Clawing its way back

Slowly but surely, Sara Bartlett and her daughters inched towards the glow of pink neon lights.

Bartlett learned of Biu Biu Zone through social media. Now here she was, on a Tuesday afternoon, waiting in line with roughly 25 others for the first-of-its-kind claw machine shop to open for the day.

Machines full of stuffed animals stared out from the store’s glass panes. Their toggles have been in use since May 30, when Biu Biu Zone launched.

It’s the first of three businesses new to Johnston Terminal at The Forks. The building, pockmarked by vacancies for months, will soon house a children’s art studio and Milksmith, a popular rolled ice cream shop.

“There’s a guarantee, I think, if you don’t (win),” Bartlett said upon entering Biu Biu Zone.

She watched her four-year-old try to navigate a claw, aiming for one of several toy puppies. After a failed attempt, Bartlett handed more coins for a second round.

About 100 people play at Biu Biu Zone daily, store co-owner Hao Ling estimated. He and his business partners have stocked the place with at least 36 claw machines.

“When I was here to check the location, it was pretty dead,” he said, adding he was “kind of worried.”

The site is midway between the Manitoba Children’s Museum and The Forks Market, and it’s the only claw machine store of its kind in Winnipeg. Its token packages range from $20 to $200.

A social media influencer helped spread awareness, Ling said. He’s planning on sticking to one location for now; Johnston Terminal is central, he noted.

The nearness to year-round Forks programming drew Milksmith’s Siuleen Leibl.

“(We’re) a seasonal business in a lot of people’s minds,” she said of Milksmith, which opened at 651 Corydon Ave. in 2019.

In fact, Milksmith operates all year on Corydon although it also pops up inside Oma’s Bakeshop, a North Kildonan hub, during summertime.

Leibl had been looking for another permanent home for a while. Her company is known for its rolled ice cream; customers choose toppings and mix-ins like cookie pieces.

“We’ve been really grateful for the way that Winnipeg has embraced Milksmith,” Leibl said. “I just think (this is a) really great way to show that we’ve been supported.”

She signed a lease in May, she said, and received the final permit necessary to start construction Tuesday.

Erecting walls and implanting new décor needs to happen before opening day. Milksmith is replacing Planet Pantry, a refillable goods store.

Leibl may expand Milksmith’s drink menu — “more boba inspired,” she said — and offer “location-specific” menu items in Johnston Terminal.

Harrisons Coffee Co. is next door. Owner Al Dawson said he’s excited for “possible collaborations” with the incoming brand.

“We’re just really excited to work alongside all the neighbouring businesses,” Leibl said. “I think there are so many new businesses coming in, mixed with the businesses that have been there for 20, 30 years.

“It’s really an eclectic mix, but it’s got a lot of, I think, new energy.”

Milksmith, Biu Biu Zone and Cartizan Studio may bring new traffic to the site — a welcome disruption, said entrepreneur Beatrice Fan.

Her family has run Mandarin International in Johnston Terminal for the past 35 years. The gift shop owners have noticed plenty of change, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of online shopping.

“It’s good to see there’s people still willing to invest (in physical storefronts),” Fan said.

Leibl didn’t have an opening date for Milksmith; she hopes to be done renovations in the coming weeks. Cartizan Studio’s art classes will begin Sept. 15.

“I’m excited to help people discover some medium or some style that they feel confident in,” said owner Kristen Okhmatovski. “And discover that they can be an artist.”

She increasingly used art during her literacy classes while working as a school librarian. In February, she decided she’d take a leap and create her own studio.

A former clothing shop in Johnston Terminal stood out. Okhmatovski signed the lease and hired a fleet of artists to help lead classes.

Cartizan Studio is largely geared to children, though there’s a daytime class for adults. Registration covers 10-week sessions and comes with a price tag of $300 to $375.

“While we don’t own the Johnston Terminal, it is a vital part of The Forks,” Forks spokesman Blair Malazdrewich wrote in a statement. “We’re thrilled to see them attracting quality commercial tenants.”

Leyad, a Montreal-based developer, acquired Johnston Terminal in April of 2024. Leyad didn’t accommodate an interview request but provided synopses of the new businesses.

Milksmith won a community leadership accolade through the Mayor’s Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) Awards this year. Cartizan Studios is a “natural extension” of Cartizan Face Painting, the side business Okhmatovski runs, Leyad relayed.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com