NEW & NOTABLE

BY SANDY CONNELL

WHAT’S NEW?

Westboro Village is the place to be this spring with new businesses popping up. Judy Lincoln, Executive Director at Westboro Village Business Improvement Area (BIA), is excited about the opening of new businesses and retailers. Here’s a list of some of the new businesses which have recently opened or which you can expect to see this spring:

Cadena Restaurant & Tapas Bar Alicja Confections Elderast KNIX OMBEL Salon La Muse Repair & Run COBS Bread

Visit Westboro Village to celebrate everything new and exciting during the three-week Shop the Village event from May 8 to May 23, 2022, with special entertainment planned for Saturdays. Watch for details on social media for a chance to win a gift card to your favourite Westboro Village retailer and for up-to-the-minute info on the 2022 edition of Shop the Village.

Check the website for more information at westborovillage.com/shopthevillage

SAVE THE DAY

Wedding season is just around the corner and the oldfashioned art of floral preservation is enjoying a comeback. Marisa Bertorelli started MB BloomBox after her daughter got married in 2018 and wanted to commemorate the occasion. An avid gardener, Marisa’s love of flowers meant it was a natural transition to learn to create unique keepsakes by carefully preserving and displaying them in a beautiful frame, dome, or shadow box. Prices range from $180–$460.

For more information and to get ideas about what’s possible, go to MB BloomBox on Facebook and Instagram or email Marisa at mbbloombox@gmail.com

GREENING INDOORS

Spring has sprung and so our thoughts turn to the garden. If you’re a novice gardener or short on outdoor space, consider a user-friendly and innovative indoor garden. Rise Gardens are indoor hydroponic gardens that allow everyone to enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables. These gardens are guided by a mobile app every step of the way, notifying even those without a green thumb to add nutrients or water, and letting you know when to harvest. The stylish gardens are wifi connected, with automated lights and a programmable water system. The Family Garden comes in three-level options and can grow up to 108 plants at once, while the Personal Garden is perfect for small spaces and grows up to 12 plants. All are elegantly designed to complement any home décor.

You can choose from over 60 seed options, including beets, eggplant, microgreens, peas, green beans, celery, cucumbers, different variations of peppers, and tomatoes, as well as herbs, tea leaves, rooted plants, and leafy greens. It’s like having your own farm-to-table experience right at home with access to fresh, pesticide-free produce year-round.

Personal Garden starts at $449 and the Family Garden at $900.

Available at ca.risegardens.com

PHOTO FROM MIV PHOTOGRAPHY