Grand Trunk Saloon
80
PAT I O H OPPI N G:
EXPLORING POP-UP SPACES IN THE DTK WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
'Back in the day, you couldn’t pay me enough
the backstreet passageway ahead of us.
to get me to walk down these alleys at this
Temporary metal fencing draped with artificial
time of night,' I say, almost to myself, while
turf playfully dotted with miniature plastic
my fiancée, Liz, and I turn from Queen Street
pink flamingos frames the improvised space
onto Halls Lane in downtown Kitchener. Yet
to create a perfect (and perfectly-hidden) patio
here we are, on foot, exploring that once-
oasis. ‘I think we’re here,’ says Liz – excitement
threatening landscape in search of tasty eats
rising in her voice. As if on cue, Ellie, our nine-
and great drinks. I shake my head in disbelief,
month-old agouti husky, lets out a signature
thinking: ‘It’s crazy how, over these past
howl. Liz shortens Ellie’s leash and reminds
couple decades, the DTK has turned things
her to behave. Good luck with that, I think to
around.’
myself as we are greeted by the hostess of AOK Craft Beer + Arcade, who invites us to
Several yards up the laneway we hear
grab any open table.
the sounds of laughter and camaraderie echoing off the alley walls. Light emanates
Liz and I choose a four-seater against the
from a covered alcove off to the side of
turfed fence and look around. The space is
