InsideEdmonton Feb. 21, 2020
February 19, 2020
What’s happening
The Edmonton International BeerFest will take over the Edmonton Convention Centre on March 27-28. Sprawling over 120,000 sq. ft., attendees can expect this year’s Beerfest to be bigger and better than before! Now in its 14th year, Edmonton’s largest indoor beer festival will be featuring over 300 beers to sample, as well as a fantastic line-up of entertainment. Some of Edmonton’s most popular beer-serving establishments will also be there, which means you’ll get to enjoy some tasty eats that pair well with cold pints. This event sells out – make sure you grab some tickets in advance!
Baked Local
Italian Centre Shop Bakery
Find delicious breads and next-level cannoli at this Edmonton staple. Always stocked with the best Italian ingredients, the Italian Centre Shop Bakery will satisfy both your savory and sweet cravings. Must-try: the ready-to-grab classic Italian sandwiches that are made fresh daily.
Duchess Bake Shop
No Edmonton bakery list is complete without mentioning Duchess. The sweets here rival those you’ll find in Paris pâtisseries. Be sure to visit early to catch their full selection of pastries - because you’ll usually find their shelves bare by the early afternoon. Must-try: the seasonally flavoured Macaron Gâteau.
Portuguese Canadian Bakery
Since 1996, this local bakery has been giving our city an authentic Portuguese bakery experience. You’ll fall in love with their fresh baked buns, and addictive empanadas that come in a variety of flavours. And, of course, they’ve got your sweet tooth covered, too! Must try: the Portuguese custard tarts.
Bon Ton Bakery
Artisanal bread and baked goods have been perfected at this European-rooted bakery. Bon Ton Bakery offers over 80 varieties of bread and baked goods to choose from – and trust me, it will be hard to choose! Must-try: the 100 per cent Rye with sunflower seeds loaf.
Did you know?
The Edmonton Home & Garden Show is taking place at the Edmonton Expo Centre on March 19-22. Meet industry pros and find the inspiration you need to create a home you love! Tickets at edmontonhomeandgarden.com
How to downsize
On Thursday, Feb. 20, Carrington Communities, Move Coordinators, and Sweetly Real Estate Pros hosted an information session focused on helping current homeowners learn how to downsize. Attendees were treated to delicious appetizers while experts were on-hand sharing their advice about the process of downsizing from a home to a condo, tips on the condo purchase process, and answered questions from attendees. The event took place at the Veritas Condos in Griesbach located at 528 Griesbach Parade NW. Visit carrington.ca/resources to download their Downsizer Resource Collection and for more information on the benefits of downsizing.
Economic update
The Annual Economic Forecast Dinner was hosted on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Attendees had an opportunity to hear the latest economic update from two prominent economic professionals, Felicia Mutheardy, Senior Economist at the City of Edmonton, and Dawn Desjardins, Vice President & Deputy Chief Economist with RBC Royal Bank. Hosted on the last evening of the Residential Construction Industry Conference (RCIC), the Grant Thornton-sponsored event offered a chance for industry leaders to network and gain insight on the year ahead. Highlights from event included key economic indicators for the City of Edmonton, such as notes regarding unemployment rates increasing from 6.7 per cent to 6.8 per cent, and housing starts dropping from 8,039 to 7,763 for 2020 compared to 2019. Although the next few years present challenges to the housing industry and the economy as a whole, there are opportunities to adapt and help build consumer confidence on a local level. For monthly updates, sign up for Edmonton’s economic newsletter at edmonton.ca/EconomicNews
About Salina Yara Halabi
Salina is a writer based in Edmonton.