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Get ready for some exciting news! Glebe Spree is back for 2023! This annual contest hosted by the Glebe BIA gives locals and visitors alike the opportunity to win a $10,000 Glebe shopping spree. 

This year’s Spree will run from November 15th to December 31st. For every $15 you spend in a participating Glebe retailer, you’ll receive one sticker. Once you’ve collected ten stickers, or $150 dollars’ worth, you’re eligible to enter the draw for the $10,000 Grand Prize shopping spree in the Glebe. Enter your ballot by December 4th, and you have a chance at winning the $2,500 Early Bird Prize! Whether you’re picking up gifts for your loved ones, treating yourself, or just stocking up for the holidays, every sticker gets you one step closer to the prize! 

An annual tradition since 2011, Glebe Spree is more than just a contest; it’s about creating holiday memories with loved ones, supporting local businesses, and investing in our neighbourhood. So, bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and admire the festive lights while getting to know your local merchants.  

We caught up with last year’s winner, Mike Scrivens, to ask how it felt to win Glebe Spree in 2022. “I’m going to be honest. I thought, this probably isn’t real…I was a little skeptical, and then felt a bit of disbelief, because I don’t recall winning much. Then, I felt extremely lucky!” 

Scrivens has a few favourite spots where he was happy to spend his winnings, including “Glebe Meat Market, Bloomfields, The Rowan, Von’s, Cantina Gia, Home Hardware, The Mane Collective, Kettleman’s and Nicastro.” In the spirit of giving back, he also went to McKeen Metro to purchase $3,000 worth of gift cards and donated them to a local charity, Ottawa Salus. 

“The Glebe BIA has been organizing this event for over a decade, and it has grown to be a beloved tradition that brings us all together during the holiday season,” says Darrell Cox, Executive Director of the Glebe BIA. “As you explore the historic streets of the Glebe, you’ll find beautiful holiday displays, cozy cafes, and friendly shopkeepers, creating an energy that truly makes the neighbourhood feel special.” 

Mike Scrivens emphasizes that shopping locally is also about fostering a sense of community, as it provides “a great opportunity to catch up with old friends or chat with your neighbours. There’s nothing better than shopping locally…I love being able to walk to the stores and support the community. I don’t think I’ve been in a big box store in a very long time.” 

Mark your calendars from November 15th to December 31st, and shop locally to make this holiday season in the Glebe the most memorable one yet! 

Thank you to McKeen Metro, a family-run business that’s been open in the Glebe since 1910, for sponsoring the Glebe Spree Early Bird Prize. 

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold and the crisp autumn air settles in, the Glebe comes alive with different fall festivals and events that are fun for locals and visitors alike. From spooky haunts to artistic celebrations and cultural festivals, here’s a glimpse of what’s happening in the Glebe this fall:

1. The Sawmill by Saunders Farm

• Location: South Court, Lansdowne Park 
• Dates: October 13 to October 31 
• Time: Various time slots 

Get ready for a spine-tingling experience as you walk through the creepiest haunt in downtown Ottawa. This exhilarating interactive experience is located just outside the Aberdeen Pavilion. The event opens its doors on Friday the 13th of October and continues through Halloween night…this is not for the faint of heart! Get your tickets here! 

2. Lansdowne Outdoor Market – Ottawa Farmers’ Market 

• Location: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park  
• Dates: Every Sunday until October 29 
• Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Is there anything better than donning your favourite fall sweater, grabbing a hot drink, and strolling through the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, admiring all the local goods? At this popular market, you can find in-season produce, baked goods, handmade art, hot meals, and more from friendly artisans in the Ottawa region. Find out more here!

3. Signatures Handmade Market

• Location: Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park 
• Dates: October 19 to 22 
• Time: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm 

For lovers of local artwork and goods, the Signatures Handmade Market is a must-visit. Featuring over 150 artists, artisans, makers, and designers from coast to coast, this uniquely Canadian marketplace has been a tradition since 1983.  

4. Fall Paint Nite – Autumn Petals

• Location: Where I Thrive 
• Date: October 20 
• Time: 7:00 pm 

Express your love for the fall season through painting at Where I Thrive! Join “Joyce of Art Creative Magic” for an evening of fall painting while sipping your favourite beverage and socializing with your peers. The event is held right here in the Glebe at Where I Thrive. Don’t miss the chance to create your unique masterpiece, get your tickets here!! 

5. The Spooktacular Craft Market

• Location: Glebe Community Centre  
• Date: October 21 
• Time: 10:30 am to 3 pm 

Get into the Halloween spirit at the Spooktacular Craft Market! With over 40 local vendors, this event at the Glebe Community Centre promises lots of spooky goods. Best of all, admission is free, and there’s even a free workshop! Learn more here! 

6. Ottawa Multicultural Fall Festival

• Location: Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park
• Date: October 21 
• Time: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm 

Celebrate diversity at the Ottawa Multicultural Fall Festival! This vibrant event promises a feast of various delicious ethnic cuisines, a fair showcasing handcrafted art, live music, and dance groups. There are also activities for children, making this event fun for the whole family.  

7. Halloween Haunted House

• Location: Glebe Community Centre  
• Date: October 29 
• Time: 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm  

Get ready for spooky fun at the Glebe Community Centre’s Halloween Haunted House! This event offers a Fun House experience for ages 3 to 7 (accompanied by an adult) from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. For the bravest souls, the Haunted House for ages 8 and up will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

8. NOIR Art Festival: 

• Location: Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park 
• Dates: November 2-5 
• Time: Various event times 

NOIR Art Festival is a four-day extravaganza that begins with a Gala fundraiser in support of Queensway Carleton Hospital. The gala will showcase some of the city’s best food, live performances, art workshops and more. The festival continues with three days of fine art exhibitions showcasing 55 professional artists, all centered around a “Day of the Dead” theme.  

These fall events offer something for everyone. Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker, art enthusiast, local foodie, or simply love taking in all that fall has to offer, the Glebe has it all. Mark your calendars and enjoy the season in our neighbourhood!

The Glebe neighbourhood has a rich history, spanning back to the 1800’s. Throughout the years, it has evolved into a vibrant neighbourhood, preserving its historic charm while accommodating modern developments. The area is also home to many iconic shops and businesses that have been open for generations. We’ve compiled a list of businesses which have existed here in the Glebe for over 50 years and provided a backstory for each one.

• Ernesto’s Barber Shop
  • Ernesto Falbo opened Ernesto’s Barber Shop in 1970, just three years after emigrating to Canada from Italy. He purchased it from Martella Barber Shop at 887 Bank Street and owned the business until 2013. After selling Ernesto’s Barber Shop in 2013, Ernesto continued to stay on and work until his retirement in 2018. To this day, Ernesto’s Barber Shop has continued to serve customers of the Glebe at the same location for 53 years.

•  Randall’s Paints 
  • Randall’s opened as a paint store in 1948 by Percy Randall.  Since then, it has continued to be a family-owned business here in the Glebe, now owned by Marc Pilon. Randall’s has expanded from a paint store into a complete home improvement store, specializing in quality customer service.  

• Davidson’s Jewellers 
  • Davidson’s Jewellers was opened in the Glebe in 1939 by Eastman Davidson. The original location had $40 rent and was considered a risky move as the Glebe was firmly out of the city centre at the time. In 1964 Davidson’s Jewellers moved to its current location on Bank and Third, where it has continued to serve their customers since. Davidson’s has since won several awards, including Small Business of the Year in 1999 and Best Jeweller in 1997.
    

• Metro McKeen
  • In 1910, James McKeen built a grocery store and butcher shop at 901 Bank Street. In 1955 Harold McKeen, son of James McKeen, opened McKeen IGA at 754 Bank Street. The business remains in the McKeen family to this day, currently operated by Rebecca McKeen. They pride themselves on their offerings of local goods and organic products.

• Glebe Meat Market  
  • The Glebe Meat Market has existed in the Glebe since 1920. Upon its opening, it was originally located at 793 Bank Street. It later moved to 869 Bank Street, where it remains open today. The Glebe Meat Market is owned and operated by Stephane Sauve, who proudly serves the community with fresh, and high-quality meats and goods.

• Metro Music   
  • Bob Sabourin opened a music shop called Professional Guitar Studios on April 1st, 1960, at 695 Bank Street. In 1965, Bob and his wife Christine renamed the Studio to Metro Music. While the store has evolved from the guitar studio it began as to a music store offering many goods, the focus remains on guitars and instruction. The shop is currently run by Bob and Christine’s daughter, Danielle Sabourin.  

These businesses have established themselves as an important part of the history of the Glebe. To read more about the Glebe and its history, check out our blog History of the Glebe. 

We thought we’d take you on a tour of some of the Glebe’s known history! The Glebe itself was established in name more than 170 years ago. However, the Glebe, like the rest of the Ottawa, is built on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and continue to live here today contributing to community and culture. The human history of the area extends at least 8,000 years into the past, well before the establishment of the Glebe in 1837.

The name “glebe’ means “church lands” and the neighbourhood was previously known as “the glebe lands of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.” Since then, the Glebe has become a vibrant and bright neighbourhood, with its history still ingrained in the buildings and streets. We’ve taken a look at some of our historical sights and scenes to provide you with a look into the Glebe of days passed!

• Lansdowne Park
  • In 1868 the first agricultural fair was held on what was then called the exhibition grounds.
  • In 1890 the exhibition grounds were renamed Lansdowne Park. The park was named after the Governor General from 1883 to 1888, the Marquis of Lansdowne.
  • In 1967 the Civic Centre opened in Lansdowne Park on Canada Day. This would later be renamed TD Place.

• Aberdeen Pavilion
  • Construction began on the Aberdeen Pavilion in 1897 by architect Moses C. Edey. It was officially opened on September 19, 1898, by Governor General Lord Aberdeen. The initial building cost $75,000 to build.
  • The Pavilion underwent extensive restoration in 1994 and was completed to its current condition.
  • The Pavilion remains standing today. It has very unique architecture, which you can read about on the Heritage Ottawa website.

• The Streetcars
  • On June 29, 1891, four tramcars were unveiled in Lansdowne Park. These tramcars were the start of Ottawa’s electric streetcar service, and they ran through the Glebe to the exhibition grounds on Bank Street. The system had the first ever electrically heated cars in Canada, and you could buy three tickets for a mere 10 cents.
  • The tramcars lasted until 1959 when the city made the decision to remove them, citing low ridership numbers.

• Old Avalon Theatre
  • The Avalon Theatre opened at the corner of Second Ave. and Bank Street on November 16, 1928, in the booming Glebe neighbourhood. The theatre featured cloud and star projection on the ceiling, and a state-of-the-art Simplex projection. P.J. Nolan had previously opened two other theatres in Ottawa, the Rex, and Columbia Theatre; however, this theatre was to be his first to show talking films. An initial equipment setback ironically caused the first 5 months of films to be played without sound, however in March of 1929 the Avalon finally played its first ‘talkie’ film.
  • The Avalon closed for retrofit and redesign and reopened as The Glebe Theatre on August 22, 1947.
  • The Glebe Theatre showed its final film on October 17, 1956.

• Bank Street Bridge
  • Before Lansdowne was the exciting and happening place it is now, people still needed to cross the Rideau Canal to get from the Glebe to Old Ottawa South, and so a bridge needed to be built.
  • A wooden bridge was first built over the canal in 1866, but it was replaced just a few years later by a steel swing bridge to allow boats to pass through.
  • The swing bridge was replaced with the current bridge in 1912 and was specially designed to be high enough for boats without having to swing open.
  • The bridge was restored fully in 1993.

• Old Scotiabank building
  • The Bank of Nova Scotia has had a branch on the corner of Bank and Fourth since 1939. The branch was originally in a building at the same location, but the building was later demolished and replaced in the 1960’s by a more modern one in the same spot.
  • Photo from the collection of Bruce McCallan

• The Rideau Canal
  • The Rideau Canal was completed in 1832 with the military purpose of creating safe passage between Montreal and Kingston. At first the Canal was used for military primarily, however when the Federal government took ownership of it from the British Ordinance in 1868, it quickly began to be used for commercial purposes as well.
  • By the early 1900’s the Rideau Canal began to be used for recreational purposes. Those living near the Canal used it for transportation and recreation.
  • Wharfs were located on both south and east sides of the canal where paddle-wheel steamers ferried people to and from the exhibition grounds.
  • In winter months the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest and second longest skating rink. During the Winterlude festival the skating rink is a popular attraction, bringing in thousands of visitors each year.

The Glebe has an endless rich history, and this article contains just a small fraction of the stories and wonders of its past. As the neighbourhood continues to grow and evolve into the future, our history continues to surround the Glebe, touching everyone who passes through it.

 

The Glebe offers endless restaurants with incredible food! We’ve compiled a list of international restaurants to try in the Glebe that specialize in cuisines from around the world! Who says you need to travel to taste the world?

Ethiopian:

• Hareg Cafe & Variety
  • Delicious Ethiopian and Eritrean food, with a wide variety of vegetarian options.

Middle Eastern:

• Jericho
  • Classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in an atmosphere of artistic fulfilment.

Indian:

• Last Train to Delhi
  • A progressive Indian restaurant, some classics and some new creations using traditional ingredients.
•  Light of India
  • Light of India Restaurant offers a unique Indian gastronomic experience.
•  Taj Mahal
  • Authentic Indian cuisine and a friendly atmosphere.
• Mahal Tanjore
  • Authentic South Indian cuisine in the heart of the Glebe

Italian:

• Cantina Gia
  • Neighbourhood Italian Restaurant serving fresh pasta, salumi, and vino.
• Il Negozio Nicastro
  • Fine Italian Food Shop located in the heart of the Glebe.
•  La Strada
  • La Strada Ristorante offers authentic Italian cuisine, a refined palate and unique table service.

Korean:

• Chung Chun Rice Dog
  • Chung Chun Rice Dog is a Korean chain that specializes in one thing: delicious Korean-style hotdogs!

Mexican:

• Margarita Restaurant
  • Fresh authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of the Glebe, with frequent live events and music, and a great patio!
•  Mona’s Taqueria
  • A more casual setting that offers tacos, quesadillas, tortas, burritos, drinks, and more!
•  Feleena’s
  • Providing Mexican cuisine in an upbeat atmosphere and a beautiful patio space.
•  La Chingadera Mexican Market
  • Authentic Mexican market and shop.

Japanese:

• Ramen Isshin
  • Authentic and delicious Japanese ramen.
• Le Poke Station
  • Offering fresh and delicious Poke Bowls of different varieties.
• Sushi Shop
  • Delicious sushi, poke bowls, temari collections, and more!

Latin American:

• The Soca Kitchen
  • Spanish & Latino fusion cuisine, bringing something new to Ottawa! Specializing in unique cocktails and tapas including tons of vegetarian options

 

So come down to the Glebe and taste the amazing flavours of the world! With restaurants for every occasion, the Glebe has something incredible to offer you!

 

 

Weather can be unpredictable and sometimes spending the day outside isn’t a possibility. While the Glebe has incredible outdoor spaces, there is also a long list of ways to spend the day indoors, rain or shine! Have a look at our suggestions and see what calls to you on a rainy day this summer!

Relax:

• Visit a spa! The Glebe has many beautiful spas where you can pamper yourself no matter the weather.
  • Third Avenue Spa is Ottawa’s only full-service Aveda concept spa, offering a full range of spa services using customized skin care products.
  • Accent on Beauty offers advanced esthetics and a full range of spa services. They offer specialized services including three solutions for hair removal: waxing, electrolysis and pulsed-light (IPL).
  • Glebe Osteopathy & Wellness specializes in massage therapy, manual osteopathy and yoga classes. Whether you are looking for injury treatment, relaxation or excellent yoga classes, they will be able to connect you with your wellness. 
• Get a manicure: if you’re in the mood for some quicker relaxation, then a manicure might be just what you need. The Glebe is home to several excellent nail salons.
  • Glorious Nails Lansdowne has manicures, pedicures, and everything in between!
  • Plush Beauty Lounge’s goal is to leave you feeling fabulous and beautiful – inspired by the charm and character of the Glebe, they bring a luxurious feel by using high end products while delivering personalized service.
• Get your hair done! The Glebe has countless fantastic salons where you can get your hair done for the ultimate ‘treat yourself’ day.
  • Reflections Hair Design offers all types of hair services from cuts, colour, highlights, straightening treatments and more!
  • Layers Hair Design is dedicated to providing the latest trends in hair styling, as well as perfecting the classics. Stylists stay on top of their game through on-going education and lively social media accompaniment. 

• Visit an art gallery! In the mood for something artsy? The Glebe has more than just beautiful murals, it also has spectacular galleries to explore!
  • Rag and Carbon is more than a framing studio, it also showcases beautiful art of different mediums, and is well worth a visit. 
  • Studio Sixty Six is an art gallery devoted to showcasing Canadian artists with unique, thought-provoking pieces.  

Work out: 

• Drop-in indoor roller skating:
  • Stop in at Lansdowne’s Aberdeen Pavilion on Tuesday nights this summer from 7:45 to 8:45 pm for some family-friendly roller-skating fun! All levels are welcome and participants are encouraged to bring quad or inline skates. Helmets are required for children 10 years and under.
• Take a dance class:
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studio focuses on the basics of dancing, and helping you transition into a comfortable, social dancer. Feel better on the dance floor, dancing your way to a better lifestyle and a healthy heart.
• Take a martial arts class:
  • Krav Maga Ottawa, is the source of authentic Israeli Krav Maga in the National Capital and Outaouais region. Spend the day learning Krav Maga the way it was meant to be as a simple, practical and incredibly effective self-defence tactics! 
• Take a fitness class:
  • Where I Thrive offers fitness classes driven by fitness research and student needs. They offer individualized attention in a group setting to give you the strength, discipline, and joy to find ultimate alignment. 

Entertainment:

• See a movie:
  • Cineplex Lansdowne offers movies in DBOX, VIP, 3D, UltraAVX, and standard, for the ultimate filmgoing experience. 
• Play some trivia:
  • Jack Astor’s has trivia every Tuesday night at 8pm and 9pm! Come for a drink or two, and lots of fun! 
• Play some virtual golf:
  • The Bunker is a 4500 square foot urban golf bar and watering hole. The venue boasts 7 custom and private oversized golf simulation bays powered by Trackman 4 Technology.

 Learn something new:

• Take art classes:
  • 4Cats offers instructor guided and self-directed art workshops to allow you to immerse yourself into a new artistic medium! Spend the day finding a new artsy passion. 
• Learn knife skills:
  • Knifewear offers a variety of classes to help you hone your knife skills in the kitchen and have you cooking life a true professional.