This long weekend, I went up to Edmonton to stay with my sister. She lives about a block off of Whyte Ave, a wonderful avenue bursting with arts and culture. It’s the hub of vibrance in Edmonton, a wonderful spot to shop and go out on the town.
I’ve always felt the equivalent in Calgary was 17th Ave. We love it: we love the cafes, the American Apparel, the little clothing boutiques, the little thrift stores, Western Canada High, the sub stores, the stationary shops, the restaurants and the towering office buildings nearby. But somehow, it isn’t quite as good as Whyte Ave.
What do I think could be better? Well, if we took some tips from Whyte Ave…
More Cute Gift Stores – Small Businesses All the Way!
With Christmas around the corner, I stopped in a gift store called “The Tin Box,” where I spent nearly two hours looking at everything from unique alarm clocks (one that starts rolling around on wheels when it goes off so you have to chase it) to animal-inspired hats. I ended up buying a new stainless steel water bottle and a hockey stick pencil, feeling good that my purchase was supporting a local business.  Next door was another gift store, “When Pigs Fly,” where I bought cards done by local artists. I was also tempted by cookie cutters in the shape of bitten ginger bread men, sock monkey dolls and retro fridge magnets. Next to the gift store was another, and two stores down, yet another. If I’d brought more money, I could’ve done all my Christmas shopping for the rest of my life.
With Nenshi, our new mayor, advocating changes to make Calgary more friendly to small businesses, I hope we see an increase in successful local stores.
More trees- especially with Christmas lights during the Holiday Season
I want Seventeenth to get me in a festive spirit at Christmas. I’d also like it to be more beautiful in the summer- if I go to a restaurant during the summer, it’s so much more enjoyable to eat out on the patio, and if I do, I’d like a beautiful atmosphere. The best loved streets of the world are known for their beauty.
More Stores Open Later
My dad and I were driving back to my sister’s after a concert around midnight, and to our surprise, along with all the bars, there was an all-night cafe and gelato bar open. We stopped and got gelato and I felt inspired by the number of people sitting at the tables and chatting.
Better Transportation
One bus goes up and down Whyte Ave all time, every ten minutes at peak hours. Â Doesn’t that sound great? 17th Ave has so little parking, it would be great if there was a bus to easily get there. There are some busses going down 17th, but the only time I decided to take one, I had to wait for over half an hour. I still had to take another bus after that, so I was peeved by the time I got home. With our new mayor, Nenshi, committed to improving Calgary Transit, I hope that 17th Ave transportation is dealt with.
Arts and culture often flourish when students make a community their home- Whyte Ave is very close to the University of Alberta and attracts many of its students. They get together at the many bars and cafes, they support the second-hand stores and, as most don’t have cars and live nearby, they give the avenue a pedestrian feel. It’s so much more vibrant to see people walking around, stopping into coffee shops to warm up with some tea, than it is to see people hop out of their cars in a rush. If there were direct transit routes from the U of C and from Mount Royal, I think it would benefit the atmosphere and business profit on 17th. In general, the more people that can get there without a car, the more people are going to be walking around, making an area feel alive.
Here’s to the 17th we know and love, and here’s the the 17th that one day could be.
