Glenmore Landing: a relaxed suburban shopping experience

A simple retail hub with a lot to offer

Glenmore Landing is a community shopping centre located in southwest Calgary. It can be a great place to relax and even run a few errands.

The landing is shaped in a horse-shoe covering roughly a few city blocks, including Safeway, Starbucks, Good Earth, other fast-food restaurants, jewelry shops, flower shops and over half a dozen unique boutiques.

“Many people come to Glenmore Landing to escape the bustle of downtown. It’s a great hidden gem,” said Lorraine MacFarlene, employee at Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut.

MacFarlene has worked at this location for 20 years now. Her parents own the small chocolate shop that many regulars indulge in.

The sense of place has been lost in many places across Calgary, but not at the landing.

Many buildings now consist of four walls with few windows in them. Glenmore Landing however, has an old fashioned feel to it because of the architectural design. The stores are located near the sidewalk with huge window displays and trees garnishing the area.

The main building, while separated into a few chunks stands two levels tall. Offices mainly reside on the top floors while shopping and health stores reside right on the landing.

Glenmore Landing is an alternative shopping experience to the downtown core’s hust and bustle.
Photo by: Alexandra Fish

Across the road from 90th Avenue, heading south is one of Calgary’s most expensive residential areas – Pump Hill. The majority of these residents belong to the Jewish community.

Behind the landing you’ll find many uneven and long skinny paths that reach over 24 kilometres long that intertwine beside the Glenmore Reservoir. This reservoir serves as Calgary’s main water source.

Every day you’ll see someone on these paths, no matter the weather.

In the summer the landing is flourishing with fragrant flowers hung in white baskets.

On bright and sunny days, people will gather for lunch with friends and family maybe to have a quick bite or just stop and smell the flowers.

“This place is a great little escape inside the city limits,” said Ashley Applegate, a frequent visitor.

Often you will see families leaving the synagogue, located directly across the street from Glenmore Landing. Fridays and Saturdays are usually the busiest.

“There’s community here, where visitors can shop and enjoy all the amenities Glenmore Landing has to offer,” said Nelly Carlos, employee at Hallmark – also located within the landing. “Everyone knows everyone here. Glenmore Landing is an established area that welcomes everyone,” added Carlos.

The tenor of this place has a rustic feel; the religious neighbourhood residing across the street shares a rich history.

Free parking is close to all the shops.

Winter seems to take the entire colour out of the area, but also leaves a part behind, the westerly winds also called Chinooks; they provide relief from the freezing temperatures Calgary sees and a chance to enjoy outdoor shopping centres.

So take a load off, you deserve it; spend a morning or afternoon at the Glenmore Landing and the Glenmore Reservoir for that next well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the downtown core.

For more information on the Glenmore Landing visit their website.

For more information on the Glenmore Reservoir visit www.calgary.ca.

afish@cjournal.ca