With exception of number five on the list (the restaurant supply store), for this list, speciality usually means expensive. So while not to do your daily grocery shopping at, these stores are interesting to browse through and quite often air-conditioned as well.
1. The luxury store – Mercato’s
The main value in going to Mercato—once quite a nice store, or so I hear, and now mainly a (likely more profitable) restaurant—is to admire the prices. This is also coupled with great quality (although one basis of comparison can also be found in the whole Nanuk smoked salmon, around $60 at Mercato or less than half of the price at T&T).
2. The health food store - Amaranth
Their central location on 4 St and not far from 17 Ave is small and airy. You can find interesting things such as powdered peanut butter and a large variety of local Hotchkiss greenhouse microgreens. They’re not afraid to discount their produce.
My favourite, however, is one I haven’t visited it recently (thus the lack of photos): the Sunnyside Natural Market has been there for ages, always smells good, and is a contender for the aesthetically pleasing market.
3. The aesthetically pleasing store – Bridgeland Market
A vintage bike with a basket full of flowers stands parked outside, and the same charm is carried throughout the interior of the store.
In other words, contrived. But with such lovely ceilings that I hardly care. Additionally, this only gives me appreciation for all the work that must have gone into designing such a picturesque store, something that appears impossible to exist naturally in Calgary.
4. That kitschy store – Edelweiss Village
Edelweiss Village has a curious combination of kitschy and quality—the Saub cookware that lines the shelves is juxtaposed against animal shaped salt and pepper shakers. The shopping demographic (although I did go midday) was mainly a contingent of elderly European ladies. If they approve, I suppose it must be a good place to go.
The prepared food and deli was primarily German, but otherwise there was a fair amount of other European influence. Norway in lutefisk, lefse, pickled herring and krumkake irons (I summarized my complete knowledge of Norway just there), Danish Aebelskiver pans and Dutch stroopenwafels.
5. The restaurant supply store – B & J Restaurant Supply
A bit crowded (with so many things!) and absolutely lovely. Well, not really for buying food, but for buying dishes.
One last word: this was somewhat constructive in helping me get over my embarrassment of taking photos in restaurants and stores–but then again, judging by how blurry a number of photos were, not actually, as I was trying to be secretive and a bit too quick.
