What's new on 100th Avenue

In recent issues, we talked about new developments in the south end industrial park and about some fun new businesses on 100 Street, so now it’s time to turn some attention to 100 Avenue.

St. Jean Baptiste almost restored

The most visible change on 100 Avenue is the massive reconstruction of St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church after a fire several years ago. Sitting at one end of St. Jean Baptiste Park — alongside the Musée Morinville Museum — this corner of downtown has always been one of Morinville’s visual and historical anchors, especially given the town’s roots as a Catholic mission. While it’s sad that some history was lost, the new building is genuinely striking, and it will be lovely to see the town centre finally feel complete again.

Morinville Plaza – another fire casualty rebounding

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that fire also ravaged the old Morinville Plaza Hotel, leaving it looking pretty rough for a while. But things have been steadily changing: Asian Garden turned into LE Kitchen with new decor and a new menu, Pop’s Cannabis took over the old Uncle Sam’s store and put up some bright new signage, Morinville Pizza Palace put up its funky orange signs and food poster frontage … and now Near Nerd has come on board … with a clean new space and even more bright new signage that helps spruce up the building frontage.

Near Nerd

Near Nerd offers new cell phones (yep, those are new iPhones in the photo), phone plans (Bell and Virgin Plus), and accessories, plus they do phone, computer and gamin console repairs.

How great is it to not have to drive into St. Albert or Edmonton to sort out your phone? Support local, stop by and check them out: 10219 – 100 Avenue.

The old hotel is looking alive again as a main street retail space. Yes, it still needs work, but there’s progress. And on the other side of the avenue, someone’s been steadily growing!

Fusion Thrift Shop

It may still say Noah’s Ark above the door, but this building is now the third space on 100 Avenue occupied by Fusion Thrift Shop — practically a department store for vintage at this point. The newest space houses furniture and electronics.

This is a super fun place to spend an hour or two, especially if you’re craftsy or like some retro flair in your home decor.

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An active and visually appealing downtown area is pretty critical to a healthy town, so it’s heartening to see the centre of 100 Avenue bouncing back.