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HALIFAX, N.S. —

Sometimes you need to take your feet off the beaten path to find niche businesses. That is what John Connors has done with East Coast Kicks, a consignment shop for collectible sneakers.

The shop is located at 5687 West St. In Halifax, slightly hidden on the second floor, but the door is just steps away from Agricola Street.

Connors originally started East Coast Kicks as a hobby and eventually evolved into having a retail store in January 2017. It has been in the same building the entire time but has just moved to its third expanded space.

I asked Connors about the somewhat hidden location.

“Our motto going into this was ‘Stay down before you come up.’ Rent is very expensive up here so we’ve had our chance to actually grow our businesses being here,” he said.

“Anyone who is looking for us finds us, no matter how many stairs we put in front of them”

When Connors says “us” he is talking about Classic Soles, a companion business that he shares space with that’s run by owner Tyrone Goodwin, who specializes in cleaning, restoring and customizing sneakers.

East Coast Kicks also provides shelf space to nine small local startup clothing brands. They rent space and can have their products in a retail location and have exposure to a like-minded clientele.

However, the main focus of the shop is limited- and special-edition sneakers on consignment. These are shoes you won’t find in mass retail at the mall.

Connors says Jordan 1s and Yeezys are the most popular, but there are lots of other models available. There are shoes that cost less than $50, while one pair comes in at $1,800.

East Coast Kicks is open Tuesday through Sunday, or browse online.

Here are some more retail highlights and happenings:

Sticking with the theme of expansion, Garrison Brewing has opened its Oxford Taproom on Quinpool Road in Halifax. Part retail store front, part small brewery, part taproom. There is no menu in-house but it will have occasional food pop-ups, and they encourage customers to bring in food from the array of neighbours while they enjoy a pint. Based on the crowds this weekend, it is an instant success.

Diana Lewis, Garrison Brewing's marketing and events co-ordinator, pours a sampler for a guest during a sneak peek of the Oxford Taproom, formerly part of the old Oxford Theatre, in Halifax on Thursday. - Ryan Taplin

Espresso 46, which opened as literally a hole in the wall two years ago at 2867 Isleville St. in Halifax, has gone from being just a walk-up cafe takeout window and has added some indoor seating.

Over in Dartmouth, new and consignment furniture and home decor store The Posh Pearl has already expanded into a larger space at 171 Main St. after opening in September 2018.

The former Schtnizel Bistro on King Street in Dartmouth will be the home of another location of Buta Ramen. You can already find Buta Ramen on Morris Street in Halifax.

Lazeezo in Clayton Park has been rebranded to Charger Burger.

Jugo Juice will be returning to Mic Mac Mall. It will be opening beside Tim Hortons in the food court

Improv Cafe has opened in the back of Ratinaud on Gottingen Street.

Kim Feng, a Chinese restaurant, has opened at 516 Pleasant St., near the Circumferential Highway.