Burrito West Blog

As prolific as Starbucks are in Vancouver, I think Tim Hortons donut/coffee shops are even more numerous in the Maritimes. At least it's a more affordable habit to form!

It's actually quite neat - Tims have become the 3rd Place for people. My dad has his particular Tims that he goes to where he can hang out with the other retired/semi-retired guys. So he doesn't just go for the coffee, but for the chance to bump into and spend time with casual friends.

Putting my planning hat on for a moment - imagine if every Tims had a plaza out front instead of a parking lot - it might actually be a gracious and dignified community place. I'm pretty sure if you wanted to create/enliven a public space anywhere in Nova Scotia/New Brunswick, all you'd have to do is get a Tims to open up and convince them to put out some patio seating in your public space.

This is the last photo I took before leaving NS - in the Halifax airport.