Browse all kinds of business and specialty shops on this vibrant Hamilton street
Despite growing up in Hamilton, I have yet to explore all the unique streets that the city is known for. Recently, I spent the day along Locke Street South exploring the local businesses and eateries. The street was busy and vibrant with many students, families, and local residents doing the same. I left the experience feeling more connected with the local community, and I hope to return for their upcoming Hamilton Day event on Nov. 4 and the Magic of Locke event on Nov. 17. - Nov 18.
Here are a few of the places I visited that left me with a great impression.
Enjoy breakfast or coffee at Democracy on Locke
Located in the heart of Locke Street South, Democracy on Locke is a vegan cafe with gourmet coffee and tea, baked goods and plenty of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The industrial-style interior and natural overhead lighting creates a wonderful atmosphere to study or enjoy a slow morning. The staff let me know their most popular breakfast and brunch items include the toasted chocolate chip pancakes and cauliflower wings. The breakfast menu is offered Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11 AM, and the brunch menu is available every weekend from at 9 AM to 3 PM.
Search for new books at Epic Books
Epic Books is an independent bookstore on Locke Street South offering a curated selection of books. This bookstore is relatively small, but it features a well-organized selection of books, including an impressive selection of classics and Canadian books. Speak with the friendly and knowledgeable staff for recommendations and staff picks, or for assistance placing a special order on an out-of-stock title. Epic Books also holds different monthly events in collaboration with local libraries to highlight Canadian authors. Their next event is on November 6th and features Mohawk writer and editor, Alicia Elliot, at the Hamilton Public Library Central location. Elliot is a local author who has received nominations and awards for her essays and novel, A Mind Spread Out on The Ground.
Browse for gifts at The Local Life on Locke
The Local Life is a gift shop offering all kinds of local or handmade products with locations in Hamilton and Vineland. It took me a while to browse all the shop’s aesthetic displays, each stocked with all kinds of goods. The spacious shop features a unique selection of mugs, Hamilton merch, jewelry, kitchen accessories, candles, bath products, and children’s clothing and toys. Many of the products are made locally in Hamilton, such as Small Batch Soaps, Dawson’s Hot Sauce, and Craving Candles.
Get creative at Play with Clay Hamilton
Play with Clay is a favourite for many local residents and university students. This studio is open for drop-in clay building, drop-in pottery painting, adult pottery classes and one-on-one lessons throughout the week. The studio offers a large selection of mugs, plates, vases, pottery animals and more for drop-in painting. The pieces of pottery range from $15-$40, and the prices include the cost of painting and firing. Once you’re finished, the staff will fire your pottery, which will be ready for pick up one week later. This is a fun activity for all ages and skill levels.
Approximately once a month from last October through to June, Into the Abyss, a record store on Locke Street South, hosted concerts in its small but cheery space. With autumn back on the horizon, the store is starting up the Shopshows Series once again on September 29.
Store owner Brad Germain had been thinking of the idea long before the record store opened last year. He believes being able to enjoy music with music makers and other music lovers in a close environment is a special experience.
As a friend of musicians and a musician himself, he wanted to provide a unique venue where artists would want to play. The closeness of the shop setting delivers the sort of heightened experience that he knows artists are looking for.
“[A]ny time you can break down the barrier between audience and creator, I think it always makes for better art and always makes for a better experience… I think that it's so much easier to make a connection with the audience and the audience with you when you're all on the same level and… close to one another and able to feel each other's energy,” he explained.
At the same time, he also enjoys the fact that he is able to support hardworking and heartfelt artists by inviting them to play at the shop. The shows last year often included local Hamilton artists, such as improvised noise duet Eschaton and the band, Human Nun, known at the time as Poorage.
Like the music sold at the store, the artists that have played Into the Abyss come from many different places. Last year, there were shows featuring Canadian artists such as Montreal folk singer Corey Gulkin, and Winnipeg-based band Tunic. Internationally known artists, such as British folk act This Is The Kit, also came to play the shop.
Germain is looking forward to bringing some more internationally renowned artists into the store this year, giving his audiences a unique chance to see these larger artists in a smaller venue.
The intimacy of the space was not the only motivator behind Germain’s decision to start the shows. He also liked the idea of providing an alternate small space venue outside of the bar scene, something the Locke Street community didn’t have prior to Into the Abyss.
“I think a lot of music now… is tied to [having] a seat in a bar and then you have to drink. You have to… go out late at night and you know people tend to drink a lot and then it turns into this… party thing where the music becomes a secondary… part of the puzzle,” he explained.
“I felt that it was important to have another space in Hamilton [where] people could have access to live music and connect with it in a very quiet, intimate, small setting where the music is the focus… [It’s about] bringing people together… [and wanting] another space in town where people could go to see music without all that other type of pressure.”
Last year’s Shopshows series included kid-friendly shows and start times as early as four in the afternoon. Distancing the music viewing experience from the party experience gave Shopshows audiences a chance to truly enjoy and interact with the music they came to see.
For Germain, the music is the most important aspect. He loves working in music because he believes in the power that it has to change lives and foster community.
“Well, you know, the power of music is crazy, the power of what music can do to a human being and the effect it has. The effect that music has on plants, the effect that music has on animals… I get… so excited about music when I talk about it... because it changes your life,” he said.
“When you think about all the moments in your life where music impacted you in profound ways and it's like, you know, speech has the power to do that as well, but sometimes tones arranged in the right way, performed by the right person and you listening to them at the right time is…transformative…[I]t's so vital to the human experience.”
The audiences that come out to the shows are able to feel that transformation. The small space breaks down the distance that exists between strangers and allows individuals to feel part of the larger community. By plugging into the music and to each other, the Shopshows give people a chance to unplug and truly feel the power of music.
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Hamilton was overcome with shock and disbelief as the stories of shattered windows and egged storefronts unfolded after the vandalism incident in the Locke Street neighbourhood on the evening of March 3.
Hamilton police responded to a “mischief in progress” call when thirty masked individuals gathered in Durand Park on Park Street South. The group, clad in all black, marched with a painted banner that read “We Are The Ungovernable”.
As police called for backup, the group began making their way towards Locke Street South near Aberdeen Avenue. It is unclear whether the group originally intended to cause damage to the small businesses in the community or if the acts of vandalism were not planned.
The first business to be egged was Earth to Table: Bread Bar, a large stone was smashed into a Pippa & Prue window, while two windows were smashed at the Beverly on Locke. The momentum of damage increased as the group marched west along the street, pelleting stones and setting off fireworks.
Donut Monster appeared to sustain the most damage. Eight windows and the front door were shattered before the group caused damage to Bitten on Locke, Condo Culture, Neo, Locke Street Meats and Cima Enoteca. My Dog’s Café Bar and Mattson Co. were also egged.
Police have not made any arrests in connection to the incident and are currently investigating evidence that they have received linking the incident to the anarchist book fair that took place at Westdale Secondary School the same weekend.
The Tower, an anarchist social centre in Hamilton, which organized the book fair, released a statement claiming that they did not organize the rally, but are in support of the incident.
“[Small businesses] aren’t the ones redeveloping whole blocks or carrying out mass evictions. What they have done, though, is to put themselves on the side of the speculators and landlords, positioning themselves to profit off forces that harm most of their neighbours,” read the statement.
The Tower made an additional post on Facebook following a break-in to their premises. Their same statement alleges that alt-right groups have sent threats to the community library in the days before the break-in.
Following the aftermath of the attack, Locke Street business owners and community members took to social media with emotionally charged messages of love and support. Countless comments were left by people sending their well wishes and offering to help clean up stores.
By the afternoon of the next day, it became nearly impossible to walk, let alone drive through Locke Street, as hundreds of people, children and pets took to the streets for a day of local shopping and supporting small businesses.
In an effort to move past the incident, Hamiltonians came out to embrace Locke Street, and in turn, businesses showed their gratification for their community while also encouraging positive conversation.
“Please stop in if you would like to say ‘Hi’, you will be welcome to start a conversation with your neighbours on keeping peace and promoting good connections here in #HamOnt,” read a post published on Donut Monster’s social media.
“To those who took part in the destruction on the street last night: the damage you caused has impacted the lives and wellbeing of fellow Hamiltonians that work and reside in your city. While your actions were confusing and hurtful and your intentions unclear, you are also welcome at the shop today — minus the masks and rocks — to add your voice to a peaceful discussion on reconciliation and moving past violence.”
Donut Monster’s call to conversation was heard as people stopped by for coffee and took the time to chat with owner Reuben Vanderkwaak and his wife. The boarded-up doughnut shop quickly became a canvas for visitors’ positive affirmations and doodles of doughnuts, hearts and sunshine.
Conversation transcended on social media, amalgamating around the question on everyone’s mind: why did this happen?
Some drew a connection between last summer’s vandalism on businesses on Barton Street and in Westdale, which have been linked to a campaign against gentrification in the city by anarchist groups.
Others claim Locke Street, a relatively wealthy neighbourhood, has been undergoing changes for years, making its small businesses a target of anti-gentrification groups.
However, in an anonymous article written by an attendee of the rally on Anarchistnews.org, the author explains that small businesses are not exempt from contributing to the city’s gentrification.
“The problem isn’t the size of the business, it’s that the relationship is exploitative. When someone decides to be a capitalist, making money through their investments rather than through their labour, their position relative to changes in the city becomes fundamentally different,” read the article.
Pippa & Prue owner, Prudy Allison, claims that urbanization may have played a motivating factor for the rally, but they do not justify the attacks on businesses.
“This isn’t a community that’s been urbanized so that all the old buildings are gone. [My] store looks exactly the same way it did, we’re going back 60 to 70 years, the front of this store is almost the same,” explained Allison.
“All the buildings are trying to preserved, as much as they can, and they’re all small businesses here… we’re holding on to our roots here, we’re just not letting it decay.”
If the purpose of the rally was to deter people away from Locke Street, then the efforts weren’t fruitful. According to Allison and other business owners in the area, new faces have been coming out to shop at their stores and the community received extensive media exposure.
“It was surreal. What’s going on. The outpouring of support was immediate. This is Locke Street, the community loves it, a bunch of punks aren’t going to change that. That’s all they were because if they had a statement, they weren’t smart enough to put it out there very well,” said Allison.
The community is planning on holding a #LoveLocke Day on Saturday, March 10. Hamiltonians are encouraged to visit and shop at local small businesses.
Donut Monster also released a new “Make Lemonade” flavour for this week, complete with glass-like shards of lemon candy made by Sweet Simple Co., a nod towards the weekend’s events. All proceeds from the “Make Lemonade” donut will be donated to Indwell, a non-profit organization that creates affordable housing communities in Hamilton.
Locke Street is a strong community built on support and collaboration between businesses and community members. Last weekend’s events were a testament of that.
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On March 3, a group of about 30 individuals dressed in black and with a banner stating, “We Are the Ungovernable” marched down Locke Street and vandalized multiple local businesses. A few examples from the list of those affected include the Beverly, Bitten, Donut Monster, Locke Street Meats, Pippa & Prue, Neo and Naroma. All of these had windows smashed. Multiple other businesses were egged.
Swarms of people visited Locke Street on March 4 to spend money at businesses affected in the area. The Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath announced in a press release on March 4 for a #LoveLockeDay initiative on March 10 to further support these stores.
Since then, reporting and perspectives have seemed to exponentially grow as media sources, organizations and citizens share different sides of the stories and their interpretations.
A statement from the Tower, an anarchist social centre in Hamilton, stated that they did not organize the actions, but they were in support of those who carried them out. The Sky Dragon Community Development Co-operative, a non-profit community development organization in Hamilton, clarified how an article in the Spectator mischaracterized their organization as a “now defunct anarchist gathering spot”.
There have been a few back-and-forths about the media’s reporting of the events and the relatively little priority other stories have gotten such as the two random stabbings in the city within the last week targeting women.
An anonymous post on the “North Shore Counter-Info” blog claims to be one of the participants and expands on the motivations behind the vandalism. The police mentioned a recent anarchist book fair held in Hamilton as they state they have received evidence linking it to the Locke Street events. Hamilton landlords on Barton Street say they warned police about anti-gentrification activists months ago.
This is all without even considering potential connections or situations in the past like how Tanya Detmar, a transit planning and infrastructure manager for the HSR, stated that 206 panes of glass at Hamilton bus shelters out of 670 in 2017.
Our coverage in Arts & Culture this week focuses on things like the positive support the businesses in the area have received in response and #LoveLockeDay. This is only one part of a substantially larger story that has the ability to question systemic issues across a wide-range of political and public endeavours and beliefs.
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An abyss is dark and bottomless. It’s a mysterious place where it’s easy to get lost in nostalgia and deep thoughts. The new record shop on the corner of Locke Street South and Canada Street is just that, but with white walls and friendly faces that will greet you with open arms.
After two years of thinking about opening a record shop, Brad Germain and his wife, Jenni Germain, softly opened Into the Abyss during the Locke Street Festival earlier in September.
Their passion for music and desire to do things their own way while still having fun, drove the couple to open up their own shop.
Brad, who can easily be recognized by record-shopping regulars, worked at Cheapies, the oldest record shop in Hamilton, for 18 years.
“It was a great learning experience… I’ll be forever grateful to the owner at Cheapies for teaching me so much of the business and how to do it… But I think you get to a point in your life when you just want to do your own thing,” said Brad.
Brad’s life revolves around music. He loves listening to records and talking to his customers about different kinds of music.
It’s something others can share with him, so that he can learn about their cultures and experiences, in turn, others can learn about him and his interests.
“In divisive times, any chance that you have to bridge the gap in communication and the gap in understanding between people, you really have to try and take it… That’s why I’m so passionate about music. I can see how important it is… It’s a joyous thing to be able to do. It’s a great way to bring people together,” explained Brad.
Into the Abyss’ selection reflects the message of bringing people together.
The Germains ensure their selection is unique by putting records in their store that have never sold before in the city and focusing on music that is under represented in Hamilton.
While music-lovers can still find popular and sought-out vintage records on the shelves, Into the Abyss also encourages customers to introduce themselves to music beyond Western rock.
Customers can explore records from places like Latin America and Africa, whole also being able to pick up ambient and avant-garde records from the likes of Brain Eno and William Basinski.
Into the Abyss is not only a place for music lovers, the space also includes a selection of vintage clothing and trendy Into the Abyss merchandise. Jenni is currently working on designing and manufacturing her own clothing, which will soon hit the shop’s shelves.
A friend of the Germains is also designing tie-dye shirts, hoodies and adult onesies. And the work of other artist friends, such as Sarah Froese, who handcrafts printed matter using an antique press, will also be sold.
“You can mix up the experience, it’s for music fans but it’s also for friends of music fans,” said Brad.
Into the Abyss also aims to be a place Hamiltonians and especially young people, can feel comfortable in.
Brad believes that record stores are a place to make new friends, while also being the kind of place people can get lost in and feed their imagination and sense of wonder.
As for the strange name, Brad chose “Into the Abyss” for many reasons: its uniqueness, its reference to the philosopher Nietzsche, but mostly because it reflects his experience opening up his own shop.
“When you are going out on a limb and going into business for yourself, it really is like going into the unknown, ‘into the abyss’… you are going into a territory that you’ve never been into before and it can be scary and daunting,” explained Brad.
Despite the process being a little scary and the pressure of a profit-driven industry, Brad and Jenni Germain will continue to stay true to themselves, do what they love and run Into the Abyss with a genuine passion for sharing music with others.
Into the Abyss is located on 119 Locke Street South and will be offering a 10 per cent discount to students with a valid McMaster ID on Tuesdays.
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By: Vanessa Polojac
Since July 2015, Donut Monster has become one of Hamilton’s most popular retail food items while maintaining an exclusivity with regards to their brand and products. Even on campus at Union Market, you would be lucky to get scraps of the local delicacy any time past noon.
To finally answer the feverish demand, in late October to early November, Donut Monster will be opening abrick and mortar store on Locke Street.
Reuban Vanderkwaak initially started Donut Monster as a hobby willing to pay for itself. Vanderkwaak worked as a graphic designer in the marketing/advertising industry until he left his career to become a stay-at-home father.
During this time he developed a baking hobby. Vanderkwaak used Donut Monster as a form of creative expression and became a local phenomenon with his homemade baked goods.
“I originally thought it would just be a hobby business,” he explained. “I never anticipated hiring staff or having my own location. I just wanted to make and distribute donuts when it was convenient for me.”
Vanderkwaak had an idea of what he envisioned Donut Monster to look like, but did not have the means or location to run his business.
He launched Donut Monster out of the Kitchen Collective, a non-profit, affordable commercial kitchen and culinary incubator that gives aspiring entrepreneurs a start in the industry. He shared this space along with four other culinary startups. This made the Kitchen Collective a collaborative space where the businesses could learn from each other.
Since their launch, Donut Monster's limited availability has been a part of their brand.
“With a limited production schedule, it was a difficult process to find a space that the business would not have to be responsible for seven days a week. This is where the Kitchen Collective became very helpful. It is a great space for people monetizing a hobby that can resemble a business,” said Vanderkwaak.
In the early stages, the Kitchen Collective was the main factor managing the micro-business. But as staff started expanding and the demands for the donuts became higher, the food incubator became difficult to share the space with.
“Donut Monster is no longer a startup business that’s unproven so we eventually ran out of room at the Kitchen Collective. But I am very grateful for the Kitchen Collective. Without the space I would have never pursued Donut Monster and I would recommend it to any entrepreneurs entering the culinary world in Hamilton,” said Vanderkwaak.
For the past two years, Donut Monster has been supplying and selling their donuts through supermarkets like Denninger’s and small coffee shops like Relay Coffee. Since their launch, Donut Monster’s limited availability has been a part of their brand.
The high demand for the product gave Vanderwaak an indication to begin conceptualizing ideas to open up his own shop. From the beginning Vanderwaak knew he wanted to be located in downtown Hamilton.
“I was able to compress the sales and demand into the busiest days of the week in the world of the retailers that I worked with,” explained Vanderkwaak. “Once the product was recognizable and popular for the customers it became the hunt for the donuts. At first it was fun, but it eventually became frustrating for the customers that were not being able to receive the product.”
For smaller cafés, Donut Monster’s limited stock and high demand can potentially bring in more customers, who will ideally purchase additional beverages and food items to give their café revenue.
But following the announcement of the Locke Street store, Durand Coffee, located at Caroline Street South and Charlton Avenue West has decided to stop carrying the donuts.
Café manager Chris Redmond noted that for their location, the donuts themselves did not generate enough return.
“It really just comes down to economics,” Redmond said. “We charged around $3 for a donut and we usually only took about 85 cents to a dollar. In terms of revenue it did not make sense to keep on supplying Donut Monster donuts. It has not affected our traffic yet because most of the customers who bought their product only came in on the certain days we supplied the donuts and often just left with them.”
While the Donut Monster model did not work for Durand, the general popularity of the desserts in the city has not diminished.
The high demand for the product gave Vanderkwaak an indication to begin conceptualizing ideas to open up his own shop. From the beginning Vanderkwaak knew he wanted to be located in downtown Hamilton.
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“Every neighbourhood in Downtown Hamilton has it’s own appeal. I used to live on Locke Street 10 years ago when it was much more antique-oriented and less food-oriented… I’m really excited to be a part of the shift on the street and to represent what Locke Street can be,” said Vanderkwaak.
Vanderkwaak will be experimenting and offering a much larger array of flavours and types of donuts. Instead of offering six different donut flavours per season, the store will be offering 12 to 15 different flavours at a time - although the exclusivity of the donuts will remain the same.
“We’re going to be supplying donuts to most of the same retailers as we did prior to the Donut Monster shop. The business is also going to keep an exclusivity factor with the donuts we will be supplying. The types of donuts offered at our retailers will not be offered at the shop,” explained Vanderkwaak.
Other differences customers and fans of Donut Monster can look out for is milkshakes and coffee that will be going on sale at the shop. Donut Monsters’s donuts are uniquely flavoured often feature combinations that mix sweet and savoury notes. The milkshakes that Vanderkwaak will be providing will follow suit.
“The milkshakes will be really delicious but have unique flavours like the donuts. And for the coffee I am a coffee lover I [want] to make the best cup of coffee in the city,” said Vanderkwaak.
While the business has gained much local popularity the past couple of years, maintaining its success has its difficulties.
Vanderkwaak recently started a Kickstarter page and aiming to raise $25,000 to help fund the shop and reward
customers, with rewards such as VIP cards that give donors a donut a day for a certain amount of time.
While the future of the shop does not hinge on the result of the Kickstarter campaign, the new location will change Hamilton’s unique relationship with Vanderkwaak’s goods.
For now, the Thursday to Saturday morning donut hunt will persist, but soon Donut Monster will literally cement itself among Hamilton’s greatest dessert destinations.
Last month, My Dog's Cafe and Bar opened on Locke Street. The shop welcomes both two-legged humans and their four-legged friends in to socialize and enjoy coffee and treats.Owner Wendy Perron talks about a chihuahua named Pecan and future plans for the shop.
The recent opening of My Dog’s Café and Bar on Locke Street South gets tails wagging. It is the only coffee shop within one bus ride from campus that allows dogs inside. Unlike the other coffee shops on the street, you won’t see any dogs tied up outside. Instead, they will be inside enjoying Pupcakes and pets.
With the rise in popularity of animal cafes in Toronto, it is not surprising that they are popping up in Hamilton as well. The only other restaurant that allows animals inside is Munchies Café and BARKery, but it is located on the mountain near Lime Ridge Mall and can be quite a trek from campus. Students and pet owners have welcomed the animal interaction a little closer to home.
Dogs, dogs and more dogs..how lucky are we! #dogsallowed #mydogscafe #hamont via https://t.co/8TPkQLuQd8 pic.twitter.com/mxYdhpuSWh
— My Dog's Cafe & Bar (@MyDogsCafe) March 6, 2017
Most people would meet the opening of a new café on Locke Street South with eyerolls. The street already has a number of coffee shops, including Democracy, Brown Dog Café and Starbucks. Instead, owner Wendy Perron sees an opportunity to bring something different to the business area. Locke is a popular area for dog walkers, and allowing animals in the store makes for a unique experience for both dog owners and lovers.
Originally from the Toronto area, Perron came to Hamilton to open the shop. Perron’s mother, who has helped her get the business up and running, was familiar with the area. They wanted to capitalize on the growing momentum and success of Locke Street.
For Perron, who was a formerly a print broker, the idea to open up a place for dogs was exciting but just a dream. “Just because I thought it was a good idea didn’t mean that I was going to go ahead with it,” said Perron. It wasn’t until one of her old friends starting talking about opening her own business that she got the push to go ahead with the idea.
After losing her dog of 16 years, Perron got a longhaired chihuahua named Pecan that is now the resident dog of My Dog’s Café and Bar. Usually sitting by the front window, he welcomes everyone that walks through the door with barks. Perron encourages people to interact with Pecan, who loves getting pets and cuddles. Visitors can count on Pecan to be there and ready to play.
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My Dog’s Café and Bar has been open for less than a month, but the floors are already scratched from all the dogs that have passed through. Perron was surprised how far some people travelled to get to her coffee shop. People from Waterloo, Mississauga, Brantford and Toronto have brought their dogs on their way through Hamilton. One couple from Ottawa stopped on their way west, bringing a board game with them and lounged for a few hours.
“Everybody is so happy coming into this place… If you were to come in on the weekend you would see people talking across the tables and asking about each others dogs and having a conversation. I have never seen anything like that before,” said Perron of the friendly atmosphere.
Animal companionship has been said to be a calming and comforting experience. Research shows that being around dogs can improve mood and decrease stress-related parameters. McMaster’s own therapy dogs provide companionship and relaxation for students studying at libraries during and in KTH. 23 Ontario universities provide Animal Assisted Activities during exam time.
While there is a lack of studies looking at the effect of AAA at Canadian universities, a pilot study by St. John Ambulance found that it to be a de-stressing and positive experience. My Dog’s Café and Bar offers a therapeutic environment in which students can study, as long as they are okay with occasional barking.
“I had a girl who was studying here for a couple of hours. Pecan barks and barks and barks. At one point she asked if she could hold Pecan. When I looked over, she was studying away and Pecan was sleeping on her lap,” said Perron. Other students have come and spent hours rolling around with Pecan on the floor.
Weekends are the busiest, but on off hours the café is quiet and relaxing. “Sometimes it gets into dog park mode a little bit,” Perron admitted. “The hyper dogs just take time to settle in. Everybody seems to know it takes a few minutes for their dog to calm down.”
You do not need to have a dog to visit the café. For students whose landlords don’t allow them to have pets or for those in residence, My Dog’s Café and Bar provides the fix animal lovers need.
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Just as the name suggests, My Dog’s Café and Bar is a coffee shop not only for humans, but for dogs as well. Momma Bear’s Barkery supplies the treats for the dogs while Vintage Coffee on King Street provides the coffee for their owners. Perron is in the process of acquiring a liquor license and expanding the food options to include cheese and meat boards alongside the current decadent treats. She hopes to have the liquor license by the time the weather warms up, planning to make good use of the patio. She also hopes to buy more food from local providers, such as bagels and scones from Locke Street Bakery.
Various rescue organizations have reached out to Perron, and she is excited about partnering up with them to educate the public about the issue. She has currently partnered up with a greyhound rescue to bring dogs by the café on March 26.
As for resident dogs, Perron says that she hopes one day she can get a little girlfriend for Pecan. Until then, Pecan will have to greet visitors to My Dog’s Café and Bar on his own.
Brianna Buziak
The Silhouette
As much as we love the fine establishments that surround the McMaster campus, there comes a time in every student’s career that calls for venturing past that comfort zone to see what else Hamilton has to offer. Any bus heading downtown will take passengers past Locke St., an area known as a hub for independently owned restaurants, coffee shops, and clothing stores, just to name a few. After some website surfing and a trip down to Locke, we decided to give these businesses some special attention.
Ole Gourmet Mexican Grill 82 Locke St. S.
Located at 82 Locke Street South, Ole Gourmet Mexican Grill is one of the first places you will see after getting off of the bus. The counter of the shop contains a large window where you can see your taco being made right in front of you. Every Tuesday, Ole Gourmet offers up pulled pork tacos at the reasonable price of $2.
The Button Pushers 119b Locke St. S.
Just before the hill is where you will find this beloved vintage hot spot. As the awning boldly declares, they provide customers with “vintage clothes, custom buttons, art and propaganda.” The Button Pushers has a variety of buttons available to buy, but if nothing quite peaks your interest, you can always request a quote for small or large orders and get custom buttons made. The schedule for new batches of clothes varies so be sure to check often to find one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else on campus will have.
Johnny’s Coffee 129 Locke St. S.
If you blink, you almost miss this quaint Locke St. café- but don’t let the outside fool you. With approximately ten tables, it provides a cozy environment, not to mention the friendly barista who greeted us with a warm welcome. Equipped with board games and a house chess set, sit down and enjoy the unique coffee shop that is Johnny’s Coffee. And while you’re enjoying one of the two featured coffees, or a vegan biscotti, follow a tip from their website and be sure to ask about the “Train Game.”
Shirin’s Fine Foods 139 Locke St. S.
Shirin’s Fine Foods hosts a variety of food to suit every taste. From tarts to cookies, coffee to chocolate, and ice cream to gluten-free brownies, Shirin’s should have something for everyone. They also surprisingly carry cabbage rolls and perogies, including dessert perogies, for those who cannot get enough of these European dumplings. They have a great selection of ice cream from birthday cake to chocolate peanut butter, but it’s only available for a few more weeks! Shirin’s is open six days a week, and closed on Mondays.
SC Consignment 162 Locke St. S.
This sleek boutique located at 162 Locke St. S. is for those who love to find designer pieces at a lower price point. They accept consignment by appointment Monday through to Friday. For those fashionistas who love designer brands, perhaps a trip to SC Consignment will mean finding a dress for one of the many upcoming formals being hosted at McMaster.
Democracy/Locke Street Coffee 202 Locke St. S.
It is not hard to miss this coffee shop on Locke, mainly because you can literally walk in from the street. A large garage-like door stands between Democracy/Locke Street Coffee and potential customers, but on the hot, sunny day that we went to Locke, the door was open so there was nothing to stop people from checking it out. The walls are painted with chalkboard paint and coloured chalk is in abundance for those who wish to express their creativity. Do not expect to be surfing the web or checking your Twitter feed in Democracy, as the chalkboard message bluntly puts it, they do not have Wi-Fi, they would rather you talk to each other. With a variety of pastry, desserts, and bagels from the Locke Street Bakery, enjoy a treat, a cup of coffee and conversation at Democracy.
Epic Books 226 Locke St. S.
Right now, Epic Books has a large tree in the front window. The large paper tree is from a recent Locke Street festival where people were asked to write their favourite children’s book on one of the corresponding leaves. But as the woman behind the counter informed us “it’s not just children’s books.” Epic Books is a warm environment where browsing is made comfortable. They have a section dedicated to local Hamilton authors for those who wish to keep it close to home. After some browsing, our personal favourite was Bun B’s Rap Colouring and Activity Book which includes a page that requires the reader to draw a freehand picture of Jay Z with a pre-printed outline of a New York Yankees hat because, after all, he made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can. Clearly that fine piece of literature is not a children’s book.
Bitten 219 Locke St. S.
After checking out the Bitten website, we knew that a visit to the cupcake and whoopee pie store was non-negotiable. Decorated in white, green and orange, it mirrors the playful look and atmosphere of the website to a T. The shop has a large window overlooking all the confectionary creations customers can choose from, including red velvet, peanut butter, or Rolo cupcakes and pies, just to name a few. If you want to have the larger selection from their extensive menu, the best time to go is around noon, just do not go on Mondays, as that is the only day of the week that they are closed.
Begin with an early dinner at Bread Bar. Order the vampire slayer pizza and ask for their extraordinarily addictive hot sauce. Take the fresh flower in the little vase at the centre of the table and put it in your hair. Talk about Batman, how much you hate the casino, the new My Bloody Valentine album, and the little things that make you feel nostalgic.
Walk down Locke Street and try to put together the Concrete Poem, where each line is on little plaques in the pavement. Remember ANDY's favourite line and quote it when you propose a few years later - “Where do I come from/ Where am I now/ Where am I going/ A map/ of my thoughts/ move fast/ like horses around a track.” Look in the window at Fenian Films and write a silly plot for a short film together. Discuss favourite books when you walk by Epic Books. But then admit how little you really read. Regret not buying flowers first from La Jardinere when you walk by it, but find out ANDY’s birth flower (yeah, that’s a thing) for next time.
Take the bus to Hammer City Records. Walk around, take a profile shot of ANDY looking through records and get a little black and white print out for your boring desk job when you’re older and these silly, lovely days are long gone. Talk to random, cool, interesting, friendly people. Buy an ‘80s punk band’s B-side record. Listen to it late into the night together. Enjoy it only vaguely but feel deeply moved by the moment, and see right through ANDY's feigned, but still somehow very charming, interest.
Head to The Brain for a cozy drink. Talk about life goals, your greatest fears, crummy artists you secretly love, how badly you want to feel each other up and how much you’re falling for each other.
Take ANDY home and put on “Thinkin’ about You” by Frank Ocean and stay up all night and discover weird things you have in common, but also find out that there are many things that you hate that ANDY loves. Start making out and eventually fall asleep in each other’s arms. Wake up wanting to say "I love you," but decide to hold back for a few months. Feel like a cliché.
By: Bahar Orang
