Day 15 - Norton’s Jewellers Ltd.

In November 1974, Fred and Lois Norton opened “Norton’s Jewellers Ltd.” on Kent Street, where the Royal Trust Tower currently is now. Below is a picture of their shop on Opening Day, such an amazing photo (thank you for sharing Susan!).  

In 1980, Norton’s Jewellers Ltd. moved to their current location in the Confederation Court Mall and have been there ever since. Norton’s is still a family-owned business and is now owned by Fred and Lois’s son Peter Norton. You couldn’t meet a nicer couple, Peter and Susan are absolutely wonderful. Peter's son Craig also works at the family business and was incredibly helpful when I went shopping for #MyDowntownWishList :) A big congratulations to Norton's celebrating their 40th anniversary this year!

Choosing #MyDowntownWishList was easy - there were so many items that I loved! Below are my favourites:

new arrival: stunning Michael Kors watch

 Tresor Paris - love the earrings and bracelets

 new arrival: Gucci Grammy Award Special Edition watches 

new arrival: Gucci bamboo collection watch

diamond stud earrings - absolutely love these!

Drop in to Norton's to see all the new arrivals and take some time to explore everything their shop has to offer. From diamonds to crystals, bracelets to earrings, watches to clocks. They have it all! 

Check out their website, Twitter and Facebook. They also have a virtual Wish List where you can pick out your favourite items online and your list is sent to the store. This makes it even easier for Santa to find out what you have on your Christmas list :) 

Win what you wish for in downtown Charlottetown this Christmas. Share your #MyDowntownWishList via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a chance to win a $100 prepaid MasterCard. You could be a winner today :)

Day 14 - Walker Studios

Walker Studios (Lindsay and Jeanette Walker) have been in business since 2001 and are located on 89 Water Street. I love their mission statement: “to design and create meaningful work in a sustainable ‘earth loving’ way that will reflect the personality and soul of each individual client.”

Jeanette specializes in original custom eco-ethical jewellery designs. She works with sustainable, earth friendly materials, using slow ancient techniques to create her contemporary designs. She loves when customers bring in their old gold and gemstones and she “recycles” them into a newly designed creation. My friend Jaclyn and her sister Marsha had “sister rings” created by Jeanette, with both of their birthstones. Here is Jaclyn’s beautiful ring:

 Lindsay is a fine artist, painting primarily in oils. His paintings illustrate rural landscapes of past and present and the magnificent simple quiet beauty of the Island's natural surroundings. I love his artwork, I hope to add a piece from his collection to my home soon.

#MyDowntownWishList includes:

"Garth" the rooster

 "Winterlong"

"In the Pines"

I enjoyed meeting Jeanette and Lindsay and learning about their talents. I'm looking forward to visiting their gallery again soon. You can find out more about Walker Studios via their website, Facebook and Google+ . 

#DowntownWishList is giving away more $100 prepaid MasterCards from Monday to Friday. Don't miss out!

Day 13 - Green Eye Designs

Green Eye Designs opened its doors this past summer on Victoria Row, featuring a unique line of handmade infinity scarves, jewellery and Island made accessories. The shop also carries items from Dreamboat Lucy, DWN TWN FOX, The Potters Daughter, Thea, Lilt and several others. All chosen to complement Green Eye Design’s distinctive style, which they describe as shabby chic.

Green Eye Design’s owner/operator Morgan Saulnier is also a flute player and pianist, and is a passionate supporter of Island products. When Tracy and I visited the shop Heather's sister was working away on the sewing machine as she greeted us. You can visit the shop on 160 Richmond Street or via their Facebook or Twitter account.

#MyDowntownWishList includes:

 infinity scarves

 handmade jewellery

handmade "cards by Heather"

I love the energy and everything about this little shop, I will definitely go back again (and again).

Day 12 - Liquid Gold Tasting Bar and All Things Olive

“Smooth, buttery, zesty, earthy, rich, deep, moody and delicious” is how the “Liquid Gold Tasting Bar and all things Olive” describes their “Olio Fresco” (Italian for fresh oil).  I couldn’t have described it better myself, my friend Liz and I spent an hour taste testing at Liquid Gold this summer, and it felt like a molecular gastronomy experience – a flavour burst for your taste buds.  When it came time to purchase our favourites my friend could only squeeze four 100ml bottles in the carry on plastic bag that you are allowed to take on your flight. Unfortunately the bottles could only be purchased in six packs. My friend was disappointed but instead of leaving unhappily the gentleman that was helping us worked his magic and sold her the four bottles instead. An A+ in customer service!

You are guaranteed fresh when you visit “Liquid Gold”. In spring/summer, their oils come from the southern hemisphere where the winter crop is harvested between May and July. In the fall & winter, their oils come from the Mediterranean. Their balsamic vinegars are from Modena, Italy. Liquid Gold also carries an assortment of gourmet oils, wine vinegars, condiments, olive leaf tea, Italian pastas, stuffed olives, sea salts, hand creams, skin moisturizers and soaps.

#MyDowntownWishList includes:

 The Savoury Pack - 6 bottles

 "Seasoned" Cookbook by Costas Halavrezos, olive oil and assorted items

 The Hot & Spicy Pack - 4 bottles

So many wonderful gift baskets :)

You can find Liquid Gold on 72 Queen Street and via their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Downtown Charlottetown will be giving away their 10^th $100 pre-paid MasterCard to one lucky winner today, don’t miss out! One photo shared with the #MyDowntownWishList equals one entry in their contest. Good Luck!

Day 11 - Northern Watters Knitwear

When you look at a cozy Northern Watters Knitwear sweater, you may not realize the amount of love and care that goes into knitting it. One sweater can take up to 8 hours to make, using an antique Swiss knitting loom and the finest British virgin lamb wool yarn. Combined with the talent and skill of their experienced knitters, guarantees an exceptional piece. The knitter even adds their signature to the tag of each sweater, the same as what an artist would do when they have completed a painting.

In addition to Northern Watters Knitwear’s wool sweaters and accessories, they have over 120 artisans that sell crafts within their store. I love the quote on their website, “We are indeed, a hundred years behind the times. We wouldn't have it any other way.” So in other words, they do things the old-fashioned/traditional way and they are proud of it. They've been awarded the Top Craft Retailer for PEI since 2010, as well as the Retailer of the Year for Downtown Charlottetown in 2012.

#MyDowntownWishList includes:

 a cozy wool blanket

 kid's lamb fleece slippers 

 hooded wool sweater with front pockets

children's mittens and touques

These little ones are pretty unique - they are called "Sweet & Sour Gargoyles" created by Candy Gallant, Island potter and sculptor. 

You can find Northern Watters Knitwear at 150 Richmond Street on Victoria Row. They also have a website, Facebook, and Twitter. Definitely worth the visit! 

Day 10 - Anne's Chocolates & Anne of Green Gables Store

If you like chocolate you will absolutely LOVE this shop. The moment you enter "Anne's Chocolates" you are offered samples that are impossible to refuse. The walls are lined with a wide assortment of chocolates, toffee and truffles, made from recipes that were passed down through generations. Anne's Chocolates also carries a selection of old fashioned candy as well as their newest item, "Cow’s Chips”. These are Island potato chips covered in rich milk chocolate – giving each chip a salty but sweet flavour. You can even watch as they make the cow chips in-house. I warn you, these are highly addictive - but so worth it! :)

#MyDowntownWishList includes:

mouthwatering toffee, fresh almond pieces in a creamy milk chocolate

It's not hard to tell that Tracy is a big fan of the almond toffee crunch ;)

gift baskets filled with cow chips, chocolate pretzels and other treats

Anne’s Chocolates is located on 100 Queen Street and can be found on Twitter, Facebook and via their website.  

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Connected to Anne’s Chocolates is the Anne of Green Gables store, which opened in 1993 to celebrate the life of LM Montgomery (and of course the fictional life of Anne Shirley). They are the only store licensed by the Heirs of LM Montgomery. You can find the Anne of Green Gables store on their website and Facebook.

A couple more items for #MyDowntownWishList:

hand painted glass tree ornaments

I couldn't visit an "Anne of Green Gables" store without mentioning "Anne"...she would make a great gift idea for someone that you would like to introduce to the LM Montgomery book series. As a child I read all of LM Montgomery's books, I am sure many Islanders have (or at least been to the musical or watched the TV series). She is well-known all over the world.

To date there have been seven lucky #MyDowntownWishList winners of the $100 prepaid MasterCard - you could be next! Keep sharing your wishlist via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram :)

Day 9 - The Root Cellar

The Root Cellar is owned by Naturopathic Doctor Kali Simmons, and has two locations in downtown Charlottetown - both specializing in high-quality supplements, organic skin care products, groceries, bulk spices and healthy snacks. One shop is located in the Confederation Court Mall (which was formerly known as Nature’s Harvest) and the second shop is located on 34 Queen Street. The Confederation Court Mall location has a Blenderz Juice Bar which offers a variety of delicious fruit smoothies and vegetable juices. 

Since our health is our most precious asset, gifts to help improve our health are worth their weight in gold.

I visited both Root Cellar locations to pick out items for #MyDowntownWishList :

Queen Street location:

If I only had $25 a month to spend at the Root Cellar the two things I would purchase are Udo’s Oil and bee pollen – both are miraculous superfoods. Other items I love are Green Beaver products, Vega products, and Stash Holiday Teas. Also, I recently discovered "Endangered Species" chocolate bars, not only are they amazing but they donate 10% of net profits to partner organizations that support species conservation, habitat preservation and humanitarian efforts. Win-win!

Confederation Court Mall Location: 

Chia seeds are another superfood I can't do without - they are excellent in oatmeal, smoothies and you can even drink them in your water. I also love Hemp Hearts in salads and yogurt. These are the kinds of things that are great for Christmas gifts, if you can find items your family and friends already use, they are guaranteed to love your gift.

I've always wanted to make my own sprouts for salads and sandwiches, now with this little Sprouting Jar gadget and Sprouting Mix I can. Can't wait to try it!

There are so many quality products at the Root Cellar, take a moment to drop in and see for yourself. Their knowledgeable staff can help recommend products that will best fit your lifestyle. You can also find them on Facebook and Google+. Your health will thank you for it :)