Downtown Buzz News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone SPOTLIGHT Te Magic Room Spa


Te Magic Room Spa Located at 264 Edmonton Street


A


fter over 50 years, there’s still magic on Edmonton Street. Long-time business Te Magic Room Spa (origi-


nally opened on Kennedy Street) is credited for debuting many of today’s prevalent spa services and popularizing manicures and facials in Winnipeg. Te business is since under new ownership, but oper-


ating under the same name – Erika Giannini, a longtime client of Te Magic Room Spa, is now at the helm, building off original owner Iris Pollock’s legacy. After finishing a master of business administration


abroad, Giannini moved back to Winnipeg and was pulled to a familiar place. For more than 15 years, she’s been a client of Te Magic


Room Spa, drawn to the convenience of the urban spa. “I studied at the University of Winnipeg and worked in


SPOTLIGHT


Te Merchant Kitchen + Bar W


Te Merchant Kitchen + bar 314 Donald Street


hen an idea sticks with you for nearly two decades, you know it’s a good one.


For Bobby Mottola, owner of the celebrat-


ed local Pizzeria Gusto, a 20-years-in-the- making restaurant concept stuck with him just long enough to find its perfect moment. As a cultural nerve centre was forming in


the Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District, he caught wind that a restaurant space was available in Te Alt Hotel’s build- ing – and Te Merchant Kitchen was born. Drawing from inspiration plucked from


the food trucks and markets of 21 cities, Te Merchant combines flavours from Latin American and Asian cuisines, to present street food favourites in an elevated man- ner.


A thoughtful take on Vancouver’s iconic


Japadog found its way onto the menu, and Te Merchant’s juicy slow-roasted pulled pork could’ve been handed to you straight off a Mexican street cart – but instead pleas- antly graces their carnitas tacos and the El


A sampling of what you'll find at the Merchant Kitchen + Bar.


Latino sandwich (during lunch service). In keeping with the theme of comfort el-


evated, the at-once stately and casual décor at Merchant complements the experience serendipitously. Te rustic wood tables are juxtaposed


with elegant statement wallpaper. A sleek white bar is the nucleus of the restaurant,


and the pristine open kitchen is flanked by a commissioned piece by Pat Lazo, local graffiti artist – of a rooster. Operations manager, Suzy Afifi, is cred-


ited for shaping the look of Te Merchant, which results in a comfortable atmosphere for lunch meetings, drinks, dates, and pre- and post-Jets game cocktails. It also


immediately sets the bar high for the rest of Te Alt Hotel guests’ stays. While a formidable destination in itself,


Te Merchant Kitchen doesn’t mind being a stop along the way – or where you come to after a mind-blowing concert. “Typically with events, you’re part of a


bigger experience,” says Mottolo. “You’re kind of an extension of the party. It’s the best of both worlds really.” Deciding early on that they’d accom-


modate all kinds of itineraries downtown, Te Merchant has aced the difficult job of getting people in and out for puck drops and opening acts. Te residual effect of their hosting skills is


that on any given night, depending on pro- gramming, there’s an incredibly dynamic mix of clientele at Te Merchant. “The spectrum of people you meet is


really exciting,” says Mottolo. “It’s nice to be a part of something that’s bigger than yourself, to contribute to something.” Te Merchant Kitchen is one of the res-


taurant stops on our Winnipeg Wine tour on June 24 and September 30; get your tickets at downtownwinnipegtours.com.


cosmetics at Te Bay downtown, so it was always sort of in walking distance,” says Giannini, of the revered spa. As fate would have it, just as Giannini was planning her


next move, Pollock had undertaken a massive renovation to the spa’s second floor space, modernizing all 6,000-plus square feet. Knowing that Pollock likely wanted to see the spa con-


tinue, Giannini expressed interest in purchasing the spa and convinced Pollock the timing was right. Since then, the name, staff and services have remained


relatively unchanged at Te Magic Room Spa – with a few surprises in the works. “Tis has always been the flagship and the largest one,”


says Giannini, of Magic Room’s former satellite locations. Pollock and Giannini agreed the name would carry on at this location, and Giannini plans to build on the spa’s history. “Tis was the first facial, nail, slash everything salon in the city,” says Giannini. “It was always the first one doing


everything, and at affordable prices.” Tis proven 50-year strategy will stay the course at


Magic Room, with a sharpened focus on the retail side of the business. Plus, Te Magic Room may soon be extra bridal party-friendly, as plans are in motion to become li- censed to accommodate the celebratory pampering ritual. Renovations will soon be in the works for the main level


retail as well – adding to the ease of popping in for what you need on a work break. “We do have the downtown employees that can walk


to us and we are walk-in-friendly, so it’s perfect,” says Giannini. “We know everyone’s time-poor these days. People don’t


even have time to make the appointment. “If you have time to indulge, great. If you don’t, we get


you in right away and get you out on your way.” Te Magic Room is open Monday to Saturday at 264


Edmonton St. Visit magicroomspa.com for more informa- tion on its services.


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 November 2017 www.smartbizwpg.com Smart Biz 9


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