Vintage charm with a modern twist
T
We the Free Fresh and New Hacci sweater from Free People, one of the lifestyle brands carried at Merchant Quarters.
he location “got the whole thing going” for the new modern general store, Merchant Quarters, in the Belmont Building at the corner of Government and Humboldt streets. “We’re long-time retailers from Whistler and thought that this corner was one of the best locations in Victoria,” says co-owner Sandy Black. “This space has such a wonderful history in Victoria. Huge 16-foot ceilings with expansive glazing really make the space, and we have added some general store touches like vintage ceiling fans, a turn-of-the-century baker’s table and an apothecary counter retrofitted for high-end sunglasses.” The shop focuses on beautiful and functional goods produced by socially responsible vendors with mindful and fair trade philosophies, and carries larger brands, such as Free People and Scotch & Soda alongside local artisans, such as Swallow Jewellery, Salt and Seaweed Apothecary and Island Wick Candle Co. “We have also teamed up with Sidney Scones and are really pleased to announce we will be the new downtown pickup location for their delicious scones!” merchantquarters.com
LOCAL FOOD FINDS
2
16
YAM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020
3
Canadian Movers and Cocktail Shakers By Cinda Chavich
Victoria barman Shawn Soole has a new book, Great Northern Cocktails, with inspirations from across the country. The Aussie — who put our city on the map with his passion for creating cocktails — explores G R E AT N O R T H E R N Canadian cocktail C O C K TA I L S culture beyond the ubiquitous Bloody Caesar, and profiles mixologists SHAWN SOOLE from coast to coast. Whether it’s the makers and shakers at your favourite local watering hole (think Veneto, Little Jumbo, Clive’s, Cenote) or the top big city bartenders in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, you will find lots of creative cocktail recipes in this collection. Shake up something for a summery happy hour. As for us, we’ll be on a patio sipping a Spilt Milk or The Red River Shopping Cart. HIDDEN in the vast northern reaches of North America, Canadian bartenders have been shaking, stirring, building, and throwing some of the finest drinks the world has ever savoured. Yes, there’s more to Canada’s mixed drink repertoire than its national beverage, the Bloody Caesar! Victoria barman and author Shawn Soole proudly presents the people and drinks that introduce readers to this widening scope of concepts and concoctions in Great Northern Cocktails.
S H A W N S O O L E
Talk about a hidden gem. Dumpling Drop now has a small physical location at 556A Pandora Avenue. The dumpling-delivery service — and pop-up favourite — has won a devoted following, with weekly drop-offs selling out quickly. Now fans can pick up classic shrimp and chive, veggie and kimchi or the local pork belly dumplings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Chinatown location — owners Tarn and Toom are still offering regular delivery.
Who says nothing good ever came out of a can? Victoria Distillers, the makers of the awardwinning Empress 1908 Gin, have launched a line of tasty canned gin cocktails. The Strait & Narrow Pacific Coast Cocktails are lightly carbonated, made with custom, botanically distilled gins. Grapefruit Rosemary is made with a rosemary gin, Pear Rhubarb with rhubarb gin and Lemon Lavender with lavender gin. Keeping it hyper-local, the distiller is working with Ravenhill Herb Farm to source their rosemary and lavender, and with Fraser Valley rhubarb growers.
G R E AT N O R T H E R N C O C K TA I L S
1
Dumpling Divas
Portable Potables