The Forks: October 2017

Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Coal and Canary: Lighting Up The Second Floor

We hope you like pink! Coal and Canary Candle Company is thrilled to light up the top floor of The Forks. If you don’t know already, a huge part of our brand is rhymes, puns and having fun!

We’re Tom and Amanda, the owners of Coal and Canary. Our company began the way all brilliant ideas start: over a glass of wine. We are both candle enthusiasts with backgrounds in design and décor. After noticing a gap in the market for candles catered to hip, professional twenty-somethings, we decided to take matters into our own hands.

We wanted candles that were high quality, but also sassy and chic. Making candles started as a creative outlet — and a way to catch up and drink wine.

We got into our first store and inquired about how to get into the Academy Award swag bags — our ten-year plan. To our surprise, we were selected right away and got to work making candles with the help of our family and friends.

We now sell in over 200 stores internationally, but we thought it was time to open our own permanent storefront. We couldn’t think of a better location than The Forks!

It’s going to be a constant test of willpower to not head down to The Common for a flight of wine, or to try all of the food. It’s just so hard to choose what to get!

One of the many reasons we chose to make The Forks our new home is all of the possibilities for hosting new workshops. We’re not just a candle company — we’re extra like that. One of the things we like to do is offer evenings featuring other local entrepreneurs so we can learn something new, support other local and talented Manitobans, and also get to know some of the people that have supported us from the beginning. From The Common for a glass of wine and flower arranging, to gorgeous space outdoors for yoga classes, The Forks has all the space for our varying, and sometimes very random, needs.

Our store will carry all of our current collections and limited edition candles. This is the only location that will have all of our scents for customers to browse before they buy. We also offer other Canadian brands that pair perfectly with a girls’ night in.

Coal and Canary candles make a lasting gift for that hostess you want to impress, your BFF, or yourself — you deserve it.

Swing by, check us out, take a selfie on our selfie wall and relax on our pink couch. We would love to have you!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @coalandcanary for updates on workshops, new candles, and what’s on Tom’s playlist.

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Thursday, 26 October 2017

More Than Amore: Red Ember Common Open at The Forks

If you like pizza, you’ll love the newest addition to The Forks Market Food Hall.

Red Ember Common powered on the pizza oven this week, and is slinging ‘zas topped with fresh, local goodness.

If the name RedEmber rings a bell, it’s because their super-popular food truck is pretty hard to miss – typically parked on Broadway between Kennedy and Memorial during the summer months for the last five years, where they’ve served something like 125,000 delicious pizzas.

Chef Steffen Zinn, Red Ember’s founder started up the food truck (he actually built the truck itself – a man of many talents) after a number of years in the fine-dining world cooking at the St. Charles and working as Executive Chef at Pine Ridge Golf and Country Clubs. Quin Fergusson, Red Ember Common’s co-owner is a four-year Red Ember food truck vet, and has also worked with some of the city's top chefs.

Red Ember pizza is, as Steffen describes, “neo-Neapolitan-style” – where they’re less strict about the dough rules than traditional Neapolitan, and they get pretty creative with the topping combos.

Steffen says anything goes – whatever a chef might like to put on a plate, they put on a pizza crust (think blue cheese and Brussels sprouts, or ratatouille, and of course the classics like pep + mush).

Speaking of toppings, Red Ember is committed to keeping everything as local and organic as possible. In fact, Steffen’s brother is a farmer in Starbuck, MB and that’s where the Berkshire pork for their pepperoni and sausage comes from.

And we have to mention the pizza oven – it’s pretty much a work of art itself. Hand-built in Italy, it’s the first and only energy-efficient, electric traditional Neapolitan Forza Forni pizza oven in Winnipeg. And it gets as hot as 850 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it only takes about 90 to cook a pizza.

In addition to their pizza offerings, Red Ember Common will also have a number of salads and appetizers to choose from. You can eat up at the counter and watch the pizza-making process, grab a seat in the Market, or take your pie to-go.

And maybe tied for biggest perk: being able to get Red Ember pizza any time of year / being able to pair Red Ember pizza with your favourite wine or beer on tap at The Common.

Fun fact: Steffen’s dad had a hand in landscaping The Forks site back when it was first built in the late 80s – a true Winnipeg story if we’ve ever heard one.

Anyway, enough reading about it, get down here and try a pizza!

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Get Going: What You Need To Know About GoManitoba

So, what is it?

GoManitoba is a network of people who need to get placed and help each other get there.

It is a ride-sharing app that connects you with people who take similar commutes as you – whether that be by bike, foot, transit, car, or other, so you can ride together for a whole list of really good reasons.

This way, we can all work together to create a more sustainable way to get where we're going and meet some cool people along the way.

How do I use it?

Go to the GoManitoba app or on your browser, and start a profile. It will ask you for the usuals – email, phone, etc. – and then it will prompt you to start entering trips you make often and how you get there. You can use the app to enter places you're going, how, and when to find people doing the same.

Follow the steps and explore a little.

Why should I use it?

We have a long list of reasons why this is awesome, but here's the highlight reel...

Bye bye rush hour madness
By carpooling, you're taking at least one more car off the road. So, every person that jumps in the car with you – that's one less car in front of you while you're trying to get to work on time. Less cars = less traffic = more smiles. Biking and transit will get even more cars off the road!

Easy breezy parking
Less cars on the road also means less competition for the primo parking spots. Find some people in the area that are also coming to The Forks on a busy Sunday, home games for all the Winnipeg teams, downtown for a concert (you get the idea), and hop in with them.

Shrink that footprint
You don't need us to tell you that biking, taking public transit, and carpooling reduce greenhouse gases, and make our planet happier.

Save some $$$

Trade gas for leg-power. Split gas and parking. The app will track just how much money you're saving along the way. Money you can use treat yourself to a pizza from Red Ember Common opening SO soon. 😉

What if I'm not comfortable taking my bike or public transit?

On the app, you can find your bike or transit sensei. OR – be the sensei by clicking on the graduation cap icon when selecting ride methods.

Want to know how to be someone with those huge bike tires showing the snowy roads who's boss? You can find someone on GoManitoba who can show you all the tips, tricks, and best routes.

Want to start taking the bus to work but nervous about having to switch buses half-way through? You can find someone to give you all the Winnipeg Transit pointers, including etiquette like leaving the front seats open for those who need it, and waiting until the green light comes on above before trying to open the back door.

Where can I read more?

To get to know everything and anything about GoManitoba, peruse these links:

Monday, 16 October 2017

Getting Cozy: Winter Prep in The Forks Market

We saw it. It's real. It's coming. ❄️

Soon there will be many more mornings where we wake up and look out the window to find everything blanketed in a fresh layer of snow. That means it's time to face the chilly reality and get prepped for the season ahead.

We've scoured The Forks Market for every scarf, mitt, toque, and sweater we can hide ourselves in to master the "I'm not cold" look us Winnipeggers are so good at.

Here's what you need, folks:

Teekca's

This hat takes us back to the days of the Canadian fur trade – a lot of which happened right here at The Forks from 1738 to 1880 thanks to our might rivers. Imagine skating on those very rivers with this warming your noggin. It's pretty much time travel.

Teekca's has moccasins and mukluks for every size foot, even the tiniest ones. This is how Indigenous peoples have kept their toes warm for thousands of years, so it's safe to say they'll do the same for you.

Forks Trading Co.

Okay, how great are these? They're almost so good we want to wear these long johns over our jeans and hoodies.

If you didn't find the right moccasin at Teekca's, Forks Trading Co. also has a full stock of colours and sizes to find the pair that fits both your feet and personality.

Stop stealing your dad's garbage mits. We know – they're the best, which is why you should give him back the pair he's had for 32 years and get a pair of your own. They're super warm and last forever.

Lorac Designs has a pile of knit wonderfulness we want to wear all the time – especially this thick, cowl scarf. Everything is knit right here in Winnipeg, so you know it's made for the weather.

SF Imports

If you want something a little more chic, these hats scream luxury. They're made right here in Winnipeg by a Ukrainian gentleman who has mastered the craft after creating fur hats and gloves for years.

And don't forget the gloves to match!

Two Rivers

Two Rivers has the shmorgishborg (yes, that's how you spell it) of Canadiana – toques, mitts, scarves, knit sweaters, socks.

This mitts are especially good for cradling Fools & Horses' current feature latte – salted caramel.

We are proud to be Canadian, and we're going to do the equivalent of screaming it from the Market Tower by donning all the maple leaves.

Gilbert's Stones

"Ouh la-la," we thought when seeing the new scarf-ponchos at Gilbert's Stones. We're thinking black jeans, leather boots, and one of these beauties. We also love the idea of having the fur peek through the top of a buttoned up peacoat.

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Bundle up & keep warm, Winnipeg!

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Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Making Friends at The Forks Starts With Hello

The trails at The Forks are part of my daily commute and regular running route. No matter the season, it’s always a highlight of my day to be out on the trails, it’s relaxing and peaceful. Excellent people watching too, there are always people walking along the paths. My running buddy recently pointed out a funny habit I have: I smile and say hi to everyone I see. I had no idea I was doing it! Rural roots, I guess. And I like it. I like saying hi to my neighbours. Being the opposite of shy, I thought I would take the next step and get to know the people in our city a little bit more.

So, last weekend I grabbed a latte from Fools and Horses and went for a walk to chat with strangers! I met so many lovely people that I would love to share with you.

I met Bhopinder with wife Rupinder and friends Ravinder and Navinder strolling along laughing together in the Forks Prairie Garden.

What brought you here today?
I work here but I live in Toronto. This is my wife and my friends. My friends came here this morning for the first time and are staying for two days. I am just taking them around. The Forks is the first stop after the airport. We had something to eat at the Pancake House. I showed them the history of the buildings. And I took them down to the river to see the actual Forks.

What do you love about the Forks?
Oh, the history. That this was a Trading Post connected to the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Have you been skating?
No. I don’t know how to skate.

I can give you skating lessons. Will you come back in winter?
Sure! Sure, I can do that.

Down by the water I came across Kym with children Clare, Sam, Jane and Robbie throwing rocks into the river.

What brought you here today?
We wanted to get outside. Before the snow comes, to enjoy the fall. And we wanted to be near the water. And there’s lots of rocks and birdseed here. So it’s the perfect outing. The kids like playing in the bushes up there. The older kids can run around up there and the younger kids can be by the water watching the boats go by so there’s something for everybody.
We come here all year round. We come for skating and hot chocolate in the winter.

What’s your favourite season at the Forks?
The fall. The trees. For sure. The geese, the migration. But, the patios are nice in the summer too.

Over by the Oodeana Circle I ran into Vangelis and friend Vladimiros visiting from Greece taking a stroll on their first visit to Winnipeg.

What brought you here today?
We heard a lot of things about the Forks. There’s a lot of places to eat and sit. It’s nice to be outside. And we will also go to the Human Rights Museum. We can walk there from here. We’re going to see this sculpture here first.

Why are you in Winnipeg?
I came here as an exploratory visit. I plan to move here in a couple of years. I am setting up interviews. Tuesday, I think. And I’m going to start the whole procedure to have a permanent residency visa.

I came across Walter who was walking along solo listening to music.

What brought you here today?
I’m just here to get out of the house I guess. I was just going to wander around and maybe go eat something.

What do you like about spending time at the Forks?
I don’t know actually. I like walking the trails and being outside. I usually come on the weekends. Most of the time I come by myself. Sometimes I meet friends.

Do you come here in winter?
No. It’s too icy.

Well, you have to skate. Do you skate?
I’ve roller skated.

I can teach you this winter!
We’ll see.

Where do you usually eat when you come to The Forks?
I usually eat at The Original Pancake House or The Old Spaghetti Factory.

It was so interesting to strike up conversations with total strangers and get to know them a bit. People come to The Forks to connect - with the city, themselves, nature and with friends. At the end of the day, I felt like I did make some new friends. On your next visit to The Forks, try smiling and say hi to somebody new. It feels surprisingly good to connect - even with an interaction so small as a smile and a hello. Building and bridging our communities starts with something so simple.

Lindsay Somers is a Lifestyle Health Coach. You can follow here on Instagram and Twitter. All photos by FULL.

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