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Hannah Fraser’s local business, Floral Sweeties brings you all things floral: from jewelry to artwork, she combines art and science to create masterpieces with real flowers.

The GIVE TO GET ART Auction Opening Night Gala, back in person for the first time in two years, is Friday, May 27, from 6:30pm to midnight. You can purchase tickets for the VIP reception, which starts at 6:30pm for an extra hour of bidding, and includes food stations and cocktails. General admission starts at 7:30pm.

It’s that time of year again when we Canadians leave hibernation to make the most of the sun and warmer weather. It is also at this time that many of us look into our closets and feel the need for a refresh. Luckily, Ottawa has many consignment and vintage spots where we can freshen up our wardrobes in an efficient, fun, and, most importantly, sustainable way.

Trailblazing can be the hardest, loneliest work, but it can also offer great rewards. One example: Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen owner Liz Mok’s recent Living Wage Certification.

On Saturday, April 30, from 10am–3pm, the Hintonburg Community Centre at 1064 Wellington St. West presents Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market for all things sewing-related. From wool to fabrics to knits and more, over 70 vendors have plenty to offer you for all your crafty desires.

Why do big box retail malls look the way they do? Do they need to be that way? Can they become a neighbourhood hub instead of an endless sea of parking lots and shopping carts? Residents around Ottawa’s South Keys shopping centre think they can and should, and are working to make that happen.

Finding the right fit takes time. After looking at many locations, Amanda Cockburn, founder of Freewheeling Craft, an organization bringing new and established artisans together, finally found a dream space to connect Ottawa artists. A long time in the making, but nonetheless worth the wait, 70B Beech officially opens this April.

Recently, Bruce Burwell has been recommending Urban Retail Walks (URW) to deal with your pandemic-panic cabin fever. A few weeks ago, he recommended a Glebe and Bank St. south walk. This week, we’re going to head north on Bank from the Glebe, cross over Sparks to Elgin and then come back south.

“Our goal is to be less dependent on suppliers and have more of our product made here, by us, as makers ourselves and as a business,” says Leslie MacDonald, founder/owner of Plant and Curio: Cutest Plant Shop (P&C). So when warehouse space at 1160B Heron Road became available, her idea for a multipurpose studio space materialized. Ottawa’s in for a new plant-themed treat.

In this series, I’ve been writing about doing Urban Retail Walks through the winter of our pandemic discontent. This week I was going to tell you about a walk along the north part of Bank Street and across Sparks. But there seems to be something going on downtown, so we’ll leave that for another day. A walk down Richmond/Wellington in Westboro it is!

Top Shelf Preserves has a bricks-and-mortar store at 527 Gladstone Ave. A big move forward for the local business.

In this series of Urban Retail Walks articles, Bruce Burwell has been highlighting great winter walks where the sidewalks will be clear and the scenery will be engaging. This week, he’ll tramp the sidewalks of the Glebe and Old Ottawa South down Bank Street from the Queensway to the Rideau River.

On this week’s Urban Retail Walk, Bruce Burwell takes us north on Preston from Carling through Little Italy to Somerset, east through Chinatown past Bank all the way to Metcalfe, south towards the Museum of Nature, west on Gladstone and back to Preston.

In his new series, Bruce Burwell plots out Urban Retail Walks to get you outside in the winter while sticking to safer, navigable downtown streets. Follow the series on Apt613!

Find stunning and indulgent gifts for the fancy friend in your life, including clothing, jewelry, and personal care items like lotions, soaps, and cosmetics.