A Local's Guide to Calgary

Milk Jar Candle Co. CEO Holly Singer shares her local favourites

Asking a local is often the best way to get to know a place. Holly Singer, Founder and CEO of Milk Jar Candle Co., has lived in Calgary for 12 years. Since relocating from British Columbia for university, she's made Calgary her home and the headquarters for her growing business. She credits the friendliness of the people, the sunshine and the proximity to the mountains for her decision to stay.

"I will take sunshine and minus 20 any day over a downpour rain day," she says.

Milk Jar Candle Co. began in Singer's kitchen as a way to be creative—and cover some university expenses. The business has completely taken off since it started back in 2014. Yes, the hand-poured, clean-burning soy candles look and smell fantastic, but that's only half the story. The company is renowned for its work supporting local organizations and people with disabilities through employment opportunities and generous donations. From every candle and diffuser sale, $1 - $2 is given back to the community. Since 2017, Milk Jar has raised more than $150,000.

Keep reading to find out Singer's favourite spots in Calgary and watch for more features in this series.

Where's your favourite spot to relax and grab a drink?

The Ship & Anchor patio on 17th Avenue. It's the one I frequent the most if I'm going to a patio. It's got great people-watching and a great crowd there. It's very comfortable. I love that the Ship has been in Calgary since I moved here over a decade ago. A lot of spots have flipped over to something new over the last 10 years except the Ship.

Where do you like to go for a night out?

I recently moved into Killarney and my partner and I have frequented the Cassis Bistro. It's a little French bistro right nearby us and is one of my favourite places for celebrating. It's finer dining and they usually have a pretty small menu just on a chalkboard. On their wall, they play silent black and white movies. It's super intimate.

Where's your favourite place to spend time outside?

Probably in the past couple of years, it would be heading up to Bowness Park. It's really beautiful there. We have a little dog and the part of Bowness I love is that there's 300 picnic tables. You'll never go there and not be able to have a picnic table if you want one. There's that big meadow area with big giant trees where you can put a blanket down and relax and the river's right there. You see so many different people from all over Calgary there with their families. It's just a really nice place.

Where's your favourite place to catch live music or a performance?

One of the most memorable shows I went to was at The Grand. It's a very small theatre but I saw an opera puppet show there by the Old Trout Puppet Workshop. It was very intimate and it was a really beautiful theatre. I'd love to go back and see another show at The Grand.

Another favourite place is Commonwealth Bar and Stage to see bands or singers perform. I love how intimate that venue is.

What's your favourite hidden gem in Calgary?

Cadence Coffee in Bowness. So that cafe, it's got a really old diner feel to it. They serve this coffee, JJ Bean coffee—I think they're based out of Vancouver—and it's my favourite bean. Not many places in Calgary serve it. They also make the best little egg muffin breakfast sandwich with avocado. And it's so affordable and it's got a little small-town feel to it. I lived in Bowness for a time, and I'd stop there for a coffee every single morning.

What should a first-time visitor check out?

I'd tell them to go to the Barley Belt and go to Uncommon Cider, Annex, Cabin and do a little brewery tour. Try to go up north and end at Cold Garden to see all the puppies. And then go walk around Inglewood and shop before making your way down the river pathway to East Village. End with a cocktail and a taco at the Charbar rooftop patio.

Where's someplace you haven't experienced but are dying to?

I haven't been to Major Tom yet. Make sure you book a reservation in advance; it's a very popular spot. But I've always heard good things and you get an amazing view of the city. It's right downtown in a high-rise building on the 40th floor and it's pretty fancy with really good cocktails.