101 Reasons why Manitoba Hydro Employees will LOVE Downtown!

Posted by Urban Thinker on NewWinnipeg.com With comments added by other New Winnipeg users

In regards to the Winnipeg Sun story – Hydro workers moving in – but not all happy...

And on behalf of the contributing writers at newwinnipeg.com, I would like to submit 101 reasons why Hydro Workers will fall in LOVE with our Downtown.

101 Reasons why Manitoba Hydro Employees will LOVE Downtown!

1. Viola Cafe across the street is a hip and cool European restaurant.

2. Downtown is easier to access with public transit than any other place in the city. That means you can leave your car at home and save tons of money to spend on other things.

3. There's another Tim Horton's opening up a hop, skip and a jump away at Portage and Vaughan, or you can just go to one of the 20 other coffee shops in the surrounding two-block radius, including The Fyxx at Portage and Hargrave or Twist Café on Graham at Edmonton.

4. Vastly better selection of restaurants within walking distance that can appease anyone's taste buds, from great Thai food at One Night in Bangkok on Edmonton Street, to regional cuisine at Rinkside Bar & Restaurant, to a classic clubhouse at the Wagon Wheel.

5. The recently-renovated Second Cup across the street is one of my favourite coffee places. It will be yours, too.

6. The new Starbucks on Graham is a funky place to hang out.

7. Hydro employees can shop at The Bay, a hop skip ad jump away, especially on Bay days!

8. The Magic Room next door - slip out for a manicure and eyebrow wax.

9. Dozens of excellent hair salons and barbers all within walking distance.

10. When your kids are about to get married, check out the strip of Bridal Fashion places between Hydro and the Bay, on Graham and Portage, so you can help do their wedding planning!

11. Affordable art reproductions at Picture Frames and More.

12. Go say hello to Ari from Perfume Paradise; she like hugs and carries perfumes not found anywhere in this city!

13. Catch a ball game during the summer noon hour. Take off your tie, eat a dog, sip back on a beer (root) and watch the Goldeyes kick some butt. Then go back to work, or not. Repeat for afternoon events at the MTS Centre.

14. Go to the Portage Place Y for noon hour aqua aerobics, or hit the weights, run on the big track, or go for a swim.

15. Check out the WAG. Take evening art classes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery or join in the funky after work events like Art after Dark and Jazz Under the Rooftop.

16. Lots of medical centres close by for all you health needs.

17. No need to stop at a pharmacy on your way home. Get what you need downtown over your lunch hour.

18. There is also a wonderful variety of local and unique restaurants and services available. The shoemaker in the Richardson building is great. Big Al's burgers on Albert - where you have to go across the street to eat.

19. Walking distance to the King's Head, Shannon's Pub, and the Elephant and Castle.

20. Pick-up a few groceries for supper at The Bay Foodmart (lower level) or Fredette's Family Food on your lunch hour.

21. Get a manicure for $6 or your hair cut for another $6 at Marvel.

22. Head over to the U of W and check out some of their free noon-hour lectures.

23. The Millennium Library is an inspiring place to get away from it all, with many free programs or just a quiet place to chill with a good book.

24. Walk over to Mountain Equipment Co-op. Warning: leave your credit card in your desk

25. Get photo gear at Don's Photo on Portage, a downtown institution.

26. Walk to Mitzi's for lunch and the best chicken fingers in town.

27. Free winter and summer "Out to Lunch" concerts put on by the Downtown BIZ.

28. Enjoy life, walk along the riverwalk at lunch or, in the summer, wander through the lovely Legislative Building grounds and Memorial Park.

29. Catch a presentation at the library on some esoteric topic.

30. Lunch and shopping at the Forks. (Catch the free Downtown Spirit bus to get to the Forks in minutes!)

31. IMAX 3D is awesome for adults, too.

32. Run quick errands on your afternoon breaks and relax more at home!

33. Two kilometres of heated indoor walkway to get you around the entire downtown, with 200 shops and services, three malls, and lots of walking, (bring your walking shoes to work).

34. All the walking will make you happier and healthier than taking your car everywhere.

35. Catch dinner with your friends before a show or other major entertainment event after work instead of racing all the way home and back downtown again. 36. You are near and connected to postal outlets (e.g. Shoppers Drug Mart in Portage Place) and the main post office - you'll never run out of stamps!

37. Take your skates and go to Central Park or Library Park at lunch. (In summer take a book).

38. Walk to lunch at a different restaurant every Friday. It will take you years to get to all of them. Think of the calories you'll burn by walking rather than driving. It's like getting a couple of calorie free lunches a year!

39. Underground heated parking. In -40 you could wear a T-shirt from your car to work and back again, and it's well worth $175 per month.

40. Hot dogs and people watching at lunchtime on Broadway, just a couple of blocks away!

41. Wander down to Old Market Square for lunch and catch the onstage entertainment, very relaxing, stress relieving lunch!

42. Take in one of the Exchange District walking tours and get to know a bit of the history behind the neighbourhood you're working/living in.

43. Walk down Portage Avenue on the sunny side during the summer.

44. The Rastafarian man, Ricco, beating his drums in front of Portage Place during the summer is one cool dude. And when you do pass him, please remember how blessed we all are, and say hello!

45. The historical buildings, everywhere, but especially in the Exchange.

46. BIRKS downtown has just made life easier for the men at Hydro looking for that special gift. Plus 20 other jewellery stores, some across the street.

47. Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the fact that the box office is across the street.

48. Close access to various government offices.

49. Jazz at Portage and Main.

50. Hy's Restaurant at Portage & Main is a classic.

51. Cinematheque and Globe Cinema in Portage Place have movie and dinner deals you can get and the lineup is pretty good.

52. Hydro workers will have a great view of the Grey Cup parade when the Bombers win someday! In the meantime, enjoy front row seats for the Santa Claus Parade on Portage Avenue.

53. Easy access to any of the banks.

54. Courier pick-up and drop-offs are quicker in the downtown.

55. It's closer to Winnipeg Blood Services if you give blood/platelets.

56. Downtown is more bike friendly to commute.

57. A bunch of galleries in the Exchange for contemporary art that are worth checking out now and then. Among them: Plug In, Ace Art, Urban Shaman, Semai Gallery, and the photo gallery across the hall from Cinematheque to name a few.

58. Watch downtown revitalization unfold around you. From the major U of W expansion poised to take off, to more downtown housing, and the expansion of the Red River College Culinary School. And there are almost no empty storefronts on Portage Avenue.

59. The Downtown Spirit for FREE shuttle service to the Exchange and the Forks, zipping around the downtown every 15 minutes.

60. Cake clothing, UnFold, Candie & Dolls, Commonwealthy Blend, Connect Four Clothing, Hilary Druxman, Katch22, October Boutique and Sole Spot Sneaker Boutique in the Exchange District all have unique and awesome clothes for hip people.

61. Forget about Toys R Us, we have Toad Hall in the Exchange.

62. Canadian Footwear. Any and everything for your footwear needs.

63. Winnipeg Square for all your professional services and fast food.

64. The food court at Portage Place and King Pie, the fist franchise in North America, right across the street.

65. Cool restaurants in the Exchange like Mondragon, The Fyxx, Foon Hi, Princess Grill, the Glass Onion, and others.

66. Stroll down Waterfront Drive or through the Exchange and dream about living near your work; then make it happen!

67. Many drycleaners and tailors. Get you clothes done while you work! Try Perth's in Winnipeg Square or at 505 St. Mary Avenue or Flamingo Cleaners on Garry Street.

68. Aqua Bookstore and EAT! Bistro on Garry.

69. The Wagon Wheel on Hargrave, noted for chips & gravy and fresh turkey everyday.

70. Take evening classes at the U of W, U of M continuing ed, or Red River College and further your education - great for advancement or additional pay! There are also a bunch of other classes you can take downtown, from photography to yoga.

71. For political junkies - catch part of a city council meeting or Leg session and watch democracy in action.

72. Yes, there will be panhandlers. We are a big city, with big city problems. If you want to give, carry granola bars with you to offer, and be knowledgeable about the social services available to the less fortunate. But whatever you do, please be kind.

73. Magnificent 360 views of the city!

74. A quick jaunt to HMV.

75. A short stroll to Staples.

76. A stones throw away from Taco Time.

77. A hop skip and a jump to Academy Florists to remind your wife how wonderful she really is.

78. An easy wander to a host of shops in Portage Place, cityplace and Winnipeg Square.

79. Not too far from Footlocker.

80. No need to drive to Hangers, just walk across the street.

81. Easy to visit the folks at Hank FM, CTV, CBC, Global, and every other major media outlet; they are here where the action is!

82. You can take the skywalk to Le Chateau.

83. You don't get winded walking to Manchu Wok.

84. Flowers and banners in the summer time, and colourful holiday lights and Festival ice sculptures in the winter time to overtake your senses.

85. You can brag that you work in one of the greenest buildings ever built - the wave of the future, and you're on it!

86. Friday afternoon/evening African Market at Central Park.

87. Winnipeg's toughest workout, the Pan-Am Boxing Club on McDermot.

88. If prayer or meditations is more your style, there are some beautiful churches a few steps away (St. Mary's Cathedral and Holy Trinity.) Some have services certain lunch hours, some just open to be a quiet place.

89. The Canada / Manitoba Business Service Centre and Library is on the Skywalk and offers noon-hour sessions on taxation, starting a small business, etc.

90. Sign up for wine tasting at Fentons Fine Foods at the Forks, and check out his selection of cigars and fine brandy's too.

91. Do you like a good political rally / protest / vigil? They usually happen lunchtimes at the Legislative building, the place where laws are made.

92. More cigar stores on Graham at cityplace and across from the Convention Centre on Carlton to celebrate the birth of your kids, or the loss of your bachelorhood.

93. The new Kraut King restaurant has gotta be one of the few places to get Bavarian/German food.

94. If you're gay, you're where all the gay bars are for after work drinks, even if your not, check it out!

95. Fish Fridays at the Paddlewheel at the Bay.

96. You're right in the heart of the City Lights Cruise classic car displays in the summer around the Pony Corral Downtown.

97. Visit Travel Manitoba Centres at the Leg and the Forks over lunch and plan your vacation!

98. Free horse and carriage rides around Christmas courtesy of the BIZ.

99. Pastry Castle and Dessert Sinsations! Bring a gourmet dessert home once a week.

100. Pamper yourself at the Magic Room, Ten Spa, Riverstone Spa at the Forks, and others, all within walking distance.

101. The Downtown. It's all about people of different colours and races, with varying incomes and different positions in life. Some working, some living, others studying and visiting. Who all come together, every day, to make the downtown the most vibrant and exciting place our city has to offer. Welcome Hydro employees!