Author: communications

Community, History

Bulk Basket: Riversdale’s Bulk Food Grocer

Date: March 18, 2022

Bulk Basket is a specialty grocery store located in the historic and diverse Riversdale neighbourhood in Saskatoon.

Bulk Basket Interior

Bulk Basket aims to minimize unnecessary packaging and waste for our local community by providing a bring your own container program, or you can use their compostable paper bags or buy their reusable cotton bags and containers.

“The average Canadian generates roughly 668 kilograms of waste per year” (Truc Nguyen · CBC Life) but shopping at Bulk Basket is a eco-conscious way to avoid single-use plastics in favour of recyclable, compostable, and reusable materials. Shopping at Bulk Basket helps make a limited waste lifestyle more convenient, as they not only carry bulk pantry essentials, but also herbs, spices, gluten-free products, dairy alternatives, fresh produce, personal care items, products for your home, cooking needs, and more. Many of their products are locally sourced which allows for you to support the local economy in more ways than one and their prices are competitive compared to big box stores.

Bulk Basket Filling Stations

Plastic-free shopping can be daunting for some, but Bulk Basket aims to make every customer feel welcome and at ease while at the store, and they will provide you with as much advice and assistance that you need. There are also online shopping options available for pick-up or delivery, where you pay a jar deposit and then bring in the jar’s received with your order for a complete full cash refund or have the amount deducted from your next purchase.

Bulk Basket: How to Refill

Bulk Basket also houses Nectar Juice Bar which offers smoothies, coffee, tea, and more! Nectar Juice Bar uses real ingredients to provide you with a superior product and do everything they can to reduce waste. You can also bring in your own mug or cup and receive 15% off, but beware, the smoothies are 24oz so make sure your cup is large enough!

Bulk Basket: Nectar Juice Bar

Riversdale is proud to have Bulk Basket in our neighbourhood and appreciate their efforts to reduce local waste in our community. Stop in today to see all the ways that you can support local, reduce waste, and fill your pantries with goodness!


Bulk Basket: Zero Waste & Sustainable Living Grocery Store
401 20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X3
(306) 954-2990
packagefree@bulkbasket.ca

Community, District Updates, Events

Riversdale Business Improvement District is Celebrating 32 Years!

Date: February 14, 2022

The Riversdale Business Improvement District was created through a City of Saskatoon by-law establishing it on February 12th, 1990. Business Improvement Districts in Canada were originally developed to assist businesses within a district with organizing events, cleaning streets and sidewalks, providing security, making capital improvements, construction of pedestrian and streetscape enhancements, and marketing of the area. BIDs in Canada have also become a powerful lobby group, lobbying government for improvements such as new sidewalks, trees, park benches and other restorations. BIDs can also lobby different levels of government for significant changes to their area if they feel it is necessary to improve business.

Video: Riversdale Saskatoon



The Riversdale Business Improvement District is the largest BID in Saskatchewan containing 59 city blocks within its geographic footprint. The boundaries of the Riversdale BID are Idylwyld Drive to the east, 22nd Street West to the north, Avenue P to the West and 17th Street and the South Saskatchewan River to the south.

Riversdale Business Improvement District boundaries as of 2022

For over 30 years The Riversdale Business Improvement District has acted as the voice of the community, working to revitalize the area and reimagine its future. Riversdale is now a destination for all visiting Saskatoon, with its eclectic shops, restaurants, and rich cultural history. Located beside the beautiful South Saskatchewan River and steps from the Downtown business area, Riversdale and Pleasant Hill have exploded with a renewed vigor of the likes never seen before in Saskatoon. Riversdale has seen tremendous growth and transformation, increased property value and incomes, and improved opportunities for all.

Community, News, Success Stories

Primal Pasta is among the top 100 restaurants in Canada

Date: December 24, 2021
May be an image of brick wall

A Saskatoon restaurant ranks among the top 100 in Canada.

That’s according to a survey of diners by OpenTable, an online restaurant reservation service.

Primal, located in the city’s Riversdale neighbourhood, was the only eatery in the province to make the list which features restaurant from across Canada.

Primal bills itself as “creating time honoured Italian food and handmade pasta using Saskatchewan heritage grains and whole animal butchery.”

“As more and more people return to dining out, OpenTable is excited to bring back it’s Top 100 restaurants in Canada for 2021,” OpenTable said in its website.

“To determine the list, we analyzed more than 540,000 reviews from restaurants across Canada – all submitted by verified OpenTable diners. The result is a selection of spots across the country that constantly serve up creative dishes, unparalleled hospitality, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences for all occasions.”

Primal was awarded “Best Overall in Saskatoon” with 473 reviews giving it an average 4.5/5 score.

“We did our team Christmas party here with 10 people. They had something for everyone. Two of our guests needed gluten free options which they had,” said the featured review.

“Our entire team was raving about the food. Service was excellent as always. Ask for the rigatoni pasta with goat cheese and truffle oil.”

According to OpenTable, four in 10 diners in Saskatchewan are “culinary curious and interested in trying more experimental foods next year” and more than a quarter (28 per cent) anticipate dining at new restaurants.

According to the survey, Saskatchewan diners are also keen to keep sanitization measures implemented this year with 67 per cent expecting continued enhanced sanitation and 21 per cent expecting mask requirements at restaurants.

Article Credit: CTV News Saskatoon, Published Dec. 8, 2021 10:14 a.m. CST
(https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/this-saskatoon-restaurant-is-among-the-top-100-in-canada-1.5698524)

Success Stories, Uncategorized

20th Street is your One-Stop-Shop for Bike Needs

Date: April 13, 2021

It’s biking season in Saskatoon and lucky for us, Riversdale is THE place to get the perfect bike for your needs! We caught up with two of the amazing businesses selling bikes in the district. Read on to learn more!  

Doug’s Spoke ‘N Sport 

Doug’s Spoke N’ Sport repairs and sells bicycles in the summer and ski equipment in the winter. They are passionate about making sure that everyone from your average Joe to the most high performance athlete has what they need. Spoke ‘N Sport moved from their location on 8th Street to Riversdale because the longed for that community feel. Community is important to owner Jay Woytowich. He loves mountain biking and spends his time away from the shop maintaining the trails at Blackstrap Provinical Park. 

If you are a fan of Vancouver-founded Kona Bikes you will be excited to know that Spoke ‘N Sport was the first Kona dealer in the WORLD! Spoke ‘N Sport’s slogan is “friends don’t let friends ride junk” so keep them in mind next time your friend asks you for a bike shop recommendation! 

Bike Universe 

If you’re looking for diversity Bike Universe has got it! From Mountain and BMX to commuters and cruisers. You are sure to find a bike that suits your lifestyle. Bike Universe opened in 1999. Originally located on Broadway, the store moved to Riversdale for a little more space. The building they are in was originally a department store that was in competition with Adilman’s until Adilman’s took it over. 

Owner, John Mainhart has been working in the industry for 30 years and is passionate about the bike community. He has seen the biking culture change and shift over the years and feels fortunate to be able to run the shop in a way that helps people get what they need and/or want with integrity and care. 

If you’re bike shopping this spring or know someone who is, head to Riversdale. The passion for biking culture is alive and well in this district. We even have a bike patio where you can park a bike when you explore the neighbourhood! 

Success Stories

Relax, Recharge, and Unwind in Riversdale with Pura Vida Yoga Loft

Date: January 11, 2021

Owner Miguel De Lucas Sintes says “Pura Vida Yoga Loft is a Community Centre as much as it is a yoga studio.” Located at 117 20th Street West, Pura Vida Yoga Loft offers classes for all skill levels and in many different yoga styles. They also use their space to showcase unique local art. The space has been designed to be warm and welcoming, a space to come together, relax, recharge, and unwind. 

In addition to the private, group, school, and corporate yoga classes offered by Pura Vida Yoga Loft, you can find yoga workshops, courses, and meditation sessions. They have also recently begun sharing their space with Intuitive Hands Massage and Wellness. Intuitive Hands Massage and Wellness offer a variety of massage styles as well as other body therapies. 

Miguel De Lucas Sintes immigrated to Canada from Spain in 2007 to pursue his passion for cooking. “Along the way, I discovered another passion for yoga!” he says. He is a chef, an entrepreneur, a yogi, a spouse, and a father to two beautiful children. Miguel says that yoga and meditation had a significant impact on his life and inspired to share these practices with as many people as possible, he opened Pura Vida Yoga Loft. 

When asked why Miguel chose Riversdale as a place to do business his answer is one of community and friendship. Before opening Pura Vida Yoga Loft, Miguel was already a member of the Riversdale community through his position at Leyda’s Café. Then an opportunity arose to by his good friend Dallas Kruszelnicki’s business, Hot Yoga on 20th. Miguel jumped on it. He is happy to be able to continue to bring yoga and meditation to the district and carry on the vision that Dallas had started 12 years ago.