October 14th, 2011
Secrets of the City: Calgary
Our favourite undiscovered spots (till now!)
Luna Blue
Have shoes will travel to this 14th Street Southwest shoe store. The tiny boutique is halfway between trendy shopping districts Marda Loop and Uptown 17, but set outside of the main retail action. Luna Blue counts autobody shops and pizza delivery businesses as its neightbours. Look for its bold blue façade to find footwear and handbags including Lola Ramona boots and TSUBO pumps. Luna Blue, 2611 14 St. S.W., Calgary, 403-244-1644, www.lunablueshoes.com
Valta Bison Farms
Tucked into a 100-year old building in Ramsay, this shop is a throwback to the old farm stores with fresh deli sandwiches, sauces, dairy products and, of course, bison including steaks, roasts and sausages. Valta Bison Farms, 703 23 Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-237-9667, www.valtabison.com
Frosst Books
The building used to be a bottle depot before the interior was renovated into artists’ studios and gallery space as well as a bookstore that carries art, architecture and design books and zines as well as artists’ prints. The exterior is almost entirely unchanged so if you are looking for the bookstore watch for the bottle depot sign. Frosst Books, 1018 Ninth Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-265-2664, www.frosstbooks.com
Villa Firenze
Sitting comfortably under the radar but close to downtown, this Italian restaurant has been serving homemade pasta, sauces, pestos, sausages and foccacia for decades. It’s the kind of low light, long wine list restaurant where you want to settle in and stay awhile. Villa Firenze, 610 First Ave. N.E., Calgary, 403-264-4297.
Flora
Dutch-trained florist, Sarah Mayerson’s flower shop on Edmonton Trail is a chic backdrop for her custom arrangements and if you aren’t the market for centerpieces, bouquets or succulent plants, there is also jewelry and art by local artists for sale. Flora, 902 Edmonton Tr. N.E., Calgary, 403-457-1175, www.floracalgary.com —Jaelyn Molyneux
