In such a close-knit community like Halifax, where cafes, restaurants, local shops, and evenings at local watering holes fill our downtime, it’s tough to imagine a vision of the neighbourhood where we’re all confined to our homes. What are we without casual banter, brunch lineups and the ability to pet dogs in the Common? […]
small business
Posted inNews + Opinion
Where I work: Rage Room Halifax
Rage Room Halifax 2820 Isleville Street rageroomhalifax.ca WHAT HE DOES Terry LeBlanc has become desensitized to the sound of breaking glass. “I love seeing people genuinely happy!” he shouts over the sound of a computer monitor in the next room being obliterated by a golf club. Perhaps it’s odd to associate happiness with a place […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Claudia Pinto’s happy place
Cortaditos, Mexican hot chocolate, empanadas, arepas, tostones, tacos and churros are all among the colourful menu items at the little north end wonder, Cafe Aroma Latino (5780 North Street). Ten years after opening (its anniversary was in June), owner and chef Claudia Pinto reflects on why she wanted to share her love for Latin American […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Where I work: Booza Emessa ice cream shop
Who he is Before he spent his days making ice cream, the frozen dessert was a rare treat for Samer Aljokhadar. “I loved ice cream as a child, but we were from a poor family,” he says. “We couldn’t have it all the time.” As a young adult, Aljokhadar worked for an ice cream factory […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
There’s nothing sexy or simple about commercial taxes
Like most things happening at City Hall lately, commercial tax changes have been a long time in the making. What started as a 2015 request—to look at concerns from small businesses in the central business district and main street and commercial corridors—came to the committee of the whole this week. It left with an amendment […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Flo brings peace, love and meditation to downtown Halifax
The time is now. |• • • Jonathan and I have officially opened our studio doors at @flomeditation. We could not be more excited to share the space with you. Our dream is to build a happier, healthier, and more connected community through mindfulness. We are offering free guided meditation sessions all week. You can […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
A tech scene to be seen
The Coast is very much into local people doing cool things, but it has a blind spot in relation to Halifax’s tech scene. That’s because tech firms don’t usually have an inviting retail presence like the stores and restaurants we obsess about in ShopTalk, and tech creators tend to be making things for consumption by […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Gear worth getting: The $20 phone lifesaver
Two years ago they didn’t exist, now they’re the biggest thing in phone protection. Nic Merry has the stats to explain the rise of tempered glass screen protectors. Merry, who started the local chain of geebo Device Repair shops, has been fixing phones for a decade, and cracked screens are the most common problem he […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
5 tips for starting a tech company
“I planned to be a millionaire before my 30th birthday,” Katelyn Bourgoin writes on her website, describing the ambitions that lead her to launch a social networking company. But despite her intentions and the international press accolades she received as founder of the what looked like the next LinkedIn, the business fizzled. “Trying to build a […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Where I work: Fancy Lebanese Bakery
Fancy Lebanese Bakery 2573 Agricola Street Who she is Mary Laba, owner of the Fancy Lebanese Bakery, couldn’t fry an egg when she moved to Canada from Lebanon. Now, she can quickly troubleshoot the bakery’s pita dough. Less salt. More yeast. “She could tell me if there wasn’t enough water just by the sound the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Where I work: Flowers of Spring
WHO SHE IS There’s no better combination than culture, talent and creativity. As a matter of fact, Yidan Li does it perfectly through her love of making traditional “tori” nylon flowers. Starting her own business, Flowers of Spring, couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for Li, who before the shop opened possessed 25 boxes […]