I know the prompt this week is about minorities and their locations within the city, but I want to put a different spin on this post.
After reading Darren Hagen’s “The Edmonton Queen”, it made me remember the gay bars that have closed down in the city. First it was Flashback, and then the Roost, and most recently, Play has been closed down. This got me thinking about the closure of local businesses in general, most recently (and most disappointing for me and my wardrobe) Nokomis Clothing on Whyte Avenue.
My one totally irrational fear is that Edmonton will, over time, become one giant box-mall. Remember Southside Sound? Remember Megatunes? They were great music stores that could not compete with HMV. I assume it’s the same for Nokomis – they could not compete with the chain clothing stores. I don’t want to bash chain stores, because I think at a certain point, based on financial needs and proximity, we all have to shop at those places. However, I do think that as city dwellers, we should try to discover and frequent our local gems, and thus, help to sustain them in an increasingly homogenous city.
Tidbit: The title of this post was stolen from brought to you by The Dukhs' song "Fast Paced World"...Winnipegers! Check them out!
And check out http://www.live-local.ca/ for info about eating and shopping locally.
Thanks for the live-local link!
ReplyDeleteI do think that Megatunes closed out due to the downloading of music!
If you check out HMV they are almost entirely comprised of DVDs these days. I mean....who buys music anymore. Just kidding!
I attribute the fall of the music industry to greedy label execs, so it is a shame that small local music shops feel this pain.
It's sad to see Nokomis go. One can only hope a Subway moves in. Its getting hard to find Jared's favourite sandwich shop around Whyte ave these days.
I'd heard that Play closed, and that makes me sad -- is there anywhere else like it in Edmonton? And even though Megatunes is gone, at least there's still Blackbyrd.
ReplyDeleteAny other recommendations for shopping locally?
Farmers' Markets are an easy way to shop locally; as well, I often find the food to be both a smidge cheaper, as well as a much higher quality.
ReplyDeletePlay was tons of fun when I went. I was also really sad when they closed Lyve on Whyte, because I feel like they didn't give it enough time to get on its feet (it lasted all of what, five months?)
ReplyDeleteAlso, a few of the employees from Megatunes just opened Permanent Records a couple of months ago. I think it's across the street from the Strat? I've not had a chance to go but people tell me it's pretty good.
I've never heard of any of these places and I feel very ignorant because of it. I am quite fond of Steeps tea, but there are a couple of locations in the city, and I don't know if it extends beyond Edmonton or not.
ReplyDeleteI do really love some of the smaller restaurants in the city which I assume are "local gems" like the Urban Diner, Cafe de Ville, Vi's for Pies, and Piccolino.
I would love to hear more about local shops and restaurants if you guys have any more examples!
I grieve the loss of Nokomis too. :-(
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the 124th street area: the little Greek food store on 109th Ave, Don Antonio's Mexican restaurant between 107th and 108th, d'elegance (consignment), Thread Hill (kinda pricey) and Black and Bold for clothes, the whole High Street collection of shops including Notables and Red Ribbon, and of The Duchess Bake Shop. I think there's a new dog food shop next door to that too.
Oh, also Sabrina Butterfly in Highlands (the new Nokomis?) and Wired Cup in Strathearn for coffee and cool gifts. Shoes at Wener and, of course, Gravity Pope.
ReplyDelete