Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/126959
Nelson The Street Nelson, B.C. Heritage meets hip in B.C.'s coolest town In the shadow of Toad Moun tain, just 55 kilometres from the U.S. border, the Kootenay town of Nelson – nicknamed Queen City – was kick-started by an 1880s silver rush. Grand hotels, electric streetcars and elegant public buildings soon sprang up to serve the shiny-eyed miners, particularly along bustling Baker Street. But as the silver trade slowly lost its lustre so did Nelson's economy. The city was resettled in the 1980s by artsy bohemians and young families craving reasonably priced housing. Often described as B.C.'s coolest town, Nelson is now known for its painted heritage buildings along Baker embracing funky cafés and eclectic indie stores, with summertime sidewalk buskers strumming a season-long festival vibe. • –John Lee [ May — October Cottonwood Market June — August Marketfest July — August Artwalk The Go Spots SHOPS Named after the Hawaiian passion flower, Lilikoi entices couture cravers with silkscreened frocks (lilikoiclothing.com), and nearby Kolmel artfully accessorizes with a treasure chest of custom jewellery (kolmel.com). Charming creations by more than 100 Kootenay artists — from ceramic goblets to furry felt collages — line the walls at Craft Connections art co-op (craftconnection.org); three blocks west, Packrat Annie's is perfect for rainy day perusing of paperbacks and vintage vinyl (411 Kootenay Street). EATS Dive into heaping breakfast poutines at chatty Old World Bakery (460 Baker), or hit tiny Dominion Café for decadent pear-andginger white-chocolate muffins (334 Baker). From its Baker-atHendryx curbside corner, the shiny yellow Bite food truck serves up comfort-grub lunches — like the organic burger with bacon and gorgonzola (bitefreshfood.com); or, drive to nearby Gyro Park for a picnic perchwith-view. Fresh-made Middle Eastern dishes dominate at Mana'eesh's deli-bistro. Try the sharable platter with smoky baba ghanouj (449 Baker Street). 12 W e s t w o r l d p12-13_The Street.indd 12 >> Summer 2013 ] DRINKS Nelsonites congregate at just-upthe-hill Oso Negro for hot gossip and richly dark java — snag a garden seat for people-watching (osonegrocoffee.com). John Ward Fine Coffee offers a quieter alternative with soothing Silk Road Teas (johnwardfinecoffee.com). Nelson Brewing concocts the town's other liquid addiction: Organic Hemp Ale at the cozy Mike's Place pub (humehotel. com), with a breeze-licked veranda off the lively Library Lounge. After, join late-night toetappers for a show at the nearby Royal (liveattheroyal.com). WILD CARD Tucked along tree-shaded Herridge Lane, Bellaflora's fragrant storefront oasis reflects owner Kyla Jakovickas's passion for flower design. Beneath a wood-beamed, skylighted ceiling, slender air plants, glistening succulents and impossibly delicate orchids lure passers-by, as do the store's wine-andcheese workshops, where Nelsonites (and savvy explorers) socialize and gather tips for flawless home bouquets —J.L. (bellaflorastudio.com). John Lee learns the art of succulent-arranging at Bellaflora Y Member savings and benefits for B.C. travel at bcaa.com/kootenay (top: Oso Negro Cafe & Dominion Cafe/Baker Street) Jeff Topham, (Bellaflora wedding) Bellaflora, (Nelson-on-the-lake) Jeff Topham 13-04-18 1:27 PM PR 2c 1c 1c Jui 3-5 6s