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Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario

This year's spring arts exhibition will take place in Northwestern Ontario!
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Main Street Treasures

Main Street's pawn shops and thrift stores hold countless stories and unexpected treasures.
Jamie Bell 4 Jul 2025
Our visits to downtown pawn shops and thrift stores offer a true urban adventure.

Our visits to downtown pawn shops and thrift stores offer a true urban adventure.

Downtown pawn shops and thrift stores offer true urban adventures.

Walking down Main Street in downtown Winnipeg on a weekend often turns into an urban treasure hunt for us. This part of the city has such a unique vibe – it’s gritty, layered with stories both good and bad, and always feels alive with history. Amidst the older buildings and bustling energy, some of our favorite stops are the pawn shops and thrift stores. There’s something truly exciting about stepping into these places, never knowing what kind of hidden gems await. From vintage clothing and quirky collectibles to forgotten electronics and unique decor, every shelf and rack holds the potential for a surprising find.

Beyond the thrill of the hunt for pre-loved items, we also have a soft spot for the old restaurants. We’re not talking about the fast-food chains; we mean the classic, old school diners that have been a part of the city’s fabric for generations. There’s a comforting sense of history in their worn booths and familiar menus, offering a taste of Winnipeg that feels authentic and enduring. It’s not just about the items themselves or the meals, but the stories they carry and the thrill of the unexpected discovery that makes these weekend excursions on Winnipeg’s Main Street so much fun. It’s a genuine slice of downtown life.

About the Author

Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell

Administrator

Jamie Bell is a Winnipeg-based interdisciplinary artist and strategist working at the intersection of media arts, community engagement, and public affairs. Among others, his work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the OpenAI Researcher Access Program, with a focus on participatory media, strategic communications, and arts-based collaboration across northern and urban contexts.

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Tags: Manitoba Manitoba arts Manitoba Photos Northern Arts Projects Northwestern Ontario Arts SDG 3 SDG 4 SDG 8 Winnipeg Winnipeg Manitoba

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The Art Spot Canada Under $100 Art Exhibition is coming to Winnipeg, Manitoba this August! ART SPOT was created in 2008 in Calgary to support local emerging artists.  ART SPOT has curated and facilitated over 100 successful art events, including solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, workshops, concerts, body painting competitions, markets, community events and more.

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MANITOBA ARTS PROGRAMS

This platform, our Winnipeg, Manitoba hub and programs have been made possible with support from the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program. We gratefully acknowledge their funding and support in making the work we do possible.

Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Arts Incubator was seeded and piloted with strategic arts innovation funding from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse. We thank them for their investment, supporting northern arts capacity building and bringing the arts to life.

Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse Logo

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO ARTS

This platform, our Northwestern Ontario hub and programs have been made possible with support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program. We gratefully acknowledge their funding and support in making the work we do possible.

Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects Program
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