Hidden Gems On Ottawa St Hamilton

I love discovering and sharing hidden gems. It’s a passion – borderline obsession –  that truly makes me happy. And over the years, I’ve come to realize that the most exhilarating part of the process is the hunt; the more challenging the search, the more satisfying the find. So when my friend Natalie and I pulled up to Ottawa St in Hamilton, my curiosity shot through the roof. Lined with unassuming shops, the street could easily be overlooked by passersby. There are no flashy signs, no pretentious facades and most noticeably: no hype…

But as we all know, it’s what is on the inside that counts. Never would I have guessed that I’d find some of the most honest, humble and passionate business owners in the province on the quiet street in Steeltown. As we hopped from store to store, it quickly became evident that shopping and dining here goes beyond a simple transaction: it’s a place to connect with shopkeepers and be inspired. The sense of community is strong, the eclectic stores offer unique finds and the food scene is about to ignite: all the ingredients for a resurgence. Here are 10 gems we fell in love with on our visit:

1. Wick’d Wax Creations – Wes Fletcher is a passionate chandler who started making candles at the age of 14. Using over 150 scents and 250 different wicks, he handcrafts soy and beeswax candles inside his quaint shop on Ottawa St. He’s an expert in his craft and is always looking for new ways to apply creativity and imagination to the art of candle-making.

2. Puravida Tuscan Deli and Espresso Bar – Sauro Bertolozzi moved to Ontario just over a decade ago and specializes in importing Italian products – many of which come from his native Tuscany. He proudly showed us a photograph of his hometown, Lucca, as he poured us a round of espressos. Do not leave this store without tasting the balsamic vinegar and olive oil: both are quality products that had us dreaming of the rolling hills of Tuscany.

3. Antiques Unlocked – With over 20 years of experience in the antiquing industry, you can expect to find quality antiques at Doug and Wendy Kemp’s store on Ottawa St. The 26oo square foot space is filled with beautiful Canadian and American antique furniture, collectables and jewellery. We particularly loved their vintage cufflinks!

4. Remember When Antique Emporium – If European antiques are more your style, you need to visit this store. The multi-vendor antique shop is located at the old Avon Theatre (circa 1941) and sells everything from a stunning 1910 Edwardian rail back chaise and 18th century French bridal armoire to primitive antiques and vintage collectables.

5. Sinfully Sweet – Rosanne Crawford and Corry Yon are sisters with a passion for baking. One bite into their shortbread cookies and I could tell that the recipe has been perfected and passed down through generations. Their other desserts are equally delicious: freshly baked and not-too-sweet. The apple crumble cheesecake and rocky road squares are must-haves.

6. The Edit – Curated by a local fashion blogger, this clothing store is filled with amazing vintage finds. As we admired Jentine’s hand-stenciled floor, she shared some great news with us: she’s moving to a larger space (on Ottawa St. still) where she will be able to display even more of her gems soon! This makes us happy, very happy…

7. Stardust Records – We all know that vinyl has made a huge comeback (glad I won the numerous battles with my mom and held on to all of my records) so I was super excited to spot a few record stores on Ottawa St. Since I’m a huge fan of the 50s and 60s, Stardust Records was my fave spot. And they’ve been around since 1983 so you could imagine the selection.

8. Cannon Coffee Co – This neighbourhood artisan coffee shop is really cozy and manned by super friendly staff. A local fave, it’s a great spot to hang out with friends and sip on a French Press or pour-over brewed coffee. I hear they have great waffles too!

9. The Millionaire’s Daughter – This is a store we could literally spend hours in. Filled with furniture on consignment, my heart fluttered with joy as soon as we stepped inside. So many pieces, so many stories. And the best part (well, other than the incredible finds): after 60 days the prices are reduced by 15% and then again by 10% every month. If you’re looking for unique finds at bargain prices, this is the place for you!

10. Earls Court Gallery – Forget pretentious art galleries: Bob Daniels has managed to create a welcoming space that lets you focus on what really matters: the art. Lined with contemporary and historically significant works, this gallery is one we could spend hours in. There’s also a custom framing facility in the back. When you visit, ask Bob to share the story behind the Forsyth portrait he has displayed there – the piece really resonated with us.

 

The shop owners on Ottawa St inspired us in so many ways during our visit. The sense of camaraderie among them is unparalleled and a shining example of the city’s motto “Together Aspire, Together Achieve.” In my opinion, they are exactly the kind of businesses we should be supporting. I hope you get a chance to explore the area yourself! Oh, and if you’re a glutton like I am, you’ll be happy to hear that two incredibly talented food truck entrepreneurs –  Mike Pitton of Southern Smoke and Graeme Smith of Gorilla Cheese – will be taking up residence on the street soon. Add that to all the Pan Am festivities that are on their way (the street is just a stone’s throw from the home of soccer) and the future is looking super bright for Ottawa St!

This tour of the Ottawa St BIA was coordinated by Hamilton’s Economic Development Office. The food we munched on along the way was complimentary; however, as always, the opinions above are all our own.