Soon Canada will have its very first Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and it’s going to be here in Ontario!
Construction has already begun on Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa, Ontario and it’s expected to be open to the public by spring 2025!
Although we still have a few years until we can check out the new hotel and casino, it looks like it will totally be worth the wait! It will be a 6-storey building with 150 hotel rooms, including 22 suites. There will also be a gaming floor with 1,500 slot machines and 40 game tables.
That’s not all though – there will also be a Hard Rock live theatre with 1,800 seats, and more than 10 restaurants, bars, and lounges to enjoy. Including the award-winning Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steakhouse.
“We are excited to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich music history to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding region,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer, Hard Rock International, via Curiosity.
Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be located at 4837 Albion Road in Ottawa.
Will you be making the trip to check it out?
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Tim Hortons announced that 2 fan-fav donuts are making a comeback, but only for a limited time!
Starting May 31, the beloved Walnut Crunch and Cherry Stick donuts will be available for the first time in over 10 years, just in time for National Donut Day on June 2.
“Both the Walnut Crunch and Cherry Stick were iconic donuts in their time and I’m happy to report they still pack the same punch in every bite,” says Tallis Voakes, Director of Culinary Innovation at Tim Hortons.
If you want to get a taste of these iconic donuts, the Walnut Crunch will be available in Tims restaurants across Canada and at participating Quebec locations – and the Cherry Stick will be available in Tim Hortons restaurants across Quebec, and at participating locations in the rest of Canada.
Mark your calendars for May 31, if you want to grab these donuts for the first time in 10 years! Who knows if/when we’ll ever get to again!
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We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at home, too busy (or lazy) to head out to pick up your favourite bevy.
But the future is here, and one food delivery service is toying with the idea of delivering alcohol straight to your door.
foodora and the LCBO have partnered to bring Canadians same-day alcohol delivery.
The initiative is part of a new pilot program that was created for thirsty Canadians and starts in Ottawa today. The goal is to eventually roll out the program in other popular cities across Canada.
The best things in life are free. And the next best thing in life is getting something for really, really cheap.
Living in Toronto, the expenses can add up. So anytime there’s a particularly enticing deal, we just have to share — especially when it has something to do with food!
From now until May 10, you can grab lunch for just $1 as part of Ritual Eats Week.
For those who don’t know, Ritual is an app that allows you to order food from your favourite restaurants and have it ready for pick-up so that you’re not waiting around in line. And from now until May 10 at 11:59 p.m., those who have the app can enjoy select menu items from participating restaurants — all you have to do is pay with Apple Pay.
To claim the Eats Week deals as an existing customer, all you have to do is refer a new customer and wait for them to place their first order.
And it should be pretty easy to convince your work pals to join the app when $1 lunches are involved! However, if you’re a new user, you can start claiming the deals right away.
Instagram/@pi_co_pizza
There are a ton of popular restaurants taking part in Ritual Eats Week.
With over 600 participating restaurants in Toronto, there’s something for everyone’s tastes. Some of the more notable restaurants participating include Calii Love, Pi Co., The Burger’s Priest, SukhoTHAI, and Kupfert & Kim.
Each user is limited to five Eats Week offers and each offer can only be redeemed once during the campaign, but the savings for those who frequently eat out for lunch are worth it!
In addition to Toronto, Ritual users in Ottawa are also being offered the same $1 deals. Participating restaurants include Bridgehead, Green Rebel, Toro Taqueria, Booster Juice, and Presotea.
To order your $1 meal, head over to Ritual.co and sign-up for the app.
Featured image: Instagram/@theburgerspriest
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There are a ton of spas in the GTA, but if you’re really looking to unwind and treat yourself, you may as well make a day of it. The largest spa in North America is just 4.5 hours away from Toronto, and is well worth the commute.
Nordik Spa-Nature is a gorgeous outdoor spa, that opened in 2005, and has been expanding ever since.
They are open all-year-round, in Chelsea, Quebec, and are dedicated to providing an incredibly relaxing, healing, and rejuvenating experience for all of their guests. Here’s everything you need to know:
Instagram/ @nordikspanature_chelsea
When You Arrive:
Once you get to Nordik, you’ll be given a rubber bracelet that resembles a screen-less Fitbit. Essentially, this is going to be your wallet for the rest of your stay. The receptionist will load up the balance you’d like to spend on food and drinks while you’re there onto the bracelet. So, for the rest of the day, you can pay for your tabs with just the scan of your bracelet.
You’re welcome to bring your own sandals and robe, but if you don’t, they offer $8 robe rentals, and they sell flip-flops at their gift shop.
Next, you’ll be given a locker, where you can store all your personal items, including your cell phone. Nordik prides itself on being a quiet, phone-free zone. Your bracelet is going to be the key to get into your locker, so be sure not to lose it!
Instagram/ @briannehuot
Thermotherapy:
Nordik’s thermotherapy is basically their general admission. You’ll be able to roam freely, try out all of the different outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, restaurants, and bar areas. This is a great package if you’re going with your significant other, or a group of friends.
The reason it’s called thermotherapy, is because guests are encouraged to follow a thermal cycle during their visit. This would mean, going from hot pool, to cold pool, resting, and repeating, to achieve the ultimate feeling of wellness and relaxation. Although— you don’t have to do things in that order if you don’t want to.
Rituals:
Rituals are held periodically throughout the day according to their in-house schedule. You enter the sauna at the designated time, and are greeted by the ritual leader. While relaxing music plays in the background, the ritual leader uses a towel to wisp hot, steamy air at all of the participants for a few rounds. Then, they go around the room with a bucket of cold water, and gently splash everyone as a cool-down method.
Instagram/ @xavier_mordee_
Massages:
Massages are not included with the general thermal admission. But are definitely worth adding on to your experience. You’ll have the ability to customize your massage by choosing your own essential oil, that contains properties to better suit your needs.
Body Treatments:
Similarly to the massages, body treatments are considered to be an add-on, and are not included in the thermal package. Nordik offers six different body treatments: Himalayan salt treatment, vivifying treatment, face care, face care for men, foot care, and Lumëa.
Källa Treatment:
The Källa treatment is a very popular one, and rightfully so. It’s a giant, floating, salt water pool, dug 5 meters deep into the rock which contains 10 tons of Epsom salt. For $45 extra, you can have unlimited access to this pool for the entire duration of your stay. If you’re a fan of the Dead Sea, you’ll definitely love this treatment.
Instagram/@le.bonappetit
Restaurants:
Most people who visit Nordik, tend to stay from morning to night, since the spa is open from 9am until 11pm. After all that time, and after sweating out all of your toxins, you are bound to work up an appetite. Luckily, there are four restaurant options for you to choose from, all of which serve healthy snacks, and alcoholic beverages.
Featured image: Instagram/ @nordikspanature_chelsea
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In comparison to the more trendy, stylish places in Canada like Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto, that have tons of malls to visit, Ottawa isn’t exactly the swankiest, most fashion-forward place to go if you want to shop.
But if you’re in town, and love to do a little bit of shopping, there are a few Ottawa outlets where you can find your favourite brands at an irresistible price.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with outlet malls, to sum up, they’re basically a store that the retailer sends clothes to that are then sold for a fraction of the original price. For example, if American Eagle makes 100 sweaters, but only 50 of them sell for a regular price, they will send it to the outlet store to sell for cheaper.
All that to say, if you’re on the hunt for a good deal in Ottawa on brands you already love, but don’t want to compromise quality by shopping consignment, outlets are your best bet. If you enjoy outlet shopping, you might want to check out this article.
In Ottawa, you have two true outlet malls to choose from, which seems futile, but trust me, it’s not. They are both giant complexes that have dozens of brands to choose from.
The first and most popular outlet complex (for good reason) in Ottawa, Tanger, is Located in Kanata, just around the corner from Canadian Tire Centre.
Instagram/ @tangeroutlets
Tanger is a sparkling outdoor mall, and although having an outdoor mall in Canada might seem a bit risky due to the frigid, relentless winters we experience here in the capital, it’s actually quite charming. There is a food court, a Beaver Tail stand, a playground for the kids, a gorgeous fountain, and well over 60 stores to choose from. They even have their own lifetime exclusive member club that can be used at any of their locations across Canada and the US.
Some notable stores at Tanger are Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Saks OFF 5TH, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger, Fossil, American Eagle, Guess, Lucky Brand Jeans, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Under Armour, Sunglass Hut, and many others.
Instagram/ @tangeroutlets
All that shopping is definitely going to work up an appetite, and thankfully there are a ton of food options to choose from.
Some of the best restaurants include Nestlé Tollhouse, Cinnabon, BarBurrito, Teriyaki, Villa Madina, and Subway. If you’re willing to trek all the way out to the furthest West reaches of Ottawa, you will not be disappointed. Tanger is definitely worth the commute.
Train Yards, located in the East end, ranks second in popularity, mainly because it’s older and doesn’t carry as many high-end brands.
Instagram/ @newhot899
They’re known more for carrying practical, everyday stores that we could all benefit from. Nonetheless, it’s a great shopping spot if you’re looking to shop the sales and grab a bite to eat. A great advantage that Train Yards has over Tanger, is that it is more centrally located, and easier to get to — especially for tourists. In fact, it was Ottawa’s first centrally-located retail powerhouse. It covers over 110 acres of space and has over 60 stores to choose from, as well as restaurants.
A few notable stores in this district are Bed Bath & Beyond, Carter’s Osh Kosh, EB Games, Guess, Moores Clothing for Men, Tommy Hilfiger, Nordstrom Rack, and Old Navy. Some restaurants on-site include Scores, Thai Express, Mucho Burrito, and Kettleman’s Bagel Co. There is also a Movati Athletic Club on the premises, and an LCBO.
That is essentially everything you need to know before you decide to pound the pavement in Ottawa, in search for the best deals on all of your shopping needs.
Featured image: Instagram/@sufedasue
Nordstrom has just announced opening dates of its next three Canadian off-price Nordstrom Rack stores, as it continues with its national expansion. Apparently, can expect as many as 15 locations over the next several years. This year, Nordstrom Rack opened its first three Canadian stores which are now open at Vaughan Mills, at Deerfoot Meadows in Calgary, and at One Bloor Street East (the Canadian flagship).
The expected date for the Nordstrom Rack opening at Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga is on September 6, 2018. The store will span about 35,000 square feet in a massive centre that includes the new location for the restaurant chain Jollibee.
A month later, on October 11th, Nordstrom Rack will open at The Ottawa Train Yards in Ottawa. “The 750,000 square foot power centre spans 110 acres of property which, when viewed on a map, is shown to be remarkably close to Ottawa’s urban core.”
“On October 25, 2018, Nordstrom Rack will open its Edmonton location at South Edmonton Common in Edmonton, which will become the second Nordstrom Rack location in Alberta”
Nordstrom Rack offers customers a wide selection of on-trend women’s, men’s and kids’ fashion from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom stores at everyday savings of up to 70% off, including Ted Baker London, Kate Spade New York, Theory, Bobbi Brown and more! The first Nordstrom Rack successfully opened at Vaughan Mills on March 22 to a line of more than 500 customers.
Source: Retail-Insider.com
It’s time to soak up all the sunshine because summer is finally here! And what better way to enjoy sunny days than with these 10 free Ottawa events and festivals in June. Check them out below.
The Happening Artspark festival, June 2
Discover what makes Hintonburg so unique! The Happening Artspark festival is full of free live music, dance performances, an art throw down and artisan crafts. Not to mention local and Ontario vendors including Seed To Sausage, Carleton Tavern, Merry Dairy, and Craft beer gardens featuring Beyond the Pale, Vimy Brewing and Tooth & Nail. Donations from the event will be going back into the community and help fund art grants for the Wellington West community. See all the happenings here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjQs1wsnoDI/?taken-by=thehappeningottawa
Doors Open Ottawa, June 2 – 3
History Buff or not, anyone can appreciate the true Canadian history that Ottawa has to offer. And for 2 days you can discover the beautiful heritage buildings that have shaped Ottawa to its beauty. From the Supreme Court of Canada to Hydro Ottawa’s new Hydroelectric facility at Chaudière Falls, there’s a story behind all 50 participating structures. There’s even a free shuttle bus service!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjS19ubAgyF/?taken-by=brandonpotter
Parliament Hill Yoga Sessions, every Wednesday
For all the yoga lovers out there – the event you absolutely need to attend! Every Wednesday up until August 29, come to Parliament Hill and enjoy a yoga practice lead by some of the best teachers around. Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat and water.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjIynaGgj4I/?taken-by=brandonpotter
Ottawa Italian Week Festival, June 7 – 17
Show your love for all that is Italian and head over to Preston St. For one of Ottawa’s largest free festivals this summer. From Ferraris, to live music, art demos and more, the event celebrates all that is Italian: art, culture, and history — with different shows and events every day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bih2G-0H5pu/?taken-by=italianweekottawa
West Fest, June 8 – 10
For 15 years, West Fest has been Ottawa’s favourite free music festival and it can be yours too! Featuring 100 Canadian Musicians to hit the stage, 2 after parties, food trucks and more!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU5MJhCAxOM/?taken-by=westfestinfo
The New Art Festival, June 9 – 10
Think gallery in the park. If walking through Central Park in Ottawa wasn’t beautiful enough, every year over 200 curated artists set up their tents and sell and display one-of-a-kind masterpieces, in a variety of art form, that you can take home or just breathe in and enjoy as you stroll around, and eat from the many local food vendors there. Don’t miss out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/pxhDG9GbDc/?tagged=newartfestival
Glow Fair, June 15-16
Bring your neon coloured shirts and start snapping those glow sticks, wands, and necklaces. With over 10 city blocks closed down, 3 unforgettable days and nights of music and art, there’s something for everyone to enjoy — from an augmented reality experience, mesmerizing murals painted from start to finish, glow yoga, and the famous enchanted forest full of glowing trees. Check out what everyone is “glowing” on about:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUer4QClTBF/?taken-by=glowfairfestival
Tim Hortons Dragon Boat 25th Anniversary Festival, June 21 – 24
Take part in North America’s largest dragon boat festival. Watch over 200 teams compete, enjoy free concerts from many popular artists such as Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, Matt Mays and many more. There’s also a variety of amusement attractions, sports demos and delicious culinary treats to feast upon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgoYG28AyWT/?taken-by=ottawadragonboatfestival
The Changing of the Guard Ceremony, June 24 – 28
One of Ottawa’s most recognized traditions that have welcomed thousands of people every summer, is the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Parliament Hill. With Troops of the Ceremonial Guard coming from Canadian Armed Forces units from all around the country, this is a 55-year-old tradition that every Canadian should see. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. each morning.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXYO8fkHn5k/?taken-by=ottawatourism
Featured image: Instagram/ @haymancallan
**UPDATE** A Califonia-based toy company, MGA Entertainment INC submitted a bid for the Canadian operations of Toys ‘R’ Us Inc.
With no buyer or agreement with creditors, a Bloomberg report suggested that Toys ‘R’ Us in the U.S. is liquidating its 880 stores. A U.S. shutdown seems likely, but with 82 stores plus an e-commerce site, what will happen to the Canadian subsidiary of the store chain?
The Canadian operation remains profitable with $1.08 billion in annual revenue, even though its parent company filed for Chapter 11 last September. According to Lou Brzezinski, the lawyer who represents Toys “R” Us Canada, it’s still possible for the Canadian unit to be spun off, sold and transferred. Some Canadian units of U.S. retailers have survived their parent company’s bankruptcy, such as The Source, which thrived on its own.
According to Toys ‘R’ Us Canada’s vice-president for marketing on Thursday, Clint Gaudry, the company continues to honour all of its customer policies and programs such as its baby registry, gift cards and loyalty points, and business in Canada is operating as usual.
As far as the Canadian company’s survival, it’s possible, but it would depend on finding a buyer not worried about the future of store-based retailing, who is willing to improve the stores and the e-commerce site. “I could see a private equity firm going in for this,” said George Minakakis, principal at Toronto-based consulting firm Inception Retail Group Inc. “I always wondered why this toy store has to look like a warehouse, versus an environment where it looks like a kid could have fun?”
However, on the negative side, Toys ‘R” Us Canada would have no U.S. business supporting them, and marketing and merchandising costs could skyrocket. Even with its strong balance sheet, buyers of retail businesses are warier than ever before about investing in a brick and mortar business.“The Toys “R” Us bankruptcy, changing nature of retail, the underperformance of movie toys, and the new light-speed at which kids’ tastes change has created the highest level of trepidation and uncertainty we have seen in years, perhaps since the onset of the Great Recession.”
While Toys“R” Us Canada faces an uncertain future, the company said on Friday that it had no information or comment on the reports about its U.S. parent.
Do you think Toys R Us Will Survive in Canada? Let us know in the comments.
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After being revealed on Friday, the overall consensus for the new Ontario cannabis logo is not a very positive one. The pot-selling agency will be called, the Ontario Cannabis Store (or OCS for short) and its logo to represent it is a very minimalist, sans-serif black and white design. Side note, the logo cost around $650,000. People are outraged, of course.
According to CTV News, “the team behind the branding said the design was intended to convey a safe, simple, and approachable environment.” MAJOR emphasis on the safe. It’s a big difference from the design approach for the LCBO design, which has much more detail.
Everyone is taking on Twitter to share their thoughts and feelings on the logo and name:
Source: CTV News
What do you think of the new OCS logo? Let us know in the comment section.
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