Lonsdale Quay Market was featured on Shaw TV Channel 4's program The Express.

Please skip ahead to 8:30 in the video to see our segment.

Click here to view the video feature

Lonsdale Quay Market is a proud sponsor in the annual Christmas Festival presented by the Lower Lonsdale Business Association in partnership with the City of North Vancouver, on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at The Shipyards located at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.  

Stilt walkers, a gingerbread cookie character and the inviting sounds of Christmas carolers starring Joani Bye will welcome you as you arrive on-site. Stage entertainment gets underway at 5:00pm with performances from Mike Battie who will be sure to thrill you with his fire juggling show; North Vancouver’s very own choir the Harmony Mountain Singers, a 35 member adult, mixed choir with a diverse repertoire: Pop, Folk, Gospel, Latin, and World; Flying not Falling Vaudeville Variety Revue who have been performing for over 20 years, and have graced stages all over North America and back for an encore performance the Danny Echo group whose music is described as Brit rock, stadium pop with a Celtic swirl.

City of North Vancouver’s Mayor Mussatto will light the giant tree at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue at 5:30pm just in time for Santa’s arrival at 6:30pm. Children are welcome to visit Santa at his workshop on site from 6:45pm – 8:00pm.

Shipbuilders’ Square will be sparkling with Christmas lights and filled with children’s activities that include the ever popular bug lantern building workshop lead by the North Vancouver Museum & Archives; the North Shore Neighbourhood House gingerbread man decorating station, which for a small donation you can take home your own decorated gingerbread man and festive crafts hosted by the North Vancouver Community Arts Council. To keep you warm during the festivities there will be free hot chocolate, coffee & cookies.

For more event details visit www.lowerlonsdalebusinessassociation.com  

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host the 1st Annual Christmas by the Sea - Parade of Trees from November 24th to January 7th at Shipbuilders Square in Lower Lonsdale. Proceeds from the event will go towards Harvest Project and Hollyburn Family Services - Youth Safe House. The event is presented by North Shore News and City of North Vancouver and supported by partners Onni Group of Companies, Mac Roofing Company, Richardson, Lonsdale Quay Market and The Great Canadian Landscaping Company. 

 "We wish to thank our sponsors who are all strong supporters of North Vancouver and who ensure we have a vital and strong economy," said Anne McMullin, President of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. "This event would not be possible without these companies who believe in investing in our community and making the North Shore a better place to live. They are about making North Van liveable by creating jobs and giving back," added McMullin.   

Christmas by the Sea will celebrate the Season and draw locals and visitors to this special part of North Vancouver. Visitors will experience an enchanting walk through thirty beautifully decorated Christmas trees displayed from November 24th until January 7th along Wallace Way at the Shipbuilders' Square. The Parade of Trees will promote participating companies and raise funds to help support local Charities at Christmas time. It is wonderful to have the support of local companies and we look forward to having thousands visit the area during the holiday season.

Businesses have purchased and will decorate an 8' Christmas tree from November 24 - 26. Trees will be judged for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes with three awards presented at the North Vancouver Chamber's Christmas by the Sea Reception.

Wish us luck on having one of the top 3 decorated trees!

The Retail Level opens at 10am daily.  Restaurants stay open later.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SAVOUR THE MEMORY CONTEST WINNERS!!

David Antoniak WON 2 CANUCKS TICKETS to the Nov 13th game against the NY Islanders!

David's favorite food memory was, " Definitely El Dorado Pies... the empanadas were phenomenal and it was great to find a hot sauce that I thoroughly enjoy!"

Surjana Lim Knill WON A MARKET GIFT BASKET! (worth $100)

Surjana's favorite food memory was, "Having having lunch in the food court with my daughter at Lonsdale Quay Market - Mother - Daughter time! "

May Ong WON A MARKET GIFT BASKET! (worth $100)

May's favorite food memory was, "Learning more about seafood in 30 minutes from Kosta, than I have in a lifetime! (at the Seafood Tips & Tricks Lunch & Learn) " 

Muriel Louie WON A MARKET GIFT BASKET! (worth $100)

Muriel's favorite food memory was, "Learning how to make Risotto and Chicken Cordon Bleu (and eating it) at the Lunch & Learn Cooking Demo! "

Did you see the VW Art at Lonsdale Quay Market?

Frame was hung on the wall near the public washrooms on the market level.

Lonsdale Quay Market was one of the Art Heist locations in Phase 2 of Volkswagen's Art Heist Promotion. Phase 2 ran from Thursday, October 19 until Sunday, October 23, thieves in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto had the chance to score framed and numbered light paintings created by the 2012 Jetta GLI. Individual frames were stashed in various locations in each city and clues were posted on Twitter.com/vwcanada to discover the whereabouts of these limited edition pieces.

The Volkswagen Art Heist Project Video

Congratulations to the lucky thief who made off with their very own VW Art!

The festival is a fun FREE community event that offers something for the entire family to enjoy including two performance stages! Shipbuilders' Square stage will feature musical performances, and the Promenade Stage will feature a cooking demo, fall garden demonstrations, dance performances, as well as other fun local entertainment. There will also be free Royal Express Train rides through the pumpkin patch, face-painting, balloon creations, roving entertainment and reptiles!!

Back by popular demand is the "who bakes the best pie" contest with "pumpkin" being this year's featured pie as well as prizes awarded for home grown produce.

Hosted by Artisan Wine Shop and the North Shore Artists' Guild Brush Strokes Gallery

Performances run Saturdays at the South Plaza at 11 AM, 12 PM & 1 PM until September 3, 2011

Join the North Vancouver Museum and Archives' costumed Shipyard Pals on a lively tour of the North Vancouver waterfront and learn about North Vancouver's wartime history. "Victory" ships, colorful characters, and tales of local lore and luck combine to take you back in time. Enjoy one of the Lower Mainland's most breathtaking views from the fully restored public pier, right beside the shops and restaurants of Lonsdale Quay!

Tours depart from the PGE Railway Station at the foot  of Lonsdale Avenue and Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver. Tours are approximately 45 minutes long.

For more information call 604.990.3700 ext. 8008 or email: nvmaprograms@dnv.org

FIRST PLACE:

Best place to people watch - Lonsdale Quay Market

Best Mexican Food - Cilantro & Jalepeno

FINALISTS:

Best  Music Festival - SummerFest

Best  Shopping Neighbourhood - Lonsdale Quay Market

Best Shopping Centre - Lonsdale Quay Market

Best Vounteer - Margita Shultz of Margitta's Fresh Flowers

Best Fish & Chips - Montgomery's Fish & Chips

Best Florist - Margitta's Fresh Flowers

Best Kitchen Cookware Store - Kitchen Essentials

Best Skincare Store - Sage

Best Gift Shop - Favourite Gifts & Accessories

Best Hotel - Lonsdale Quay Hotel

A Magical Afternoon | Sunday, March 27, 11:30pm - 3pm

Argyle Secondary School student Brianna Carlson and other amazing magicians will perform tricks to dazzle guests of East Side Mario's while they lunch.

The event will be followed by a silent auction, benefiting the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.

This March Break, families get a break too! Kids eat free at East Side Mario's March 14-27.

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day at Lonsdale Quay Market, as East Side Mario’s Restaurant opens its first Marriage Proposal Station, February 12-14, 2011.

The Cheshire Cheese Restaurant and Bar is participating in Dine Out Vancouver 2011. For $18.00, enjoy 3 courses of traditional British fare, while enjoying stunning views of the waterfront.

View the menu here.

Presented by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver is a city-wide celebration of food and British Columbia wine. Let the friendly staff at the Cheshire Cheese recommend a lovely BC wine for your dinner.

Call 604.987.3322 for reservations.

Lonsdale Quay Market is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in April, 2011. Check back often for updates on how we will celebrate 25 years of serving the community on the North Shore.

The Cheshire Cheese is offering a special holiday menu for two on New Year's Eve, including wine, for $59.95. Your meal includes:

• Seafood Platter with wild pacific salmon, prawns, scallops, cod and mussels.

OR

• Meat Platter with a grilled AAA sirloin steak, chicken breast, pork loin, and mushroom peppercorn sauce.

Both options include a bottle of Chardonnay or Malbec, ceasar salad, roast potatoes, basmati rice, and seasonal vegetables.

Call ahead to Reserve your table today! 604.987.3322. The Cheshire Cheese is open from 12-5pm on New Year's Day.

Cypress Coach Lines - Relax, save gas, & enjoy a safe shuttle trip to the slopes. Shuttles stopping daily at Lonsdale Quay Market. The shuttle schedule is available here.

Lonsdale Quay Market was recently featured on the Kudos page of the North Shore news, as Christine Woolley presented Lions Gate Hospital Foundation's Rebecca James with a cheque for $2500.00 this September. The funds were raised by donations from visitors to SummerFest 2010. Thanks for your support!

Kids Eat Free on Halloween! East Side Mario's Restaurant & Lounge is inviting all wizards, princesses, goblins and witches to dine FREE on Halloween, with the purchase of an adult entree. Visit eastsidemarios.com to view their Mini Mario's menu.

604.983.0123 | Karaoke Nights on Facebook

Cheshire Cheese Restaurant & Bar. Traditional British fare in cozy surroundings - what a nice way to begin the week.

President and CEO of Lonsdale Quay Market Corp. was recently profiled in the North Shore News' Network special feature. Click on the image to read the full story.

Congratulations to Kenny & Connie of North Vancouver, and Jen of Vancouver, on winning the Thanksgiving contest prizes. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to the following vendors for supplying prizes:

Sharky's Chophouse - Free-range Turkey
Kin's Farm Market - Vegetables
COBS Bread - Baguettes
El Dorado - Pumpkin Pie
The Soup Meister - Cranberry Sauce and Gravy
Margitta's Flowers - Harvest Bouquet
Artisan Wines - BC Wine Gift Basket
Bean Around the World - Organic Beans
Saje Natural Wellness - Pocket Pharmacy

Jana Seale performs Fridays at noon in October. Grab your lunch and relax to Jana's soft, fingerstyle guitar playing.

Lonsdale Quay Market will be open from 10am to 6pm on Monday, October 11.

Join Saje co-found Jean-Pierre for an informative and up-lifting seminar on creating your healthy environment through aromatherapy and essential oils at their Lonsdale Quay Market location, October 27, 6:30 to 8pm.

Seminar participants also receive 25% off Saje products on the evening of the seminar.

Register in-store or online.

Print out your ballot and enter to win at the Market today!

SummerFest 2010 has come to an end, and what a wonderful summer is was here at the Market.

With the support of our volunteers, merchants, and festival attendees, we raised almost $2500.00 for the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation this year. The funds will be used to outfit the hospital with "Smart Pumps", which administer IV medication, and reduce the risk of human error inherent with the delivery of medication.

Congratulations to Helen of Vancouver, who was drawn as the winner of the REO Rafting Adventure prize. Helen will receive and overnight rafting getaway for two people, courtesy of REO Rafting Resort.

Lonsdale Quay Market would like to thank all those who attended and participated in SummerFest 2010, for helping to make this community event possible.

Lonsdale Quay Market's beloved SoupMeister was recently featured in an article on the Beyond the Dough blog...

As the heat wave passes over Vancouver, back to school hovers around the corner. Inevitably cooler weather will soon follow, and your iced café becomes an extra hot latte and your salad becomes a soup! While it may not be what you crave on a hot day now, a hearty bowl of soup is a serious staple for fall eating. Read Full Story

Microsoft Xbox is bringing their Mobile Gaming Unit to the Waterfront Plaza from Thursday, August 19, to Sunday, August 20. Try Kinect. It's completely controller-free, and controlled by your movements.

Port Metro Vancouver's Salty the Seagull recently visited SummerFest to teach visitors about the port, its exports, and the animals who live there. Check out the full festival schedule for more great activities and entertainment.

Artisan Farmer's Market at Lonsdale Quay Market runs until October 30, every Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The Market holds special events which are fun for the whole family. Visit www.artisanmarkets.ca for more information or to register.

Upcoming Events during the Farmer's Market:

Bring your teddy bear or other favourite stuffed toy to the Teddy Bear Picnic and Parade on August 21 at 12pm. Prizes and storytime for kids.

Cooking Contests are held on the first Saturday of the month at 2pm, on the East Plaza of Lonsdale Quay Market.

• September 4 | Best Soup Contest
• October 2 | Best Pumpkin or Pecan Pie Contest

Deck out your stroller or bicycle for the Decorated Bicycle/Stroller Parade on September 18 at 1pm. Come decorated, or use the supplies at the Market Tent.

Come to the Farmer's Market on October 22 for the Scare Crow Contest and Parade. Bring along your own scare crow, or make one at the Market Tent. Parade begins at 1pm.

Return-It Man will be at the Market from 11am to 3pm, Monday, August 2, and Saturday, August 21 to talk about recycling and take photos with visitors.

Thanks for voting us the "Best of the North Shore 2010" North Shore Outlook. Click on the image below to see the winners.

Lonsdale Quay Market will extend hours to 9pm on Saturday, July 17, for Party at the Pier celebration. Enjoy this sights and sounds of Sinfonia Orchestra Brass Spectacular on July 17, at 7:30pm at the Burrard Dry Dock, and stop by the Market for some dinner and shopping.

Collective Stone has opened a new retail location. This second store focuses on unique fashions and accessories.

Congratulations Minaela on winning the Father's Day Colouring Contest! Minaela has won a boat ride with Dad, courtesy of Lonsdale Boat Rentals. Minaela's dad is special because: "He loves me no matter what I do." There were 162 entries into this year's Father's Day Colouring Contest, which benefited the BC Cancer Foundation.

Visit Lonsdale Quay Markets Twitter page (LonsdaleQuay) for your change to win passes to the Premier of Despicable Me (new 3D kids movie)

Catch all the World Cup action at Bean Around the World. Bean has installed two big screens, so relax over a cup of free trade coffee and don't miss a second of the action.

Lonsdale Quay Market’s East Plaza is the site of a recently completed sculpture garden, called "Viewfinder". This project the result of a partnership between Lonsdale Quay Market Corp. and the City of North Vancouver, and involves seven talented youth artists from the North Shore.

See the "Community Involvement" page for the full story.

Lonsdale Quay Market goes green! As part of ongoing efforts towards sustainability, reusable Market Bags are now for sale at Customer Service for $1.00 each.

Lonsdale Quay Market's latest community art project, "Viewfinder" was recently profiled in the City of North Vancouver's newsletter. Click on the image to read the full report.

The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Centre will open again for the season on Saturday, May 22.

Kosta the Fishmonger, owner of Screaming Mimi's and the Salmon Shop, will demonstrate some of his favourite summer BBQ recipes on the South Plaza, from 10am to 4pm, on Sunday, May 14. Visit the Waterfront Plaza to watch Kosta's BBQ demonstration, and taste some of this best creations.

Congratulations to Wendy from the North Shore, on being drawn as the lucky winner of the Mariachi Festival Enter to Win a Pinata contest! Authentic Mexican candy supplied by Cilantro & Jalapeno Gourmet Mexican Foods.

Congratulations to Mariana who won a spa package for her mom, courtesy of Lavish Day Spa. Mariana's mom is special because: "She is my best friend". This event raised $112.04 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon, and there were almost 200 entries.

Lonsdale Quay Market had a booth at a recent tourism industry trade show, and offered giveaways, coupons, free reflexology, and enter to win contests.

The three North Shore municipalities and the North and West Vancouver Chambers of Commerce have partnered with Climate Smart to offer a select group of North Shore businesses the chance to take part in an education series, and perform an inventory of our emissions, and calculate our carbon footprint. In ongoing efforts to gain information and resources to help us implement a Sustainability Plan for the Market, this will provide valuable insight.

Saje Natural Wellness and Favourite Gifts & Accessories displayed their eco friendly products on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

Favourite Gifts & Accessories will celebrate its opening in its new location at the top of the North staircase with an Open House on Mother's Day weekend, May 8 & 9. Stop by this weekend to see Carol's new space and enjoy a refreshment.

Every Saturday from May to October, the Artisan Farmer's Market comes to Lonsdale Quay Market's East Plaza. Discover conventional and organic produce, jam, jelly, vinegar, salsa, sauces, baking, honey, maple syrup, tea, eggs, local artisans with pottery, wood work, jewellery, soap and live music. The Farmers Market also features a book swap, kids play area and featured entertainment.

Meet the newest addition to the Market family at East Side Mario's Open House Thursday, March 25, at 6pm and enjoy complimentary food & drinks, prizes, gifts, & entertainment. The Open House will benefit the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.

WinterFest was a celebration of community, culture, and the Olympic Games. Below is a review posted on Flickr by a local after visiting the Market during the festival.

Source: Flickr.com

On a trip to North Vancouver, I couldn’t resist lingering at Lonsdale Quay. At any time of the year its market is fantastic, selling all kinds of farm-fresh goods and gourmet fare from exotic spices, to Italian sausage and artisan wines. I love Crepe Escape’s chocolate pancakes and browsing the hand-crafted jewelry stalls.
During the 2010 Olympics, Lonsdale Quay has been celebrating WinterFest. Along with live Games viewing, I caught a great First Nations drumming group and event and joined in a big group salsa class. Around me kids were having their faces painted and as it got dark, fire performer Miss Molotov threw some daring pyrotechnic shapes – juggling and flame swallowing included. 

Lonsdale Quay Market raised $226.27 with the Children's Run Bike Giveaway during WinterFest. Visitors to the Market entered to win a Children's Run Bike by donation, courtesy of Obsession Bikes in North Vancouver. The fundraiser supports the Quay Riders, the Market's team of cyclists who participate annually in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefitting the BC Cancer Foundation.

Olympic Bouquets, Green with Piety

Source: www.thehumanflowerproject.com

After much deliberation, the Vancouver olympic committee has settled on a monochromatic bouquet for the 1800 winners. O (what’s with you?) Canada!

The “green-gos” have spoken.  Last week, the powers that Olympicize introduced the bouquets that winners in the 2010 Winter games will wave.

“The Olympic bouquets are a soft, elegant green, with five B.C.-grown spider mums in the centre, surrounded by layers of monkey grass, aspidistra leaves and hypericum berries imported from Ecuador.”

What do you think?

We reported awhile back that June Strandberg, partnering with Margitta Schulz of North Vancouver, had won the contract to design and make the games’ 1800 victory bouquets. Strandberg’s Just Flowers, based in Surry, hires ex-convicts and trains them for livelihoods in floristry, giving her a conscionable advantage over the competition.

We’ve since learned that Strandberg is not only compassionate; she has the patience of Job. The Vancouver Sun reported on the extended “plea-bargaining” involved in choosing a design for the Olympic flowers. Strandberg had hoped to use only native flora of British Columbia: “We wanted the arrangement to look natural,” she said, “like something you would see if you drove up the mountain. But that is not what they wanted.”

The Vancouver Olympic Committee wasn’t impressed by indigenous salal or boxwood, and then nixed pussy willow for fear that a tossed bouquet might put somebody’s eye out. So Strandberg and Schulz kept juggling with the event’s muted colors – blue, green, and white.

“If I put in a white statice and blue iris and green mums they took out the white statice,” Strandberg told Steve Whysall of the Sun. “Next time they said ‘Cut back on the irises.’”

After 23 outtakes, the panelists chose an all-green design tied with a blue bow. The ‘Revert’ spider chrysanthemum (definitely on the chartreuse side) will be coming from Quik’s Farm’s greenhouses in Chilliwack, B.C., but everything else will fly in from an unnamed Ecuadorian farm; the foliage was to start arriving today. On Friday, the team will begin making the victory bouquets, 80-150 per a day. The Olympic committee asks that all 1800 arrangements look identical, which is tough (also kind of lifelessly peculiar. These are flowers, folks, not ski poles!)

From the photos available thus far, the 2010 Olympic bouquets look both striking (as in, weaponlike) and muted—a cross between a feather duster and ornamental cauliflower.  We suppose that the preferred simile will be a torch, since the Olympic fire, passed hand to hand for weeks, builds anticipation for the games and will ignite the competition this Friday.

But an all-green bouquet? It doesn’t take a Ralph Nader to figure out the politics of this choice.  The committee stresses that though not all the plants included are local, the South American farm involved has been carefully vetted. “Strandberg says she has investigated thoroughly to make sure the foliage is not being ‘raped from the jungle’ and that the farm itself operates in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way and has a reputable employment practice.” Even so, background checks weren’t enough. Today’s media environment demands a “meatless” color scheme, too.

Call us apprehensive but open. We wish June, Margitta, the 22 grads of Just Beginnings’ program and all those bobsledders well. Maybe green torches against snow-covered slopes will be dazzling.

That “sustainable” snow should be arriving any time now from Baltimore.

The iconic North Shore landmark, the "Q" Tower, has been repaired. The "Q" is fully functioning once again, just in time for the Olympics. The tower, standing at 75 feet tall, was without its "Q" for nearly a week. The "Q" wasn't able to revolve or light up for nearly two years, and after being removed by a giant crane and repaired, is now fully functioning and shiny with a brand new coat of signature red paint.

The North Shore News 2010 Readers Choice Awards winners have been announced. This year’s awards were fast-tracked to January so that the winners could be announced in time for the Olympics, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the best the North Shore has to offer. Congratulations to the following tenants for their achievements:
 

The Salmon Shop & Screaming Mimi’s
Favourite Seafood Store
 

The Soup Meister
Favourite Meal Under $10
 

Margitta’s Fresh Flowers
Favourite Florist - Runner Up
 

Lonsdale Quay Hotel
Favourite Hotel - Runner Up
 

Caribbean Days Festival
Favourite Annual North Shore Festival

The Kid's Ballroom in Kid's Alley is open again after extensive renovations. After nearly 23 years as a castle, the ballroom now boasts a beautiful new facade in the style of a Gingerbread House. The interior received a fresh coat of paint, and was filled with more than 10,000 brand new balls.

The Soup Meister has reopened his beautiful newly renovated and expanded store, with even more fridge and freezer soups to enjoy. Come check out his new space!

After extensive renovations, Lonsdale Quay Market is excited to announce East Side Mario's will open on Tuesday, February 9. East-Side Mario's Restaurants are everything you love about Italian - the warmth, the passion and, of course, the food.

Lonsdale Quay Market raised $217.48 and collected several bags of toys for North Shore families this holiday season. All proceeds from the Gingerbread House Contest, visit from Santa Claus and kids' activities, and Gift Wrapping Station - generously staffed by Lady Vancover Club volunteers - benefitted Family Services of the North Shore's Christmas Bureau.

Lonsdale Quay Market Cobs Bread supplied the bread and a variety of breakfast items for the Travel Media Association of Canada's (TMAC) conference, held at the newly open Pinnacle Hotel on Saturday, January 16.

Margitta's Fresh Flowers has won the bid to supply the bouquets for the 2010 Winter Games. In order to fill the challenging 1,700-bouquet order, she will enlist the help of some Vancouver women overcoming  life challenges of their own. Click here to read the full story.

More links to news about Margitta and the Olympic bouquets:

Globe & Mail: Flower Power Helps Troubled Women Bloom

News Talk 1010: Flower Power Behind Olympics Bouquets

Vancouver Sun: Native BC Flowers

The Soup Meister needs room for all his new toys! The expansion is expected to be open by the end of January. Come check out his new space!

Watch for East-Side Mario's coming to Lonsdale Quay Market! East-Side Mario’s Restaurants are everything you love about Italian - the warmth, the passion and, of course, the food.

www.eastsidemarios.com

Celebrate Artisan Wine Shop's 3rd Anniversary today (July 31, 2009) with free in-store Ice Wine tastings, 25% off all crystal and receive a free gift with a purchase of $50 or more.