Every independent grocer in Halifax (and beyond)

BRINGING DOWN GROCERY GIANTS

Every independent grocer in Halifax (and beyond)

As the cost of living continues to soar, people are finding it increasingly hard to afford food. Normally when unemployment is low, food bank use is also low. When levels of employment are as high as they are now, food bank use should also be down. However, the demand is still on the rise. The only thing increasing faster than food bank usage rates are grocery store profits. And even though the Competition Bureau says we need stronger regulation to break up these monopolies, so far that legislation does not exist.

On top of that, Nova Scotia faces a food security problem. We import most of our food: Approximately 87% comes from somewhere else. As carbon pricing ravages transportation costs and climate change ravages fertile lands, we are slowly but surely adding to the tally of Nova Scotians who are unable to afford food.

While it’s easy to say “shop local,” it’s hard to do—and it’s harder still to change our habits in ways that we can maintain.

That’s where this map comes in. You can see what’s around you, what’s close to your work, if there’s a place where you can shop on your lunch break. A stop on your way home. When you shop local, you’re starting to fight back against the rampant greed of our grocery barons.

Find the independent grocer map and more from Matt Stickland at The Coast.

Need to know

🚨 A province-wide warrant has been issued for 48-year-old Scott Lee Gray who has been charged with sexual assault in an incident that occurred in Lower Sackville this month.

🗣 The 5 candidates for the upcoming Preston byelection have laid out their pitches. Find out what they each plan to bring to the table if they were to represent the district.

💃 You can't miss Let's Dance! The Musical coming to Neptune Theatre July 27-30! Audiences are raving about this sweet, summer musical. Get your tickets now.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SHAKESPEARE BY THE SEA

Tis’ the season for theatre, Halifax!

Shakespeare by the Sea excites the audience with the unique joy of live performance. See the greatest plays and stories in the world, in great settings for a great price.

Shakespeare by the Sea is:

• The most accessible presenter of live outdoor theatre in Atlantic Canada.

• The largest outdoor summer theatre festival east of Montreal.

• Dedicated to creating original works based on classic tales and legends.

• Committed to ongoing development of Canadian theatre artists.

Shakespeare by the Sea is an artist-driven collaborative organization. Under the guidance of a board of directors, they offer a full repertory season of outdoor summer theatre from now until September 3. SBTS is pleased to present Romeo & Juliet as their Shakespeare show and Pinocchio as a family show.

Find out more about all they have to offer!

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX

Find your perfect patio in Downtown Halifax

As the patio capital of Nova Scotia, Downtown Halifax is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine while dining al fresco. And with over 90 patios to choose from, you can dine on a different patio every day of the summer!

Plus, many patios are now dog-friendly, so you can bring your special 4-legged friend along on your patio adventures.

Find your perfect patio this summer in Downtown Halifax.

In other news

👀 A Peggy’s Cove property being sold for $1.8 million is turning heads…but not in a positive way. CTV has the story.

🩰 Thinking of catching a show at the Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal? Listen to what the fest's director, Randy Glynn, had to say about this year’s event during an interview with CBC.

🧑‍⚖️ Dartmouth resident Stacey Gomez has been in a legal battle with her former landlord, Marcus Ranjbar, for over a year after receiving an eviction (renoviction) notice while living in her former south-end apartment. A resolution has finally been reached. 

💸 The Province has announced $400,000 in funding to help protect Nova Scotia’s archeology sites from worsening climate change.

🏄 Unsure of surfing etiquette? Lawrencetown Beach has got you covered. The popular Nova Scotia surf spot recently installed a surfing etiquette sign (the first of its kind) designed by graphic artist Adam MacKenzie, to help surfers of all levels.

📰 The Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s initiative Every One Every Day that’s focused on building communities, has released a new summer newspaper with information on its projects happening in the north end and beyond this summer.

🍷 Four Nova Scotia wines received the 2023 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence this week. Find out which wines they were here.

BUSINESS

Glitter Bean’s workers turn to crowdfunding to save queer-centric co-op café

The queer-owned Glitter Bean Café is something of an anomaly in Halifax: Aside from the usual coffee and tea fare, there are queer knitting nights. Free film screenings. Drag shows. Clothing swaps. Community forums. A pay-it-forward system for customers who can’t afford food or a coffee. A free community fridge.

Since 2018, the employee-owned worker’s co-op has served coffee at 5896 Spring Garden Road and cultivated a “third-space” ethos—a place where Haligonians can find community, host events and meet friends without requiring vast sums of money.

But all of that, its employees say, is in jeopardy: The Spring Garden Road cafe says it’s facing “major financial losses” brought on by two years of COVID-19 restrictions and the rising cost of rent.

The cafe’s workers have launched a GoFundMe in hopes of garnering support from Haligonians to stay alive.

As The Coast’s Martin Bauman reports, the group’s predicament represents more than the usual small business struggle—it’s also about a fight to keep Halifax accessible for all.

🗓 Things to do: Weekend planner

Looking for something to do over the weekend? Check out these Coast picks:

Thursday, July 20

🗓 Ben & Stan’s Trivia Spectacular: Head to Propeller Arcade with up to six friends for some general trivia this week | July 20 | 7:30pm | Free admission.

🗓 Pride Flag Raising: In honour of Pride month in Halifax watch the flag-raising ceremony at the Grand Parade followed by the TD Block Party | July 20 | 5:30pm | Free.

🗓 Health is Wealth Project Community BBQ: Join in and celebrate the new outdoor fitness equipment installation at the George Dixon Field (2502 Brunswick Street) with a free BBQ | July 20 | 11:30am-1:30pm | Free.

🗓 Pinocchio: The Musical!: The Shakespeare by the Sea troupe brings the classic tale to life at Point Pleasant Park—complete with talking crickets, magic fairies and singing donkeys. | July 20 | 7pm | $15-$50

Friday, July 21

🗓 Watch Tangerine at the Halifax Central Library: Catch a free after-hours film screening of the 2015 cult classic comedy-drama, described as a “milestone in transgender representation.” | July 21 | 6:30pm-9pm | Free.

🗓 Co-Adorn’s annual art jewellery exhibition returns: The new exhibition at Studio 21 Fine Art “explores ideas including confines, rules, gifts, surprises, blank slate, memories, secrets, security and relocation.” | July 18-22 | 12pm-5pm | Free

🗓 Every Brilliant Thing: In the mood for some uplifting theatre? Find the joys in the mundane at the showing of Duncan MacMillan’s Every Brilliant Thing at Chester Legion | July 21 | 7:30pm | $19.50-$39.

Saturday, July 22

🗓 Wannabe: The Return of the Spice Girls: The Spice Girls Tribute is back in Halifax this week after a successful run back in 2019. Head to Neptune Theatre for a night of 90s music and nostalgia | July 20-22 | 7:30pm | $35.80-$75.90.

🗓 Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal: Catch FODAR Program One & Two at King’s Theatre this weekend and enjoy a day of compelling dance as part of the annual festival | July 22 | 2pm & 8pm | $50.

🗓 Pride on the Waterfront Makers Market: This weekend’s Makers Market at the Queen’s Marque will feature 24 Queer vendors and a performance by The Gay Men’s Chorus in the evening | July 22 | 2pm-7pm | Free admission.

🗓 Fiddles & Feet: Listen to some traditional fiddle music, step-dancing and vocals when the Fiddles & Feet perform at the Ship’s Company Theatre | July 22 | 7:30-9:30pm | $15-$35.

Sunday, July 23

🗓 Halifax Pride Parade: The annual Pride Parade is back for 2023 and will begin at the corner of Robie Street and Cogswell Road and end at the intersection of Spring Garden Road and Brunswick Street | July 23 | 2pm | Free.

🗓 Lunenburg Arts Fest: If you’re up for a day trip this weekend head to Lunenburg for The Lunenburg Art Gallery Society’s annual Arts Fest (formerly Paint Sea on Site). This is your chance to take a peek behind the curtain and watch artists at work and shop for your next new piece of art at the artist's market | July 23 | 10am-5pm | Free.

🗓 Pop-Up Sundays at Amethyst Boutique: Shop from minerals, crystals, fossils and more at the Amethyst Boutique’s summer pop-ups. If you can’t make it this weekend stop by on August 13 for its next one | July 23 | 12pm-5pm | Free admission.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.