Shop Local, Winnipeg-Style

December 12th, 2011 by Emma Durand-Wood

I’ve been meaning to share some of my favourite local businesses for a while now. Over the last couple of years I’ve had the pleasure of discovering a handful of really wonderful places that I make a habit of visiting as often as I can. Here are a few of my faves – please share yours in the comments!

Frigs Natural Meats    3515 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB

This one’s a bit of a drive, but Frigs Natural Meats is a great butcher that sells a huge variety of naturally-raised meat and poultry that is antibiotic- and growth-hormone free. After watching a very alarming episode of Marketplace about superbugs on grocery store chicken, I knew we needed to make a change to the meat we eat. Some friends of our recommended Frigs (especially for their bacon!) and shortly thereafter I began buying all of our meat, poultry and eggs there. All fresh and frozen meat is 10% off on Wednesdays, so usually I go that day.  It is one extra stop in my grocery shopping, and requires a little extra planning, but we feel really good about supporting this business. And also, their Kubi-Dogs are amazing.

See also: Savour Winnipeg and Riverside Kitchen

The Crusty Bun – Unit H-1026 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg

My aunt introduced me to The Crusty Bun, and now whenever I am in St. Vital I try to swing by and grab some of their scrumptious bread! This little gem is a bakery cafe, and if I am there for breakfast or lunch,  I get the “Small German Breakfast”, which includes two amazingly soft yet crusty buns, cheese, ham, jam, and a coffee or tea. The Crusty Bun sells a wide variety of breads, buns, and other glutenny goodness (my favourites are the pumpkin seed bread and the salt pretzels) alongside tasty pastries, cookies, and cakes. There is often a lineup, but it’s worth the wait. They call it European-style, I call it delicious… check it out!

High Tea Bakery2103 Portage Avenue  Winnipeg

Though I have yet to complete part 2 of my quest for Winnipeg’s best Imperial cookie, I have a hunch that the High Tea Bakery will take the honours. This bakery is a little out of the way for me – it’s a ways down on Portage and not surrounded by a whole lot, but again, worth the drive. They make the most delicious, beautiful cookies and dainties, and custom cakes as well. The High Tea has made special Imperials for Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Winnipeg and in honour of the Royal Wedding. They’ve even been to the Golden Globes! They also sell a good selection of Murchie’s teas, coffee, and hot chocolate – I think it might be the only place in Winnipeg that does – correct me if I’m wrong.

Pineridge Hollow – Just outside Bird’s Hill Park

Pineridge Hollow describes itself as a “restaurant, boutique, furniture showroom and reception venue” but this doesn’t really do it justice. About a half-hour drive from my house in Glenelm, Pineridge Hollow is a wonderful place to escape for a few hours, summer or winter. There’s a restaurant that focuses on local food and a huge giftware and home decor shop open year-round. During the summer, there’s also a weekly farmer’s market and greenhouse. And randomly, there is a small section of farm animals: on a recent visit, we saw goats, sheep and a rabbit! Definitely one of my favourite places to zip to for a girls’ day out or just a nice destination for a country drive. I’m hoping someday soon I’ll be invited to a wedding at Pineridge – it is just the most beautiful setting. I only wish they had a small inn, too!

 Which local businesses do you love to shop at?

8 Responses to “Shop Local, Winnipeg-Style”

  1. +1 vote for The Crusty Bun.

    I used to walk there back when I lived closer, and ended up having to order an extra two or three buns, which I would eat on my walk back 🙂

  2. Jen Funk says:

    I’m so glad you mentioned Frigs. We by all of our meat there as well! I like to also give a shout out to De Luca’s And Ram Wools on Portage Ave. Great local shops!

  3. Travis says:

    You have gotta try out Jonnies Sticky Buns.. Its a little bit out of the way from my Elmwood home but its always very good!

    here is an urbanspoon link. 🙂

    http://urbns.pn/BUYV

  4. Monique says:

    I love Sew Dandee in Osborne Village they have all kinds of local handmade items. So unique! La Grotta on Taylor is also a favorite. I am also a fan of Pineridge Hollow, such a great place to go out with girlfriends for lunch.

  5. Loie says:

    Ooh i went to a wedding in Pineridge! It was in September and it was STUNNING! The whole thing took place outside, and the reception was under a large heated canopy.. and the food… was… to die for!!!

    I have so many favourite places in Winnipeg (I’m also not a native Manitoban- moved from Alberta a few years ago). I absolutely loved Eat! bistro downtown before they closed. I’m also a big fan of the best pho (in my opinion) in town, which is at a restaurant down Pembina called T.H. Dang’s. Best!

  6. Emma says:

    Thanks for the comments, everyone! Can’t wait to check out Sew Dandee (I’ve heard great things but always forget to check it out) and Jonnies Sticky Buns (I had a good laugh at their post-break-in Crimestoppers video just now!). I always smile when passing Ram Wools; what a great name. I’ll have to pop inside one of these days 🙂

  7. cherenkov says:

    There is a store on St.Mary’s just past St.Vital Centre that was until recently called K&W TV Repair. They sold all kinds of Manitoba-sourced frozen meats, perogies, etc. and well as spices and other stuff. And yes, there is a TV repair shop in the back!

    Last time I drove by it looked like he changed his name to *something* Frozen Foods. Less quirky, but more appropriate.

  8. Kadee Chartrand says:

    Perhaps you should check out the bakery called Lange’s Pastry Shop. They do European baking and their imperial cookies are the best. They also make salted soft pretzels, cheesecakes etc.

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