Everything to Know About Retail Main Street

With more than 50 businesses now open, Retail Main Street continues to be a highlight of our community. Here is a rundown of some of the shops and services, including several retailers that have just recently opened their doors.

Retail Main Street, located on University Avenue, is home to more than 50 businesses! 

Pho Pham: Offering incredible Vietnamese cuisine to University District, owners Coi and Lan Pham are bringing authentic appetizers, beef noodle soups, rice dishes, vermicelli bowls and more to Retail Main Street. 

Easy Blink Optometry: Experts in specialty eye condition treatments, eye care and luxurious eyewear, Easy Blink Optometry is a one-stop-shop for your optometry needs! Here, you can receive care from top-notch optometrists and discover high-end, designer frames blending style, exclusivity and craftsmanship. 

Shoppers Drug Mart: Shoppers Drug Mart brings everyday convenience to University District. The first dedicated drug store in the community, Shoppers Drug Mart carries a variety of products including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, quick serve and frozen dinners, grocery items and more.

Stephen Cleaners: An eco-friendly dry cleaning and laundry business, Stephen Cleaners first started in Calgary in 1962 and has been a trusted dry cleaner by Calgarians ever since. 

Hot Yoga on University District: A sister location to the popular Hot Yoga on 17th, this new location has a goal to bring the community together to connect through mindful movement and yoga practice.

Seed N Salt: A quick service café providing healthy and delicious food choices, Seed N Salt prioritizes health and nutrition with their wide selection of bowls, salads, breakfasts, café drinks, smoothies, craft beer and regional wines, all created with fresh ingredients. Seed N Salt recently opened in the new Forge building, becoming the first retailer to do so. 

University District Vet Clinic: Under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Leicht and in collaboration with Mosaic Veterinary Partners, this is the first vet clinic in U/D and the second venture by Dr. Leicht in Calgary. University District Vet Clinic offers specialized vet care including extensive dental consultations and surgery, in-house laboratory services, pet nutrition support, puppy and kitten care, surgeries and more. 

University District’s Retail Main Street helps make life more convenient for residents and visitors alike. Here is a full list of who operates on our Retail Main Street and the services they provide: 

More Retailers Opening Soon

University District is still growing! Some amazing retailers are planned to open in the community before the end of the year, including Native Tongues Taqueria, UNA pizza + wine, Servus Credit Union and Swish Oral Care!

How to Park at U/D When Visiting Retail Main Street

Visiting Retail Main Street is easy with complimentary parking when you visit one of our retailers. With ample underground and surface lot parking, simply park your car and scan the QR code or access the tablet at the business you are visiting. Your car will be registered for three hours at no-cost while you visit U/D. 

Should you plan to visit for more than three-hours, make sure to pay for additional time using the Impark pay machines or the hangTag app. 

Visit the University District Discovery Centre

For those looking to learn more about University District, including the many amenities and available residential and rental opportunities, the University District Discovery Centre is the best place to start. 

Read on to learn more about U/D’s builder partners and their unique developments in the community:

Crystal Creek Homes: The builder behind GUILD townhomes at U/D, Crystal Creek Homes is known for their award-winning floor plans, seamless design centre experience and unparalleled customer service. Learn more about Crystal Creek Homes and GUILD at this link.

Gracorp Properties: The builder behind Aria (now renting) and Encore at University District (anticipated to be complete in August 2025), both purpose-built rentals, Gracorp Properties is a subsidiary of Graham Construction, one of Canada’s largest construction companies. Learn more about Gracorp Properties and its developments in U/D at this link.

Homes by Avi: A Calgary-based developer behind the completed August and Argyle buildings and Autumn, which recently broke ground in U/D, Homes by Avi has earned its place as a design focused market leader. To learn more about Homes by Avi and its U/D developments, visit this link.

Jayman BUILT: Jayman BUILT is bringing high-end condo offerings to U/D with Magna, now under construction. To learn more about Magna, visit this link.

Rohit Homes: Rohit Homes is the builder partner behind Dean’s Landing at U/D, now under construction. Offering both stacked townhomes and condos, Dean’s Landing offers a great variety of options to potential buyers. Learn more at this link.

Vivenda Group: Now leasing The Forge, a 92-unit luxury purpose-built building with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, every suite is equipped with high-end finishes, private balconies, and high-efficiency appliances. Learn more at this link.

Click here to see all of the rental and for-sale residential options that U/D has to offer.

U/D Discovery Centre Hours of Operation:

Tuesday to Thursday: 1 – 7 p.m.

Friday – Sunday and Statutory Holidays: 12 – 5 p.m.

Closed Monday

Holiday Hours:

Closed December 23, 2024 to January 1, 2025

The U/D Discovery Centre is located at 4410 University Ave NW and is open six days per week.

At the Discovery Centre you’ll find interactive displays from The Rapid Eye Movement, nominated for  “Best Interactive” display in the 2017 3D Awards for University District’s interactive table display.

The Rapid Eye Movement also created an award-winning display for Magna by Jayman BUILT, a  residential development under construction in U/D,  which can be found in the Discovery Centre. Engineers from around the world collaborated to make the display come to life with extensive visualization for potential buyers. Interestingly, drone photography was taken from each floor of both buildings, making the views from every window in the virtual tour accurate to what owners would see from their unit. 

Fun Fact: The wood used on the wall that surrounds the model table enclosure and throughout the building was harvested from the trees that were on the site where the Discovery Centre now sits. 

The digital display for Magna by Jayman BUILT, located in the presentation centre inside the University District Discovery Centre.