You know this place. It’s the busiest strip of shopping in Atlantic Canada, with plenty in the way of whatever you’re looking for. What might surprise you is in the presence of great restaurants, bars and high-end retailers, both local boutiques and national chains, there are many sales and discounts ongoing, if you know where to look. For this Go Local excursion to the area, we tried to find you sweet deals. As usual, we also stumbled on some news (Bubba Ray’s expands!) of the sort that Shoptalk is happy to provide.
Annie’s Place
1513 Birmingham Street, 420-0098
Frozen dinners to go are the new thing at the delightful little cafe just up Birmingham from Spring Garden Road. “They’re homemade,” says proprietor Ann Joseph, including veggie and meat lasagna, mac and cheese and chicken curry with rice. You can call and place your order in advance. They go between $5 and $7, which has got to be one of the best deals for food in the ’hood.
Atlantic Photo Supply
5505 Spring Garden Road, 423-6724
Now hot at Atlantic Photo Supply is the Canon 60D, an 18 Megapixel digital camera, with widescreen LCD, high ISO and able to shoot up to 5.3 frames per second. This sexy little number can be yours (body only) for $1,199.99 and (with kit lens) $1,899.99. You’ll also find specials on camera bags and accessories--- especially if you buy a camera---and if you’re a student you get a 10 percent discount on film, printing and lighting equipment.
Bubba Ray’s Sports Bar
5650 Spring Garden Road, 405-4344
Wandering up to the top floor of Spring Garden Place, Shoptalk was surprised to see Bubba Ray’s. Wait a second, isn’t Bubba Ray’s in the next building over? Not for long. Bubba’s manager Woody Menear explained that they’re in the process of breaking through the wall between the current Bubba Ray’s and the former location of Gullabulls, which has closed. As both businesses share ownership, this seemed to make sense, as Bubba Ray’s is a big hit and Gullabulls never quite caught on. The new space will be “a touch” nicer than the current Bubba Ray’s, says Menear, adding another 150 seats, with booths, a new kitchen, a whack of 60-inch TVs, bringing the total screens up to 60 (to go with the 60 wing sauces). The old space is going to be renoed, too, with a games room being added---pool and table tennis. When does this expanded Bubba Ray’s open? Hopefully in November, depending on licences, but definitely before the World Juniors at the end of December.
Mills
5486 Spring Garden Road, 429-6111
As you read this on Thursday, October 7, Mills is commencing a fire sale, with key items from its fall and winter collections on sale on the second floor. All the inventory that was on the retail floor when the fire happened in September will be up there, starting at 40 percent off the labelled price and marked down probably 10 percent every week following. “There is that perception that it’s tainted,” says Mills marketing wizard Moira MacDonald, because the clothes were on the floor during the fire, even though they weren’t damaged. The stock includes brands such as Michael Kors and Burberry. “There’s a ton of brand-new inventory. There’s going to be a lot of great deals.”
Project 9
5525 Artillery Place, 422-7463
The upmarket furniture store is in the midst of a sale, with couches, chairs and few coffee tables and end tables up to 50 percent off. However, it’s only on floor models, to clear them out in order to make space for new inventory. So, this is only while supplies last. Get in there, quick.
Snaubar
1535 Dresden Row, 406-8555
Lebanese cuisine specialist Snaubar is bringing the love for the lunch crowd. From
11am-4pm Monday through Friday, it’s offering select items from the regular menu in smaller portions at discounted prices. We’re talking salads, tabouli, grape leaves and more. The chicken shawarma plate is only $9.99, and there’s even have something called The Lebanese Burger for only $9.99, which includes onions, Lebanese peppers, hummus and more deliciousness.
Trinity Jewellers
Park Lane Mall, 5657 Spring Garden Road, 446-7901
There are quite a number of gorgeous little items on sale at the moment at the Park Lane location of Trinity, with some jewellery---diamond and gemstone pieces---up to 50 percent off. Check out their rings, bracelets and pendants. You might even find some local, handmade earrings for $5---formerly $29
Twisted Muse
5486 Spring Garden Road
Summer was a huge hit in the new boutique above Mills, and the recent fire didn’t do much but close the place down for a few days. The fall shipment of clothes is now coming in, with lots of floral designs, scarves and cute shoes. Check out the Infinity Scarf, which just goes on forever. No, really. It has no end.
Urban Retreat Massage Therapy
5411 Spring Garden Road, 444-8334
Urban Retreat is owned by Angela MacDonald, who has been working as a massage therapist for seven years in Halifax, with three other massage therapists on staff. “We offer a variety of therapeutic massage,” explains MacDonald, “including deep tissue, prenatal, sports massage, hot stone massage, reiki and craniosacral treatments. We are the first in the city to offer Thermal Palms Massage, a soothing treatment that is especially preferred by our clients on those cold winter days as it combines the benefits of heat with all the benefits of massage.”