Downtown Lethbridge Farmers' Market returns on July 6 ... expands to 30 vendors!

This year will mark the 5th year that the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) and Exhibition Park have partnered on the Downtown Farmers' Market. The market has grown in both size and popularity and we're excited to announce that we're expanding to 30 vendors this year.

Fresh fruits, veggies and other locally produced products will be up for grabs starting on Wednesday, July 6 at Festival Square (just off of 3rd Avenue and 6th Street S.). The markets will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m. We've also expanded the downtown market season and will be hosting markets right until September 14th.

The market has been a welcomed addition to the line-up of DBRZ sponsored events, especially since the departure of the downtown IGA store. People that live and work in, or near, the downtown have the opportunity to pick-up a wide array of locally produced products at our convenient, centrally located market.

Back again this year will be live music by a wide range of artists from the Buskers Association of Lethbridge. The Buskers will also be performing at a variety of other downtown locations as part of the DBRZ's 'Sounds of Downtown' initiative. The live music definitely creates a unique festival atmosphere.

Many of the merchants on 6th Street will be putting out tables during the market. This will provide market attendees with the opportunity to leisurely stroll down the beautifully tree-lined street and check out a variety of other items that our downtown merchants have to offer.

The DBRZ and Exhibition Park will also be selling our own Farmers' Market canvas shopping bags (while quantities last) at our booth. The bags will be selling for $2.00 and will include a coupon for a free bag of popcorn. The DBRZ popcorn cart will be selling popcorn at the market for 50 cents per bag.

So, when you're making plans to travel downtown to take in the Wednesday Farmers' Market, make sure to schedule a bit of time to wander around the rest of downtown to experience everything that are businesses have to offer. We have a great selection of boutique retailers, coffee shops and restaurants to choose from. As well, the Rotary Centennial Plaza water feature in Galt Gardens Park is an excellent place to sit, relax and cool off on a hot summer day.

For more information on the Downtown Farmers' Market, contact the DBRZ at (403) 327-9002 or Exhibition Park at (403) 328-4491.

10th Annual Bright Lights Festival & Midnight Madness Event in Downtown Lethbridge ... our biggest celebration ever!

The 10th Annual Bright Lights Festival will kick off the holiday shopping season in downtown Lethbridge on Friday, November 19th. The ceremonial lighting of Galt Gardens Park will take place shortly after the arrival of Santa at approximately 6:00 p.m.

The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) is especially excited to be partnering with the City of Lethbridge's 'Heart of Our City' and the Cultural Appreciation Society of Alberta (CASA) on this year's lighting of the park. Hundreds of new lights and a choreographed light show have been added in order to help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of this popular community event. The new Christmas lighting feature will add a whole new dimension to the event and the downtown. CASA's Lethbridge Holiday Light Festival will be in operation each evening from November 19 until January 7. A dedicated radio channel (102.7FM) will provide downtown visitors with the opportunity to take in the light show from the comfort of their vehicles while parked around Galt Gardens Park. Visitors are also encouraged to stroll through the park to listen to, and view, the lights close-up.

Besides the amazing Lethbridge Holiday Light Festival, Christmas Movies-in-the-Park will also be back again this year. A variety of classic Christmas movies will be shown from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the pergola area of the park. As well, the traditional hayrides, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, coffee and popcorn will be available (free-of-charge) courtesy of the DBRZ and participating merchants. The U of L's Faculty Brass Quintet and Tuba Christmas will be treating everyone to a live musical performance of classic Christmas tunes.

Midnight Madness will also be taking place in conjunction with the Bright Lights Festival. Participating businesses will be keeping their doors open late on November 19th and providing their valued customers with Midnight Madness specials.

Back again this year will be the London Road Neighborhood Association (LRNA) who will be on hand to sell hot dogs and hamburgers and to take donations for the Lethbridge Shelter & Resource Centre Soup Kitchen. The U of L's Kappa Sigma fraternity will be back again this year to help volunteer for light installation, concessions and take-down/clean-up after the event.

Modernegg will be presenting the 3rd Annual MADE Show+Sale at The Gate (522 - 3rd Avenue S. - old Bank of Montreal building) from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. A collection of local vendors will be selling unique, hand-made items. For more information, call (403) 894-3462.

For more information on the Bright Lights Festival & Midnight Madness event, contact Ted Stilson at the DBRZ at (403) 327-9002.

L.A. Gallery ... providing quality custom framing & exceptional service for the past 17 years

CASSANDRA

MOLLY

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Cassandra Hueser and Molly Elliot took us on a tour of L.A. Gallery and talked to us about what makes their downtown Lethbridge store 'the place' for custom framing needs in southern Alberta.

L.A. Gallery was started by Lori Strom in 1993. Lori has always prided herself on providing her customers with exceptional customer service, professional advice, expert craftsmanship and a great selection of limited edition prints and posters. L.A. Gallery's staff of four have a combined total of 28 years of experience in the art and custom-framing business.

L.A. Gallery has an expansive selection of acid-free and conservation options to choose from - 1,200 mat board samples and 5,000 frames. They also stock a wide variety of limited edition prints and posters. If they don't have what you're looking for in the store, you can peruse their comprehensive selection of print catalogues.

They enjoy the challenge of working on something that they have never framed before and have gained significant experience as a result of the numerous unusual objects they've framed in the past i.e. football pants, movie props, dueling pistols, license plates, dead snakes ... you name it and they've probably framed it.

L.A. Gallery recommends that people frame or consider re-framing their artwork, not just for aesthetic value, but also to conserve it for generations to come. People will often look at an old picture they've had framed and wonder why they chose a particular color, however most of the time the matting and/or artwork has faded over time and it no longer suits the picture anymore. With L.A. Gallery's acid-free backing/mat board and UV blocking glass, neither the matting or artwork will fade.

Make sure to watch for their 'Friday the 13th' sale events. They offer 20% OFF custom framing orders as well as a variety of savings on in-stock items.

L.A. Gallery is located on historic Round Street in Downtown Lethbridge - 421 - 5 Street South. For more information call (403) 380-4556 or email them at info@thelagallery.com.

Downtown Business Revitalization Zone featured in Lethbridge Living Magazine

The Downtown is the featured 'cover story' in the lastest issue of Lethbridge Living Magazine.

Here's a short excerpt from the 'City Centered' story by Amanda Berg ...
The culture of Downtown Lethbridge has changed over the years thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (Downtown BRZ) and support from the City of Lethbridge. The community has embraced the changes to the downtown core, and with a 10 per cent vacancy rate today, compared to 35 per cent in 2000, it's proof Lethbridge residents are frequenting downtown more than ever. "The downtown is our identity, a connection to our past. It is the lifeblood of our community," says Managing Coordinator for the Downtown BRZ and Lethbridge Main Street Project, Ted Stilson. "If you travel to cities around the world, you go to the downtown to see what the community is about - to experience the culture." Downtown BRZ wants to prove Lethbridge is no different.

Lethbridge Living Magazine is published six times per year and reaches over 45,000 readers at homes and businesses throughout Southwestern Alberta.

Copies of the November/December issue can be picked up at Lethbridge Living - 1518 - 3rd Avenue South or at the BRZ office - 310 - 6th Street South.

Farmer's Market opens in Downtown Lethbridge for the 2009 season!

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The much-anticipated Downtown Farmer's Market opened today to huge crowds of loyal customers. The downtown market was developed through a partnership between the Downtown BRZ, Exhibition Park and the City of Lethbridge. 2009 marks the 4th year that the Farmer's Market has been in downtown Lethbridge.

The market has been a welcomed addition to the downtown experience. Business owners, employees and residents from neighbouring areas such as London Road look forward to the start of the Downtown Farmer's Market.

The market takes place every Wednesday, July 8 to August 26 from noon until 5:00 p.m. It's located on Festival Square between 3rd and 4th Avenue on 6th Street South.

For more information, call the Business Revitalization Zone office at 327-9002.

Experience the flavours of Europe at The Cup 'n Saucer in Downtown Lethbridge

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NOTE: The Cup 'n Saucer has closed for business.

Sarah talks to us about the inspiration behind The Cup 'n Saucer and why she and her partners have brought a taste of Europe to downtown Lethbridge. Sarah and Marga decided to open their restaurant because they wanted to have a place where they could go for a nice coffee in a proper cup and saucer and enjoy some of the comfort foods and treats that they miss from their native countries of England and The Netherlands.

Marga is passionate about cooking while Sarah enjoys meeting and pampering their customers. Their extensive menu includes a wide-variety of dishes - full English breakfast which includes bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes and beans; full Canadian breakfast which includes bacon, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and toast; Dutch pancakes served with either syrup, cheese, meat or veggies; steak and kidney pies; chicken and mushroom pies; Dutch kebab (shoarma); fish and chips with mushy peas or coleslaw; fresh pastries and much, much more.

Besides their extensive menu and exceptional service, The Cup 'n Saucer also puts together a number of special events for their loyal customers. They host English pub-style quiz nights where customers are invited to put together teams for an evening of fun and laughs. Every six weeks they also put on a full British-style Sunday dinner. Tickets are sold in advance for a full-course meal comprised of roast beef, roasted or mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables, gravy and desert - apple crumble with custard, coffee and chocolate mints ... now that's a meal!

However, if you're just looking for a place to go after a bit of shopping, you can relax and visit over The Cup & Saucer's wide selection of coffee and tea. They offer locally roasted coffee provided by Cuppers, as well as imported Italian coffee by Lavazza. If you're too busy to leave the office, they also offer a catering and delivery service that includes a selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads, sweets and beverages. After work, The Cup 'n Saucer is a great place to sit back and unwind over a bottle of European beer or a glass of wine.

So, if you're looking for a great little restaurant with lots of charm, character and excellent food, make sure to check out The Cup 'n Saucer at 309 - 7 Street South - Phone 403 317-7797.

Check out their full menu at www.thecupnsaucer.ca.

The Penny Coffee House ... a legacy of great coffee, fresh-baked goods & even better service

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Eileen Abbott talks to us about why her business is much more than 'just a coffee shop'. The Penny Coffee House has become a downtown Lethbridge institution. With many locals, it's top-of-mind when it comes to selecting a meeting spot. The 'Penny', as it's known by to their clientele, is well-known for its superior, locally roasted and French pressed coffee and even better customer service.

The 'Penny' was the first cappuccino bar established in Lethbridge. Although the interior was renovated a short-time ago, in order to enhance the seating area and food prep stations, it has successfully maintained the relaxing and friendly atmosphere that has made it such a popular downtown Lethbridge meeting spot.

Eileen and her staff have developed a unique rapport with their customers, many of whom are considered friends. "They will help out if we are busy, assist in making coffee in the morning or even ring themselves through the till on a quiet day." Many customers come in more than once a day with some even running their business through the 'Penny' by bringing clients in for meetings or consultations. Meetings are aided by the wireless internet service that is also provided to her customers.

With one full-time and one part-time baker on staff, customers are always treated to daily fresh-baked goods. On Saturday's they feature delectable sausage rolls that are quickly sold-out to a lucky few that choose to start there weekend with a visit to the 'Penny'.

The 'Penny' also caters to the health conscious by offering daily homemade vegetarian soups and gluten-free breads and wraps.

In order to make the 'Penny' experience even more unique, Eileen utilizes her space as a gallery to showcase art from the U of L's Student Art Society. The art rotates on a bi-monthly basis with the majority of the pieces available via a silent auction.

The Penny Coffee House is located on historic Round Street (331 - 5th Street South). For more information, contact Eileen at 403 - 320-5282.

Ultraviolet Eyewear - Exclusive eyewear with a unique brand of customer service

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Simon Atkinson talks to us about a few of the Exclusive lines of eyewear he carries in his trendy, full-service, downtown Lethbridge store - Tom Ford, Emilio Pucci, Ed Hardy, Wiley X and many more.

Simon started Ultraviolet Eyewear in 2001, moving 2 1/2 years ago from his original location on 11th Street to the high-profile corner of 4th Avenue and 5th Street. The move to the downtown was prompted by a need to expand his retail display area in order to showcase a rapidly expanding line of Exclusive eyewear collections.

Simon and his staff pride themselves on being able to find and match the right frame and lens to each of their customers requirements. They are always willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that all of their customers specific needs are met. Ultraviolet Eyewear is well-known for providing exceptional customer service and expert product knowledge.

Ultraviolet Eyewear carries the largest selection of Exclusive designer eyewear in Southern Alberta. They travel 3-4 times a year to various Frame shows in order to find the special 'looks' that their customers have come to expect from them.

So, if you're looking for that unique and special 'look', make sure to visit Simon and his staff at Ultraviolet Eyewear at 333 - 5th Street South (right next door to the popular Penny Coffee House).

Learn more about their store at www.ultravioleteyewear.com. Phone 403 - 327-1104.