Props Floral Design's next generation

The Hydrostone florist has changed hands after 21 years.

by Allison Saunders on February 21, 2019 at 2:20AM

The new year has brought new growth to veteran florist Props Floral Design (5533 Young Street). After 20-plus years at the helm, owner Susan MacIntosh has sold the Hydrostone business to her niece and longtime employee Ashley MacNeill and the Halifax’s garden doula herself, Jayme Melrose.

SHOP THIS: The Valentine's Edition

Here’s looking at you, last-minute lovebirds.

by Allison Saunders on February 13, 2019 at 6:30PM

First you were running late on all of your Valentine’s Day gestures, then the snow storm hit and you didn’t leave your blanket fort for the entirety of Wednesday. Now you need physical proof you love your loved one, and it’s down to the wire.

Unconditional Body Love

Jessie Harrold celebrates her body and yours—the way they are—with her debut book, Project Body Love.

by Morgan Mullin on February 13, 2019 at 6:23PM

and I was like ‘there’s something that’s gonna happen here.’ So the book sat, mostly finished, waiting for this shiny, happy ending. It wasn’t until I realized, ‘Oh no, I live in the world, and the world is never gonna stop telling me this body isn’t OK,’” that she realized “unconditional body love felt like a big ask all of a sudden.”

Where I work: Downeast Trophies

To mark 40 years in business, owner Mike McGuigan gives us a peek inside the trophy case.

by Haleigh Atwood on February 7, 2019 at 3:17PM

WHERE HE DOES IT Upon arriving at Downeast Trophies, customers are often greeted by McGuigan’s faithful assistant, Molly. The 13-year-old golden retriever is never far from his side.

north and willow's clothing conscience

An online curated thrift shop focuses on sustainability and accessibility

by Allison Saunders on January 23, 2019 at 3:10PM

Kari Beiswanger and Alex Stewart’s friendship has lasted longer than any piece of clothing in your closet, no doubt. The pair of pre-school pals and longtime thrifters are behind north and willow, an online second-hand shop and sustainable fashion initiative that launched its web store this week.

R Studios' core strength

With the upcoming arrival of Rebel, Connie McInnes completes a fitness trifecta, rebrands her businesses and focuses even deeper on community

by Haleigh Atwood on January 17, 2019 at 1:53AM

“We want to revolutionize the way you move,” says Connie McInnes, the owner of Rio & Rogue, two fitness studios in the north end that offer a wide variety of classes—from yoga and pilates at Rio to kickboxing and kettlebell at Rogue. In March, McInnes will open the doors to her third studio, Rebel, at the corner of Ochterloney and Wentworth in downtown Dartmouth.

SHOP THIS: East Coast Wedding Planner

Elegant Productions teams up with Nimbus Publishing to print its very own East Coast Wedding Planner

by Allison Saunders on January 9, 2019 at 4:02PM

If you had a merry little holiday engagement and now everyone keeps asking you "when's the big day?," the local nuptial experts are here to keep your head from spinning into oblivion. Kind of a pre-wedding journal and kind of a beautiful art-filled keepsake, An East Coast Wedding Planner is the linen-bound debut publication from Halifax wedding planning and design firm Elegant Productions and its stationery arm, Elegant Paper Co. Together Katelyn Bellefontaine, Lisa MacPherson and Rebecca Dimock released the hardcover book—bursting with whimsical wedding snaps from local photographers—back in December and it's now finding its way onto local bookshop shelves.

Audrey Flanders’ growth mindset

Dartmouth’s new tropical shop has its eyes on the green thumbs.

by Allison Saunders on January 9, 2019 at 3:52PM

Shop this: Sunday Rose Handmade

The south-shore-made skincare line is organic, cruelty-free and plant-based

by Allison Saunders on January 3, 2019 at 5:48AM

Jaana Kujala knows a lot about putting your best face forward. After starting a career in film makeup at 19, she made the shift from prosthetics to esthetics and fell in love with skin health and wellness.

Taking care of business: 2018's standout openings and closings

A highlight reel of small biz news

by Allison Saunders on December 21, 2018 at 2:34PM

OPENED 3A Restaurant, 264 Bedford Highway
 Apartment 3, 833 Sackville Drive Baby Chic, 1139 Bedford Highway Everwood Avenue Brew Shop, 731 Old Sackville Road
 Fourth Lock, 3104 Highway 2 Ice Patch Hollow, 1595 Bedford Highway Lemon Tree, 805 Bedford Highway Rowshan Seafood, 622 Sackville Drive Raffi’s Kitchen, 601 Sackville Drive Tang Shun Chinese Cuisine,  540 South Gate Drive Jinloong Restaurant, 518 Sackville Drive CLOSED Backoos Korean To Go, 188 Bedford Highway Board Room Game Cafe, 936 Bedford Highway Cafe L’Acadie, 636 Bedford Highway La Cave de Strasbourg, 3104 Highway 2 Limoncello Your Lifestyle, 1595 Bedford Highway Nature’s Cove, 364 Bedford Highway Koroni Pizza, 1312 Bedford Highway