Food Shopping and Entertainment in Walkerville

Walkerville is One Happening Place!

Historic Olde Walkerville offers an eclectic array of places to eat, drink and shop. Residents and visitors alike can choose from new faces or old favourites, as this vibrant neighbourhood continues to expand its business community. Take a relaxing stroll down Wyandotte Street East with a few detours off the beaten path, and you'll find no end of places to investigate.

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FOOD

Peerless Ice Cream: 1801 Wyandotte

For over 60 years, kids of all ages have converged at Peerless, the last of seven original Peerless ice cream shops. Owner Geri Ouellette offers 43 flavours, including the popular French Vanilla, waffle and sugar cones, sundaes, old fashioned milkshakes and decadent banana splits served in classic Venetian cups. Perfect on a hot Walkerville summer day.

Jennys Velvet: 1646 Wyandotte East

It seems like the Velvet has been here forever, serving breakfast and lunch in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Owner Jenny McLeod is a familiar face; she worked at Velvet four years before taking over the reins a year ago.

Kildare House:1880 Wyandotte East

The Kildare, a Celtic Pub, has become a new favourite among locals; soak up the sun on the patio while enjoying daily lunch and dinner specials, and rib sticking pub grub. Enjoy one of the 10 import and domestic draught beers and the extensive whisky collection. The Kildare, owned by Walkerville Collegiate alumni Heath Chantler and others, recently celebrated its second anniversary and has been a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

The Victoria Tavern: 400 Chilver

The Vic has been a Walkerville tradition since 1897. Proprietor Aaaron Edwards has stocked the largest Scotch Whisky bar in Windsor, and carries Guinness and other imports on draught. Try the famous Vic Burger, or sample other fare from the Vic's vast menu. Whether itÃs a turkey club or fish and chips, the Vic doesnÃt disappoint. Drop by the Neighbourhood Backyard BBQs on Sundays this summer, and try the Savoury Ribs n Chicken.

Jackies Variety and Lunch: 1998 Wyandotte East

A Walkerville staple, Chuck Holmes has owned Jackies for the last nine years. Whether you're looking for the Walkerville Times or the New York Times, you can find it at Jackies, along with a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Hot summer days get a little cooler with an ice cream or cold soft drink, and the company at the counter can't be beat.

The Willistead Restaurant: 1840 Wyandotte East

With Lorraine Desjarlais (of Catering by Lorraine) at the helm for the last three years, the Willistead is a favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. Home-cooked meals and breakfast all day, as well as daily specials.

FOOD: new and noted

The food & bevie landscape will continue to evolve in Olde Walkerville with the opening of two new eateries: Plato's Blend, a bakery coffee shop and Kush, Windsor's first "resto-bar". On Ottawa Street, Whisky's Michigan Grill has been reborn as Ozwad's, a Classic Grill House. Particularly enjoyable is this venueÃs heritage theme, including the giant murals and historical photos. Check it out at 1515 Ottawa Street.

Once youÃve satisfied your hunger at one of WalkervilleÃs eating spots, hit the streets again for some great shopping.Walkerville offers an interesting mix of stores, offering everything from antiques to the latest in housewares, foodstuffs and art.

Now in their new location, owners Paul Leite and Darryl English have been in business for almost two years. They offer a wide selection of distinctive gifts for distinctive people. Everything from candles to soap and vases to ashtrays can be found here, and custom gift baskets are available too. In addition, Soho carries the largest line of gourmet foods in the city: teas, coffees, spices, sauces, chocolates and more.

After three years in business, owner Michael Richardson just celebrated Icons grand opening in their new location. Icon is a lifestyle store, featuring furnishings and home accessories. From stemware to sofas, Icon is now bigger and better than ever.

Partners Jillian Knapp and Laurean Stobbs will soon be moving into the heart of Walkerville from their current location on Ottawa Street. Not yet a year old, Timeless Treasures will be bringing their consignment furnishings, tables, lamps, cabinets, etc... to Wyandotte Street, next door to the former Icon For The Home location.

Shannon Gilbert has been in business for six years and offers fresh or silk flower arrangements, as well as wedding and funeral packages. Have your arrangements custom designed; they're a perfect gift.

Elaine Weeks and Chris Edwards offer books, posters and CDs, featuring only local artists, musicians and writers. Greeting cards, vintage photos of Walkerville & area, and T-shirts are also available

Joseph Lapointe and John Mailloux have been offering their interior design and outdoor decor services for two years. Home consultation and event planning services are also available.

Since 1984, Leslie Donald and Kevin Donald have been framing pictures in Walkerville. Posteroptics also offers the original art of local artist Nancy Jahn.

Ty and Valerie Coon offer a super selection of wood furniture. Dining tables, chairs and cabinets are on display in the showroom. The Wood Doctor, known for its stack of red wagons on the sidewalk, came to Walkerville ten years ago.

Daniel Imeson is a newcomer to Walkerville, having just moved the shop to the neighbourhood nine months ago. Dealing in French and European Antiques, the five-year-old business was previously located on Erie Street.

Owner Bryan Futko features 21st Century Design: revived furniture and unusual collectibles. The store is like a time capsule of twentieth century artifacts, great for browsing.

Kerrie Ann Lendvai is a registered Aromatherapy Health Practitioner and Certified Reflexologist. Massage, ear coning and holistic facials are all available. Retail products include aromatherapy products, natural soaps and handcrafted creams and perfumes. Gift certificates are available.

Ken and Pat Girard own this comic book collectorÃs nirvana. On this site since 1990, and in busines since 1986, Border City features a complete line of popular comic books, including The X-Men and Spiderman, compilation graphic novels and action figures. Head to the basement for discounted comic books.

A mother of six children, Julia Conlon is a prolific painter. Her gallery on Kildare Rd. is filled with her sought-after limited edition paintings. JuliaÃs work focuses on "Canadian family life...a collection of vignettes drawn from everyday experience."

Walkerville resident Henry Godon, 85 remembers what area businesses were like when he was a lad.

PetcÃs Drugstore & Soda Fountain was on the corner of Chilver & Wyandotte. Then there was the Walkerville Bakery in the middle of that block. You could buy all the bread and fancy cakes you wanted, from the most exquisite to the most simple. They made a lemon square, no icing but a lemon butter filling - absolutely delicious!

Note: to read more about shopping in olde Walkerville in days gone by, see also Al Roach's Shopping in Walkerville

Looking for something to do after the shopping expedition or long day at work? Walkerville offers entertainment venues to meet all tastes, from old-style pub to alternative dance hall.

Since 1897, the Vic has served the people of Walkerville, most recently under the direction of owner Aaron Edwards. A traditional neighbourhood bar that caters to regulars (known as the Victoria Tavern Association of Professional Cocktailers), the building has undergone many upgrades in the last few years. Watch for the Indie Fest II coming in September, a showcase of Windsor's independent bands and musicians who will perform inside and on the patio.

Not just a great spot to eat, the Kildare also features 10 imports & domestic microbrews on tap, and a large single malt scotch and Irish Whiskey selection. Catch live Celtic music Thursday through Saturday.

Just a few blocks from the happenings on Wyandotte, this neighbourhood tavern has been here for ages. For the last six years Jim Lott's been in charge, and the Backstreet has become a popular watering hole. Stop in for lunch, and enjoy one of "the best hamburgers in town," or check out one of the live bands playing every weekend.

Featuring live rock bands on the weekends, J.C.s is also known for the volleyball courts. Alternative dance music can be heard downstairs at The Underground.

Owners Rob Sarra and David Ruxton always have something new in the works at this alternative dance club. Currently, DJ music is on the agenda for Friday and Saturday nights Á watch for the completion of renovations to the second floor.

The historically significant Walkerville Theatre was built in 1918 by then unknown architect Howard Crane, who went on to design the majestic Fox Theatre & Orchestra Hall in Detroit, and Earls Court in London, England, among many others.

Originally built for Vaudeville acts, live entertainment gave way to silent movies and then talkies in the late 1920s. Until amalgamation with Windsor in 1935, theatre goers could choose to watch shows from either the Windsor or Walkerville side, as the building straddled the border between the two towns.

"The Tivoli," as it became known, operated until 1965 and was briefly revived as a Bingo, then as a community/dance theatre. At press time, the new owners were in the process of applying for a liquor license with plans to convert the old theatre the into an alternative nightclub.

Many residents oppose the liquor license application, and have marshalled a petition, which was signed by over 500 locals. Main concerns include minimal parking spaces, the over intensification of a residential area and problems associated with the "kiddie bar" syndrome in the downtown core.