CP90392.B09 Chenise
SASKATOONEXPRESS - February 9-15, 2015 - Page 1
Free Wiper Blades with Semi or Full Synthetic Valvoline Oil Change! (Retail Value of $40.00)
1702 8th St. E. • 3330 8th St. E. • 705 22nd St. W. • 1204 Central Ave. • 802 Circle Dr. E. • 519 Nelson Road
Volume 12, Issue 6, Week of February 9, 2015
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper was at the Park Café, so it’s raising the profile, putting us on the radar. “We were featured in the Mercedes Benz Magazine fall-winter edition. It was a feature on urban centres and their growing transformation and revitalization.” Kim Butcher, co-owner of Little Bird, comes over to the table to say hello, and Pshebylo says he has just been talking about Crawford. Butcher explained that Crawford is filming a new show across Canada called the Great Canadian Cookbook, a look at food culture in Canada. Another piece of news for Little Bird was that it was chosen as one of the top eight teahouses in Canada by a food blogger for the Food Network, who travels across the country evaluating such things. “It was a surprise for us,” said Butcher, who then excuses herself. She has to leave for an appointment. “That kind of stuff is happening more and more,” said Pshebylo. “It’s not so much the number of vacancies as the quality of tenants.” There are many newer tenants, building on the vibe created in part by the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market and some strong anchors. Little Bird and Anthology, the furniture store, hold down the corner of 20th and Avenue B on the main floor, with tenants like The Commercial Group and TAP Communications above them. Around the corner is Garden Architecture, which has grown its business significantly in the last year. New residential and commercial properties are being built. “We were featured in the Walrus magazine and the Huffington Post in the past year,” said Pshebylo. In addition, Riversdale was also selected as the downtown of the month by the International Downtown Association from Washington D.C., and won an award for the Silence is Golden series, the silent movie event with music by the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra at the Roxy Theatre. And, it’s the Riversdale BID’s 25th anniversary on Feb. 12. Considering all the growth and change, it’s a great time to look back for Pshebylo. Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale BID executive director, and Simone Clayton in front of one of the new Riversdale businesses, AnThe surprise and the satisfaction of thology. Clayton is chief operative of The Commercial Group, with its offices in the same building. (Photo by Joanne Paulson) growing the Riversdale business district, said Pshebylo, “was knowing that Joanne Paulson It is not far-distant history. The probexecutive director, has clearly and happily when the quality and the product mix is right, people are going to come, like Saskatoon Express lems faced by the Riversdale neighbourbecome accustomed to it. Little Bird and Grazing Goat, the Roxy andy Pshebylo walks into the Little hood were legion, and really became The rest of the world, he says, is also Theatre. Bird Patisserie on 20th Street and history only a few years ago. taking notice. “In many cases we maintain that Avenue B with his arms full of Looking up from the pages into the “On Sunday (Feb.1), they had (celebrity heavy, bound scrapbooks. teahouse’s bustling, cheery atmosphere, chef) Lynn Crawford here, who was with heritage component with buildings like this,” he said, indicating the teahouse’s The history residing in those books is it’s hard to believe the transformation of Iron Chef and the Food Network,” said building. spattered with poverty, crime, alcohol ad- the area. However, Pshebylo, the RivPshebylo, gesturing around the teahouse. (Continued on page 5) diction, prostitution wars and even blood. ersdale Business Improvement District’s “She was here from 11 to 12 and then she
Riversdale A neighbourhood with a vibe
R
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1702 8th St. E. • 3330 8th St. E. • 705 22nd St. W. • 1204 Central Ave. • 802 Circle Dr. E. • 519 Nelson Road
SAVE $5
On Any Oil Change Package
Valid at all Saskatoon locations. Starting at $52.99 with coupon for most vehicles Plus taxes and enviro charge. Present coupon. Not valid with any other discounts. Exp. February 16, 2015