Celebrating 25 Years with the Mini Donut Factory and Iceland Skate Rentals

There are few traditions Winnipegger's covet more than finishing up a day of skating at The Forks with a dozen mini donuts.  The Mini Donut Factory was one of the first stores at The Forks and has been churning out mini donuts there for a whopping 25 years.

Roy Laham is the man behind the donuts.  Before opening shop at The Forks he sold mini donuts out of Old Market Square for 15 years.  Roy is also the man behind the skates, as he has ran Iceland Skate Rentals at The Forks for almost as long as he's sold donuts.

The opening of the Red River Mutual Trail boosts Roy's business every year. Roy has over 160 pairs of hockey, figure, and children's skates available for rental.  On busy days Roy will rent out all of his skates before 2:00pm. But don't worry!  Roy says customers never have to wait more than 10-20 minutes for their skate size.

For those first time skaters, Iceland Skate Rentals has eight skate trainers available to rent at $2.00 each with a cash deposit or a piece of ID. Iceland Skate Rentals also rents hockey sticks for $2.00 and hockey pucks and hockey helmets for $1.00.

 

Roy says he mostly runs his skate rental business on the honor system.  Some of Roy's newer rental skates require a deposit or a piece of ID, but to rent the majority of skates all you have to leave is your shoes.

Roy is busy at The Forks year-round and claims to be on site "eight days a week." What separates Mini Donut Factory mini donuts from other mini donuts is that Roy uses Robin Hood cake donut mix instead of the American mini donut recipe.  His mini donuts are larger, fluffier, and have a cake-like texture.

The mini donut machine at the Mini Donut Factory can produce a staggering 225 dozen mini donuts per hour! A dozen warm mini donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar only cost $4.50 and are consistently made at The Forks year-round.

Roy's employees can recommend you a skate size or make you a dozen mini donuts right before your eyes. Between Iceland Skate Rentals and the Mini Donut Factory Roy employs four full-time and five part-time staff. Roy runs a family business and currently employs his son Danny as the manager.

Pop-Culture Presents from Pylon

If you have a particular teen or pop-culture buff to buy for look no further than The Forks Market.  One store in particular is as unique as it’s name.  Pylon is a pop-culture retailer that features many niche, funny, and quirky items. 

If you’re shopping for a peace loving Beatles fan, look no further. Pylon carries a variety of Beatles items sure to satisfy their John, Paul, George, or Ringo craving. Pictured here is a Beatles glass collection. 

For a music lover they sell clocks that are made out of classic record cases. They also sell mini replicas of guitars famous musicians have been known for over the years. Kurt Cobain’s guitar caught our eye. The tiny replica is just approximately 12 inches tall and features Kurt’s signature and a tiny detailed guitar case to go with it.

Pylon also has great gift ideas for the TV aficionado. If you’re shopping for someone who says, “bazinga!” at every opportunity, why not buy them a Sheldon bobble-head? Pylon has bobble heads of the whole cast of the Big Bang Theory if you want to start a collection. 

Doctor Who celebrates their 50th anniversary this year and fans are rejoicing. Pylon carries Doctor Who journals, Doctor Who coasters, and Doctor Who coffee mugs just to name a few.

Maybe the Walking Dead fan in your life is sad now that the season is over. Check out the bobble-head of our favourite character Daryl Dixon. Even as a bobble-head he’s still hardcore.

Visit Pylon on the second floor of The Forks Market for all types of pop-culture gift ideas from Elvis and Betty Boop to Mario and My Little Pony.

Eaton's Fairytale Vignettes

Many Winnipeggers share a favourite Christmas memory that involves a shopping trip to Eaton’s and a visit to the 9th floor annex to gaze with wonder at the Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes.

When Eaton’s closed its doors in 1999 a private citizen ensured the relocation of the delicate and delightful vignettes. Many non-profits were interested in the display but the Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes were eventually donated to the Children’s Museum.

Now over 13 years later you can fall in love with the vignettes again at the Children’s Museum located at 45 Forks Market Road in Winnipeg. They are on display until January 5, 2014 and the display is free with a Children’s Museum admission.

Sleeping Beauty

Snapshots of the vignettes do not do them justice.  Walking through the displays and pushing the little button that activates their motors is a walk down memory lane.  These detailed and vibrant vignettes have been part of Winnipeggers’ hearts for over 40 years, however, the actual age of the vignettes is unknown.  

Cinderella

The Elves and the Shoemaker

Although the vignettes are old and their movements seem chunky the experience at the Children's Museum feels the same way it did when they were on display at Eaton's.

Little Red Riding Hood

Old Mother Hubbard

Rumpelstiltskin

Three Blind Mice

The Emperor and the Nightingale

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes were refurbished and restored in 2006 and again in 2010.  The vignettes might look simple but maintaining the motors, displays, and dolls is a large task. Thankfully community support has allowed the vignettes to continue, hopefully, for years to come.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Owl and The Pussycat

Displays not pictured include: Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Humpty Dumpty, The Little Match Girl, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Hansel and Gretel.