NELSON
THE STREET
Nelson, B.C.
HERITAGE MEETS HIP IN
B.C.’S COOLEST TOWN
In the shadow of Toad Mountain, just 55 kilometres from the
U.S. border, the Kootenay town
of Nelson – nicknamed Queen
City – was kick-started by an
1880s silver rush. Grand hotels,
electric streetcars and elegant
public buildings soon sprang up
to serve the shiny-eyed miners,
particularly along bustling
Baker Street. But as the silver
trade slowly lost its lustre so did
Nelson’s economy. The city was
resettled in the 1980s by artsy
bohemians and young families
craving reasonably priced
housing. Often described as
B.C.’s coolest town, Nelson is
now known for its painted
heritage buildings along Baker
embracing funky cafés and
eclectic indie stores, with
summertime sidewalk buskers
strumming a season-long
festival vibe. ! –John Lee
[
MAY — OCTOBER Cottonwood Market
JUNE — AUGUST Marketfest
JULY — AUGUST Artwalk
The Go Spots
SHOPS
Named after the Hawaiian passion flower, Lilikoi entices couture cravers with silkscreened
frocks (lilikoiclothing.com), and
nearby Kolmel artfully accessorizes with a treasure chest of
custom jewellery (kolmel.com).
Charming creations by more
than 100 Kootenay artists —
from ceramic goblets to furry
felt collages — line the walls at
Craft Connections art co-op
(craftconnection.org); three
blocks west, Packrat Annie’s is
perfect for rainy day perusing of
paperbacks and vintage vinyl
(411 Kootenay Street).
EATS
Dive into heaping breakfast poutines at chatty Old World Bakery
(460 Baker), or hit tiny Dominion Café for decadent pear-andginger white-chocolate muffins
(334 Baker). From its Baker-atHendryx curbside corner, the
shiny yellow Bite food truck
serves up comfort-grub lunches
— like the organic burger with
bacon and gorgonzola (bitefreshfood.com); or, drive to nearby
Gyro Park for a picnic perchwith-view. Fresh-made Middle
Eastern dishes dominate at
Mana’eesh’s deli-bistro. Try the
sharable platter with smoky baba
ghanouj (449 Baker Street).
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SUMMER 2013
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DRINKS
Nelsonites congregate at just-upthe-hill Oso Negro for hot gossip
and richly dark java — snag a garden seat for people-watching
(osonegrocoffee.com). John Ward
Fine Coffee offers a quieter alternative with soothing Silk Road
Teas (johnwardfinecoffee.com).
Nelson Brewing concocts the
town’s other liquid addiction:
Organic Hemp Ale at the cozy
Mike’s Place pub (humehotel.
com), with a breeze-licked
veranda off the lively Library
Lounge. After, join late-night toetappers for a show at the nearby
Royal (liveattheroyal.com).
WILD CARD
Tucked along tree-shaded
Herridge Lane, Bellaflora’s
fragrant storefront oasis reflects
owner Kyla Jakovickas’s passion
for flower design. Beneath a
wood-beamed, skylighted ceiling,
slender air plants, glistening
succulents and impossibly
delicate orchids lure passers-by,
as do the store’s wine-andcheese workshops, where
Nelsonites (and savvy explorers)
socialize and gather tips for
flawless home bouquets
—J.L.
(bellaflorastudio.com).
John Lee learns the art of
succulent-arranging at Bellaflora
Y Member savings and benefits for
B.C. travel at bcaa.com/kootenay
(top: Oso Negro Cafe & Dominion Cafe/Baker Street) Jeff Topham, (Bellaflora wedding) Bellaflora, (Nelson-on-the-lake) Jeff Topham
13-04-18 1:27 PM
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