By Katherine Solomon
Ottawa is ofttimes synonymous with commute. This is a city that started out small in the Bytown days, and grew to encompass the far-reaching ends of Kanata through to the swaths of sprawling homes in Orleans. In a day and age when driving or busing to work consumes many hours a week, some folks in the ByWard Market are taking a cue from ye olde daysto minimize their travel times, as well as their impact on the environment.
In the past it wasn’t uncommon for business owners to live directly above their shops in the ByWard Market. Take a look up as you walk along the historic streets of the Market and you will see how the architecture was accommodating and even conducive to this lifestyle. We met with a handful of business owners who currently are leading the way in living close to their work and have some insights into what that means for them.
Deek Labelle, General Manager of the Château Lafayette, 42 York Street
The ByWard Market is the oldest neighbourhood in Ottawa, going back to 1826 of the Bytown days . Chateau Lafayette (better known as “The Laff”) has seen the Market through since the very beginning. The Labelle family has been running and managing the historical bar since 1996, with Deek leading the charge as General Manager for the last 12 years. Since Deek has been so closely tied to The Laff her entire life, she and her husband jumped on the opportunity to buy a house in the neighbourhood. “Proximity to everything you could need is the best part. The Market in the summer is the best around and I take full advantage of having a butcher, a fishmonger, fresh produce and local food at my fingertips,” says Deek. “I do tend to live in a bubble because my favourite restaurants are within walking distance, so I rarely venture too far from home. The retail therapy is also a must for me, and I get first dibs on the hippest clothing and accessories!” Deek notes the impact of living close to her work in environmental terms as well: “Honestly, the proximity is a time saver because I never know when I’ll be needed at a moment’s notice. And it means we only need one car.
Aaron Dahl, Owner, Not Your Father’s Barber, 91 Murray Street
Exploring beyond the core of the ByWard Market will bring you to Murray Street, where you will find numerous fascinating hangouts and specialty shops, including Not Your Father’s Barber, where you can meet owner Aaron Dahl. Aaron has been living and working in the Market for almost four years. His shop opened in 2015 in the same building that houses his apartment. This singular commute is the shortest on the list! Aaron points out that alleviating a 12-hour commute was a major factor in his snapping up the central location. “Originally I hardly ever left downtown because I was so busy and I was still new to Ottawa and didn’t have a car yet,” says Aaron. “After about a year and half I spent more time venturing about and getting a feel for the rest of the city but the Market is still my go-to for groceries, shopping and entertainment.” Aaron points out that he’s not alone in living in a vibrant downtown area: “A lot of people don’t realize how many people live in the Market and that we don’t all stay up until 3 a.m. on weekends.”
Mandy Gosewich, Owner, Stunning!, 6 York Street
You may have seen Mandy Gosewich and her four-legged constant companion Pearl at her shop Stunning! over the last six years, but Mandy has been a resident of the ByWard Market for over ten. Her strong family history belongs here too, and for generations her family has been running businesses in the heart of the city. Mandy can think of no better place to live and work. “The historical urban charm here is like nowhere else,” professes Mandy. “Everything I need is here. I shop locally whenever I can, and this is home to some of the best restaurants in town.” Mandy enjoys the energy and diversity that each day brings to the ByWard Market, and that there is always something to pique your interest. “Everything is so close. I like the bubble,” Mandy adds. “It’s a great bubble!”
Lidija Ristovska, Owner, Bistro Ristorom, 17 Clarence Street
New to the ByWard Market as of August 2018, Bistro Ristoro is owned and operated by Vlado Ristovski and Lidija Ristovska. Lidija speaks emphatically about living near her bistro and the benefits she experiences on a daily basis. “We lived in four different countries in Europe before settling in Ottawa and we always resided in or close to the centre of the cities,” explains Lidija. “Our choice is guided by our way of life – convenience of commuting to different parts of the city, possibility to go for a meal or drink just around the corner, or just going out for a walk at any time of the day or evening.” Lidija takes great pride in her current abode in the ByWard Market neighbourhood, where she and Vlado have lived since their arrival in Canada three years ago, and delights in playing host when visitors come to town. “The Market is a unique place, and having everything we need – shopping, groceries, dining – minutes away as well as the possibility of going out and wandering without any specific goal, is something we appreciate and are used to.”
The appeal of living close to where you work isn’t lost on so many business owners in the ByWard Market, and it’s easy to see why. Convenience of having the world at your doorstep is a common theme from everyone we spoke with. While every neighbourhood is not without its own challenges, they are overcome with the love and passion that we all have for our beloved ByWard Market.
For a complete list of businesses in the ByWard Market that are ready to serve their local community, visit www.byward-market.com.
Katherine Solomon is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the ByWard Market BIA