Well an icon of the Halifax culinary scene is Craig Flinn is stepping aside after 19 years at 1537 Barrington St. and Chives Canadian Bistro has closed its doors.

However, it will be handed over to its last chef Stephanie Ogilvie (who recently was a finalist on Top Chef Canada) and her partner Brock Unger who have been hosting elaborate multi-course dinners for the last 2 years at various locations, and more recently adjusting to the pandemic as a weekly takeout under the name Hop Scotch Dinner Club.

Now Hop Scotch will be its own restaurant, first starting with dinner service in early July and eventually expanding to lunch service as well.

Craig Flinn’s spin off 2 Doors Down carries on with a recently opened Dartmouth Crossing location and the original two doors down from Hop Scotch.

Produce store Tomavo is coming to Bayers Lake by SportChek and again correction from last week, they opened a clerical office in Kings Wharf not a store, but a to be determined store is planned for Dartmouth

The former Wyse Buys (on Wyse) in Dartmouth is being converted into an Asian grocery store

Made in the Maritimes who highlights local artisanal crafts is now open for a seasonal store in Peggys Cove. Their new flagship store in Bayers Lake by Giant Tiger will also soon be opening soon, replacing their store at Sunnyside Mall.

Plant-based quick serve food chain, Copper Branch has opened on Lower Water near Bishop.

The Crafty Fox MakerSpace and Kit Cafe (espresso, tea) are now open in The Boss on Supreme Court in Fairview.

The mobile Pop’s Kettle Corn has setup in the parking lot of Sunnyside Mall, but don’t let the name fool you beside the expected sweet and salty popcorn, they also offer baked potatoes,  sweet potatoes and roasted corn on the cob with a variety of toppings.

Seven Bays Bouldering has opened a second climbing gym at 114 Chain Lake in the industrial part of Bayers Lake and new gym Prime Strength Club has opened in part of the old Keg/Boomerangs on Portland St by McDs

Nygard stores are in process of closing including the Alia & Tan Jay and Jay Set brands. They announced they were in trouble before the pandemic shutdown. Their founder is also facing a class-action lawsuit, launched by 46 women who accuse him of rape and running a sex trafficking ring.

Halifax ReTales Closed

Peoples Jewellers has closed their longtime Sunnyside Mall location.

Less than a year after opening, Toronto café and bar chain Boxcar Social has closed its Sackville Street location

A long time staple of Hubbards has had a reboot, the former Dauphinee Inn has changed hands and had a bit of spruce up. The restaurant has been completely redone and is now known as The Tuna Blue Inn 

It appears the house that was knocked down on Titus St in Fairview is to accommodate more parking and possibly a drive thru for the neighbouring KFC