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Get ready to spend an unforgettable day in the heart of Ottawa at one of the city’s most beloved traditions — the Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale! Whether you’re on the hunt for vintage finds, supporting local businesses, or just here for the good vibes and great food, we’ve mapped out the ultimate itinerary to make the most of your day in The Glebe.

Thrift Like a Pro
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Start early and skip the parking stress — take the bus, cycle, or walk into the Glebe and beat the crowds. Fuel your morning with a coffee from Ten Toes Coffee Company, then head next door to Goody Mart for their $2–$20 vintage and thrift sidewalk sale. This is a prime spot for scoring second-hand gems and setting the tone for your treasure hunt. Next, venture into the residential streets for the main event: over 200 garage sales packed with everything from retro housewares and kids’ gear to books, bikes, and those unexpected gems you didn’t know you needed.

Shop & Soak Up the Scene
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Now that your reusable bags are filling up, it’s time to explore the buzz along Bank Street. Browse dozens of sidewalk sales from local shops, running all the way to Clarey Avenue. You’ll find fashion deals, foodie favourites, artisan goods and more. Need a break? Swing by the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church courtyardwhere CKCU FM 93.1 will be broadcasting live. Enjoy some live tunes and grab a bite at their community BBQ fundraiser. Before moving on, stop by the Ottawa Food Bank tent at Glebe Metro and make a donation — even $1 goes a long way (that’s $5 worth of food to a family in need!).

Play, Eat, Repeat
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Time for some action! Head to 707 Bank Street, where the Ottawa BlackJacks will be running a drop-in hoops clinic. Open to all ages — it’s a slam dunk of a stop.

When hunger hits, check out The Senate Tavern’s brand-new location at 640 Bank Street for a patio lunch and local beer. As you wrap up your shopping, circle back to grab any last-minute steals — sidewalk sales officially wind down around 3:00 PM.

End on a High Note
2:00 PM – Late

Don’t rush home just yet — THR33’s Co. Snack Bar is throwing their first Collective Arts Summer Lot Party of the season! Expect backyard games, DJs, vintage vendors, fresh oysters, and good vibes all afternoon and into the night. It’s the perfect way to toast a day well spent in the Glebe.

See you on the sidewalk! Whether you’re in it for the thrill of the thrift, the community spirit, or the sunshine and snacks, the Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale offers something for everyone. Come curious, leave happy — and maybe a little sunburnt, with a trunk full of treasures.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 8, 2025

The Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale returns with new activities, local business specials, and community spirit to spare.

OTTAWA — One of North America’s largest and most anticipated community garage sales is back! The Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale returns to Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood on Saturday, May 24, 2025, bringing with it a lively mix of front-lawn treasures, feature business sales and a focus on community giving.

Since 1986, residents of the Glebe have participated in this neighbourhood-wide event by selling second-hand goods from their driveways and lawns. The Glebe BIA businesses join the fun with sidewalk sales along Bank Street, featuring pop-up booths and special promotions, all culminating in a one-of-a-kind thrifting experience in the heart of Ottawa.

The garage sale has always had a deeper purpose. From the beginning, the Glebe BIA and the Glebe Community Association have encouraged vendors, shoppers and businesses to support the Ottawa Food Bank – who can be found in front of Metro Glebe at 754 Bank Street on May 24. With rising food insecurity in the region, donations are more critical than ever: for every $1 donated, the Ottawa Food Bank can deliver $5 worth of food to the community.

There are over 25 Glebe Businesses participating in this year’s Sidewalk Sale along Bank Street. Visit www.intheglebe.ca to see our full list of participating businesses and to plan your day in the Glebe.

New this year
There is no other day like this in the Glebe! The Glebe BIA has introduced a few special events and partners to add to the day:

– CKCU FM  93.1 will broadcast live from Bank Street from 10am – 4pm with local performers.
– The Ottawa BlackJacks basketball team will host a Community Hoops activation at 707 Bank Street.
– Knifewear will run its “Cut It In Half” Challenge at the Bank Street store.

Getting Here
Parking in the Glebe will be extremely limited and monitored during the event. Visitors are encouraged to use alternative transportation, such as cycling or public transit and to plan to use paid parking at Lansdowne Park and the City of Ottawa parking garage at Second Avenue, or in adjacent neighbourhoods. OC Transpo Routes 6 and 7 provide direct service to the neighbourhood. There are over 250 bike parking spots at Lansdowne Park.

About the Great Glebe Garage Sale
The Great Glebe Garage Sale is an annual community tradition held every spring in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood. The event brings together residents, local businesses and visitors for a day of garage sales, sidewalk shopping and community engagement — all while raising funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Media contact:
Caitlin McKinlay
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Glebe BIA
caitlin@intheglebe.ca

By: Dana Mitchell, Communications & Outreach Intern

 

Kettlemans has been a beloved Ottawa institution since its founding in 1993. Located in the heart of the Glebe, this local bagel shop has become a cornerstone of the community, known for its traditional Montreal-style bagels and welcoming atmosphere. With over three decades of history, Kettlemans continues to thrive under the leadership of its president, Amer Wahab, who has guided the business through a period of growth and expansion while staying true to its roots.

 

“We’ve been in business thirty-one years, and we honour our history every day,” says Wahab. “The recipe we have is tried and very true, and we don’t veer away from it. We still make our bagels exactly how we made them thirty-one years ago.”

 

Kettlemans was founded by Montrealers Joe Bianchini and Craig Buckley, who saw a gap in the Ottawa market for authentic Montreal-style bagels. What began as a small, 1,200 square-foot operation on Bank Street has since expanded into a 3,000 square-foot space, with multiple locations across Ottawa and beyond. Despite this growth, Wahab emphasizes the enduring spirit of the business.

 

“We have bits of our DNA in all our stores,” says the president. “We’ve taken the pergola feel of our original location and we’ve applied that: the exposed brick, the wood, the barn board, the exterior sign. The DNA is all there. It’s evolved, but it’s only gotten better.”

 

Wahab’s journey with Kettlemans began like many others—as a customer. One late night in 1993, he stopped by for a Reuben sandwich and chocolate milk, an experience that still resonates with him.

 

“I walked in at 3 AM and had this incredible Reuben sandwich on a bagel,” Wahab recalls. “To this day, the Reuben is my go-to sandwich. There was something magical about the experience.”

 

Wahab officially joined Kettlemans in 2015 when he was approached with an opportunity to help grow the brand. At the time, Wahab had built a career in the restaurant industry but had never considered that Kettlemans could be scaled.

 

“It was always something special,” Wahab says. “But I never thought of it as being scalable. It had the ‘mom and pop’ feel. But once I saw the renovations and the sheer volume of guests, I knew this had legs and we could make a run with it.”

 

Since then, Kettlemans has opened several new locations, including in College Square, Trainyards, and even as far as Toronto and Montreal. Wahab’s vision for Kettlemans remains rooted in quality, with a focus on the same fresh bagels that have been a staple since day one.

 

Beyond bagels, Kettlemans has played an integral role in the Glebe community. Situated near Lansdowne Park, the original Kettlemans location became a pillar of the neighbourhood’s identity. Wahab believes that this connection with the community is part of what makes the business so special.

 

“Our people are amazing, and it’s them that make every single experience at Kettlemans what it is,” says the president. “It’s not just a community—it’s a village. Our guests and our team members are bigger than we ever will be.”

 

Over the years, Kettlemans has supported local schools and participated in events like Taste in the Glebe and community fundraisers. Wahab is also proud of the job opportunities the business provides, sharing stories of employees who have grown within the company.

 

“We’ve been huge supporters of the Glebe community,” he says. “It’s about more than just making bagels or even making money. It’s about creating jobs and watching our team members grow.”

 

While Kettlemans remains deeply connected to the Glebe, the business’s impact has spread far beyond Ottawa. Fans of Kettlemans have sent photos of their bagels from places as far away as Antarctica. Wahab proudly shares that Kettlemans bagels have traveled the world, and the feedback from global customers continues to inspire the company’s growth.

 

As Kettlemans looks to the future, Wahab remains committed to ensuring that any expansion stays true to the company’s values. With possible plans for more locations across Canada, Wahab emphasizes the importance of maintaining the quality and authenticity that have defined Kettlemans for over three decades.

 

“It’s bread, at the end of the day, and bread has brought people together for centuries,” Wahab says. “It feeds into why Kettlemans is so magical. It’s because it’s honest, it’s simple, and it’s good.”

 

To experience Kettlemans for yourself, visit their flagship location at Bank and Fifth in the Glebe, or one of their other locations across the city.