What’s coming to Gariepy Block?

[Have I told you guys how much we love it when we get guest bloggers? And not just because it means we get to play Brickbreaker for like 8 extra minutes instead of working. Don't get me wrong, that's great - but it's so cool to see what you guys have to say. It's especially cool when someone like our buddy Mack D. Male contributes because, as he's proven here, he's quite the super sleuth. You're a regular Magnum P.I., Sir!  - sally]

By Mack D. Male

If you’ve been downtown near Jasper Avenue and 100th Street lately, you may have noticed the signs – something is coming this fall:

I’ve done some sleuthing online, and I have some information to share. But first, it’s time for a history lesson!

The building in question is known as Gariepy Block. Here’s what the Edmonton Historical Board plaque near the front door says:

In 1893 Joseph H. Gariepy built his first frame building here at the northwest corner of Jasper Avenue and McDougall Avenue (100 Street). Later a three-story brick building was added just west of it. The telephone exchange was located on the third floor of this latter building. The C.N.R. also had the property under lease for a number of years. The Gariepy and Lessard Store is remembered as one of the outfitters that supplied Klondikers for the 1897-1898 Gold Rush. The block was replaced by this existing building in 1961.

Joseph Gariepy went on to play a prominent role in Edmonton’s history. He was a founding member and president of the Edmonton Board of Trade, and served as an Alderman on Edmonton Town Council in 1896. He died on July 6, 1927.

Now then, what’s launching this fall? Is it something that Joseph Gariepy would have been proud of? I suppose we’ll never know, though we can certainly speculate! What we do know is that the newest tenant of the Gariepy Block is called Gossip Vodka Bar Inc.

A quick Google Search revealed this SkyscraperPage Forum post:

Job No 86833509-001: To change the use from a Professional, Financial, and Office Support To a Restaurant/Bars and Neighbourhood Pubs and a General Retail and Convenience Retail Use.
10004 – JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan F Lot 11
GOSSIP VODKA BAR INC

Sounds like Edmonton is getting another downtown nightclub, and our first vodka bar. (Editor’s note: Whyte Avenue had The Backrooom Vodka Bar previously.) My own experience with vodka is pretty limited, so I’m probably not the best person to suggest whether or not we need a bar devoted to the drink. Who knows, maybe there are a bunch of closet vodka lovers in #yeg!

Further searching led me to two PDF files (here, here) that provided some additional details. It turns out that Gossip Vodka Bar Inc. got its name on January 29, 2009. Prior to that it was known as Ghost Bar Ultra Lounge Inc. That name was registered on April 11, 2007 with the following address: 10529 116th Street. Local print & design shop Rayacom Inc. has been at that address since March 1, 2007, according to their website.

Is there a secret connection between print & design and vodka that I’m not aware of?! The plot thickens.

Here’s where you take over, Edmonton. Have any other details on Gossip? Let us know!