In

A while back I had heard Ghost Kitchens was going in the Bedford Walmart but that never materialized and now the former McDs space is going to be a Burger King

Remember when you could go to Chapters and get a coffee while wandering the store
Well you can again Good Earth Coffeehouse is now open in the Bayers Lake store

Stacked Pancake House is coming to Bedford Commons in the plaza beside Scotiabank

Chicking is back. Now open on at 5680 Spring Garden(in place of the retired Turkish Delight)
The new location is roughly 70000 fried chicken sandwiches away from their original location on Bedford Highway

European grocer Soika is now open in Woodlawn plaza

Asia in The Cunard is accepting reservations from Aug 15. The pan-Asian restaurant is in the new development between Nova Scotia Power and Bishop’s Landing on Lower Water

Splurge Cheesecakes and Snack Bar soft opens today at 61 Stella in Porters Lake (new plaza just north of Superstore)

I first mentioned it in Dec 2016 …
but the Subway is finally open at 1841 St Margaret’s Bay Rd in Timberlea

Shrimp Lover Tropical Fish aquarium shop is now open at 20 Wright in Burnside

Out

Butcher’s Block on Larry Uteck has closed

Aladdin Video & Laundromat on Portland St is closing on the 25th after 25 years

Tipico Pasta on Dutch Village Rd has close

SaltWire

I wrote my last piece for SaltWire this week. (my choice)

Stephanie Duchon, owner-operator of small tour opera- tor Wine and Vine Tours based out of Halifax, said there is a Nova Scotian wine for every wine lover and she’s determined to make those connections.
“I take groups of 2-7 people in an SUV and we travel up to the Annapolis Valley to visit three wineries and do tastings,”she said. “Guests will be greeted at their door with coffee in hand -something I can do as a private guide.
“While my expertise is wine, I do have experience making cider as well, so I’m open to adding a stop at one of the Valley’s cideries, distilleries and breweries.”
Duchon said it all started with a can of Nova 7 at a Halifax Wanderers’soccer game.
“I was looking at options at NSCC to go back to school to work with my hands,”she said. “And experiencing that Nova 7 solidified my decision, and I went to the Kentville campus for the Cool Climate Wine and Viticulture program.
She graduated with an honours certificate in 2021.
“The program was very hands on, and I worked in vineyards, cellars and retail shops throughout school,”she said. “Since graduating, I have completed two levels of wine and sensory education through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). I’ve worked in six of the cellars and vineyards, a cidery, at Bishop’s Cellar and spent three summers hosting Nova Scotia wine and cheese tours on the Halifax waterfront.
“Though I have a deep rooted love and appreciation for the work in the vineyards, I absolutely love talking about wines and vines, and so was born the idea of opening my own tour company.”
Duchon said she’s had favourable reception from the industry.
“Wineries are excited to have another tour operator and my competitors are also welcoming,”she said. “The Nova Scotia wine industry is super collaborative and, while still competitive, everyone recognizes that with the success of each new grower, winery or tour operator, the industry can only grow.
“The wine industry in the province is constantly growing and improving. Even in my short five years of being invested in the industry, I’ve seen a lot of positive change and immense growth. Without a doubt in my mind, there is a Nova Scotian wine for every wine lover, and I’m determined to make those connections.”