The upstairs is now mostly complete, extending the store by a huge amount. This gives them even more room to display items for your home and garden. A bookshop is also being added to Sunworks. This highly anticipated new bookstore is sure to be one of my favorite stops in Red Deer, and it will be located in a separate room in the back.

If you are looking for a Mother’s day gift, this is a great place to go. Can’t make up your mind what to pick out for Mom? Gift cards are available! Garden decorations of all sorts adorn the store, such as the gargoyles pictured here.

Also at the back of the store is the Harris – Warke Gallery. Now on display is the artwork of Susan Barker. This Red Deer resident has some excellent renditions of various oilfield scenes from the ’80s and on. For unique artwork of Central Alberta oilfield art, stop by and take in the display in the gallery.

Sunworks Home & Garden Inc.

4924 Ross Street

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

T4N 1X7

ph (403)341-3455

Fax (403)341-5754

Look here for more information on Red Deer shops and stores!

cappuccino (a drink made with espresso coffee and frothed hot milk) that doesn’t come out of an automatic hot chocolate machine? If you are looking for a real cappuccino or latte and have been making do with an artificial over-sugared concoction, go down to Quenched! and try the real deal.

If you aren’t looking for a coffee, Quenched! also has tea, smoothies, and bottled drinks. Don’t forget to sample one of their soups, a baked treat or one of their other dessert items. I think I saw cheesecake in the cooler…

Next time you are in downtown Red Deer, stop in and say hi to Will from the boys at Red Deer Digest. If you don’t have time to savour your coffee at Quenched! you can take it to enjoy on the go. They also have coffee beans for sale that you can use in the comfort of your own home.

look here for more Red Deer Restaurants and cafes.

After choosing a location for the store, in the heart of downtown among unique specialty shops and local flair, they

In August 2002 housewarmings’ doors were opened, with 10 artists showcasing their work. The partners began setting up at Trade Shows as well as the Downtown Business After Hours Christmas show, while still continuing at the Farmer’s Market, and by 2003 they knew they were on the right track as the artist base had grown to 75!

The style of housewarmings, including the logo, has changed throughout the years. The style has grown and surpassed even the expectations of the partners. From country to contemporary, to classical and Asian, the flair is ever-changing and evolving. It can be attributed to the ability of the owner’s to listen to customers, and their willingness to adapt to changing styles, customer requests and suggestions.

“We feel that the warm, friendly atmosphere is enhanced by our (customer-described!) fun and ‘quirky’ personalities. People never know what to expect when they walk through the door, and that’s the way we like it!”

In February of 2007 Catherine, Leslie and Diane endured a gruelling 22 hour flight to Thailand on their first ever overseas buying trip! The trip seemed charmed right from the start, and they hooked up with a wonderful man in the Northern Thai city of ChiangMai who was to become the store’s broker. With visits to street markets, factories and through meetings with owners and workers alike, in a whirlwind buying tour of the city, they made some awesome choices, and the excitement was palpable when the 17 crates arrived on Ross Street.

With housewarmings’ five year anniversary just passed, and the excitement of the first overseas buying trip still fresh in their minds, who knows what changes 2008 will bring?

“We say: ‘Bring it on!’.”

Owners: Diane Hermary, Catherine Robb, Leslie Marchant.

Housewarmings website
Address: 4916 Ross Street, RD T4N 1X7
Phone: 403-309-0663
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am-5:30pm

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Originally opened in 1980, under the name, Bookworm’s Den; owner Lynn started with just second-hand books. In 1985, she decided to stock comics. It was later sold to a lady named Gerri, then in 1996 current owner Dave took over the store. He has been expanding the amount of comics in stock ever since. In the spring of 2007, he changed the name to Amazing Fantasy ( a name that all Fanboys are very familiar with).

Dave has a vast selection of comics, both new releases as well as back issues. There are several shelves dedicated to trade-paperbacks and graphic novels. Currently the store possesses the largest collection of “previously enjoyed” science-fiction books in central Alberta (he estimates there are approximately 2000+ books on the shelves now and he intends to expand the section even more in the near future). There is also a selection of mystery novels and classic books as well as toys and t-shirts on hand.

Dave knows all of his regulars and greets us by name when we come in. I personally have had a membership file (requested issues of comics and other merchandise will be ordered and held plus the file holder receives a discount) since about December of 1985. He is always looking to expand the number of people who enjoy reading comics; so if you’re new to the obsession hobby, he’ll be happy to answer your questions.

So the next time you’re in downtown Red Deer and you’re looking for some comics or some sci-fi books; drop in to Amazing Fantasy and talk to Dave. Tell him Ernie & Tim at Red Deer Digest sent you.

Amazing Fantasy

5003 Ross Street

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

T4N 1Y2

ph (403)346-7505

Open Mon. – Sat. 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.