Noble BMX, the only BMX-specific store east of Ontario, is moving from 2150 Gottingen to the former home of Tribes Art and Drums at 6070 Quinpool. “The move is a large step for us, and could make us or break us,” says owner Ted Efthymiadis. “Despite the tripling in rent every month, we think the move will be worth it in the long run. Our current location on Gottingen Street is only holding us back from becoming a superpower in Canadian BMX. When parents are afraid to bring their kids down to the ’hood, it’s bad for business.” The store’s new home is located a city block away from the Commons skatepark, and Efthymiadis plans to have it up and running within the week, well in advance of Noble BMX’s first year anniversary in business on May 6. Store hours on Quinpool will run from 11am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, and Noble BMX’s online store (noblebmx.com) will be fully operational throughout the move.
Chat room
Internet Spaces opened March 25 in Nelson Place at 5675 Spring Garden. The new business specializes in “computer, internet, everything,” says owner Ilcheun Kim. Scanning, printing and fax services are available on site, as well as computers, which are available for email, chatting, gaming and word processing. Internet time can be rented by the hour ($5 for members, $6 for non-members) and shorter sessions are also available.
Rebuilding the law
The law firm of Craig and Wozniak is undergoing some major changes on Quinpool. The firm’s former building was torn down on February 18 and a new one is being constructed in its place. “We were running out of space, we need to expand,” says partner Liz Wozniak. The new building will be three storeys high and features lots of windows and an open-concept interior design. “The problem with our old building is it was quite dark, and kind of typical law firm style where it’s very closed off,” says Wozniak. “What we’re trying to do is make bright and open so our clients feel comfortable.” Wozniak specializes in immigration and family law, and partner and firm founder Robert Craig is a well-known property lawyer. “It’s a perfect area for a neighbourhood law firm. Our clients are generally all people who’ve been with the firm for years,” says Wozniak. “We want to build a building that’s going to have a positive impact on Quinpool Road.” The law firm is currently operating out of the Armdale Professional Centre, near the rotary, and plans to move back up Quinpool
Ciao for now
The Pasta Cafe and Dofsky’s Catering in the Hydrostone market are closing at the end of the month due to an increase in rent. Alex Knight, kitchen manager of the two businesses, says they’re hoping to re-open in a new location, but “we’re very much up in the air about it. We’ve got leads, but nothing solid yet.”
It takes a village
The Greek Village Restaurant will open Monday at 6253 Quinpool in the former home of the Greek House. “It’s going to be pretty much the same thing as what it was,” says Kaneli Koskolos, daughter of new owner and chef Stefanos Kalogerias, “but we have a menu of our own. We specialize in a lot more Greek food.” New items include tirokasteri (a fried cheese appetizer), calamari salad and roast lamb. As for the decor, Koskolos says it will slowly change over time, with the newest addition being a painted mural. Kalogerias took ownership of the restaurant two weeks ago, after the Greek House closed. “We saw a good opportunity,” says Koskolos. “We just saw the closed sign outside and jumped in.”
Big Bow Wow
John and Claudette Sinclair of Waverly recently bought the first international franchise of Camp Bow Wow, the first and largest dog daycare and boarding franchise in North America, based out of Boulder, Colorado (the Canadian headquarters is in Calgary).<\f>“What I liked about the company when I did the research and visited several franchises in the US was there’s one very common thread: they’re all in it for the welfare of the dog. They’re trying to make a living too, but they’re all dog lovers and they take great pains in having the dogs in a safe environment that’s stimulating,” says John Sinclair. “ realize it’s a business, but we thought it would be something that we would enjoy. We don’t mind working hard if it’s something we enjoy. It will be nice, no matter what’s going on during our day, to be able to go over and pet a few dogs.” Camp Bow Wow franchises are designed to look like a children’s summer camp; dogs are given full access to indoor and outdoor play areas, and owners are able to check in on their pets at any time via web-cam. John and Claudette are hoping to open their canine camp within the next six months, possibly in the Burnside area.
Different drops
Customers of Video Difference can now return their movie and box set rentals to the following locations: the Italian Market at 6061 Young and Halifax Backpackers/ Alter Ego’s Cafe at 2193 Gottingen.
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