downtown WINNIPEG BIZ
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POLL OF THE WEEK
What are you most excited about that's happening downtown this winter?
Jets Hockey Games
Santa Claus Parade
Festival of Trees and Lights
All of the above
None of the above
POLL OF THE WEEK

 
 
 

BUSINESS PROFILES
Check back here regularly and read about other interesting and unique downtown businesses!

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Thida's Thai
With so many different Asian restaurants popping up all over Winnipeg, how does one stand out from the rest?  In the case of Thida’s Thai Restaurant, it’s their homemade peanut sauce. More>>

Metro
In Over 100 cities across the world as diverse as New York, Helsinki and Halifax, you'll find the familiar green logo of the Metro daily newspaper. And now they've come to Winnipeg - the free daily launched in the city this spring, with a compact format, a local feel, and a splash of entertainment news.  More>>

Juss Jazz
Jazz lovers rejoice – Winnipeg finally has a venue devoted exclusively to that spontaneous and soulful genre. Juss Jazz opened on Portage Avenue on August 3rd of 2011, welcoming patrons for lunch, dinner, and evenings full of music. More>>
   

Cafe 22
The Café 22 franchise began 11 years ago when owners Jerry Cianflone and Tony Anastasio decided they wanted to open up a lounge in the Corydon area. “We wanted to stick with the feel of Corydon Avenue and build a lounge where people can sit down and enjoy their meal,” says Anastasio. More>>

    

Diva Hair
Looking to revamp your do, but not sure where to start? Newly opened Diva Hair has the solution to your dilemma. Without needing a cut or trim, Diva Hair has products such as straighteners and hair extensions that you are able to style, curl, and straighten so you can change your style whenever you please. More>>

    

Pony Corral
With Pony Corral’s new cabaret style lounge, you can experience the classic Vegas night life in the heart of the city. Peter Ginakes, owner and president of Pony Corral, is no stranger to the restaurant industry. Since the 1950s, he and his family have opened up some of the most popular eateries such as the Thunderbird Restaurant, the Rib Shack Restaurant and Lounge, the old Town & Country and of course, Pony Corral Restaurants. More>>

    

Green Leaf Cafe
Sometimes, one of the hardest parts about eating out, is finding something healthy. Whether you're trying to maintain your new diet or just want something that feeds your soul, Green Leaf Cafe is the place to go. This fresh new space in the Manitoba Hydro building offers up heart (and waistline) healthy fare that's both delicious and inviting. More>>

    
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons--it's a name synonymous with Canada. It's about frozen winter mornings, steaming cups of coffee and sticky donuts. And right in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, young entrepreneur Stacey Mikolajek is keeping that image alive on Broadway. More>>		    
Youngs Jewellers
Vivienne Young is no stranger to the jewellery business. In fact, she’s got more than 42 years of experience with all things platinum and gold and she takes her business seriously. More>>		    

Argento World of Silver
When you’re walking through Portage Place, it’s hard not to notice the glittering sliver necklaces and earrings winking at you from Argento World of Silver. This elegant shop has called downtown home for 10 years (in fact it’s their 10th anniversary this February) and it’s a favourite with downtown crowds. More>>

    

Uptown Sports
It was a lifelong passion for sports that lead Rick Lefort into the retail game. A self-described “sports nut”, Rick and his wife Laurie have owned Uptown Sports since 2003. More >>

    

Dons Photo
In the heart of Downtown, you will find Dons Photo: one of Winnipeg's original photography one-stop-shops. The company has been offering technical knowledge, seminars, and photographic products and services since 1979 and continue to do so proudly as one of the largest photo retailers in Western Canada.

    

UPTOWN PHARMACY
Uptown Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy, carrying a full line of prescription medications. New to the downtown Winnipeg area, Uptown Pharmacy opened in July 2009 and is a service oriented and independent Pharmacy. More >>

    

THE GROUND FLOOR
The Ground Floor, formerly Pastels, open since '89, got tastier in 2009 with a new chef. Lately, they have been serving up such delights as chicken soup with potsticker dumplings and matzo balls More >>

    

MERCERIE VIMAR
We asked Viviana Rosemblit, fashion designer and dressmaker what sets her business apart from the rest. She said, “we like when we can make people fall in love with some of their old clothes again. What makes us so unique is the ability to work with any garment or fabric and customize it to your goals, wants, or desires. Clothes make you feel good, not only look good." More >>

    

BIOS Architecture
We sat down with the two brains behind the business – Desmond Burke & Colin Grover – to hear all about their new face, their place and their space, downtown! More >>

    
EXCHANGE FITNESS
With a 2700 sq ft space including a massage therapy room and a waiting area, they make losing that last ten pounds as easy as 1, 2, 3. Intrigued?! More >>!		    
GRACE CAFE
Find healthy eats, fireplaces and leather couches at Grace Cafe, the new tenant in City Hall’s courtyard.
“The world can be a stressful place,” says owner Chris Brunette. “This is a place for people to relax and unwind.” Click here!		    

VALUE PLUS GUITARS
‘Ask any musician where he or she purchased their first guitar and they will say
"THAT GUITAR SHOP . . . . the one with "OVER 200 GUITARS"’ confirms Karen Faber of Value Plus Full Service Guitar Shop. Click here to read on.

    
SUSHI 101
Feel like washing down a mega sushi craving with some delicious bubble tea? Look no further than Sushi 101. Click here!		    
VJs DRIVE INN
It’s hard to believe that such a small kitchen can fill such big orders. V.J’s Drive Inn has been a well-known and very popular spot to stop for burgers, hot dogs and fries for more than half a century. 2008 marks the 50th year anniversary of V.J’s, formerly known as Junior’s before 1980. Click Here!		    

BERNADSKY’S ACADEMY FLORIST
Sisters Melanie and Monica Bernadsky have been waking up and smelling the roses for the past 13 years, since they opened their own Academy Florists in Portage Place shopping centre. The sisters took over the Academy Florist that was there before 1995, changed the name and made it their own. Click Here!

MOI BOUTIQUE
Hanh Pham is a man who knows the balance between business and fashion. Pham opened his own clothing store, Moi Boutique, in March 2006 on Graham Mall, and has loved being able to offer Winnipeggers clothing trends that are usually exclusive to big cities like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. Click Here!
RINKSIDE BAR AND GRILL 
Newly opened in June of 2008 and located at 350 Portage, Rinkside Bar and Grill is the newest hot spot for lunch, dinner or a place to grab a drink. Being within a block from the MTS Centre, the new bar and grill is the perfect place to hang out before and after an event.
CASA BURRITO
Es muy fresco. Spanish to English translation, “It’s very fresh”! I found this out in speaking to Samuel Engelking – one of the owners of the new Mexican inspired joint Casa Burrito on Portage Avenue across from the U of W. And after tasting a delicious Mexican Braised Chicken Burrito with “the usual salsa” I was convinced; they’ve got a good thing going on there.
HOSTELING INTERNATIONAL
To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of peoples, places and cultures through hostelling." Sarah Albanese, Operations Manager for the new Hostelling International (HI) location on Kennedy Street, references of the HI mission statement.
LA COLLECTION
If anyone knows the stress of planning a wedding, it is L.A Collection owner Vu Luong. That’s why he has simplified the process by creating a one-stop wedding shop. Luong partnered with other wedding services in the city so customers can order invitations, party favours, flowers, cakes, photography and even wedding licenses all under one roof. But his focus remains on dresses.		  
H'ATTITUDE
Joanne Hunter has a profession that you don’t hear of too often anymore. She is a milliner-a hat maker- and an entrepreneur. Hunter owns H’Attitude in Portage Place, a store dedicated to hats of all styles, colours and materials. She sells hats fit for any occasion, including weddings, and if she doesn’t have what you are looking for, she will custom make it.
ONEXT MEDIA
It’s called “narrowcasting”, and digital “out-of-home advertainment”, and it’s available in 10 locations in the downtown, thanks to ONEXT Media. ONEXT Media operates Canada’s leading digital narrowcasting network with franchise operations from Vancouver to Halifax. The Winnipeg network was launched in 2008 by Manitoba franchise owners, Jeff and Anna Echols.