Soul food at the Community YMCA
Elaine Cain describes her food as “a taste of soul food with a Caribbean twist.”
The owner/operator of Shirley & Novelees Catering and Take Out, Cain opened her retail food business in 2018 on Caledonia Road in Dartmouth but, after a year, she decided to close that location because of a lack of foot traffic.
Foot traffic isn't a problem now for Cain who, last month, brought her business to the Community YMCA at 2269 Gottingen St.
With the activity at the YMCA bringing people into the building and the diverse neighbourhood nearby, she says, “people are around constantly, all day.”
She says the kids after basketball gravitate to the hot dogs, fries and poutine while the neighbourhood folks tend to go for her Caribbean curries, jerk chicken and patties. Either way, she says, they are going to get a good-sized serving at a good price. She said she wants everyone to see colour and comfort in what she serves them.
Cain named the eatery after her late mother and sister. “They are inspirational to me, they make me come to work every day.”
Cain, who has been catering events for a couple decades and regularly hosted large Sunday suppers, said her mother would always say: “You are going to turn my house into a restaurant some day.”
Today, Shirley & Novelees is a family affair in inspiration and perspiration, with Cain's children helping with the business. Even the food is inspired by her family with Shirley Caesar Salad, which was her mother Shirley's favourite dish and is an homage to the gospel singer Shirley Caesar. There is also Cham's Chili Dog in honour of her brother.
Shirley and Novelees is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and catering is still available. Soon customers will be able to order via online ordering apps.
Here are some more retail and restaurant highlights:
• Vessel Meats, has a rewards-based crowdfunding campaign set up to help it offset some of the upfront costs of opening a new permanent retail shop on Primrose Street in north end Dartmouth. Vessel Meats will be opening a retail store early next year at 6 Primrose St., next door to Blue Harbour Cheese. The butcher is already familiar to many since it already operates weekends at the Alderney Market in Dartmouth and Saturdays at the Historic Brewery Market in Halifax.
• There is a new coffee shop opening at 2069 Hammonds Plains Rd. called Hub 214. It seems to be part of the Church of Nazarene.
• There was a slight delay from the original plan but The Cheeky Neighbour Diner is now open at 6024 Quinpool Rd. in Halifax in the spot where its predecessor, Relish Gourmet Burgers, used to be.
• Beautiful Linen, specializing in wedding and event decor design and rentals, now has a storefront at 2456 Agricola St. in Halifax.
• The Compassionate Closet, a new curated used-clothing store in support of Hospice Halifax, has opened at 32 Glendale Dr. in Lower Sackville.
• The HFX Wanderers FC fan shop is now open in a new home. The Wanderers HQ can be found at 6086 Quinpool Rd. in Halifax, inside the former Video Difference building.
• Prince Edward Island retailer How Bazaar is having an end-of-lease sale at its Halifax shop at 1727 Barrington St. That store will permanently close on Saturday.