The Secret Gems of Ottawa - Dalhousie Street
After finishing up a nice little lunch at one of international food stand at 55 ByWard Market in the heart of Ottawa, now is the time for some serious souvenir shopping. If you are like me, I like to wear my souvenirs. I bought a long blue jean skirt in Vancouver four years ago and now everytime I wear it, those nice memories of that trip keep me company all day within the skirt so to speak. Our first stop (there are so many stores near 55 ByWard market) is Dalhousie street for chic clothes to hip clothes for those teenagers with expensive taste. ( Later we will go to Rideau Center for those with a smaller but hip budget). We walked one block down to York Street and there we are at Dalhousie Street. We turn north pass Clarence and Murray Street and between St. Patrick and St. Andrew Street, we come to the area of trendy fashion.
This area has been growing slowly the last few years and now with three large condos being built near by, it should become quite the spot for young Ottawa people and of course tourist. Where once there were no cafes, now there are two for those tired men or parents who want to sit while they let the others shop to delight . (Or I should write almost two cafes as Bridghead Ottawa's famous cafes which was featured on a CBC special (which I will be writing about on another blog) will be opening a cafe end of March 2007 on Dalhousie Street).
My Favorite store is The White Shop at 223 Dalhousie. Everything sold in the store is white. The store itself is a piece of art. Again typically of this street, just 3 years ago this location was a corner store selling milk and newspapers. At 281 Dalhousie you will find two great stores 37th Avenue with beautiful jewelry from all over the world and Made in France items for cooking. There is even a store for your pets at 207 Dalhousie, A Guy, A Girl, Two Dogs & A Cat. Amuse at 246 Dalhousie was one of the first fashion stores on Dalhousie. The owner wanted to bring a little of Montreal style to Ottawa and now the street and all its stores have joined her.
Now to our little walk down Dalhousie Street:
First to Made In France
The White Shop: The sculpture in the window was created by the owner.
and to Amuse and to fashion.
In the next blog we will be going shopping on the 2nd floor at Rideau Center.
