365 days, 16 new businesses, one exceptional year
By Trevor Greenway
To say that 2019 was a good year in the Glebe would be a major understatement.
From the neighbourhood being named one of six official Winterlude destinations to the launch of the first-ever Ottawa Christmas Market, the Glebe continues to live up to its reputation as a must-visit destination for families, sports fans, music buffs, food lovers and shopaholics.
And it keeps getting better every day. Nearly 20 new businesses opened in the Glebe this past year, adding to an already stunning variety of unique shops, restaurants and services, many of which you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Unsurprisingly, the neighbourhood has welcomed these businesses with open arms.
“Our first week was fantastic,” says Corey Hackett, who moved his Top of the World Skate Shop to the Glebe from downtown in the summer. “We had an amazing response from customers, new and old alike, and our neighbours were also unbelievably welcoming.” It didn’t take long for the skateboard shop to become a staple in the neighbourhood, with scores of kids cruising along Bank Street on their sleek new boards.
“The vibe of the neighbourhood is very upbeat and positive,” added Hackett. “It’s also very community focused and welcoming. The people of the Glebe are amazingly friendly and encouraging of local businesses.”
The new Audi City Ottawa – the first and only one of its kind in Canada – boasts a state-of-the-art boutique showroom where you can admire the new Q3 and more. You’ll also find lots of accessories to browse and a fun interactive zone with games for kids and the young at heart.
Just up the street on Third Avenue is the new Collabo Café, with scores of coffee flavours, delicious snacks and all-ages events in the evening. Owner Monera Saad is even getting ready to launch her new “mocktail bar” for those who want a fun, and responsible, night out.
Jackie Morphy, owner of All Eco, says she knew from day one that her eco-product business would fit in seamlessly with the fabric of the Glebe, not only because of strong support for shopping local but also because residents are both environmentally and health conscious.
“I’ve always felt the Glebe has an established environmental conscientiousness, and this has proven true,” says Morphy, who opened All Eco this fall. “In addition to appreciating all the items I offer, they have been especially thrilled that I offer a refill bar for cleaning and body products.”
A roster of new restaurants is sure to keep food lovers’ cravings satisfied. The Last Train to Delhi serves authentic Northern Indian cuisine at chic new digs on Fourth Avenue. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen offers its famous fried chicken and addictive Cajun fries. You’ll find hummus and falafels galore at the popular Chickpeas restaurant and mouth-watering authentic Mexican cuisine at The Cabana’s Kitchen. Fill your sweet tooth with a decadent dessert from Cinnaholic – you may be there awhile trying to decide among their 18 different toppings.
For ladies’ fashion, look no further than Viens avec Moi, a trendy new women’s clothing store that offers contemporary clothing for every occasion. The new consignment store, Bad Dog Co., is a haven for retro shoes, windbreakers and more. If you’ve got old threads you want to trade in for a fresh look, this funky shop buys, sells and trades urban and vintage street wear.
We all know self-care is important, especially during the holidays. The new One Body Wellness, located on Fourth Avenue, offers everything from massage therapy and osteopathy to acupuncture and other holistic treatments. Anna Belanger & Associates offers a variety of massage-therapy treatments, including pre and postnatal massages for new moms.
Those looking to get their nails done before holiday parties will be excited about Glorious Nails Spa’s gorgeous new space on Marché Way where you can sit back and relax for a manicure, pedicure or phibrows. The team of nurses at Luxé Beauty Clinic provide comprehensive skin care, including dermal fillers, IV nutrient therapy and Botox. They also do teeth whitening.
For entrepreneurs, freelancers, business travellers and remote workers, the new Lauft workspace at Lansdowne offers a flexible and convenient workspace where you find other like-minded professionals.
Visit us at intheglebe.ca to learn more about these new businesses and to stay up to date on what’s happening all year long.
Thank you all for your constant support and unwavering commitment to our community and for remaining our loyal customers over the years. It’s been another exceptional year in the Glebe, and we are excited about what the future has in store for our great urban neighbourhood. Bring on 2020!
Trevor Greenway is responsible for communications at the Glebe BIA (Business Improvement Area).
