Neiman Marcus acquires stake in Fashionphile

Letters, July 28

Thank you for sharing the news of Blizzard’s passing. I walked the path (near the bison enclosure) many early mornings and was always compelled to say “Salaamelykun” (“Peace be with you’) to him. He would often walk to the wire fence, and we would just look at each other.

Students continue to criticize handling of MITT’s closure

Students at a Manitoba trade college say their education has been hampered as a result of its impending closure and they blame government for a poor transition.

The provincial government announced in January it would close the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology because it was no longer financially viable following the federal government’s decision to cut the number of international students allowed to study in Canada.

Officials have said students would remain the top priority as 19 programs from MITT are set to be absorbed by Red River College Polytech.

Kieran Smith, an electrical applications student at MITT, said it feels like those in charge “don’t really care.”

Neiman Marcus acquires stake in Fashionphile

NEW YORK - Neiman Marcus Group is getting serious about the fast growing secondhand luxury business.

The Dallas-based luxury retailer said Wednesday it has acquired a minority stake in Fashionphile LLC, an online seller of preowned accessories.

As part of the deal, Neiman Marcus and Fashionphile, founded in 1999, will be launching new ways for both buyers and sellers to more easily participate in the preowned market. That means at select Neiman Marcus stores, customers will be able to not only receive an immediate quote for their items from Fashionphile but also payments they can spend immediately on new luxury items at the store. Neiman Marcus says it will not be selling any preowned merchandise at its stores.

The move comes as Neiman Marcus is trying to reinvent itself as its affluent shoppers spend more online.

Sottobraccio brings Harth’s Italian flavours to new location in Osborne Village

Sottobraccio is the answer to a common refrain at Harth Mozza & Wine Bar.

“The No. 1 thing we always hear from guests at Harth is, ‘We love coming here, but it’s such a drive,’” chef Brent Genyk says of his popular fine-dining restaurant in South St. Vital.

Harth’s new sister restaurant opened in the heart of Osborne Village in June, joining a raft of other eateries that have moved into the central Winnipeg neighbourhood in recent years.

Sottobraccio is located at 160 Osborne St. in the main floor of the Zü, a new retail and residential complex built on the former site of the Osborne Village Motor Inn and its well-known music venue, the Zoo.

Saying goodbye to a friend I never met

Hedie Epp and I first connected over a column I wrote in October 2023 about my mother’s dementia.

Someone she knew had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she emailed to say my column had prompted her to get in touch with them.

“I look forward to reading more of your articles,” she wrote. Her email signature included a quote from Romans in the New Testament: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I was intrigued, as it hinted at some inner turmoil.