Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/660949
15 LEGENDS TALES • Volume 5, 2016 B ou tique Sh o pp i ng : W illi a m A u Winnipeg Ideas Sensational Shopping Story For unique finds at locally-owned shops, head to Winnipeg's niche shopping districts: Boho Osborne Village is renowned for its trendy fashion, gift and jewellery boutiques. For posh threads, beauty pampering, and specialty foods, head to Academy Road in upscale River Heights. The artsy crowd flocks to the Exchange District for local artworks, and funky vintage furniture shops and antiques. Winnipeg Design Festival is Manitoba's largest design event, showcasing the province's boundary pushers in the fields of fashion, furniture, graphic arts, landscape, architecture, urban planning and more through various activities. Runs Sep 14-17, 2016. Browse the two-storey Forks Market and Johnston Terminal for global goods and made-in-Manitoba food souvenirs. Highlight: The eclectic Village Antique Mall takes over the entire basement of Johnston Terminal. Big box shoppers hit Kenaston Boulevard, which features popular retailers such as Nygard Flasgship store, HomeSense, and IKEA in the newly developed Season of Tuxedo. Coming in spring 2017, the 400,000-sq.-ft.,100-store Outlet Collection Mall opens with many first-to-market stores and will be Winnipeg's first pure outlet mall. Winnipeg's largest mall, CF Polo Park, recently underwent a $40-milion expansion featuring first-to-market stores, such as H&M, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Nine West and Fossil. From big-box stores and popular brand name retailers to one-of-a-kind treasure troves, Winnipeg's shopping scene caters to all tastes. A slick architecturally designed property boasting waterfront views. A grand historic haunted hotel. Familiar brand names offering family-friendly stays and waterslides. Winnipeg has a place to stay for all needs and budgets. Serene Stays Since 2011, 13 new hotels have opened or expanded, bringing the total rooms up to 7,500 in 2015. Recent additions include ALT Hotel, Courtyard by Marriot, and The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview, while the 27-storey Sutton Place Hotel will make its home at True North Square in 2018. Millions of dollars in renovations have also been completed at several properties, demonstrating that investors see the growing potential in Winnipeg's rapidly expanding tourism market and consumers now have more diverse lodging options. Unique and recognized properties: The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre is a former Grand Trunk Railway Hotel with more than 100 years of history – it's famous for its haunted residents. The hotel boasts a world-class spa and opulent Palm Lounge. Sparrow Properties is a local chain of hotels. Inn at the Forks is an eco-friendly property with one of the city's hottest new restaurants, a spa with treatments that also incorporate indigenous traditions, and stylish rooms. The architecturally suave Mere Hotel is located on Waterfront Drive and boasts river views. Brand name hotels include The Fairmont, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Delta, Hilton, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott and more. 1. Delicate silver jewellery pieces are minimalist stunners from Hilary Druxman's atelier 2. Fashionistas clamour for Lennard Taylor's edgy and contemporary men's and women's clothing made from cotton, leather and denim 3. Celebrity A-Listers like Katy Perry and Britney Spears are fans of Julie Pederson's trendy spats 4. Shelley Ediger's dEDIGER casual men's hats, tees, bomber jackets and hoodies are both fashion-forward and functional 5. The ultimate Winnipeg fashion souvenir: keep your tootsies warm in a pair of Sean McCormick's coveted Manitobah Mukluks TOP 5 LOCAL DESIGNERS: