It's a bird! It's a plane! It's..... retail????

(The alternate title, of "It's a social service agency! It's an education centre! It's.... retail!", while more accurate, wasn't as catchy)

That's right folks, in the cute-as-a-button storefront at 788 Selkirk Ave, a retail store has emerged. I popped in back in January to see what Teri Beads was all about. Turns out it's a bead shop, owned by a woman named Teri. Huh, who would've guessed?

I remember seeing the construction take place last fall sometime, a bright white clean interior taking the place of what was offices (I believe Doug Martindale and Kevin Chief both used the space at some point). In a sea of places to that can help you get back on your feet, but nowhere to go once you do, it's a breath of fresh air to see some retail.

"Don't worry, bead happy!"

Sure, not everyone needs beads (she also has other decorative things like ribbon and such), but it's a start. Teri has kept the space nice and simple and her bright colourful beads are a particularly enjoyable sight during this long dirty winter. With the transformation of the Merchant's Hotel into education and housing space, more and more people will be coming to Selkirk Ave. on a daily basis; I think this means great opportunities for retail/restaurant spaces. With real estate now at a premium city-wide, you might want to think about Selkirk Ave - it once was a hub for shopping in the neighbourhood and could be again.

If you can't make it down to Selkirk Ave., clearly because you are not mobile, not because you are afraid of Selkirk Ave. (not an acceptable reason) check out Teri's online shop or her facebook page.

Also, when you pop down there, you will almost be directly across from Lao Thai restaurant - try the salad rolls, they're divine.

Happy House-iversary to me!

This isn't a real post but buying my house still remains one of the accomplishments in life that I'm most proud of, so I like to celebrate it. I also like to add another year to my tongue-in-cheek statistic about how long I've managed to go with out being _________ (insert as appropriate depending on reader's irrational fear: carjacked, robbed, stabbed, raped, murdered)

8 years free of major crimes! As many of you may know, I've had flowers stolen a few times (or just plain vandalized) which, because I'm a sensitive soul, has made me cry, but when I put my big girl panties back on I remind myself that for the difference between my property tax and that of most of my friends I could make a pretty big dent at the local garden centre. Did you know there are still tons of folk paying only $250/yr net property tax here in the North End?? (Sadly, I am not one of those people - however at around $1200/yr I'm not complaining either) 

I've seen big changes here in the North End in 8 years, and almost all of them for the good. We have a ways to go yet, but I without a doubt now consider myself a North Ender, my Charleswood roots now a dirty ditchwater memory. 

Recently I met a blogger who moved to Winnipeg and moved to the North End in part because of reading my little musings on the North End (well, that may be giving myself too much credit - at the very least I was a contributing factor in not being terrified of here - I'll take what I can get!) I always try to explain to my friends (ok, anyone who will listen) that by staying away they are part of the problem, not the solution. It doesn't take many "good" people on a block to make the bad folks feel unwelcome. 

So, since I'm out of the country at the moment, escaping what is now officially the worst winter in my lifetime (I KNEW IT!!!) apologies for the post with no real content - but happy house-iversary to me :)