Take to the Streets

When it comes to the holiday shopping blitz, there are some who swear by malls and others who find them suffocating. But for that genuine holiday vibe, you can’t beat making your way down a snowy sidewalk lined with quirky, independent shops all lit up and decorated for the holidays (just wear warm boots).

One such thoroughfare in Ottawa is Bank Street—and the stretch of it that runs through Old Ottawa South from Sunnyside to Riverdale has a variety of new and interesting boutiques worth checking out. If you don’t live near the area, park nearby and then start your walking tour. (Unlike the Glebe, parking on Bank Street is still free in Old Ottawa South.)

Start at the north end with 3 Little Monkeys, a new boutique on the east side of Bank Street near Sunnyside. Perfect for the baby, toddler or new parents on your shopping list, 3 Little Monkeys specializes in high-quality gear for the under-5 set, such as handmade wooden toys, diaper bags, shoes, slings, bibs, cloth diapers, and stainless steel water bottles and sippy cups. They specialize in local, fair-trade, organic products and all toys are non-toxic. There are steps to negotiate at the front, but there is a stroller entrance at the rear.

If you’re in the mood for a little non-denominational spirituality, Soul Matters on the same block is your destination for the New Age adult on your list, with books, Tarot cards, incense and a whole range of other unique products. But it doesn’t stop there—Soul Matters also offers massage, reflexology, shiatsu, reiki and other similar services. For an idea of prices, a 45-minute hot-stone massage is $55. Massage therapists are registered and the store offers gift receipts.

Meanwhile, the re-opening of Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books on this same stretch of Bank Street has been met with great excitement. As the only independent bookstore in Ottawa specializing in children’s books, the store is a destination of its own. The owners have more information than you can imagine on virtually every book they sell. For the toddler in your stroller, there are armchairs and little cushions available—get them comfortable with a stack of board books while you browse.

For the amateur chef on your list, check out Grace in the Kitchen, a gourmet kitchen supply store just a few blocks further south that also sells imported cheeses, coffees and locally made Art-is-In bread.

We think the charm of shopping at independent boutiques outweighs the risk of slightly frosty toes—but if you do get a bit chilled, you can warm up at one of the many coffee shops that line this stretch of Bank Street. If it’s not warmth you require, but relaxation, no problem: there are just as many pubs.

We used to think this street was ill named but now we understand—you’ll need to go to the bank after spending too much time on the street.

(Happy holiday shopping!)

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