Beginning just west of downtown, where Jasper Avenue turns north into 124th Street, this district is one of the best areas in Edmonton to take a stroll and discover trendy spots to eat, shop, and be inspired. It also offers-up scenic landscapes along the Victoria Promenade, which is just a few blocks east from the corner of Jasper and 124th. This charming area is home to art galleries, specialty and antique stores, fashion boutiques, indie coffee houses and fabulous eateries. The wide ranging group of art galleries in the area collaborate to offer a Gallery Walk and seasonal exhibits that focus on work by Canadian artists.
Some of the best food in the city can be found in this district, including everything from upscale dining to mouth-watering grab-and-go options. The Duchess Bake Shop, one of the world’s best bakeries, is a proud local, French-inspired bakery that has been spoiling customers with decadent treats for more than a decade. The lively Italian fare at Tiramisu Bistro will keep you well fed for every meal of the day. Woodshed Burgers takes a very thoughtful approach to all the ingredients in their mouth-watering burgers and sides, along with their shakes that can be spiked with bourbon if you’re in the mood.
If shopping is your goal, then this part of town has you covered. Shades of Grey Boutique is a family run, locally owned women’s clothing shop that has a keen eye for clean and minimalistic fashions and offers unique one-on-one consultations. Pura Botanicals specializes in nontoxic, cruelty-free skincare and wellness products that are produced in-house and use ethically sourced ingredients. Tea drinkers will love browsing the international selections at the Acquired Taste Tea Company, where loose-leaf teas and accessories of all kinds can be found. Music lovers will enjoy flipping through the stacks of vinyl at Listen Records, where they can find great grooves that span many decades and genres. Oh, kale yeah! The 124 Grand Market is an outdoor public shopping experience that runs on Thursdays and Sundays from the spring to the fall. It houses vendors that sell everything from local produce and meats to clothing, accessories, and other artisanal goods. Next stop, The Makers Keep at The Grand, a unique gift shop that sells a variety of locally made art, snacks, bath products, perfumes and stationary supplies that will make gift shopping feel like a breeze.
When winter’s chill rolls into town, the locals mark their calendars in November for the All Is Bright Festival. The streets are adorned with festive lighting, and patrons can enjoy a warm beverage along with street performers, live music, activities, food trucks, and s’mores around one of several campfires.
