Recently an Ontario couple traveled through Corner Brook while visiting Newfoundland.
They seemed to love the trip to Newfoundland but had some critial words for the city of Corner Brook saying, “we wouldn’t recommend Corner Brook as a tourist destination. “
Phil and Sharon called Corner Brook, “a sad town with very little in the way of urban attractions.” They wrote about the experience on their blog and as a result, they were interviewed (podcast) by CBC radio regarding their trip.
Here is what the couple had to say about Newfoundland
It’s not just about scenery. It’s about what it does to your spirit and your mind and your heart to be surrounded by wild space and the wild sea. It’s about warm people who’ll chat and make you a meal or a cup of tea as though you were their guests instead of their customers. It’s about the earth and the sea and how it has nurtured us and how we are spitting in its face. It’s about a thousand years of human determination to live on this rock and how the rest of us in Canada aren’t paying enough attention to what Newfoundland is fighting for now.
Is Corner Brook A Sad Town?
So the couple said some wonderful things about our province but were very critical of our city.
Are they right?
If you have recently visited Corner Brook, what reccomendations would you make for tourists? How could the city improve? What is the city doing well?
Having lived in Nova Scotia for ten years, I’m always interested in the impressions of other people.
I hope you are enjoying your summer.
Personally, I am glad Corner Brook doesn’t have ‘urban attractions’, as it encourages you to get outside the town and soak up the rest of what the Rock has to offer (and for free). I am a frequent visitor to the Rock and at no time have I said to my friends ‘come and visit Corner Brook, it is a great place to see’ BUT I have, on many occasions, said ‘come and visit Newfoundland’. If you want shopping malls go to Florida, if you want night clubs go to Ibiza, if you want cinemas or theatre go to New York. However, if you want friendly people, OUTSTANDING scenery and a safe environment, go to Newfoundland. 3 years and thirteen trips later I still have had no need to travel further East than Springdale and West no further than Georges Lake. These folks were probably expecting a bit much from CB in the way of facilities, but in my opinion CB has enough to keep me fed and watered, everything else is a short drive away.
HI Cliff thanks for the note. I’m glad to see you love it here.
I am originally from one of the small communities surrounding Corner Brook, but have been living in Ontario for the past 14 years. I agree with Cliff. If its an urban city setting you are looking for, you are in the wrong place. The amazing thing about Newfoundland (and Corner Brook for that matter) is how DIFFERENT it is from so many other provinces, states, and cities. Newfoundland is a culture all of its own, and many people who go to visit or move therego for that culture. Not for urban city life. Corner Brook has everything one could need, without being overbearing and in-your-face. It is absolutely one of my favourite cities, and I look forward to driving there every year! Each is entitled to his own oppinion, but understand that everything about every aspect of Newfoundland is different, its calm, its laid back, there is no rush, there is no RUSH HOUR, there are no traffic jams, and to me its just a peaceful city that I will soon set my roots.
I grew up in Corner Brook, moved away ten years ago, and currently reside in Halifax. I visit Corner Brook at least once or twice every year and still remain very rooted to the city. I keep up on the news “back home” by talking with friends and family, reading the Western Star online and reading online blogs such as yours GK. (i.e. I think I can give a relevant and valid point of view from a local and visitor perspective).
Corner Brook is a city with many, many beautiful elements woven throughout: The Glynmill Inn and Pond, Bowater Park, The Corner Brook Stream Trail, the Majestic Lawn and Gazebo, the church and grounds next to the Greenwood Inn (formally the Holiday Inn), beautiful tree-lined streets and colourful houses…my list goes on.
What I find a lot of tourists comment negatively on is the state of West Street. West St is a major thoroughfare through Corner Brook, a street that tourists look to with great expectations and often “the street” that tourists consider to be the “face” of urban Corner Brook. Though West St has some gems (see above list), overall it’s a bit of an eyesore: derelict buildings, the gawdy/tacky storefront of Luigis’s Pizza shop (at least the old Pizza Experts, which used to be where Luigi’s is now, had a bit of class and beautiful stained-glass in the ceiling), a sex-store (which I have absolutely nothing against and have shopped at – I just wish it wasn’t on THE main street in Corner Brook), a sleazy bar, and too many empty shop windows.
It is too bad we haven’t turned West St into the beautiful and enjoyable street that Spring Garden Road in Halifax is.
I have pasted below a description of the Spring Garden Road Area, with a few changes: I exchanged words such as Spring Garden and Halifax, for words like West Street and Corner Brook. I also substituted locations such as “Public Gardens” and “Museum of Artillery” for Corner Brook landmarks.
In a few years and with a bit of work, time and investment, I hope this description will one day become a reality:
(West Street) is the heart of the (Corner Brook) Capital District…the area has (dozens of) retail shops and services, most independently owned, and supported by convenient parking nearby. This charming, vibrant area is a shoppers’ paradise where brand name fashions, (Newfoundland) giftware, spas and salons rub shoulders with excellent hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs. The area is fast becoming home to a growing number of downtown urban dwellers in desirable, upscale residential developments.
Steeped in history and culture (West Street) is surrounded by tourist attractions and landmarks such as the Corner Brook Stream Trail, Majestic Lawn and Gazebo, Corner Brook Museum and Archives, Sir Wilfred Grenfell Library, and the famous Glynmill Inn and Pond to name a few, all adding to a unique experience in living, shopping, working and playing.
(Source: http://www.springgardenroad.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=37)
Would anyone care to dream with me?
Yours truly,
West Street Dreamer
I have a couple of other things to add to that last post:
I personally know dozens of people who still live in Corner Brook, who travel a few times a year to St. John’s and Halifax, just to shop at unique stores and clothing boutiques (mall “boutiques” such as Suzy Shier do not count). Imagine how much more money they could spend on clothes in a locally-owned boutique on West Street, by saving the gas money they would have used to get to St. John’s!
Spring Garden Road is a major commercial and cultural district in Nova Scotia. The area is considered to be one of the trendiest areas in Halifax and is the most popular shopping district in Atlantic Canada.
I am not kidding when I say that I think Corner Brook’s West Street area could become a major tourist and shopping destination that could (when compared on a per capita basis) rival Halifax.
For inspiration visit:
http://www.thecoast.ca/Shoptalk/archives/2009/10/06/shoptalk-goes-local-spring-garden-road
Government officials: I hope you are ready to start supporting more local businesses!
West St. Dreamer,
Well said and I couldn’t agree more.
I lived in Halifax for 10 years and Spring Garden Road was one of my favorite areas of the city.
When I think of West Street, I often wonder why it couldn’t be a little more like SGR. I’d love to dream with you about that but I’m not certain the political or business will is there.
Thank you for this very thoughtful comment.
Cheers.
Gary
Couldn’t agree more about the shabby state of West st. What were the planners thinking about by allowing those horrible brick facades to cover up the traditional housing. Independent retailers need to be encouraged to set up shop in the street, street cafes etc. Tourists would see Corner Brook for the beautiful place it really is, rather than a rather sad, dilapidated city with no real centre. Seems like a job for the new council.
@ComeFromAway: “Shabby” is sadly the perfect word to describe sections of West Street (I say “sections” because there are certainly some beautiful sections too).
As I mentioned in my first post, there are many gems around the city, but a lot of visitors are not sticking around long enough to find them. First impressions count: visitors drive through West Street – think the city is run down and has nothing to offer – and then leave before Corner Brook has a chance to prove itself.
For example, two of my friends from BC visited NFLD last year. Their main destination was Gros Morne, but on my recommendation they decided to stay in Corner Brook for a night. Sadly, I did not give them enough advice on sights-to-see before they headed off on their trip. Silly me, I thought that “go see Corner Brook, it’s beautiful” would be enough. After all, it is a small city and how hard could it be for two people – who can use a map and compass to navigate the backcounty of Gros Morne by themselves – to find a couple of nice sights in Corner Brook. Imagine my surprise when my friends returned from their trip, disappointed and actually a little turned off by Corner Brook. Because they were only in the city for one night, they spent their time on West Street and (gasp) the even shoddier upper Main Street. Their polite account of Corner Brook broke my heart; I could tell they were holding back and trying to find “the right words” to describe their impression of my beloved hometown. I was so embarrassed when I saw Corner Brook through the eyes of my friends.
Corner Brook needs a proper downtown and token main street. While we are at it, we apparently have a few street signs to replace. A quote from the travel blog Going Out East: “Driving in Corner Brook, where we were constantly lost, despite a map and a GPS…there are lots of unmarked one-way streets in the downtown area and at least 50 per cent of intersections are missing one or both street-name signs.” (Source: http://goingouteast.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/re-corner-brook/
I am not trying to put down West Street or Corner Brook. I see so much untapped potential and I just want people to sit up, take notice and take action!
I feel so sorry for you “foreigners”who judge corner brook by west & main streets. Get a life & open your eyes to the beauty we have here. I,ve lived all over canada & from halifax to victoria i wasn,t so much taken by local streets but by the people & friendliness offered by these people. Been back here for quite a while now & to any new comers please don,t judge us by a road & some drabby building. Stay long enough to open your eyes & for godsake keep thm open for at least a few hours. You are missing the “BOAT”.
dave young April 25, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Hey my name is dave and i’m from corner brook and i love the city and am very happy to call it my home .Ive lived there all my life 30 years and the city still amazes me we are growing and i hope we keep growing i still live there. I go away to work as a private investigator but when my time is up in what ever city i’m in when that plane lands in deerlake i’m smiling from ear to ear cause the air is cleaner and the smell of freshness is in the air and family and close friends are near i wouldn’t change very much about home but i thank god that corner brook is my home i wouldn’t trade it for no other place.
I was born and raised in Corner Brook, It is a beautiful place where the people are very friendly but I agree that West street needs a facelift. It would only make Corner Brook more inviting. I love the city and the people. You only have to move away from the island to appreciate what you had and what you miss.
I was born and raised in Corner Brook and have been away for 40 years but continue to visit my home. Newfoundland is such a magical place. As soon as I set foot on the Boat it is like I never left and I will miss it til the day I die. I hope Newfoundland always stays as it is with not too many outsiders, as they do not understand the Beauty of this province. I so wish I had never left her but I am not far, only in Nova Scotia so I visit often. It is a calming place and a place of no worries and you only have to knock on a door to find friendship. People should not judge Newfoundland and they so often do, they need to visit and see for themselves how wonderful it really is. I thank God every day for where I grew up and will always be there in spirit.
who ever this phil guy is listen to these words, YOUR A FAG WHO KNOWS NOTHING!
Dude,
Thanks for the lovely comment.
Just as an FYI, I know that you are from Corner Brook and that you are a customer of Bell Aliant. I also know that your IP address is 142.162.177.1.
Do you realize that this information is tracked when you leave a comment on a blog post?
OK Bye Bye
There’s a sex shop and a sleazy bar on West Street!!! I never knew.