Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/207624
the street: Prince George's 3rd Avenue Indie retailers and eateries dot the main street of B.C.'s northern capital Eats Grab a rotund cinnamon bun under the Ritz Bakery's retro-cool sign (263 Brunswick) or dive into a bulging omelette breakfast at diner-esque Simmy's Bistro (1085 3rd). Lag yourself at lunch with a $10 special at linen-tableclothed White Goose Bistro — chicken Caesar wrap recommended (1205 3rd) — or join the chattering office workers for hearty soups and sandwiches at Margo's Cafe (361 Victoria). For a fancy dinner, slide up to North 54's cocktail bar then order a grand sit-down feast of duck breast or seafood jambalaya (north54restaurant.com). T he streets of B.C.'s hardworking northern capital were created after the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway bought land from the local Lheidli T'enneh people for $125,000 in 1911. Aiming to cash in with a townsite around its new station, the railway hired Boston architects to draw up plans quickly: fresh-painted clapboard buildings were soon popping up like grizzlies at a salmon run. But it wasn't until 1915 that the city – striped with broad, Paris-like boulevards that were the fashion of the day – was incorporated as Prince George. These days, the wide thoroughfares remain, radiating from a 3rd Avenue main street lined with independent stores and restaurants guaranteed to thaw the chilliest winter days. – John Lee 12 W estworld p12-13_Street.indd 12 >> [ december Northern Lights Festival january Coldsnap Festival february Prince George Iceman The Go Spots SHOPS Books & Company keeps locals curled up on their couches with its tempting tomes (booksand company.ca), while the Top Drawer Yarn Studio upstairs teaches handy scarf-knitting skills (1685 3rd). Raise your temperature with a ride on the vintage, kidfriendly mechanical horse at WINTER 2013 ] Northern Hardware, a classic everything-you-need general store (thenorthern.ca), then canter along to nearby W.D. West Studios photography shop (1364 3rd): founded by Wally West, his evocative Prince George images are archived at wallywest.ca. Last-minute holiday shopping? Scoop up classy home and gourmet treats one block over at J.J. Springer (jjspringer.com). Drinks Defrost with a giant latte at brightly painted Café Voltaire (1685 3rd), or find a high-table perch on open-mic night at ever-friendly Nancy O's, with its lip-smacking craft-beer selection — consider local Pacific Western Brewing tipples (nancyos.ca). Classic cocktails and barbecued pub grub rule at wooden-floored Copper Pig (copperpigbbq.ca), but for an end-of-night wind-down, head towards the Twisted Cork's Eurolook stone facade. Hit the toasty back room for a fortifying stout and some Yahtzee board-game action (twisted-cork.com) before calling it a night and hailing yourself a cab. DON'T MISS Fostering a classy arts scene downtown, the welcoming Groop Gallery is studded with piquant contemporary works by Northern B.C. painters, sculptors and photographers. Curated by ownerartist Melanie Desjardines — check out her cool paintings on metal — the ever-changing, salon-style back room bristles with temptingly priced creations, while regular events and openings give chinstrokers something to talk about. And if it's not too cold outside, swing your camera at the kaleidoscopic mural colouring the building's back-alley exterior (groopgallery.com). — J.L. Y Member savings and benefits for Prince George travel at bcaa.com/princegeorge Jeff Topham 13-10-25 9:56 AM