Extraordinarily cold temperatures whipping across Atlantic Canada didn’t stop business owners from swinging open their doors for the first time in February, but those breezes heralded plenty of closures across the region.

What’s Open

Peppereka | Dartmouth, NS
A new fresh-casual restaurant opened on the corner of Burnside Drive and Wright Avenue in Dartmouth on Feb. 1. The concept, for Pepperkea developed by Dean Madill, the Food Service Manager of Wilsons Fuel, focuses on healthy food on the run and is aimed at the busy 9-to-5 crowd. Dine-in and made to order grab-and-go options are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner like bacon Benny breakfast ciabattas, house-made chili, or dilled salmon warm bowls.

Isa’Bella’s Boutique | Bathurst, NB
This new lingerie and sleepwear stores opened on February 1 at 197 Main Street. Custom bra fitting appointments at Isa’Bella’s Boutique can be made for Saturdays and owner Sarah Dalpe can also do custom orders for bras and lingerie.

Hide & Seek Nightclub and Lounge | Halifax, NS
The Dome, Halifax’s multi-club complex, has a new bar to add to the roster. Hide & Seek opened on February 9 offering low key cocktail vibes in the early evening followed up by nightclub beats in the late night hours.

Vandal Doughnuts | Halifax, NS
After departing their first location inside Gus’ Pub last year, Vandal Doughnuts opened their own storefront on February 10 after a year of uncertainty due to health issues of one of the owners. Doughnuts aplenty are being made at 2150 Gottingen Street where The 244 snack bar was previously located.

Curry Delight | Mount Pearl, NL
Curry Delight has been serving the long lines at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market for four years and has opened a restaurant serving Pakistani food in Mount Pearl at 125 Park Avenue. The new restaurant, which opened on February 17, is housed in the former location of Chilly Willy’s pizza shop. But don’t worry, they will still have their eats at the farmers’ market on Saturdays.

Springhouse | Halifax, NS
This Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market fixture opened their plant-based cafe at 2290 Gottingen Street on February 19. Springhouse‘s menu is full of salads, bowls and wraps along with smoothies, fresh juice and Kombucha on tap from Pop Culture Brew Co.

Ninepenney Brewing | Conception Bay South, NL
Four homebrewers have made it to the big leagues with the opening of Ninepenney Brewing at 75 Conception Bay Hwy. They opened their doors on February 23 serving up three different beers on tap available for growler fills to go and sample flights to enjoy at the brewery.

Kaffeine Espresso Bar | Bathurst, NB
This new coffee shop had their soft opening just in time to make the list. Kaffeine opened on February 26 at 145 Main Street offering up speciality coffees and tea spearheaded by Brazilian barista and co-owner Vinicius Tomé — he and wife Sarah Nivea having trained under famed barista Isabela Raposeiras — along with co-owners Michael Petrovici and Katherine Lanteigne, owners of Au Bootlegger craft beer bar.

What’s Shut

The Overcast | St. John’s, NL
St. John’s local indie paper The Overcast announced their last run on February 5. After five years of providing local news and culture, February’s issue of the monthly paper was their last.

Baan Thai | Halifax, NS
This Thai restaurant announced their closure the first week of February with a handwritten sign on the front door of their 5234 Blowers Road location after more than 15 years of operation.

Marjorie’s | Saint John, NB
The cafe running out of Port City Royal during the daytime announced on February 12 via Facebook Marjorie’s will cease operations after only a year at 46 Grannan Street.

Gass’ Country Store | New Dominion, P.E.I.
P.E.I. gas station is closing on February 22 after 62 years of operation. The corner store says they are closing for financial reasons, but their second store, Gass’ General Store in New Haven, will remain open.

Portobello’s | St. John’s NL
After waves of cancellations over the past few months, Portobello’s Restaurant at 115 Duckworth Street has announced their closure. The restaurant, which has been open for over a decade, closed up shop on February 22.

Did we miss something? Know of a business opening or closing in Atlantic Canada? Email our Associate Editor Gabby at [email protected] and let us know!