Larry Uteck area continues to boom

Bedford has been growing in the last few years, mostly along Larry Uteck Boulevard which runs from Bedford Highway to Hammonds Plains Road.

I have featured a few of the stores in the last couple of years, like the Free Range Store and Luminate.

For the most part, east of Highway 102 is already well established, though a new café, the Mellow Mug, recently opened in the site of a former Second Cup, and last year Mezza Lebanese Kitchen and Booster Juice opened locations.

Currently the west side of Highway 102 is booming with new retail and eateries, spurred on by massive real estate development The Parks of West Bedford, which will include new schools from Primary to Grade 12.

Lifestyle wear shop PhitCetera has opened by the Free Range Store, which has expanded to include a pub.

Nearby on Hogan Court, The Atlantic Superstore has opened a new location, while under construction on the same parking lot is the first Nova Scotia location of two American chains, IHOP and Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. There is also a new Esso, A&W and PZZA.CO on the way.

Further northwest is Brookline Plaza, already home to the new Brookline Pharmasave, and the property will also have longtime downtown Halifax Korean spot Seoul moving in as Seoul Korean BBQ. There is also a beer bar, The Village Tap House on its way, while kitty-corner to Brookline Plaza there are long term plans to open a new Sobeys.

There is also a new retail area coming to the northern part of the development on Gary Martin Drive.

Expect to hear about more openings in the area in the coming months.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER RETAIL HIGHLIGHTS

• Beverly Taco Service is now the kitchen at Sourwood Cider on Cornwallis Street. However, you can still find them at the Stillwell Beer Garden all summer as well.

• The Bright Yard beer garden (by Brightwood Brewing) is now open at 53 1/2 Portland Street.

• COBS Bread opened Friday on Tacoma Drive in Dartmouth.

• Heartwood has opened the Ben's Beer Garden on Quinpool Road.

• Slow fashion shop Slowly Slowly has opened at 5685 Cunard by the Armoury.

• Outdoor wine garden Salt Yard Social is now open on the waterfront at the bottom of Salter Street.

• Machi's Tea (Bubble) has opened in The Vuze on Fenwick Street

• If you were hoping to get to Athens Restaurant before they close, you're too late; they have already closed their doors.

RYAN TAPLIN • THE CHRONICLE HERALD The Mellow Mug opened on Dellridge Lane in Bedford earlier this year in the old Second Cup location.

RYAN TAPLIN • THE CHRONICLE HERALD A construction worker walks past the building that will house the new IHOP in Bedford on Monday.