Member PROFILES

Founded by a mother-daughter duo, this pottery studio just joined the neighbourhood, opening its doors in September. The pair hope that it will become a neighbourhood hub for sharing the fun of ceramics. Micha Basman, the studio’s lead technician, credits an upbringing in Mexico surrounded by pottery with her appreciation for the craft.  

“My favourite part of my job is that I get to be close to these materials that I love, and this artform that I love,” she said.  

The studio offers six-week courses to learn skills like turning clay on a wheel and hand-building clay pieces, as well as one-night introductory classes, and have classes for children as well as for adults. 

Give it a spin at 123-B Beechwood Avenue! 

Founded by literature lovers in 1994, Books on Beechwood has become the go-to place for patrons to find their next read. 

The store’s walls are lined with a colourful array of books of every genre and style. Even those who come into the store not expecting to find anything will often exit the doors with a book or two in hand.  

“I think my favourite part is introducing people to books they may not know about,” said Hilary Porter, the store’s manager. “When they come in not sure what they’re looking for and you can give them something they wouldn’t have come across any other way.” 

September marks the 30-year anniversary of Books on Beechwood. The store is planning on holding a celebration on the 21st, filled with giveaways, prizes and other fun things to honour the long-time Vanier institution. 

Dive into the pages of your next read at Books on Beechwood, located at 35 Beechwood Avenue! 

For two decades now, Eric Cardinal’s florist shop has been a staple of the Vanier area. 

 “I was a florist for eight years before I opened this shop, and for a long time I was looking to open my own business,” Cardinal said. “I always knew in the back of my mind that Beechwood would be the place.”  

Mood Moss has stayed in the same spot for its entire run, exceptionally impressive considering that they are celebrating 20 years of service in 2024.   

Mood Moss is a full-service flower shop, which means they do a bit of everything. They take walk-ins, provide flowers for events, and have even done work for the government and embassies.  

While the shop is a Vanier institution, they also deliver across Ottawa and Gatineau every day except Sunday.  

Come visit Mood Moss Flowers located at 186 Beechwood Ave!  

This restaurant has been a Vanier landmark since the 1960s―and the owner has a history in the restaurant business almost as long. “I’ve been working since I was a kid in the food business,” says George Ibrahim, an international chef with more than 50 years of experience.

Ibrahim took over Fontenelle in 2021, renovating the interior and updating the menu with pizza and pasta dishes, while keeping the classic breakfast and lunch dishes that are the restaurant’s specialty.

“I love it here. We have an excellent clientele,” he says of Vanier. “We like our place here, and they like our food.”

Get your fill of Canadian and Italian comfort food at 55 Montréal Road!

Royal Prince Caribbean Cuisine is a restaurant where customers can always expect to be greeted with a smile and interesting food.

Owner Jean-Charles has devoted his life to making food: “Whether I’m old or young, this is my passion, and this is what I’m going to do to the end of my days.” His dream of opening a restaurant found a home in Vanier. “Vanier is an absolutely beautiful community, very different, where people are welcoming.”

His restaurant offers a range of traditional Caribbean classics, with main dishes of jerk and curry chicken, marinated beef or goat complemented by sides like accras, pikliz, and fried plantains.

Visit Royal Prince at 165 Montreal Road.