8 Small Businesses In The HRM That Opened During The Pandemic
HALIFAX – The Covid-19 pandemic may have dampened the spirit in the business community across the province, but that didn’t stop some entrepreneurs from moving ahead with their business projects.
This week is Small Business Week in Canada, and to celebrate we’re shining a light on the entrepreneurs who have displayed courage and resilience in the face of Covid-19 and forged ahead with their businesses.
Below is a list (not exhaustive, there are many more, we’re sure) of small businesses that have opened in Halifax during the pandemic.
1) Chanoey’s Pasta
Husband-and-wife team Catherine Paulino and Carl Mangali opened new restaurant in downtown Dartmouth with dreams of feeding the city’s working-class with a unique take on take-out.
Chanoey’s Pasta is a quick-service restaurant that serves classic, chef-made pasta dishes in traditional, take-out style. Think Subway, but for fettuccine instead of footlongs.
“The concept here, the food we serve and how we display it and everything: it’s simple, it’s fast, and it’s affordable, that’s our main goal. And it’s tasty too,” Paulino says.
2) Devoted Barbers And Co.
Robyn Ingraham, Courtney Whynott, and Madison Ingram opened Devoted Barbers and Co. in September.
The trio said their goal was to create a different kind of barbershop: one with an open, welcoming vibe that felt less like a “cool guy club” and more like a place where everyone was comfortable.
“We wanted to create a safe space where everybody would be accepted and could come together and just express yourself and your individuality,” Whynott explained.
3) The Osney Café and Social
After leaving their jobs, emptying their savings, and planning for months, Yvonne Scobbie and Graham Wallace opened their dream café together.
The two food-service-industry veterans had to delay their opening several times after Covid-19 struck, but have stuck with it and are going strong.
“I’m most excited about just doing our own thing. It’s been such a long time of working for people and seeing what I like and dislike about the restaurant and café industry, so it’s really exciting to do what we think is best and kind of grow it from there,” Scobbie said.
4) The Highlander Spa
Bruce Herron always enjoyed going to a spa when he wanted to relax, but he was never really comfortable in a typical spa.
He spent years dreaming about opening a more spa that catered more to the average man than the average woman.
So in August, he did, combining his passion for caring for people with idea of a “masculine” spa into The Highlander Spa.
5) Red Chilies Bazaar
Red Chillies Restaurant opened in Bedford 2019 and after its success its owners quickly acquired bolder ambitions.
Covid-19 forced them to put their plans to open an accompanying grocery store on hold, but in September they finally made their dream a reality.
Co-owner Arun Johny says that, so far, the bazaar has also been a success.
“It’s fantastic. [Business] has been coming up really good. A lot of people in Bedford and Halifax…everyone likes the stuff that we sell; they can’t get it anywhere else.”
6) King’s Wharf Market
The King’s Wharf Market is the latest business to set up shop at the downtown Dartmouth development project.
“I built this the way I shop, which is I buy Oreos and then I buy organic milk; I buy fluff and then I buy organic peanut butter,” owner Anthony Miller says
“The idea is like a convenience store meets a farmers market,. The basic thing [I’m asking] is what do people want and need here, and that’s what I’m trying to bring in.”
7) Press Play Café
This kid-friendly café was started by a group of parents and entrepreneurs who wanted a place they could take their kids in Sackville.
“Our partners have a few different interests in the café. I personally am a stay-at-home mom and I have kids and I can’t take them anywhere because they’re crazy,” part-owner Kelly Webster told Huddle.
“I just wanted to have a place where I can feel comfortable to bring my kids and I’m not necessarily worried about how they’re acting all the time.”
8) Los Toros
Snappy Tomato owner Khalil Farah transformed the former home of Stayner’s Wharf into a tapas bar specializing in Spanish cuisine, with a special focus on paella.
Farah says he’s completely overhauled the old space and Los Toros will be a whole different experience from its predecessor.
“We removed everything, I mean everything: flooring, ceiling, furniture, walls,” he says. “It’s a brand-new restaurant.”
Renovations at Los Toros are nearly complete and the restaurant is set to open November 1.
Do you know of other businesses that opened during the pandemic in the Halifax region. Contact Trevor Nichols: [email protected]