden version for $140!” writes KAS owner Sonia Felix in an email. “We try to make fashion accessible to […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Sex-toy Shop
People are looking for higher-quality sex accessories, says Venus Envy owner Maggie Haywood, who reports her business has had an excellent year, despite the recession. She calls them “luxury sex toys,” often made of silicon or glass, “very well and attractively designed, and often rechargeable,” she says. One of her most popular items is the […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Second-hand Record Store
“There’s a lot of interest in vinyl and it’s growing all the time,” says James Donnelly, manager at Taz. He’s seeing more reissues of older records than ever—from artists as diverse as Slim Harpo, Marvin Gaye and The Ramones—as well as new albums pressed on vinyl, which included the recent album from Pearl Jam. “People […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Second-hand Clothing Store
The mostly-consignment boutique has seen its stock increase dramatically this year with having taken over the second floor of its building, formerly the Clotheshorse space (which can now be found next door). “The nice thing about consignment, the turn-over is extremely high,” says owner Maureen Court. “You never really know from day-to-day” what will be […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Second-hand Bookstore
If you love books and have never been in Doull’s, treat yourself. It’s the kind of place where if there isn’t enough room on the shelves for new stock it gets stacked on the floor, providing towers of words to hide behind, to get comfortable with and to explore. And while new books are amazing, […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Salesperson
Strong is a recurring name in this poll over the years, largely due to the popularity of her business, Wildflower, consistent thanks to the enduring freshness of the contemporary women’s fashions, gifts and accessories on offer, as well as Strong’s sense of style. Did you know that sense of style earned her Best Dressed (Female) […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Retail Sign
The art-school past and creative passion of Freak Lunchbox co-owner Jeremy Smith shows up in the look of his store every day. He and his wife Erin (who also own Peepshow Girly Boutique next door) came up with the concept long before opening the business. They arrived from Toronto, where Jeremy spent five years at […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Record Store
In the cut-throat world of music retail, CD Plus has done well. Starting off as a mail-order company, then operating dozens of retail locations across Canada, it’s also an online store, too. The Barrington Street location stays vital with a staff that knows its stuff, and a nice cross-section of stock, from indie to jazz. […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Johanna Galipeau sees new stuff come into her store weekly, but only a few items, keeping the stock selling quickly. “It’s constantly new and fresh,” she says, focusing mainly on dresses, both business and casual styles. She also is proud of local designer Katrina Tuttle’s Sweet Pea Collection, a line that is only available at […]