B aking hundreds of soft baguettes, flaky croissants and warm danishes is somewhat of a nightmare for most chefs—but not for Luke Gaston. “A lot of chefs out there despise doing desserts, despise baking,” says the Halifax chef-turned-baker. “I always gravitated towards that.” He’s spent years working in various culinary positions, most recently at restaurant […]
Shoptalk
Posted inNews + Opinion
Safer Space Massage caters to all bodies and identities
Safer Space Massage Therapy @saferspacemassage Online booking is available here Six months ago, Leah Inman dove into a business idea by starting a massage clinic run out of their Fairview home. “I’ve always been very entrepreneurial,” Inman says. “I love working for myself, making my own hours. And it just made sense for me to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Steph McNair prioritizes non-binary beauty with Maneland
Maneland 1528 Queen Street Getting entangled in the world of hair was something of a surprise for Steph McNair. While making a living working in art galleries and as a carpenter, the visual artist—inspired by a good friend’s at-home salon—applied to go to hair school on a whim, and got in. “I never went to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Indulgence celebrates 10 years in the business of intimacy
A decade ago, Shannon Marshall took a risk and opened a shop dedicated to intimate clothing and accessories—for women, by women—in downtown Dartmouth. At the time, the neighbourhood was quieter, the online world was worlds away from where it is today and the local options for safe, supportive, inclusive shops for sexy stuff were limited. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
SCIENCE MATTERS: One of the worst words in the dictionary
My parents married during the Great Depression. After the 1929 market collapse, people had to learn to make do, help each other out and live on meagre incomes. Those times were seared into my parents’ attitudes and values. Although we were all born and raised in Canada, my family was seen as the enemy during […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Moksha Yoga is working on its fitness
It’s been 10 years since Moksha Yoga Halifax (1512 Dresden Row) opened its doors to yogis and yogi-wannabes alike, and owner Joanna Thurlow is giving gifts rather than receiving them. September ushers in some changes to the studio, bringing its students more diversity when it comes to the classes they’re taking. “We’re creating that space […]
Posted inFood + Drink
First look: The Canteen’s new Portland Street location
“I just wanted a place where everybody felt comfortable, whether you’re in your 70s or your 20s, if you’re a teenager or a family. A place where everyone felt like they were welcome,” says chef/owner Renée Lavallée of what guided the evolution of the almost three-year-old Canteen from bustling lunch counter above Two If By […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The year in business: 2015’s openings and closings
Good on ya, Halifax. A look back at 2015’s notable retail and restaurant openings and closings reveals some really good news: our hellos doubled our goodbyes this year. Ninety-nine brand new storefronts and eateries brightened our neighbourhoods since last winter and helped lessen the blow of the 49 dearly departed local businesses. That doesn’t even […]
Posted inLifestyle
Present sense: local gift ideas
1 The BFF The rad, and radical, creations of Taylor Made come from the hands of Anna Taylor, who aims to “empower, encourage and softly redefine norms” with her work. She freehand embroiders great things like Not Sorry, Feel No Shame and Fuck This Shit onto hand-dyed fabrics, and you can find her work at […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Hamachi Group rolls into Bedford
The Hamachi Restaurant Group is expanding into Bedford with the opening of Hamachi Mura. The restaurant features a Japanese and Thai menu, similar to Hamachi Kita in the north end. Since its soft opening to the public three weeks ago, Hamachi Mura has received outstanding feedback. “The restaurant has a more modern, yet rustic, looking […]