Inglewood is hustlin’ and bustlin’ with some new businesses on the block

There are some new businesses on the block in Inglewood, and even more are on the horizon.

Inglewood is one of the oldest and most beloved neighbourhoods in the city with more than 250 local, independent businesses, but it’s no secret that the pandemic and the economy caused some closures over the past couple of years.

Despite that, some new businesses have blossomed over the past year, injecting some fresh vibes into the community, says Rebecca O’Brien, executive director of the Inglewood Business Improvement Area.

“Inglewood is a great community to open a business,” she says, adding, more than 20 new businesses opened in 2022.

That list of new businesses includes a variety of food and drink establishments, thrift and consignment stores, a pet store, a dry cleaner, and more.

“We are unique as a walkable neighbourhood and a destination for those who enjoy shopping, eating out, meeting friends for a beer, enjoying live music, or just checking out the historic, village vibe of the area.”

Overcoming a trifecta of hardship

With Lina’s Italian Market also coming into the mix this year, there’s a lot to be excited about in the area, which is a welcome reprieve from the fallout of the pandemic.

“Before the pandemic, there was also a recession that was creating a lot of headaches for businesses. Then on top of the recession, there are also really high business taxes that were also pretty crushing. And so you have this kind of trifecta of hardship,” O’Brien explains.

“There have been losses and businesses have struggled, and I don’t want to minimize those struggles. However, there have been a lot of businesses that have also opened in Inglewood over the past year, and that’s also exciting.”

O’Brien points to the community’s core that makes it appealing to visitors.

“Inglewood main street has excellent bones. When I say main street, I don’t mean just Ninth Avenue. I mean all of the adjacent streets as well that make it such an interesting place,” O’Brien says, adding it feels like a village.

“It’s an edgy, fun, authentic place to come to.”

Calgary’s oldest community

Established in 1875, Inglewood is Calgary’s oldest community. The pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood is a mix of local shops, restaurants, bars, offices, and character homes.

“And when you’re on main street, there’s no set menu for what you’re going to get, so it’s really fun to experience,” O’Brien says. “You’re not going to get the same old, same old; you’re going to get lots of independent and eclectic businesses.”

Whether it’s records, plants, coffee, music, food, antiques, clothes, or drinks you’re looking for, Inglewood has it all.

“It’s not just the village. It’s the feeling of a neighbour having been established and it knows what it is,” O’Brien adds.

More than a coffee shop

Taylor Epp opened The Mad Hatter coffee shop in September. She says Inglewood was the perfect location to launch her business.

Epp only moved to the city three years ago, but Inglewood was the neighbourhood that caught her attention immediately.

“I really liked the kind of ‘old town vibe’. Obviously, there are a lot of modern buildings and businesses that go with it but there’s still that historic feel to it, and I really like that about the area,” Epp says.

“Its proximity to the river and all the events that go on, Inglewood is a great neighbourhood, definitely my favourite.”

It was a no-brainer for Epp to open her unique coffee shop in the community. Billed as Calgary's first sustainability-focused coffee shop, The Mad Hatter is also a creative communal space.

“Calgary has a lot of really amazing coffee shops, so my goal wasn’t to be just another coffee shop. I wanted a place where people felt like they could hang out, be creative, host events,” she says, adding there is a big space to host various creative events.

“It’s a colourful space, and we let people colour, draw, and paint on the walls. It was important for me to create a place where people felt like they could release their inner creative, and Inglewood was the perfect place to do that.”

Here is a list of all of the new businesses.