By Katherine Solomon, ByWard Market BIA
With every season that passes, many changes take place in the ByWard Market, inside and out. Outdoor vendors have always peddled their wares to reflect seasonal offerings from freshly harvested veggies to artisanal mittens and scarves, and Christmas trees and holiday décor. Inside many changes have taken place over 2018, and the ByWard Market BIA is pleased to welcome new and returning faces to our neighbourhood! Get ready to brace yourself against winter chill by warming up in these great new locations:
Bistro Ristoro, 17 Clarence Street, 343-984-6080
Self-described as a traditional Mediterranean cuisine establishment, this new bistro on Clarence street near Sussex Drive boasts carefully-made, uncomplicated dishes that don’t disappoint. Brick oven-baked pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and mains are featured on the menu, all made to order. A hot bowl of pasta on a chilly afternoon? That should warm your toes!
The Stalk Market, 246 Dalhousie Street, 613-241-8255
#Flowertothepeople is the name of the game here, and the folks at The Stalk Market know they are making serious moves to appease your every flora and fauna need. They know how to make the right arrangements for your casual breakfast table display, or a grab-and-go bouquet for a last-minute encounter, and even offer subscription services – the perfect way to remind someone you are thinking of them, or maybe it’s a gift you give yourself. There’s always room for more colour in the winter, and flowers are just the thing to bring your indoors through the darker months. But don’t forget to pop into the shop frequently, as they also feature local artists on their Art Wall, and things change frequently.
Le Mien – Craft Noodle, 43 William Street, 819-923-2432
The ByWard Market has always been attractive to food makers from all over the world. It’s one of the greatest things about the Market – you can dine anywhere in the world within our district. This new dine-in restaurant is where chefs work right in the front windows making traditional Chinese hand-pulled noodles. It’s a sight to be seen from outdoors, and a complete sensory experience when you step inside. Aromas of soups that have been simmering for hours waft throughout the room, and flavours round out the entire experience.
LOLLO Salads, 60 George Street, 613-518-1454
Heartiness doesn’t always have to mean heavy meals. Take a step to the lighter side at Lollo Salads, a companion storefront to La Bottega Nicastro. Local ingredients meet your taste buds with a carefully planned dressing (which are also for sale to bring home!). Fine Italian coffees bring out the distinctly European appeal of the worthy trip. And just for balance, Lollo is supplying the ByWard Market with Suzy Q Doughnutts.
Optique Prestige Boutique, 238 Dalhousie, 613-798-2170
Meet the newest eyewear store in the ByWard Market and get ready to rethink your entire concept of what eyewear can really mean. Think vintage. Haute couture. Gucci. Christian Dior. MCM. It’s all there, and it’s all accessible to you. But not only do they specialize in some of the most sought-after frames, they also take great pains to care for your favourite specs from so long ago by updating new lenses in modern finishes to keep them fresh-looking. It’s equally important in the wintertime to look after your peepers, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time outside. All that glare off the white snow? Throw it some shade with a new set from Optique Prestige Boutique.
Pauls’ Vintage, 161 York Street, 613-866-7376
Located in the bright yellow refurbished buildings at York Street near Cumberland, Paul’s Vintage is situated perfectly by Frou Frou by Pat and Adorit, a trifecta of significant import for the ByWard Market. More on that later. Paul’s Vintage reveals more and more special items the closer you look around. Really take your time in this shop as you will discover all kinds of incredible fashion finds (we found a pair of Valentino cutoffs!), pieces for entertaining, items of home décor, and objets of nostalgia are mindfully sprinkled on the store shelves and tabletops.
Toy Soldier Market, 260 St Patrick Street, 613-562-2580
About two decades ago (nearly three…) ByWard Market News housed the Toy Soldier Market at 6 ByWard Market Square (now home to The Cupcake Lounge). After some time away, The Toy Soldier Market has returned to our neighbourhood, and exclusively focusses on miniature collectables, with emphasis on King And Country. Find their new location on St Patrick Street, near Dalhousie, and see what piques your interest! Perhaps a new year will entice a new collectable hobby!
Kabeshinàn Minitig Pavilion, 453 Sussex Drive, 343-999-6223
“Pijashin,Welcome! Omamiwiniini Pimadjiwowin, The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre presents ancient artifacts & a display of Indigenous Arts and Fine Craft.” Neatly presented between Murray and Clarence Street on Sussex Drive, Kabeshinàn Minitig Pavilion provides an exhibition and retail space for authors, textile artists, jewellery makers, painters, and illustrators to meet with you in person.
Alpha Art Gallery – New location! 531 Sussex Drive, 613-241-7671
Alpha Art Gallery first opened on Murray Street in an intimate gallery space that housed artwork by resident artist Dominique Sokoloski, and held vernissages for many other Canadian and internationally acclaimed artists. Now residing in the two-story high location on Sussex Drive, Alpha Art Gallery remains a viewing experience it always was, and can also host sizable events. Music, visual arts, literature, film, and creativity are the heart and soul of Alpha Art Gallery, and visitors are guaranteed to feel quickened by the open grandeur of the new location.
Frou Frou by Pat, 159 York Street, 613-562-4581
Those who shop at the newly re-opened Frou Frou by Pat will be happy to see the familiar face of Pat, who is now the sole owner of this grounded fashion boutique. Shoppers will notice some small changes in the offerings, and they are definitely for the good. More Canadian creations are on the floor, and local jewellery makers are featured in the showcases. Of note, returning to the Market in this form is Helena Jones (formerly Lococina of Northdal) who designs timeless metallic jewellery and woolen clothing articles. Pat is determined to work more closely with Ottawa-based designers so you can feel good about who you are wearing, and where you are shopping.
What else is going on?
Winter is a special time in the ByWard Market. The BIA is pleased to present our Christmas Choirs and Wagon Rides for the first three weekends of December. From noon – 4 p.m. at the George Street Plaza, various choirs will be singing their hearts out to help bring about a festive feel. Complimentary wagon rides will take place from noon – 4 p.m. at William Square, provided by the ByWard Markets’ own John Cundell. This is our way of saying Thank You to all our visitors for spending time with us.
After all the Christmas and New Year’s events, we will be pleased to work with Winterlude to make the ByWard Market an extra special place to visit in 2019. Please visit our website for updates on events and activities as they become available!