Oh gosh this mall was exhausting ! The amount of people I felt like I was in a movie. Non stop…read moreyelling and running around was wild. They did have a lot of stores but it was way to much we left. The outlets was wayyyyyy better

retail/shopping BLOWS in Canada (definitely better down south...), The Bay, Nordstrom, Saks.. all…read moreGONE now. This is right downtown; so good location. Similar to eaton centre (another store gone in canada) in Toronto.

Ah, Sparks Street Mall! I was doing all things touristy on Canada Day around Parliament Hill. I…read moredecided to walk down a block and check out this street that I hadn't set foot on for at least a decade. Sparks Street Mall is essentially a pedestrian strip mall with a bunch of shops, eateries, and more. It's nice, especially with various performances scattered along the street to celebrate the country's national day. I dig that you don't have to deal with traffic along this street, especially on Canada Day. It was nice casually roaming around, seeing how everyone was into wearing red and white, and taking paper Canada flags from folks to wave around. I have a few memories visiting this stretch over the years. There was a time where I was so busy with work that being on vacation made me realize that I should get a haircut. I started getting haircuts on vacation. My first one was at a salon on Sparks Street. I don't recall the name of it. I'm pretty sure that it is long gone. It was owned by a husband and wife team. They were hands-on running the business, and did all the hair cutting and styling. I recently had lunch at Bier Markt. I realized that it had taken over the old Zellers store, along with Winners at the corner. The eatery was buzzing. It looks a bit weird seeing a huge patio in front of a store that I loved. I bought a Jann Arden CD and a portable CD player at this Zellers. It brought back some cool memories. I also remember some sort of public service announcement (PSA) on television of a woman rattling off, "56 Sparks Street. Ottawa," as a young kid. I was perhaps four years old at the time, already exhibiting a thing for numbers. I didn't know what she was talking about, though. Well, I did visit 56 Sparks Street on my most recent trip. There was a sign on the building. She actually said, "This is Lotta Hitschmanova of the Unitarian Service. 56 Sparks Street. Ottawa," in this PSA. I'm pretty sure that I couldn't spell this woman's name as a four-year-old kid. I still can't as an adult. She was attempting to get Canadians to help others in need in far away places. Lotta held a PhD in philosophy and died in 1990. The Unitarian Service of Canada still exists, but under SeedChange. It is still at 56 Sparks Street. Ottawa. I managed to take in an outdoor musical performance in front of the CBC-Radio Canada building. I nearly bought bubble tea at a small ramen place before the thunderstorms and rain caused everyone to seek shelter. Great memories getting caught in a downpour without an umbrella are now with me. Luckily, I had a Canada cap on and managed to walk to my car parked at the National Arts Centre. This stretch is cool, with a lot of history and self-discovery. I always learn so much when I'm walking along streets as a tourist and spot buildings of interest. It forces me to do some research if an informational sign isn't there for me to read. The Post Office building at 59 Sparks Street is a good example, with a running Canada Post across from it. I feel that this street is more for tourists like me. If you're into shopping, box stores elsewhere would be better. If you're staying downtown, it's cool coming here to check it out. I love the history. I also love the charm of souvenir shops and eateries with live music outdoors on dry days that makes this street cool. (256)

I love Sparks Street Mall!! It's a pedestrian strip full of restaurants such as the famous Riviera,…read moreas well as The 3 Brewers, The Rabbit Hole, and Nates Deli. There is not a lot of shopping, but there is a Winners, and who doesn't love Winners? Sparks Street also holds events on the strip like the Ribfest, poutine fest as well as pop up night markets. The strip is decked out during the holidays with tons of beautiful lights. Access to the LRT and a quick walk to the Parliament.

I ventured over to Ottawa Trainyards to check it out. I didn't really need anything, but I did get…read moresome cool items. While waiting for the traffic lights to change, I liked seeing a store directory. I came here without any knowledge of the stores here. I liked coming here to figure it out. The Trainyards is like Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga. It is a bunch of stores that cover a lot of land. Think of it as a neighbourhood of stores. You have to strategically figure out where to park and walk to the stores that are around you. During my visit, I parked a grand total of three times. I stopped by Michaels and got some good items that were on sale. I was a happy shopper! I then parked in front of the Gap outlet. I also visited Old Navy and Sail that were on either side of the store. I then decided to drive and check out what other stores were there. I spotted Kettleman's Bagel Co. and parked to have lunch. The selection of stores is cool. If you are more of a mall shopper, this setup may not be for you. If you do like box stores, you'd like it here. My only problem I had was dealing with a woman in a minivan who was waiting for me to leave my spot to pull through. She actually honked at me. I didn't appreciate it and gave her a signal to say that I was staying. I was pulling up my GPS and I was under no obligation to move out of a parking spot to convenience an impatient idiot. (289)

Hey! This is a big mall! Way bigger and better than I remembered it. I guess it's been a while…read more.. and about time we came back! There's a Kettleman's Bagel shop here; wish we had one in Kanata / Stittsville! The mall was big enough to be inviting to return. We will definitely come back! And I will update this review when we do.

This is a huge mall with an incredible number of shops spread over three floors. All major stores…read moreare available including Uniqlo, Apple, Roots, Apple, Aritzia, H&M, Old Navy, Gap and Zara. There's also direct entrance to Walmart on the 3rd floor. Gets busy in the weekend with visitors. Prices are decent for apparels and food. Mall is mostly clean and organized. Elevators are on one side of the mall, little annoying. But they have free parking garage which is nice.

I love bayshore and shop there often, but there was this hair product salon station in…read moreparticular..this guy kept promoting it, it's the KK salon by cole's. He pulled us over and used me as an example after I said no anyway, like 2-3 times. Used my mother and sister as examples like we were dolls and didn't even fix her hair, the serum totally messed up my hair and my curls fell. Only reason it's bumped down to 3 stars. Do not recommend the KK hair products, mad expensive. $50 for hair serum!?!?!? He attemped to push my mom, who could NOT get it, and pushed more eventually gave up and gave dirty looks. Other stores are great, found the book I was looking for at Cole's too.

College Square is an acceptable outdoor mall/plaza. It's shaped like a square so you can walk…read morearound the perimeter and get to every store. The anchor store is Loblaws, which is quite large with a good Joe Fresh (clothing) selection. There is also a medical clinic in the Loblaws. There's an LCBO and Rexall Pharmacy here. The retail stores are Aldo, Le Chateau, Addition Elle, Reitman's, Bath and Body Works, Carter's Osh Kosh, Dynamite, Femme Carriere, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger and New Balance. The Aldo and Le Chateau are outlets, so they have stuff from past seasons. The Femme Carriere here has a large clearance section. There's a Chatters here too (hair salon that sells salon products). And a BMO, a computer store called NCIX, and a Roger's Video. The only real restaurant here is Chances R. For food though there's a Timothy's Coffee and an Extreme Pita as well. There's a long lane way (next to Loblaws) that connects the square to another area like an annex of sorts. This other area has a Home Depot (with a Harvey's inside), Pizza Pizza, McDonald's, Tim Horton's and Subway. I go here sometimes mostly to check out the Femme Carriere clearance section and the Le Chateau outlet.

This is a fairly large mall, and quite handy for the neighbourhood. It's especially handy for…read moreanyone working or studying at Algonquin College across the street. In the years I have been coming here, there have not been a lot of good restaurants to choose from in this plaza: "Chances R" has been there only for ever! But more recently, a snazzy new Kettleman's Bagel, and a Popeye's have also opened up.These last two are not sit-down-get-service types of restaurants, but they are still popular. There's also a Tim Horton's nearby. The fact that there are so many take-away restaurants that succeed in this mall says a lot about the clientele here. Loblaws is indeed the anchor store (as Jennifer P noted). I have been frequenting their take out prepared foods counter, and I'm pleased to see the variety of take out dishes that are ready for you, such as: fresh prepared sushi, various salads: vegetables and / or potato, as well as macaroni salad. Loblaws also provides the chain store standard of a whole prepared chicken for about $8.00 (this is usually too much for me to eat alone, just before going to class!) This mall is sort of a big box store mall, a bit like an outlet mall - although I'm not convinced that the prices are any better than anywhere else. However, there is a good selection of stores here. Lots of clothing and shoe stores. It would seem that we as Canadians really enjoy our coffee, as this mall also has a Timothy's, and across the street at the college, there's a Starbucks in the Commons building. I can attest that the parking lot at College Square is pretty much always full! So, do drive carefully.

... memories …read more... When I lived and worked throughout Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Ottawa was almost like a second home to me during the 70's and 80's. I travelled / stayed there often, via business, and even more so for pleasure stays. I chose to stay at hotels offering rooms with kitchenettes. Which allowed me the option to shop during walks and stays, and dine back at my hotel. The Byward Market area was one of my favourite spots to walkabout, browse, and shop. And especially so during the summer and fall months, when it was so alive with street venders, and others featuring locally-grown fresh fruits and veggies. It was a good while ago, but a standout for me during these stays was a fish/seafood shop. I used to purchase squid there. Then on the way back to the hotel, catch a bottle of white wine, and some butter. Cooking the squid back at the hotel was fun, and made for several very fragrant, tasty, and much-enjoyed meals. Street vendor selections of farm-fresh offerings of fruits and veggies, were a delight to see during summer and early-fall stays. Their products not only contributed to meals, were often purchased and enjoyed 'in hand' and enjoyed during walkabouts. And before I forget, so were the several tasty 'beavertails' enjoyed, at any time of year, from a bakery there. (previously reviewed) My visits to the Byward Market, and area, were via day time browsing and shopping walkabouts. They were fun, interesting, and much-enjoyed.

This area of the city is a popular destination that you must see for sight seeing in Ottawa…read more There's a lot to see and do down here, and more Restaurants than you can possibly eat at in a month of Sundays! They also host special events down here. Certain streets are pedestrian only, where you will find crafters and fruit/vegetable vendors, people who sell honey and maple syrup, Beavertails, and seasonal items all sold at booths on the streets. This visit, I found a rare treasure: a bracelet with my name on it!! The Byward Market is coming up to a remarkable anniversary: in 2026, it will be 200 years old!! Found this snippet on the internet: "The ByWard Market is where Ottawa was born. Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal; Lt-Col. By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George and York Streets to be extra wide to accommodate the horse-drawn carriages that brought foodstuffs to the market every day." We seem to gravitate there at least once a year in the warmer months. It's also a terrific area for people watching!!

New plaza with a great Metro as main attraction Good setup…read morewith new stores moving in. Parking lot is well done with access from Eagleson road or Cope drive Already a frequent place to shop and enjoy coffee Each new tenant improves this location Given it a chance

Grant Crossing is a large shopping complex in the suburb of Stittsville. It has not one, but two…read moreroundabouts within it, lol. Actually, they are just 1 lane of traffic, so I guess technically traffic circles, and not roundabouts, but the point is that this place is big! I like walking, and when I shop at a plaza, I usually just park somewhere and walk to all the stores, but at Grant Crossing, to shop from one end to the other, I do move my car once. Since it's not an enclosed mall, to go from one store to the next you have to go outside. Great when the weather is fair, but when it's raining or snowing or freezing cold, shopping here is not as great. There's a huge selection of stores including The Shoe Company, Bed Bath and Beyond, Urban Barn, Dollarama, Value Village, Sally Beauty Supply, Lowe's, Michael's, Homesense, Winners, and Bushtukah. They have several sit-down restaurants, among them Kal's Place, La Cucina, and Fusion House. There are fast food restaurants as well: Five Guys, Mr. Shawarma, Booster Juice, and Thai Express. They have a few banks, Natural Food Pantry (health food store), and a handful of other businesses as well (nail salon, hair salon, dental clinics, real estate agents, etc.). Worth a visit if you like shopping ;)

Not a Warehouse Outlet but a large Strip mall. The variety suits me well…read more Start with Lowes in the Centre yeah. There is a Homesense, Michaels and Winners to the west Value Village, Jysk, Dollarama and Bath Bed and Beyond make up eastern side Numerous eating and drinking establishments sit to the north But with all these interesting shopping choices traffic can be slow Patience Please