University District is coming to life! A flurry of activity on our main street signals brand new retail shops and services starting to open their doors to welcome residents and visitors this late August and September.
At U/D, these retailers will bring added convenience, interest and enjoyment to our residents and community. The hard-working businesses are set to stock their shelves with all of your favourite goods and necessities, while friendly helpful team members are at your service.
So, mark your calendar, gather your shopping list and get set to experience the next exciting phase of the neighbourhood as it was envisioned from the start.
You can walk, cycle, drive (both underground parkade and surface parking is available) or use handy urban transit to make your way to University District’s brand-new destination to explore.
Learn about each retailer and use this guide to find your essentials, where to be pampered, or treat your pets at these brand-new U/D businesses. It’s a great way to support and shop local too!
Marisa and Stephen Rizzuto are siblings and co-owners of Curious Hair and Denim & Smith Barbershop in the University District.
“We will officially be open on September 1,” they proudly announce. “Our business is known for providing luxury service in a fun and approachable environment. We carry a variety of boutique product lines for hair and skin, and we love to work in collaboration with local brands.
“We’re looking forward to growing our business in such a beautiful location, surrounded by other great businesses, and to just be a part of the amazing community that the University District is creating.”
Curious Hair and Denim & Smith will have some special retail and barbershop promotions to celebrate when they first open. Stay tuned for details on their website and on their Instagram channels @curioushaircalgary and @denimandsmith.un!
“We are located right next to Market Wines and are currently hiring more hairstylists and barbers who are experienced and share our strong focus on collaboration, community and creativity!”
Curious Hair and Denim & Smith are an exciting addition to U/D. Their beautiful new space and experienced team are ready to become your favourites for well-groomed looks. Did you know that their family has long-term NW roots? Learn more about their story here!
U/D’s own local hair salon and barbershop are sure to be a wonderful spot for your groom-and-pamper routine, and to score some excellent local and globally acclaimed beauty brand buys.
Once you are styled by the Curious Hair and Denim & Smith Barbershop pros, pop next door to Market Wines…officially opening August 28!
“We love the idea of opening a specialty shop so close to the hospitals, UCalgary and some amazing neighbourhoods in the Northwest,” says Shalini Sagoo, who manages marketing for Market Wines.
“We’re about Fine Wine for Everyone,” says Shalini. “We travel the world to find amazing wines from small producers and we bring that back to Calgarians. We love to help our customers pair wines with whatever the occasion may be. We want it to be fun and we strive to make the shopping experience unique and enjoyable!
“COVID-19 hasn’t been easy to navigate, but somehow we have pulled through and are so excited to open our doors.”
Follow Market Wines on Facebook and Instagram @marketwines.yyc for beverage news, pairing ideas and more! Fancy a new summer drink? Enjoy this round up of refreshing family friendly and adult drinks and recipes from the Market Wines team.
Kristen Cherry, Director of Strategic Growth at Pet Planet, is excited to share news about the Pet Planet health store!
This original go-to place for pets — opening September 8 — has been in business since November 26, 1996.
“Today, we know that most health issues in our pets are well managed with the right nutrition plan, and that is why our curated mix of products can work to promote longer, happier and healthier lives for cats and dogs in the communities that we serve,” she says.
“This is an exciting location for Pet Planet. We look forward to being a part of this community that has embraced pets and their families, while supporting an active, healthy lifestyle with their pets.”
Pet Planet is a family business, founded by a mother-and-daughter team with a passion for animals. After suffering the loss of pets they loved, they embarked on a journey to help pets live longer and healthier lives, through a model based on education and a health-minded approach to pet retail.
Learn more about Pet Planet here with a host of helpful tips for wintertime wellness for your furry friend as the fall and winter season approaches. And visit its website!
The anticipated opening of Save-On-Foods at University District has been the talk of the town as their team members look forward to meeting residents, neighbours and the community on August 28. This location will be the grocery store’s 179th location in Western Canada!
To celebrate the opening, expect a special store giveaway where one randomly selected shopper — between August 28 and September 10 — will win their groceries that day! There will also be special offers throughout the store, including the popular Darrell’s Deals, which are weekly specials on some of its customers’ favourite products.
Matt Millar, Store Manager for the U/D location, says “Save-On-Foods offers residents a full and fresh traditional grocery store but with some exciting additions that are unique to our brand. These include an Urban Fare kitchen with a restaurant featuring a full menu of delicious dishes to choose from, a juice and smoothie bar, sushi bar, and poke bar in addition to a soup and salad bar, hot buffet island, a Starbucks kiosk and full pharmacy.”
The company is known for its unique approach in customizing each store to best suit the needs of the neighbourhood. It typically carries more than 2,500 locally made products from more than 2,000 local growers and producers. We have been innovating and putting customers first for over 100 years.”
Did You Know?
Save-On-Foods, its supplier partners, team members and generous customers have donated more than $30 million to children’s hospitals and contribute $3 million in donations to food banks across Western Canada each year. Supporting the communities that they do business in, the team at Save-On-Foods University District is especially excited to continue its existing relationship with Alberta’s Children’s Hospital and I Can for Kids through various fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
“We hope to be everyone’s new go-to spot for picking up all the essentials as well as a delicious meal made by our in-house chef,” says Matt.
We can’t wait to meet our new friends and neighbours, offering them a warm and friendly experience, where they can find everything they’re looking for in one convenient place – including a comfortable spot to grab a bite to eat.”
Can you believe Save-On-Foods management team has over 100 years of retail experience? Stay connected via www.saveonfoods.com and @saveonfoods on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Its open hours are 7 am-11 pm seven days a week. Note that 7 am to 8 am is reserved for seniors and those at most COVID-19 risk.
A friendly and trusted bank has always been a vital community service. At U/D, it was important to involve a financial service provider that was not only convenient but understands the community’s values.
We are excited that Scotiabank has partnered with U/D to offer residents and neighbours products and services minutes away from their doorsteps.
“We’re excited to open our doors at University District and we look forward to welcoming our customers to our new location,” says Rod Wendt, District Vice-President, Calgary Central at Scotiabank.
“Scotiabank is proud to be a part of the growing University District and to be supporting the members of this community with advice and services that can help them reach their financial goals now and in the future.”
U/D residents and neighbours can draw from Scotiabank’s full suite of financial advice and banking solutions — including loans and mortgages –, supported by an excellent customer experience at its newest location and through Scotiabank’s network of branches and ABMs, as well as its online banking, mobile app, and telephone banking options.”
Interested in retail or Business Banking resources for financial advice or day-to-day banking products? Scotiabank is there to help with that too!
Scotiabank at U/D opens September 21! Meanwhile, follow and engage with our new local bank @scotiabank.
“There is terrific progress being made to showcase U/D with all of the retailers that are opening in 2020,” says James Robertson, President and CEO of University of Calgary Properties Group. “Close to home, residents can have it all from access to everyday services and essentials, to shopping at their leisure at diverse local retail stores.
“We are delighted to welcome our first set of retail partners, who are enhancing the community as it continues to develop. We encourage residents, neighbours and community members to show their support for these businesses and shop local, especially during these times!”
University District and all of its retailers put your health and peace of mind first. From our Discovery Centre to the brand-new stores, safety precautions have been put into place to the highest standards. Please respect physical distancing guidelines and opt for contactless payment at stores. Happy, healthy shopping!
Save-On Foods
Market Wines
Curious Hair Salon
Denim & Smith
Pet Planet
Scotiabank
What excites you most about the University District retail mix? Share your comments with us below or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don’t forget to take pictures of your U/D experiences, favourite shops and local wares. Be sure to tag us!
The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.
When do you expect Staples to open?
We don’t have a date just yet but watch our site for more details. We are excited for them too!
I live in St Andrews Heights. Naturally I’m interested in Save On Foods being so close – but I would still need my car to bring the groceries home. How easy will it be to park?
There is lots of parking, both surface across from the store and a parkade underneath. We hope to see you at the store in the future!
I cannot wait for the Orangetheory Fittness studio to open .Do you have an estimate of when it will open ????
We are excited for them too! We expect them in spring 2021 watch our site for more details.