street seen - issue 5 - fall 2010

streetseenSt. Catharines Downtown Association presents

www.mydowntown.ca ISSUE 5 • FALL 2010

Misette Critelli & Joe Critelli

a look insideCritelli’sfine furniture page 15

bringing up the rear dining downtownhome décor feature

plus arts & culture listings, a day downtown, movie nights andmuchmore!page 14page 8 page 18

DTA-Street Seen FALL2010 PRINT:Layout 1 8/30/10 2:29 PM

2 FALL 2010 www.mydowntown.ca

ST. CATHARINES DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION12 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7M3Tel: 905-685-8424 • Email: [email protected]

PUBLISHER St. Catharines Downtown Association

EDITORS St. Catharines Downtown Association - Tisha Polocko, Elizabeth Fritshaw • ART DIRECTORS LOUD Advertising -

Stan DiFruscio, Darryl Grossi • ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ray Mulley ([email protected]) • CONTRIBUTING WRITERSElizabeth Fritshaw, Jane Gardner, Tiffany Mayer, Megan Pasche, Manisha Solomon, Jennifer Wallace • COVER PHOTO LOUD Advertising

ST. CATHARINES’ GUIDE TO ALL THAT IS DOWNTOWN • ISSUE 5 • FALL 2010

streetseen is published three times per year. Subscriptions are not available. Free issues available throughout Downtown St. Catharines. The publishers ofstreetseen are not responsible for any loss or damage caused by the contents of the magazine, whether in articles or advertisements. Views expressed mightnot be those of the publisher, editors or the St. Catharines Downtown Association. Please contact us concerning advertising, story ideas, and photography. Yourcomments are welcomed! Letters to the editor may be edited for space and published in the magazine, on the website, or in print materials. All rights reserved;reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the permission of the (copyright holders). Contact the St. Catharines Downtown Association for moreinformation.

streetseen

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www.mydowntown.ca FALL 2010 3

letter from the editorsEvolution or Revolution.

he businesses in Downtown St. Catharines have hadmany changing faces and have experienced periodsof very difficult economic conditions over the past

few years. However, we are fortunate to have a diversegroup of longtime service, retail and restaurant businesses.The owners of these businesses are to be congratulated fortheir perseverance in a difficult environment. Many retail entrepreneurs are attracted to a downtown

environment versus the mall and big box complexes, but thereality is every downtown experiences merchants leavingand new ones coming in. These shifts affect the changinglook and feel of a downtown; the positive being new andexciting storefront facades while the negative being vacantstorefronts when businesses depart. The challenge for ourcivic leaders is to work hard to set a positive climate for theattraction of new and exciting businesses. Currently, thereare more restaurants than ever before including manycultural offerings, making it one of the Region’s mostdiverse areas for culinary fare. Downtown St. Catharines isalso touted as “Niagara’s Cultural Hub” with many artistgalleries, theatre companies and cultural associationsalready located here. The forthcoming construction of thePerforming Arts Centre and Brock University’s move of theMarilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts tothe downtown core should be the icing on the cake and willbe a catalyst for the attraction of new business to downtown. There is a lot going on, but a lot more is needed to evolve

into the revitalized urban centre for our historic core. We need forward-thinkers advocating on behalf of the

downtown core and we hope the forthcoming municipalelection will provide the impetus for fresh and exciting ideasbeing advanced by the electoral candidates. It is time toevaluate whether the steps taken over the past term aremoving us in the right direction. Will the plans and ideasthat have been put forth see results and is everything beingdone to execute the game plan? We encourage everyone to take the time to review the

platform of the candidates and to view their profiles on theCity’s website. Attend local debates such as the one the St.Catharines Downtown Association will be hosting for theSt. Patrick’s Ward in early October. You have the ability tomake a difference and vote for those candidates thatdemonstrate a genuine concern for your City; who bestrepresent and listen to your concerns and opinions to createa vibrant, evolving City and its downtown core. Don’t missthis chance to have your voice heard. Get out and vote onOctober 25th. You will not have another opportunity likethis for four years.

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Tisha PolockoGeneral Manager

St. Catharines Downtown Association

Elizabeth FritshawEvents and Communications St. Catharines Downtown Association



n an effort to begin functioning, the perfect way to startthe day is to hit up one of the many fine coffee shops inour downtown core, including Coffee Culture and Fine

Grind Café (just to name a couple). Our first excursion ofthe day was pampering at The Classics Hair Salon where esthetician Christina Cooper gave my niece a spa manicurefollowed by my relaxing spa pedicure including a comfortable massage chair. The Classics Hair Salon offered us a comfortable, friendly atmosphere right in the downtown core. It’s the ideal spot for grabbing a quick manicure on your way to an appointment or in the middleof shopping. Don’t forget ladies, a spa treatment can be anessential and affordable stress relief all year-round!If you’re fortunate enough to be downtown on a Market

Day as we were (Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday), a must-hit shopping experience is the Market Square. We were ableto sample champion cheese selections before buying (I’d

recommend a 7 year old champion white cheddar fromQuebec), purchase quality meats, produce, canned preserves, and more. Since morning shopping will offer upthe most variety and selection, be sure to purchase a bakedgood such as a chocolate croissant or danish to accompanyyour morning beverage. For the young (and young at heart),Kettle Corn is a great treat for later in your day downtown– be sure to taste-test them all! Take a turn around the market to find incredible value on foods and artisan waresincluding hand-made jewellery, and organic food offerings!The vendors are delighted to tell you more about their product if you just ask.All that food shopping just made us hungry – where could

we pop in for some good homestyle Italian cooking? Dom’sPasta Bar & Grill of course! Stepping through the big reddoor is all it takes to go back into a bit of St. Catharines heritage. Owner Heather welcomed us with open arms as

a day downtown As someone who works and socializes downtown, I spend much of my time in the core. I took my nine year old niece along to experience some of the places I love through hereyes as well. This is our day… By Jennifer Wallace

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streetseen: out and about



we grabbed a corner table in the lounge for a lunch of Caesar Salad and Rigatoni with homemade tomato sauceand meatballs. “That’s a good meatball,” my niece sayswhile devouring her pasta and garlic bread! Once you’refinished, if you still can’t get enough, Dom’s homemadetomato sauce is available for sale by the jar. Could we askfor it to be any easier? To top off our sensational lunch atDom’s, Heather suggested dessert… so my niece and Ishared this chocolate caramel cake creation that was absolutely to die for! The only thing that could possibly out-shine those meatballs, was surely that dessert. Be sureto ask how the playing card (a nine of diamonds) got stuckon the top of the lounge ceiling! Dom’s Pasta Bar & Grillis not only a restaurant offering great food, great atmosphere and a great experience, but they also offer a lotof support to our downtown by giving back in so many ways.Check out their website for specials!

Since we were at that end of King Street, our feet led us into Ryson’s Music Centre to check out the many instruments, among which was a learning harp. Lessons areprovided at Ryson’s for everything from guitar to drums,piano, cello… and yes, even the harp. But if you’re not musically inclined, and prefer other hobbies, definitelymake your way to Niagara Central Hobbies, a downtown

staple for 63 years! There we foundeverything for building model planes,trains, automobiles, boats, and dollhouses. Be sure to venture intothe basement and peruse all the models of villages with trains. Looking for a unique gift idea? Check

out the selection of marionettes or interesting craft projects.If you’re more the budding amateur artist (which I’m not)you can pick up all your art supplies for that next Picassopiece you’ll be painting. Then be sure to cross the street toNiagara Artists Centre and see if your piece can fit into oneof the great exhibits being shown in the Dennis TourbinMembers or Show Room Gallery. Showing now until September 18 is lol by Kelly Mark and Thierry Delva, a fascinating mixed exhibit of thoughtful work. My niece’sfavourite piece was the “I should have” refrigerator byKelly Mark, featuring all those things the artist should have done outlined on the front door of a white refrigerator…truly an interesting, relatable piece not to bemissed. Kasia, one of the staff on hand at NAC, took us fora tour through the exhibits and offered some backgroundon the pieces where appropriate.No trip downtown can be complete without some clothes

shopping, so into Out of the Past we went to check out theever-growing inventory of vintage clothing, and other stylish items owner Tammy has on stock. This is just one ofthe many fashionable and one-of-a-kind stores downtownthat you can get lost in for hours (and we did). Passing bythe future site of the Centre for the Arts, we topped our dayoff with a trip to Chocolates etc. on James Street for a gelatobefore heading home after a fun-filled day of exploringdowntown. What a way to spend a day! Not only did we getto explore some of the more “forgotten” places we don’t getinto all the time, it was an affordable day to spend out andabout.

This was just a bit about my day downtown, but be sureto make your own! For book lovers, be sure to check outFremont Books, Hannelore’s Downtown Fine Books, or take a trip to the Central Library. Music lovers, I’d encourage you to look for some new or vintage vinyl atAtomix Records or Niagara Records. Theatre lovers checkout the fall season offerings from the Sullivan MahoneyCourthouse Theatre groups in the Downtown Alliance ofPerforming Arts (Carousel Players, Essential CollectiveTheatre Group, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, NiagaraDance Company, Suitcase in Point, and Theatre BeyondWords). Our downtown core is a welcoming place to explore any day of the week, just grab your beverage ofchoice and walk around, popping into those stores, cafés andrestaurants that spark your fancy.

Featured in this article:

The Classics Hair Salon 75 King StreetCoffee Culture 196 St. Paul StreetFine Grind Café 37 James StreetMarket Square 91 King StreetDom’s Pasta Bar & Grill 22 Academy StreetRyson’s Music Centre 5 Court StreetNiagara Central Hobbies 395 St. Paul StreetNiagara Artists Centre (NAC) 354 St. Paul StreetOut of the Past 340 St. Paul StreetChocolates etc. 27 James Street

Our downtowncore is a

welcomingplace to explore

HOURS Monday - Wednesday: 10am - 6pm, Thursday and Friday: 10am - 9pm, Saturday: 10am - 5:30pm

122 St. Paul StreetDowntown, St. Catharines

905-988-9575

• Clothing• Shoes• Accessories



he St. Catharines Downtown Association is bringing the big screen back to Downtown St.Catharines during every Thursday in October! We

will be playing eight classic Halloween movies at the Market Square, with shows starting at 7pm and 9pm eachnight. No need to worry about the weather … the marketsquare is heated!The early show is a family friendly movie, typically rated

PG and has included such classics as Ghostbusters, HocusPocus and Beetlejuice. The 9pm movie is an uncut, spine-chilling horror film and although they may be consideredtame by today’s horror standards, they were hide-under-the-covers scary when released! The original versions ofPsycho, The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacrehave been shown in past years.All of this is really just leading up to the big party on the

last night (October 28 at9pm) where the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show is screened with full participation encouraged! For those of you who remembertoasting bags of bread, swiping the toilet paper from theholder and heading out to the closest midnight picture show(remember the Lincoln Theatre?) – well this is as close asyou’ll get to it in Niagara and it’s FREE! Costume conteststarts at 9pm with the movie following. Participation bagswill be sold at the door for the procrastinators.Popcorn, candy and drinks will be available on site if you

wish. All you need to bring is your own chair, or blanket tosit on! Admission to all movie nights is FREE.Complete movie listing for 2010 will be posted on our

website at www.mydowntown.ca under the events tab or formore information call 905-685-8424.

movie nights in market squareFour Nights of Halloween Double Features with a Rocky Horrorfinale! By Elizabeth Fritshaw

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Thursday Night DOUBLE FEATURE

October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2010

7pm and 9pm shows.

FREE ADMISSION!



downtown historicalghost walking tourExplore the hauntings of Downtown St. Catharines! By Elizabeth Fritshaw

streetseen: event

id you know that lurking spirits cause the shiversone experiences when hearing ghost stories? Don’t believe it? You will after taking one of the

Downtown Historical Ghost Walks! These guided tours will delve into the haunted tales of the

past and the present day while also sharing historicalcommentary about the unique buildings and happenings inDowntown St. Catharines. The walks have been going onfor eight years now and with four different guides, each onehas a unique flavour. Darlene has been a guide with thewalks for over five years and has added a few of her ownfindings into the walk. Nancy, a local history buff, lends adifferent twist with a more historical approach to the walk.Maggie is a fun-spirited lady whose energy and enthusiasmyou can’t help but catch. The newest addition to the walksis Wayne, who will give you a different perspective fromsomeone who is very aware of spirit energies.There are two different walks to encounter so if you have

come before maybe it’s time to try the ‘other’ walk. Be sureto request your preference of guide or walk, as both toursare not available from each guide or on each night.

Tour A (original) - James Street to Yates Street area.Includes The Merrit House, Queen Street Axe Murder,Jenny Pincock stories and more. Featuring guided walks byDarlene or Wayne.

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Tour B (new) - James Street to Court Street area. Includesthe Haunted Vet, Diana Sweets, The Pole Walking Ghost stories and more. Featuring guided walks by Maggie orNancy.

Tours run nightly starting from Oct. 14th through Oct. 30thstarting as early as 7pm. Reserve your spot on one of theHistorical Ghost Walking Tours this October and explorethe history and haunted tales of Downtown St. Catharines.

Tickets are $8 per person and private tours are available($100 per group). Tours fill up quickly and are limited to 20people per walk. Advance tickets are available by calling905-685-8424 or by email to [email protected] orin person at the Downtown Association Offices at 12 Ontario Street.

“Serving Niagara for 49 Years”

261 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON • 905-685-0122www.georgecoppel.com

Rings To FallIn Love With



ryan Morris only sees one thing when taking in thebacks of buildings on St. Paul Street’s south side. “I look at it as a diamond in the rough for

redevelopment,” said Morris, the city’s community renewalco-ordinator. “I’ve lived here all my life. I see the back ofSt. Paul Street and I see potential.”Think of tidy facades with balconies providing a view of

the future performing arts centre and Brock University’sMarilyn I. Walker School for Fine and Performing Arts, forexample. The ideas are there and soon, the capital will be, too. City

council recently approved changes to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), a municipal financing programto stimulate private investment in the redesign, redevelopment, reconstruction or rehabilitation of land orbuildings in one of five St. Catharines neighbourhoods. That means improvements to the rears of buildings on

the south side of St. Paul Street between Westchester Crescent and Carlisle Street now qualify as projects thatcould be eligible for grants up to $10,000 from the city,pending the outcome of a 20-day appeal process to the CIPtaking place right now.

“We’re getting more inquiries in the downtown with the recent developments with Brock University and the performing arts centre, and two-way traffic conversion,” Morris said. “There was little stimulus to redevelop; youhave to appreciate the age of these buildings and the variety of their uses.”

bringing up the rearCity program helps give “back doors” front-yard treatment. By Tiffany Mayer

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streetseen: at the core

TVs • ELECTRONICS • MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS • pRO AUDIOCAMERAS • bIkES • COMpUTERS • INDUSTRIAL EqUIpMENT

• AUTOMObILES • MOTORCYCLES • FARM EqUIpMENT

92 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ONTel: (905) 688-2001

Email: [email protected]

A RETAIL STOREWITH A DIFFERENCE.

“Worth e Trip Downtown”

“Sell at Stuff...Turn It Into Cash!”WE SELL IT FOR YOU ON AN EbAY AUCTION

OR WE bUY IT FROM YOU FOR CASH



The rear facade grants join the list of seven other incentives the City offers and which the Region also contributes towards. Downtown, the Queenston Streetneighbourhood, Hartzel Road/Merritton, 583 Welland Ave.and Oakdale Moffatt are the quintet of project areas eligible for assistance.Since the CIP’s inception in 2004, the city has contributed

more than $104,000 toward building facelifts downtown, inMerritton and in the Queenston neighbourhood.

It has also chipped in more than$607,000 for residential conversionand intensification, resulting in thecreation of 121 more dwellings,mostly downtown. Hundreds of thousands of

dollars have also been granted for residential construction and municipal application and permit fee refunds.“It’s important to stimulate that growth,” Morris said.

But Morris has a tip for anyone wanting to contribute tothat growth by tapping into the CIP.“Don’t do the work and then come in six months later,

because we can’t help you then,” he said. “Come in first.We want the applications so we can address them and go forward.”

For more information about the Community ImprovementPlan, visit www.stcatharines.ca and click on Invest In.

“I look at it as adiamond in the

rough for redevelopment”

oin the 59th annual Niagara Grape and Wine Festival; September 17th through 26th, 2010. The 2010 harvest celebration is jam-packed with

incredible live entertainment, seminars, parades and localVQA wine and food.

Montebello Park plays host to the annual event with opening night featuring: Matt Dusk and the Great LakeSwimmers, followed by a roster full of new talent and localfavourites, such as the Caverners and Nik and the NiceGuys, throughout the festival. The musical lineup will provide something for everyone.

The 59th annual Niagara Grape & WineFestival; September 17th through 26th.

grape daysin niagara

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article continued on page 10

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38 James St. • Downtown • St. Catharines • 905-682-3621

W The Store that Service Built Since 1914

Williams Jewellers

38 James Street • Downtown, St. Catharines • 905-682-3621

30 JAMES STREET, DOWNTOWN ST. CATHARINES (905) 684-3953WWW.SANDERCOTTANDEVANSOPTICIANS.COM

The Montebello Park Wine and Food experience will present a record breaking 36 wineries along with culinaryfavourites. The Festival has been working with local chefsto encourage the use of fresh local produce; not only to reduce our carbon footprint but also to support the localfarm gate community.

In keeping with the Green theme, the Grande Paradewill be titled “How Green It Is” and will be presented byour new Grande Parade Sponsors SmartCentres and Retrocom. The Festival would not be complete without itstraditions like the 2010 Pied Piper Parade’s “Niagara’s WildThings” and family activities in Grapeland, which includeinflatables, face painting, crafts and more.

Also enjoy harvest up close and personal at wineries across the region as they present the Discovery Pass Program. Discovery Passes are $30 each and are both available by calling the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival at (905) 688-0212 or by making an online request at niagarawinefestival.com

For more information contact:Niagara Wine Festival905-688-0212 www.niagarawinefestival.com

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grape days in niagara continued from page 9



ast year, we celebrated the groundbreaking of theHealthcare Complex and Walker Family CancerCentre. Currently, construction is on schedule and

on budget! Providing new regional healthcare services forcardiac care, mental health and cancer treatment and expanded dialysis services, the complex is a milestone forNiagarans.

It’s your time to be part of the most momentous undertaking in the history of healthcare in the Niagara Region. Your donation will improve access to qualityhealthcare in Niagara. Please consider donating to this important initiative.

Visit www.ItsOurTimeCampaign.ca or call the Campaign Office at 905-378-4647 ext. 32247 for more details about how YOU can be a part of healthcare historyin Niagara!

New 970,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility will be opening in early 2013.

communitycorner

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50 JAMES STREET, ST. CATHARINES • 905-685-0452

Mon & Tues: 7am - 4pmWed to Fri: 7am - 5pmSaturday: 8am - 3pmSunday: CLOSED*closed on all statutory holidays

HOURS OF OPERATION

WWW.HELENSDELI.COMhe 30km mountain bike race is being held on Sunday, September 26th and is part of the NiagaraWine Festival.

Starting at the corner of Lake and Ontario Streets infront of an excited crowd, Squeezer riders will roll throughthe trails of St. Catharines and Shorthills Provincial Park, and up hills that make for memorable post-race commiserations. Returning to race this year is Canadian and Pan

American MTB Champion, and 2012 Olympic-hopeful,Emily Batty. However, the Squeezer isn’t all about the international racers. It’s an event for everyone.

What’s dirty and challenging, and fun allover? The 16th annual wheeling of theLiberty! Bicycles Off-Road Squeezer.By Manisha Solomon

squeeze-insome fun!

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streetseen: event16TH ANNUAL LIBERTY! BICYCLES OFF-ROAD SQUEEZER EVENT

Fall intoFashion... HUNTER

Original & Welly Socks

STEVE MADDEN Olster

DANSKO Rae

DR. MARTENVictorian Flowers



HOMEWEDDINGHOSTESS

BABYYOU

IN THE MARKET SQUARE905-708-4784

“Every year, we have participants who are riding a mountain bike for the first time; kids and their parents;groups of friends riding together before hanging up theirwheels for the season; and even people in their 70s,” raceorganizer Kurt Gwisdek said. “It’s about people getting together to do an activity they love, eating and drinkingfood and wine from the region, and celebrating. That’s theSqueezer.”This year, the Ride Guide (www.rideguide.ca), an

international extreme-sport TV series, will be on-locationfilming the Squeezer for their upcoming 14th season. “Weare excited to have the Ride Guide with us this year. It’s agreat way to get the Squeezer name out there, promote theregion, the festival, and the sport,” Gwisdek stated. The race will have nine separate wave starts—beginning

at 11am for the experts, enthusiasts, and novices; and 2pmfor top-level experts like Batty. The $5000 prize money includes $1000 for the overall 1st place man and womantop-level expert riders.

Race organizers thank the Niagara Wine Festival,Tourism Niagara, the Downtown Association, Niagara Economic Development, the Ontario Cycling Association,and the many sponsors and volunteers who make this eventpossible. Registration froms still available and volunteersstill needed! Contact: Liberty! Bicycles at 2 Bond Street,905-682-1454. www.libertybicycles.com.

COLE HAAN Air Griffin

DR. MARTEN Diego Harvest

CUSHEBoutique Slip

ROCKPORT Sagwon Avenue

STEVE MADDEN Dwayne

46 JAMES STREET, DOWNTOWN • PEN CENTRE • GRANTHAM PLAZA WWW.BOOTSHOP.COM

BOGSClassic High



owntowns have always been the go to place for thenew, different and original, and Downtown St.Catharines is no exception. From fine furniture to

funky accent pieces, there is a good chance that if you canenvision it, you will be able to find it. Downtown is home tosome of the newest, coolest home décor stores, with tons ofunique products that can’t be bought anywhere else. In addition, the experience of shopping downtown is

completely different than that of shopping at a mall or largebox store. While providing an amazing customer experienceis something that is lacking in most shopping experiencestoday, it is an area that the merchants of downtown excel in. At these small, mostly independently-owned stores,

customer service is of utmost importance, and that becomesevident as soon as you walk into any store in the downtownarea. The downtown shopping experience is one where consumer and merchant get to know each other by name,and by extension, merchants get to know their customerstastes and preferences. Despite the always inexpensive pricetag, you won’t experience this kind of rapport at the larger,chain stores.If you are seeking the trendiest sofa to go in your house,

just the right accent pillow or even an idea about where tostart, a downtown merchant will be able to help you findjust the right piece for your home.

home décor in downtown st. catharinesDiscussing Fall Trends with Downtown’s Home Décor Experts. By Megan Pasche

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f there is one thing that is apparent when you walk intoCritelli’s Fine Furniture store located on King Street inSt. Catharines, it is that there is an abundance of choice.

Every possible style you are looking for, be it casual, modern, traditional or formal, it is all represented in eitherCritelli’s or Transitions.

Each piece is hand-crafted in North America or Europe, and always to North American standards; many of the brands thatare sold in Critelli’s and Transitionsare available at only select storesthroughout the continent. It is evident that at Critelli’s, furnitureisn’t just furniture, it’s a part ofyour life. “When people are making an

investment in fine furniture, theyare thinking about how their roomis going to look for a very longtime,” Joe Critelli says as he gestures towards the veneer detailinlaid into the table we are seatedat. “It’s kind of nice to have thingsaround us that are a part of usthroughout our lives, as opposed tothe other side of the market, whereit’s disposable, something that is replaced in 5 or 7 years.”

Located in downtown St. Catharines since the late 1930s, Critelli’s first opened in 1914 in Thorold, with stores eventually following in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.There are now only two stores, both in downtown: Critelli’s and Transitions. Between the two stores, there aresix different showrooms representing all different styles, although this is only one per cent of what is available. Jump

onto either the Critelli’s or Transitions website, and you willfind over 100,000 images of items that are available. Intoday’s market, Joe Critelli knows it’s all about choice and convenience:“Not long ago, if people wanted to see the best styles, they

felt they had to visit a major metropolitan centre: New York, Chicago, Toronto, but all of those same brands are now offered right here in our two stores. In terms of style integrity, quality of constructionand value, we offer the best brands available in the world; right here inDowntown St. Catharines.”

Joe Critelli also insists that despitethe fact that his stores have investmenttype furniture, most budgets can still beaccommodated:

“When we are talking about some of North America’s finest brands, we understand it’s not priced for everyhome, but it’s never overpriced,” hesays. “We’ll help our customers lookuntil they are happy with their choiceand we’ll find it within any budget. Ithink that’s the surprise to many…thatwe really have furniture available inevery price range.”

Critelli’s furniture is definitelyunique; it’s not something that customers are ever going tofind in popular box stores. And while the big box stores dohave a certain amount of appeal, the shopping experience atCritelli’s is unparalleled. It is evident, right from the moment a customer passes through the doors, until they arestanding, gazing in satisfaction at their newly decoratedroom, that this is a store that truly cares about not only theproducts that they sell, but the customers that they have.

a look insidecritelli’s fine furniture

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WHAT ARE THE POPULARCOLOUR PALETTES THISFALL?Justin of Justin Gill Interiors:

“Colours for fall are warm neutralsthat can be dressed up or down. Theyinclude soft grays, beiges, creams,taupes and browns and accentedwith shades of blues, greens and orange.”

Iwona from Thre3 Interiors:

“I think a lot of neutrals will be popular for the fall. Also, turquoise isstill pretty big right now. There hasalso been a return to natural wood,raw materials.”

HOW DO YOU ADD FRENCHFLAIR TO A ROOM WITHOUTMAKING IT ALL WHITE?Brenda from Simply White:

“Use white as a base colour and addsplashes of colour with fabrics, pillows and trim. White is a greatbase for a room because it’s simple,classic and easy to change. Peopleare drawn to fresh, clean and crispdesigns”

WHAT ARE THE FLORALTRENDS FOR FALL?Shannon at The Watering Can:

“The trends are leaning towardsmore succulent plants, plants that arelasting longer and are pretty low maintenance. Anything fun andfunky is really in right now.”

WHAT’S THE LATEST TRENDFOR LIGHTING A ROOM?Iwona from Thre3 Interiors:

“Crystal, definitely, or the modernversion of crystal is very popularright now”

WHAT ARE THE CURRENTFURNITURE TRENDS?Joe of Critelli’s Fine Furniture

“Collections have become less important and individual items thatare unique in their design are what isattracting the most attention. Peopleare choosing fewer pieces, so eachand every item must stand out wellon its own and it’s not about fitting-in as much as we can.”

Justin of Justin Gill Interiors:

“The look still includes Mid CenturyModern Furniture; it just depends onhow you use it. Younger clients liketo use it on its own, creating a clean,

minimalist look. Older clients like tomix it with more traditional pieces tocreate a more eclectic look.”

Lore from Park’s Furniture:

“One of the biggest influences is environmentally friendly furniture.Eco-friendly purchases such as soy-based foams for sofas and bamboocovers on mattresses.”

Sleep Factory:

“The purchase of Canadian woodproducts is making a comeback. People are starting to realize thatnatural wood serves a purpose forlong periods of time in comparisonto products shipped from overseas.”

WHAT ARE THE LATESTKITCHEN TRENDS?Andrew at Cartier Kitchens:

“Modern is the new trend. Plain jane,flat, no handles, thermofoil instead ofwood. Sandstone is also surpassinggranite as the countertop of choice.”

WHAT IS THE POPULARCHOICE FOR BUYING MATTRESSES?Sleep Factory:

“Pocket coil mattresses are reallypopular right now. These types ofmattresses respond to individualbodies and there is less movement.”

ARE THERE ANY POPULARSTYLES FOR SOFAS?Lore from Park’s Furniture:

“Smaller scale items are quite popular. Lots of people seem to bedownsizing, so the size of furniture isreflective of that change.

streetseen: feature

home décor trendsfall 2010 We consulted all the “in-the-know” downtown merchantsfor their insight and trendy tips.By Megan Pasche



ark at Market Square in Downtown St. Catharines,and make sure to buy a parking ticket that willcover at least a couple of hours. Simply White,

located right at the side of market square is a relatively newhome décor store in the downtown area. Definitely wortha stop, this store has everything from locally made babyclothes to great pieces of furniture. Second stop is Critelli’sFine Furniture, located at 126 King Street. Here you canshop for all the fine furniture you heart desires.BBBlooms, located at 128 King Street carries a large

array of floral, home and garden gifts. Turn right on CarlisleStreet, walk to the end and you will find Parks Furniture, alarge store filled with furniture to match every taste. A little further down St. Paul Street, you will come acrossSupreme Furniture and MacFrugal’s.Stroll down to James Street, where you will find a couple

of interesting stores: Justin Gill Interiors and The WateringCan, a popular downtown flower shop.As you head down St. Paul Street towards Queen Street,

you will pass Transitions New Life-Style Furniture, theplace to go if you are looking for more modern additions toyour home. Just one block over on Queen Street, you willcome across another fairly new addition to downtown:

Thre3 Interiors. Thisstore has some great,very unique items.

Continue walkingdown St. Paul Street,and you will eventuallycome across Not JustArt a downtown staplefor many years that sellsmany home décor items.Just across the street is Sleep Factory, for all your bedding needs and Cartier Kitchens is located just a short walkdown Ontario Street.This is the place to go ifyou are looking for thekitchen of your dreams.

You can now headback to Market Squareknowing that you have covered the best home décor stores St.Catharines has to offer.

streetseen: feature

home décor store tourFollow our tour and every part of your home will be covered. By Megan Pasche

P



f you have a taste for the pleasures of great food, thereare two restaurants in Downtown St. Catharines thatyou may have yet to discover. Two highly recommended restaurants which offer

great lunch specials and dinners with a tempting array of possibilities are Toi Restaurant & Tapas Bar and The Spotted Calf Bistro. Both restaurants are relativelynew to the downtown core and have participated in the Downtown Association’s SummerOlicious and WinterOlicious events.

Toi Restaurant & Tapas Bar — located at 12 QueenStreet beside the downtown post office — is a new restaurant that opened just over a year ago that offersunique dishes with an Asian flare. Their menu is designedas a tapas style dining experience where guests can samplea variety of smaller dishes. To celebrate my friend Lezlie’s birthday, we dropped by

Toi one Friday night to find friendly staff, a room full of enthusiastic diners and a stylish setting to share a meal.Our host served as our guide to the variety of tapas (what I call appetizers) to choose from and provided recommendations on Niagara wines. The two tapas we ordered — grilled sesame and ginger chicken rolls with avocado and delicious vegetables and five-spice chickenwings with mint-yogurt sauce — were finger-licking goodand a feast of flavours. I could have happily sampled a variety of these small dishes as dinner but instead weshared two entrees - a delicious grilled rack of lamb and a

diningdowntown Offering an infinite array of possibilities while leaving a great taste. By Jane Gardner

I




mahi mahi fish dish with roasted garlic rice. From thedessert menu we ordered homemade mango sorbet and achocolate hazelnut tart. Their lunch menu is in the $8 rangeand their dinner menu ranges from $6 to $14 for tapas and$10 to $18 for entrees.Toi’s chef is also associated with the popular Mai Vi

Vietnamese restaurant at 55 St. Paul Street — both restaurants offering very different menus and cuisine. When it first opened, friends took me to The Spotted Calf

Bistro — located at 104 King Street across from MarketSquare and the Old Courthouse — and I instantly becamea huge fan. Since then, I’ve introduced others to the restaurant and recently took a young colleague from work

to lunch as a thank you gift. ChefChris Smythe and his wife Jenniferopened The Spotted Calf on Valentine’s Day in 2009 with a goal tobring quality culinary dining experiences to their guests withoutbreaking the bank. When we stopped by for lunch in

August, they had just changed their menu and we were ableto sample some of their new dishes. With its simple yet contemporary design, the ambiance of The Spotted Calf iselegant but comfortable, and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

They only use the freshest of local produce and seasonalingredients to create a non-pretentious menu by taking thehumble classics we have all come to enjoy and elevating theflavours and textures to recreate the ultimate dining experience.

Toi Restaurant & Tapas BarThe restaurant is open for Lunch from Monday to Fridayfrom 11:30am to 2:30pm and for Dinner from Monday toSaturday starting at 5:30pm.

Visit their website at www.toirestaurant.com for a completemenu or call 905-988-9111 to make reservations.

The Spotted Calf BistroThe restaurant is open for Lunch from Monday to Saturdayfrom 11:30am to 2:30pm and open for Dinner from Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.

Visit their website at www.thespottedcalf.com where youcan view their menu and learn more about their specialcatering services offered for private parties or call 905-688-7226 to make reservations.

Elevating theflavours and textures to

re-create the ultimate dining

experience



ew energy efficient street lights will be installedlater this month in three downtown locations aspart of a pilot program to find out if the city can

permanently flip the switch on lighting that will be betterfor the planet and residents.“If there’s an opportunity for us to save energy, do

something for the environment and save money in theprocess, why not?” said Kris Jacobson, the city’s managerof transportation services. Last year, the city’s 15,000 street lights generated a $1.2

million power bill. The high-energy fixtures came into the spotlight earlier

this year when the city was approached by three differentvendors offering a more energy-efficient alternative to thehigh-pressure sodium bulbs currently used. Three types of light heads – two LED versions and one

fluorescent – will be tested for four to six months to see howthey perform.“How much energy are they using versus what they claim

to be using?” Jacobson mused. “Do they throw enough lightto the street from a safety standpoint? How easy are they tomaintain? Ultimately, all of these things need to be lookedat.”

shinea lightDrivers along some city arteries will soon see streets in a whole new light. By Tiffany Mayer

N

streetseen: in the city

The new lights are located on James Street, between KingStreet and Lake Street where residents can easily checkthem out. Gathering public input on the lights that will cast more

of a white glow than the orange glare emanating now fromstreet lamps is another important component of the pilot,he said.“Street lighting is a common element of all streets in an

urban area and it’s very visible,” Jacobson said. “What doresidents like? Do they like one light over the other? Dothey like the current orange glow?”The ideal candidate, however, does need to work in a

retrofit situation. That means working with the existinglamp posts and wiring. Otherwise, the possible cost-savingbenefits of low-energy lights could be burned up.“The technology is ever-evolving and getting better,”

Jacobson said. “Hopefully, this trial will give a better idea ofwhat’s out there.”



arts & culture listings

arts & culture listings continued on page 22


SEPTEMBERCONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBIT SEPTEMBER 11 TO OCTOBER 10 Contemporary Art Exhibit of A. Michael Shumate, Sandy Rasmussen and Santina Malaguti at A Mano Libera Gallery, 150 Ontario Street, St. Catharines. Hours: 1pm to 5pm, Sat-Sun. Admission is FREE. http://amanoliberagallery.com/

59TH NIAGARA WINE FESTIVALSEPTEMBER 17 TO 26Enjoy more than 100 events including winery tours and tastings,concerts, Niagara cuisine, wine seminars, live entertainment andone of Canada's largest street parades during the 59th NiagaraWine Festival. 905-688-0212. www.niagarawinefestival.com

STRAY THEATRE PRESENTS THE CHAIRS BY EUGENE IONESCOSEPTEMBER 23 TO OCTOBER 2The world famous play by the great absurdist playwright, author ofRhinoceros and many other dramas and farces. Performances areWednesday to Saturday at 8pm. Sunday, Sept 26 and Saturday, Oct2 matinees at 2pm. Students: $15, Seniors: $12. Matinees pay whatyou can. Tickets available at the door or reserve at 905-323-9772.

FULL MOON GHOST WALKSEPTEMBER 23Take an eerie stroll through downtown exploring history andhaunted tales of some of the city’s oldest buildings, under the magic of a full moon. Walk starts at 9pm. Tickets $8 pp. Reservations required. 905-685-8424 x 21. www.mydowntown.ca

The Gould String Quartet playing in The Watering Can during the 2009 James Street Night of Art. Photo by Lindsay Altoft.

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OCTOBERFALL WORKSHOP AT BBBLOOMS OCTOBER 6 OR 7Make an incredible table centerpiece using fall foliage andbeautiful fresh flowers. Located at128 King St. from 6:30pm to 9pm.$65 all supplies included. 905-682-5525.

ST. CATHARINES ART ASSOCIATIONFALL LIBRARY SHOWOCTOBER 6 TO 9Exhibit and sale of new works bymembers of the St. Catharines ArtAssociation. Located at the Centennial Library, 54 Church St.Library hours: Wednesday, Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday10am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm. Contact Linda Crabtree at 905-685-0496 or via email [email protected] Admission is FREE.

TENFEST NIAGARA BY WORK IN PROGRESSOCTOBER 7 TO 10Showcasing a collection of ten-minute plays that exploreideas of "green living." Tickets$10. Performances at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre:Thursday & Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. www.tenfestniagara.com

MOVIES IN MARKET SQUARE OCTOBER 7, 14, 21, AND 28 Grab your lawn chairs, and headto St. Catharines Market Squarefor Halloween movies on the bigscreen. Shows start at 7pm and9pm each Thursday in October.Oct 28 featuring a costume partyand Rocky Horror Picture Showat 9pm (full participation recommended). FREE admission. Snacks available on site. Visitwww.mydowntown.ca for movielistings. 905-685-8424.

HISTORICAL GHOST WALKS OCTOBER 14 TO 30Take an eerie stroll through downtown exploring history andhaunted tales of some of the city’soldest buildings, running nightlythrough Oct 30. Walks start at7pm. Tickets $8 pp. Reservationsor advance tickets required aswalks sell out quickly. 905-685-8424 x 21. www.mydowntown.ca

JAMES STREET NIGHT OF ARTOCTOBER 15St. Catharines & Area Arts Council presents Art for Pedestrians! James Street is transformed into a glittering artistic showcase of performancesand visual/media art. 6pm to 9pmfollowed by VERVE after-party at Rodman Hall Art Centre. 905-988-1888. Admission is [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITOCTOBER 16 TO NOVEMBER 21A Mano Libera Gallery, 150 Ontario Street. 1pm to 5pm,Saturday to Sunday.http://amanoliberagallery.com/Admission is FREE.

CAROUSEL CARAVANOCTOBER 20A theatrical fundraising event with all proceeds going directly to sponsor performances by CarouselPlayers for Niagara schools withlimited resources. 7:30pm. Box Office 905-682-8326 x 26,[email protected] price: $40.

streetseen: arts & culture listings



AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL OCTOBER 23Featuring live music, jugglers,pony rides, face painting and craftsfor the kids. Featuring a pumpkincarving contest and a Halloweencostume parade. At the MarketSquare from 10am to 1pm. Admission is free. 905-688-5601 x 1508. www.stcatharines.ca

NOVEMBERCN CINEMA: THE HUNCHBACKOF NOTRE DAMENOVEMBER 5 & NOVEMBER 6Lon Chaney’s silent film classicwith live choral “soundtrack” byChorus Niagara. 7:30pm, Pre-concert Chat at 6:45pm at St. Thomas Anglican Church. 905-934-5575. [email protected]. Student:$15, Senior: $33, Adult: $35. 905-688-5550 ext. 3257 or online at www.arts.brocku.ca.

SHAKESPEARE’S VILLAINSNOVEMBER 6 TO 21Lyndesfarne Theatre Projectspresents Steven Berkoff's Shakespeare's Villains at the Sullivan Mahoney CourthouseTheatre. Tickets: $25, Students and Seniors: $15, eyeGO: $5. Reservations at 905-938-1222.

FALL WORKSHOP AT BBBLOOMS NOVEMBER 16 OR 17Outdoor urns/ window boxes, create a spectacular entrancepiece for the front of your home.Located at 128 King St. from 6:30pm to 9pm. $85 all supplies included. 905-682-5525.

FULL MOON GHOST WALKNOVEMBER 21Take an eerie stroll through downtown exploring history andhaunted tales of some of the city’soldest buildings, under the magicof a full moon. Walk starts at 9pm,tickets $8 pp. Reservations required. 905-685-8424 x 21.www.mydowntown.ca

ST. CECILIA CELEBRATION: ATRIBUTE TO THE PATRON SAINTOF MUSICNOVEMBER 21Viva Voce Choral Series - HarrisLoewen, Conductor. At the St.Barnabas Anglican Church, 31Queenston Street. Starts at 3pm.905-688-5550, x3817 or visit:www.brocku.ca/music. Student/Senior: $15, Adult: $20.

"LUCK" BY STEPHANIE JONESADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL BYJOAN BARFOOTNOVEMBER 25 TO DECEMBER 4Essential Collective Theatre's story of three women and the lingering memories of one man.At Sullivan Mahoney CourthouseTheatre, 101 King Street. Performances Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm. Sundays at 2pm.Tickets: $15-$18. Reservations call905-684-6255. www.ectheatre.ca

ST. CATHARINES SANTA CLAUS PARADENOVEMBER 28Parade starts at 2:30pm. Route:William St. to St. Paul St. to JamesSt. to King St. ending at MarketSquare. Post parade party in Market Square – visit with Santaand enjoy hot apple cider. Activities for the whole family. Inpartnership with Community Care– please bring food donation toMarket Square. 905-688-5601 x 1508. www.stcatharines.ca

DECEMBERHOLIDAY WORKSHOP AT BBBLOOMS DECEMBER 1 OR 2Holiday wreath or garland. Learn the proper technique formaking a fresh seasonal greenerywreath or garland from scratch.Located at 128 King St. from6:30pm to 9pm. $95 all supplies included. 905-682-5525.

COMMOTIONDECEMBER 9 TO 11A new series of youth-created theatre productions showcasingtwo Niagara-area high schools.School and public performances. Located at the Sullivan MahoneyCourthouse Theatre. CallCarousel Players at 905-682-8326 x 26 for details. www.carouselplayers.com

HOLIDAY WORKSHOP AT BBBLOOMS DECEMBER 21 OR 22Holiday centrepiece.Make your table speak volumeswith an outstanding centrepiecemade by you. Located at 128 KingSt. from 6:30pm to 9pm. $65 all supplies included. 905-682-5525.

streetseen: arts & culture listings


street seen - issue 5 - fall 2010

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