Strathcona is shaped by the people who spend their days in it. We met up with The Observatory Opticians Retail Manager/Licensed Optician Sadeeq Hudda and gravitypope's Ian Chow to share a selection of their favourite local spots, from long-time staples to newer discoveries. Together, they explore the places that make Scona what it is, highlighting the businesses, streets, and everyday rituals that keep them connected to the neighbourhood.
Spots:
The Black Dog Freehouse
Sadeeq wears:
Held In Form Henka Double Pocket Work Shirt
Held In Form Henka Office Shirt
Held In Form Kuzushi Work Trousers
Universal Works Wool Fleece Zip Liner Jacket
Acne Studios Washed Cotton Trousers
Camper Don Shoes
Ian wears:
TOAST Arlo Garment Dyed Herringbone Jacket
Merz B. Schwanen 2M15 Sturdy Jersey T-Shirt
Introduce yourselves! Who are you, what do you do, and how did you first meet?
Sadeeq: I’m Sadeeq. I manage The Observatory and have been here for almost 20 years, fitting people with beautiful eyewear and fostering a passionate community around our shop. I’ve got an incredible wife, Casie, who keeps me laughing every day, and a 14-year-old Italian Greyhound named Marge who keeps us both laughing even harder.
I met Ian through some mutual friends and collaborated on some events with him through I’ll Call You Tomorrow (rip). We bonded quickly over our love of garments, indie rock, and golf. He has elite intelligence regarding thrifting, Japan, and many other very important topics.
Ian: I'm Ian, some know may know me as Ianternetmaster (which always throws me for a loop). I'm the eCommerce Marketing Lead at gravitypope and have happily been here for the past decade! I actually met Sadeeq as a loyal customer to The Observatory and have become homies since then.
Why did you choose to feature these local businesses in the project?
Take Care:
S: Take Care has formed an awe inspiring community around their cafe - I think anyone who’s been feels an easiness to the space. It’s a relaxing spot that’s still buzzy and fun to be in at the same time. Somehow always perfect lighting in the courtyard, like there’s a spell over it.
I: I've always been a big fan of their outdoor space especially when it was a wine bar previously. They're good people who use their space to host other community events.
Black Dog:
S: The Black Dog is an absolute establishment that has never lost relevance in my lifetime. I dj’ed to more than 5 people for the first time there, tried my hand at standup comedy a few times in the basement, and spent the first night out with my now wife there. Independent, incorrigible, and uncompromising.
I: I've been going to Black Dog ever since my university days. Each floor kinda has it's own vibe, and I used to hang out in the basement the most but as I've gotten older the rooftop is actually where it's at. A couple friends have DJ'd down there (shoutout ICYT, shoutout Freddy), and everyone's always down to clown. It's the perfect neighborhood bar.
BBall Court:
S: I’ve got a lot of fond memories at the Old Scona courts. It was the defacto meet-up spot for the Whyte Ave crew I spent my late teens and twenties with, you could cruise by most evenings and instantly be surrounded by friends. A perfect starting off or ending point for a hot Edmonton night.
Tell us about The Observatory Opticians.
S: The Observatory has been everything to me for the past twenty years. We get to work with the world’s best eyewear designers and factories, and help people look and feel their best everyday. We’ve got incredible founders in Jeri and John, a passionate team of Opticians and staff, and clients we’ve come to love as family and friends.
Aside from Take Care, where are your go-to spots for coffee or a bite to eat in the neighbourhood?
S: I love what the folks at Labo and Ace are doing for coffee, real care for their craft and spaces. The Next Act/Meat/Marlo/Pip/Pals corner has something for every appetite. Nara Katsu is nourishing. A Guinness at O’Byrnes before the college kids come out will warm your soul in a way only an Irish pub can. Nhon Hoa for perfect Bahn Mi. La Petite Iza for a quick Parisian teleport. New York Bagel Cafe for a slow brunch on their flower filled patio. And lastly, if you’re too good for a donair, delete my number. Mike’s still does it the best on Whyte.
I: I'll go to Ace. I'm more of a cold brew/iced americano guy and I'll still drink it well into the winter! I've never been big on hot coffee. If I need a quick bite, I'll go to Nhon Hoa. Order the Combo banh mi and a diet coke. If I'm looking for a sweet treat, I'm going to White Rabbit and getting a scoop of Banana Dream.I recently got put on to Damso Izakaya (thanks Jord!) and it's a nice spot to grab some classic Japanese drinking snacks. I also am a big fan of Rice Bowl Deluxe. I often crave the food of my motherland and this place really hits the spot.
What are your other must-visit spots around Strathcona and Old Strathcona?
S: East Whyte is awesome right now. Brio for bread/pastries, Color de Vino for drinks, Violets is a fun shop filled with all kinds of great design items, Maven and Grace for gifts and florals, Ruby Major for vintage, General Dental is maybe the coolest dental practice I’ve ever seen. Coming closer to the store, a really interesting new Nordic Spa called Ro just opened and I can’t wait to check that out. Stylus is an amazing new addition to the street filled with all kinds of stationary from all over the world. Blackbyrd is always a fun stop in, and you can tell how much care they have for keeping records playing for people no matter how in or out of vogue they are. Gravitypope was one of my first retail loves. I remember the first pair of boots I bought there at 19, it gave me a feeling I try to recreate with customers to this day. Honest help, excellent curation, and a hard to describe feeling of satisfaction with my purchase. It’s been a pleasure working down the road and seeing the passion and conviction that goes into curating a store that keeps you wandering in to see what’s new. Physical retail is a special work, and can be a joyous experience if the experience is helpful, honest, and convivial. Dylan and his team at Kluane are making some of the most impressive outerwear on the face of the earth right now. I’ve been really impressed with some of the vintage/resell shops that have come up in the last while like From Another. Annms has some amazing brands I love.
I: I love perusing at the Old Strathcona Antique Mall. I could spend a good couple hours in there just going through each aisle and booth. And if I have lots of free time, I'll go to Metro Cinema and see what's playing.
If you had a day to show someone around the neighbourhood, what would your ideal itinerary look like?
S: Coffee at Ace Garneau, a stroll along Sask Drive to appreciate the incredible river valley, back to the shop and a slow saunter down all the way to the Millcreek Bridge, stopping at any or all of the above mentioned spots. End the day with dinner and check out what’s playing at the Metro cinema.
I: If it's a full day, I'm going all out. I'd grab breakfast/brunch at Pip. Do a quick pit stop at Wee Book and see if there's a book I've been looking for. I'd poke my head in and say hi to Dylan and the fine folks at Kluane. Then head down to Tailored Goods and do a browse. Make my way down to The Observatory and have a nice chat with Sadeeq while looking for my next pair of glasses. Grab a bite at the aforementioned Rice Bowl and order the Fook King fried rice with a HK milk tea. Walk that meal off at Ruby Major and then catch the 7 pm showtime at Metro. Happy days.
What makes Strathcona such a special neighbourhood to you?
S: It’s changed a lot from my time living and working here in my twenties, but it’s still a neighbourhood full of independent shops and restaurants that are run by kind, tough, hardworking people that want to bring something special to our city. The collegiate energy mixed with the old buildings, big trees, river views, and great spots is something that doesn’t really exist anywhere else in Edmonton.
I: I think I have a lot more sentimental attachment to it. Growing up, Whyte was the place to go and lurk the shops. I spent a lot of my formative years in that neighborhood, discovering new music, finding true vintage. And then when I could go out, I spent plenty of my evenings on the block. Now for me, it's a great place to grab food and hangout with friends during the day. My party days are over haha.
How has being part of the local business community influenced the way you approach your own work?
S: Covid hit hard, and it took a while for the area to find it’s footing again. To see the shops that were here before double down and make this community work with the help of the festivals and market was invigorating, and then to see a whole host of new shops open up and keep the foot on the gas has been really nice to see.
What's a favourite memory of working together or collaborating over the years?
S: Teaching Ian how to DJ a J/Kpop set at an adhoc club night was pretty special. Working on this has been pretty fun too. I look forward to a long and sad winter of simulated golfing with him.
I: One of my favorite collaborations/memories with Sadeeq was him teaching me how to DJ for an I'll Call You Tomorrow event (what's up Rae!). He had me prepped and primed for a quick 15 min K-Pop set. Kinda feeling the itch to do it again.
What's next for The Observatory Opticians? Is there anything coming up that you're excited about?
S: We’re coming up into a busy season and are launching some incredible new brands, releases and events in the very near future. New frames are rolling in weekly and we can’t wait to see you and help you feel amazing about the way you look this holiday season and beyond. Follow us @observatoryeyes or sign up for our tasteful and not-too-spammy email updates at observatoryeyes.com.
