Part 1: New Year, New Faces
Happy 2023 everyone! We are now in a new year, and this is always accompanied by new and exciting changes. As we all know, downtown Hamilton is a place that is constantly changing and evolving, with new faces popping up fairly frequently. These constant changes mean that the news of a new business opening may be lost in the shuffle, so this blog post can be used to learn more about some of the businesses that have opened in downtown Hamilton over the past five months. A new year is a perfect opportunity to pay these businesses a visit if you haven’t already had the chance and incorporate them into your new routine!
RETAIL
One retail store that you may have noticed recently is BDRK, located at 6 John Street North. This clothing store opened in September, and their unique streetwear pieces have already made them a staple for many clothing lovers in downtown Hamilton. They have a variety of clothing pieces such as jackets, shoes, shirts, pants and hats, each adding their own vibrant and contemporary flair to your outfits. You can find more information about BDRK and browse some of their stock on their Instagram here, and then be sure to pay them a visit soon!
Another retail store that recently opened in downtown Hamilton is Very Good Vapes, located at 6 James Street North. This vape store offers pods, disposables and vape accessories, with pod flavours such as blue raspberry, frozen cherry, green apple martini and strawberry kiwi ice. You can browse their stock and shop online through their website here.
An additional retail store that recently opened in the downtown core is QR Vapes, located at 147 King Street East, unit 2. This vape store sells pods, disposables and vape accessories, in flavors like strawberry mango, watermelon mint, mix berry and KPG (Kiwi, Passion Fruit, Guava). You can call them at 289-894-7359 or visit them at 147 King Street East, unit 2.
EPIC EVENTS, located at 101 John Street South, opened in October and is sure to impress any sports fan in the city! This event and World Cup retailer sells a variety of sports merchandise, with jerseys and baseball caps that will let you represent your favourite teams in style. You can find more information and browse some of their stock on their Instagram here.
RESTAURANTS
Just Jollof, located at 92 Jackson Street East, opened in October and you should make sure to pay them a visit if you have not yet had the opportunity. As the name suggests, this Nigerian restaurant focuses on jollof rice, serving it with a variety of other items such as chicken, beef and fried plantain. The menu also includes dishes such as Bole, Gizzdodo and fried Mackerel fish. You can find more information about Just Jollof and find their menu on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Another relatively new and amazing restaurant in downtown Hamilton is Suya Boyz, located at 92 Jackson Street East. This restaurant focuses on African cuisine, offering delicious Afrofusion BBQ that you are sure to enjoy. With a menu that includes items like jerk chicken and jollof, beef suya and fried plantain, this restaurant is sure to become a quick favourite for anyone that is not already familiar with them. You can view their menu and order online through their website here, and then follow them on Instagram.
A new restaurant that has already made a splash in downtown Hamilton is Electric Diner, located at 28 James Street North. This 80s-themed diner offers a new and exciting spin on classic diner food, with a brunch, lunch and dinner menu that you will be sure to enjoy! They have put an electric spin on classic items like burgers and fish & chips, and then offer customers exciting new items like a strawberry cheesecake short stack and cauliflower & quinoa croquettes. You can view their menu and order online through their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Union Chicken opened in October at 10 James Street North, and it has already made a positive impression on the residents of downtown Hamilton. As the name suggests, the restaurant’s menu focuses on chicken, but you are sure to enjoy anything item on their extensive menu. In addition to a drinks menu, they also have a snacks section, chicken platters, mains, and a variety of sides, all sure to be delicious. You can view their menu and order online here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Another new restaurant that opened recently is PinToh by Chef Keng, located at 21 John Street North. This restaurant serves Thai soul food, elevating classic Thai dishes in a way that ensures that they become a new favourite for many in downtown. They are currently open for takeout only, with a grand opening happening later this year. You can find more information and view their menu by visiting their Facebook and Instagram.
Mystic Ramen recently made the move from the Hamilton Farmer’s Market to 51 King William, and they are already making a great impression on the area! The restaurant serves small-batch ramen, sure to be a delicious and warm treat during the cold weather. They are currently open for takeout and delivery, with limited seating inside for dining in. You can view their menu and order online through their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Conversate Steak & Seafood is downtown Hamilton’s newest addition, located at 38 King William. This fine dining spot only opened in mid-December, but there are already positive reviews rolling in. They have an extensive lunch and dinner menu, and you are sure to enjoy any of the items they serve. You can find more information and view their menu through their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
NIGHTCLUBS
Downtown Hamilton has a new nightclub that you can visit for a great night out, as MANSION is now open at 54 King Street East. This venue is sure to provide an electric and exciting night out for you and your friends, with a room inspired by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli that is sure to impress. You can find more information about MANSION and the events they host by visiting their website here and then follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Skin Vitality Medical Clinic opened in September at 25 Main Street West, suite 101. Skin Vitality offers a variety of nonsurgical cosmetic medical treatments, with services such as Botox®, CoolSculpting® and Juvéderm Lip Fillers, among many other services. You can find out more information about the services that they offer and get a free virtual consultation by visiting their website here. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Le Petit Écolier French Language Learning Centre recently opened a satellite office within Intelligent Office, located at 1 Hunter Street. They offer a variety of French language programs for students of different ages and levels, with qualified teachers helping their students become more confident and capable understanding and speaking French. You can find more information about Le Petit Écolier French Language Learning Centre by visiting their website here, and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Another fun opportunity for those in downtown Hamilton is HamOnt Swing Dance, located at 27 King William Street (enter through RELAY Coffee and head up the stairs at the back). They are a new dance company that teaches classes on swing dancing, with a variety of different classes that will prove to be fun and exciting, regardless of your skill level. They currently have an Intro to Lindy Hop course that starts on January 9th, running for six weeks and acting as the perfect class for beginners that want to start dancing but are unsure of where to start. You can find more information about HamOnt Swing Dance and register for their events through their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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One of the most exciting things about the downtown core is that it is always in a state of transformation, constantly changing and evolving with its inhabitants. We understand that all these changes mean that you may not always be aware of each new addition to the area, so this blog post can hopefully help you better understand some of the new businesses that have recently opened in the past 5 months. 2023 is sure to bring a lot of changes and new faces, and we cannot wait to see how the area changes this year!
If you are a Downtown Hamilton BIA member business and would like to be featured in a blog post, please email Emily Gilruth at emily@downtownhamilton.org.