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LONSDALE QUAY Market has the key to Christmas shopping.

““We’re not just a traditional market,"' explains market manager Colleen Welsh. ‘‘f think Lonsdale Quay is intended to be a total ex- perience.”’

“It’s quite different from an ar- tificially lit miall,’? says Welsh, who likes to give the example of shoppers being able to watch sea birds dive for fish.

“How many malls can you see that at?’” she asks.

In its open, relaxed atmosphere the Quay’s 50 market stores and 30 retail stores make for a truly unique shopping experience for the whole family.

On the lower level are the mar- ket stores, most related to food. Above, the second level sports the retail stores, a host of fashion and specialty shops.

Welsh stresses that the ‘market’ level should not be ignored when it comes to Christmas shopping — many of the shops offer great gift ideas such as fresh salmon special- ly packaged for air travel. ‘‘A nice, unusual gift.”’

And then there are the day tables set up on the ‘market’ level sporting a wide range of items made by various local artisans. The tables are a perfect place to pick up stocking stuffers for every person on this year's Christmas list.

Among its 30 stores, the upper level has two gift shops and seven unisex fashion boutiques. ‘‘They have everything from Christmas decorations to porcelain to soap to pot-pourri,”’ Welsh says of the gift stores.

For the kids on the shopping

= list, the Quay’s Kids Alley is the - perfect place to look for that

special toy or stuffed animal. In

“the nine-store alley is Le Zoo and

Girder and Beams, which offer plush toys and construction-type items.

The little tykes’ clothes are not forgotten either. ‘‘We've got

children’s fashions for both boys

and girls,’’ she says. For those not yet large cnough to fit into even children’s outfits, some shops also have baby clothes.

Most of the Quay’s stores are owner operated, giving shoppers personalized service -- they are run by ‘‘local entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses,” Welsh says.

“Tt adds that personal touch,” she goes on. ‘‘Because in most in-

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stances the owner is the person behind the counter serving you.”

Located at the foot of Lonsdale, the Quay’s central location is mak- ing it a popular shopping spot with everyone, locals and non-locals alike. Seven hundred underground parking spaces make getting there a breeze. '

Quay merchants validate park- ing tickets, giving two hours of free parking.

Welsh assures that there should be no trouble finding a space. ‘‘We have a pretty good turnover,’’ she says. ‘‘So we don’t have tuo many problems.”’

And Welsh reminds shoppers that even when the market closes, the Quay’s three restaurants and one pub stay open well into the evening. Walking through the market on the way to dinner, peo- ple can peruse the shops’ wares.

“They can window shop,’ says Welsh.

“When people want to take a break from their Christmas shopp- ing they can sit down and have a bite to eat,’’ she says of the nine- merchant food court. With an ocean vista, what shopper could resist a break while watching che tugs.

If a full sit-down meal is desired, three restaurants and a pub are on hand to satisfy even the most rav- enous hunger. ‘*And they’re all licensed,’’ she says.

Rather than lugging all the Christmas shopping around, the Quay offers a checking service where customers can leave their bags free of charge. ‘‘I think that is something quite different from what I’ve seen in other places.’

On Nov. 30, the Quay will host a fashion show starting at 2 p.m. Next month, the market will feature cooking demonstrations, a craft fair and-choirs.

From Dec. 4 to 6, there will be Christmas cooking with Elizabeth Baird. From Dec. 5 to 14 shoppers can pick up gifts at a craft fair featuring 21 local artisans.

Santa will arrive Dec. 6 on the SeaBus and will have breakfast with the children, Tickets are $4.50 for either children or adults and are on sale now.

Local school] choirs will perform daily from Dec. 9 to 22. Welsh suggests calling the Quay to find out exactly what choir will be sing- ing each day.

From Dec. 8 to 23, the Quay’s opening hours will be extended to be 9a.m. 109 p.m. every weekday. Weekends, the hours will be 9 a.m.

=

stores, Lonsdale Quay is:more thar just

oppin

NEWS photo Mike

9g

Wakefield

A SHOPPER watches’ the action at-th Lonsdale Quay, Market. With 50 market’ stores: and’30 retail raditional market. For food, the stalls offer a wide range of

items to please all possible tastes: On the upper level, the retail stores feature fashion and specially items:

- that are ideal for everyone on a shopper's Christmas list.