There are a couple of new restaurants that have opened up in the last year too. Off the top of my heads, there is Oui Bistro (French) and Panne e Vino (Italian). There could be more too, but that's all I can think of.
As the residential population slowly rises the number of businesses will also. I'm sure there is a direct correlation is someone was to study it. Don't really get that opportunity everyday actually, perhaps someone should study this in The Excange over the next decade.
Pastry Castle! That's right, I knew there was another restaurant in the area. And what about that art supply store across from Mondragon? Can't remember the name but I think it's pretty new.
[quote]Was that Oui Bistro the one that moved out of St. Boniface due to lack of customers, or am I thinking of another restaurant? [/quote]
Are you thinking of Step'N Out? They moved to St. Boniface from the Exchange after some disputes with the landlord. Oui is in their old space.
Thats right Mr C, I've always thought a grocery would be appropriate if they want people in the exchange/downtown area.The nearest I can think of offhand is the Extra Foods on Notre Dame and Fredette Foods is I think on Donald or is it Osborne......right before the bridge anyway. And if you're a brave soul theres Full House Grocery on North Main.
During the summer I often go sit in Old Market Square and have my lunch there.Looking across the square I always see a place called The Glass Onion, I've never been in it but I assume its another coffeeshop or small restaurant........anyone ever been there?
I have been trying to get my parents to open a small grocery store / Asian take-away in the building across from the Fairchild lofts for the last three years. Apparently I'm not very convincing. Maybe in the future though.
MoC, Oui Bistro is doing fairly well. They have an established client base as part of the Wow! Hospitality line of restaurants (529, Celebrations, Pasta la Vista). Also, Decanters was underwhelming for what their prices would indicate.
mrchristian, there is a non-denominational church on Albert Street called the Exchange Community Church, I believe.
EastSider, the Glass Onion is quite good, though they're not open in the evening. They have fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, soup, and quiches, amongst other things.
zander, the supply store is the second location for Artist's Emporium.
StBPegger, we must add the infamous Yuki Sushi to your list of new developments.
Also, we must not forget the development of *East* Exchange as well, with places like Blufish and Taste of Sri Lanka taking the risk of opening up.
[quote][cite] Ex-Pat-Pegger:[/cite]Isn't there a grocery store in the Bay? The should build a safeway with condos on top and underground parking.[/quote]
The Bay's usefulness is hampered by its lousy hours. I never shop there because I'm rarely finished work before 6 - which means that the only evenings I can shop there are Thursday and Friday, but those evenings tend to be busy. Realistically, I can only hit The Bay on Saturday. That's why I end up going to Extra Foods on Notre Dame instead (which has recently extended its hours to 10 pm)
Anyway, nice to see all of the new shops popping up in the Exchange. I wish I still worked around there to take advantage of it on a daily basis...
[quote][cite] puravida:[/cite]I have been trying to get my parents to open a small grocery store / Asian take-away in the building across from the Fairchild lofts for the last three years. Apparently I'm not very convincing. Maybe in the future though.[/quote]
Although people have been asking for one for years, I'm not entirely sure that a grocery store in the Exchange would do great business. There are a fair number of places within walking distance where you can go to get essentials (milk, bread, etc.) like Giant Tiger, Sun Wah, Young's and the like. There are also several places that are a short drive for more extensive purchases, like Extra Foods and The Bay. I think a convenience store which makes money from cigarettes and lottery tickets (think along the lines of the new Smith Food Mart) would be about the only viable operation...there just aren't the numbers necessary to support something like Fredette's.
I was thinking more along the lines of local produce and organic produce. Also homemade items like bringing in things from Tall Grass or re-selling goods from restaurants, like samosas. Something like eat-it, but in the Exchange, along with pre-packed ready-to-cook at home meals, like bags of freshly made stirfry vegetables and frozen honey garlic chicken, etc. Basically cater to the demographic of the exchange, young, unmarried, and too-busy-to-cook.
[quote][cite] EastSider:[/cite]Thats right Mr C, I've always thought a grocery would be appropriate if they want people in the exchange/downtown area.The nearest I can think of offhand is the Extra Foods on Notre Dame and Fredette Foods is I think on Donald or is it Osborne......right before the bridge anyway. And if you're a brave soul theres Full House Grocery on North Main.[/quote] Giant Tiger on Ellice has a large grocery section that is always busy with shoppers. And there are at least two grocery stores near Isabel that carry a range of ethnic foods for the local residents.