Working on an article on Saturday, I kept looking up from my laptop, distracted by the scene outside of freshly fallen snow glistening in the warm afternoon sunlight. At some point I decided I needed some fresh air, and to kill two birds with one stone, wandered over to High Street to get some Christmas shopping done.
Paul Kane Park, en route to High Street (or as Jim Diers would call it, a “pocket park”)
Though the sidewalks were slippery, it was a pretty nice day to spend outside, wandering in and out of some of my favourite stores in the city. Many other people thought so too, as some of the stores were jam packed with shoppers.
High Street
I picked up a few things at The Tin Box, one of the best shops in my opinion for unique gifts. They had a rack of animal hats and gloves that were ubiquitous in Banff’s gift stores.
Hats and gloves at The Tin Box
Carol’s Quality Sweets is a nice store to satisfy the kid in all of us –I love the brightness of the store, and the colourful candy jars that line the shelves. For just a few dollars, your retro candy craving can be taken care of.
Candy behind the counter at Carol’s Quality Sweets
Notables is another great store, and in recent years it seems they’ve expanded their selection of offbeat giftware. Staff are super-friendly, and you won’t find a better assortment of greeting cards anywhere else in the city.
Christmas display at Notables
My last stop was Call the Kettle Black, a kitchen retail store. I almost always end up buying something if I enter the store, so a visit is a dangerous one for me. Luckily, I balanced a purchase for myself (a lightweight Epicurean cutting board) with the purchase of a gift for someone else. What wasn’t in my shopping basket were these onion goggles – although they might be effective, I think they’d take up too much room for just a single purpose.
Onion Goggles
Other than the stores I’ve listed, Acquired Tastes Tea Company, Floc Boutique and Ginger are a few other shops I like to patronize.
Boulevard trees on High Street
In addition to finding unique gifts, it’s a nice change from wandering within the confines of a mall. Especially during Shop Local Month, I would encourage you to consider doing some of your holiday shopping at High Street.
Only Here for the Food 
I used to live across the street from Paul Kane Park in a not-so-great walk up but I absolutely loved the neighbourhood. I never felt unsafe walking around early in the morning or late at night. That part of Oliver Square was so quiet despite being so close to Jasper Ave and I loved how busy the park got in the summer time. High Street is one of Edmonton’s best shopping spots and yet a lot of people I mention it to have no clue what I’m talking about. It’s been a while since I headed back down that way but my fave’s were Elephants Never Forget and Paddy’s Cheese Market. And, of course, Call the Kettle Black. Dangerous, dangerous store.
Life would not be complete without Paddy’s. We pretty much go there twice a month to High Street to replenish our cheese and candy stocks.
Having tasted proper parmesan cheese, I can’t live without it.
Hope you bought me something nice 😉
I think Paul Kane Park is probably too large to be considered a true pocket park! It is a great park though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_park
Karen – I agree with you about the neighbourhood – it is quiet and feels very safe. Elephants Never Forget has unfortunately closed, and has been replaced with an athletic wear store.
Angel – I indeed neglected to mention Paddy’s! As I wasn’t on a food shopping trip, I just passed it by, but it is a great destination for fine cheeses.
Mack – I guess I consider it a pocket park because I would never expect a park where Paul Kane is located! But yes, perhaps its size exceeds the definition of “pocket”.
Arrrrrrrgh! What the…? That’s depressing. Did they move locations or simply close altogether?
I don’t know actually. About two months before they closed, I asked a staff person, and they said they didn’t know at that point. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to return after that.