“Healthy lifestyle” quick serve food chain Chopped Leaf is opening in Upper Tantallon beside Katch. They are already operate dozens of locations Ontario west and one in suburban Seattle.

A Korean/Japanese takeout called Ilbunji is opening in the food court area of the Bayers Road Professional Centre.

Forever 21 who has struggled financially is closing all 44 of its Canadian stores including the store in Mic Mac Mall. All sales are final after October 7 and gift cards and credit notes are only valid until October 15. Liquidation is expected to begin next week and and conclude by November 30. Forever 21 first entered Canada 18 years ago.

Paderno will be closing all its remaining factory stores around the beginning November, liquidation of stock will begin in about 2 weeks time. In 2017 Canadian Tire purchased the Paderno brand, the long term strategy was to have Paderno as CT exclusive house brand.

The City of Lakes PharmaChoice in Downtown Dartmouth (on Portland near King) has closed and they are redirecting patrons to their sister store in Highfield Park.

Crossroads Gifts & Home Decor in Upper Tantallon is closing in November.

Old School Pizza in Hubbards has closed its doors

Aqua Naturals has closed their Downtown Dartmouth store on Portland St

Pannizza has departed from YHZ after opening less than two years ago

My Dream Cheesecake and Crossfire Kitchen have closed in the basement of Spring Garden Place, though later My Dream Cheesecake posted saying they may return next week

Meanwhile upstairs Jamaica Vibes has closed after moving from Cole Harbour earlier this year.

CHKN Chop is back open on North Street to the pleasure of many fans, the restaurant had closed in February after an accidental after hours fire.

It sounds like Katch will be reopening in the Halifax Shopping Centre food court on October 15.

Chops Meat Market in Burnside (Wright near Windmill) has changed hands and has some changes planned but first off it has been re-branded as GD Meat Market.

Globo Shoes is now open in Mic Mac Mall on the 1st level where Nine West was

Dugger’s Menswear is on the move, they will be just be a block away though on the corner of Spring Garden and Brunswick in The Doyle.

Mexicali Rosa’s (Mexi’s) has been a staple of Spring Garden Road in Halifax for 30 years, first opening in 1989 and then moving to their current home in 2012. Now it’s time for Mexi’s to head to a more suburban Halifax setting near Costco and Walmart and taking possession of 220 Chain Lake Dr. this week.

“Timing was correct with our current location agreement. With our new locations in Ottawa doing exceptionally well in a similar setting, it was time to move the Halifax location and give it room to breathe, ample parking, main level stand-alone storefront and create a more family friendly atmosphere,” owner -operator Chris Connolly explained to me.



“Although we will miss our downtown clientele the move isn’t so drastic that we won’t be out of reach for those that need their Mexi’s fix,” he said.

There are currently five Mexi’s locations, three franchised locations in Ottawa; a Moncton location operated by Mexi’s franchisor and Connolly’s business partner Mat Youden; and the Halifax restaurant.

“We hope to see our customer base grow with our move, continue to focus on customer service and product quality. In an ideal world we will continue to expand operations into other regions, provinces also including other parts of Halifax,” Connolly said about Mexi’s future. “We have some fresh ideas for quick serve outlets. The brand has shown significant growth in the past few years and we hope to continue this for another 30 years.”

I also asked about the longevity of the brand. “Mexi’s in Halifax has created a loyal following over the years through our ups and downs, location moves and re-branding. We have a wonderful group of core customers from around the region visit us.” he said.

If all goes to plan Mexi’s will have made its way to Bayers Lake by mid-November, in time for Halifax’s first Taco Week.

The charming The Box of Delights bookstore on Main Street in Wolfville is closing its doors today

Leon’s has reopened a corporate run store at their previous franchised location in Coldbrook