If there is one thing people everywhere love, it just might be coffee—more than 2 billion cups are consumed on this planet every single day.

Union Coffee has been at the forefront of importing a diverse variety of beans to roast, blend and sell to Montreal consumers and restaurants. They were here way before the trendy coffee shops as coffee aficionados have loved this Montreal institution since 1910.

There’s much more to that morning cup o’ Joe than you may realize. Coffee beans are brought in from many countries, and each one is roasted based on their roasting profile in order to reach their optimal taste when ground and brewed, a process that is unique to each bean. And the expertise of the team at Union Coffee ensure that the end result is a bean that yields a cup of coffee that is rich and flavorful, and reflects the delicious taste the bean was meant to give.

You can choose coffee from one type of bean or blend from amongst many: espresso, melange maison (regular and strong), Kenya, Panama, Columbia Supremo, Fair Trade, decaf and Swiss washed decaf. 

Those who like flavors can buy Bavarian chocolate, Irish cream or hazelnut vanilla or one of the 53 flavored syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.). Coffee related products like iced cappuccino, Chai latte concentrate now line the shelves

Free delivery is offered for 5 pounds or more. They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too.

If your machine is on the fritz, don’t panic, they can fix them too. It was a natural extension for this store to start a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
Corner: rue Waverly
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-4
Location: 550 boul. Montpellier, Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 2G7
Hours: Mon – Fri 8-5

cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

No season puts more wear and tear on a home than winter. Freezing temperatures, snow and ice take their toll on your home. Many problems can be avoided with this simple checklist provided by Allan White of Inspecto-Pro, Home Inspections.

Some easy things to look for:

1. Keep basement windows clear of ice and snow obstructions. If the worst happens, these windows may be your only escape route to the outdoors.
2. Make sure that runoff from melting ice and snow has somewhere to go once the thaw period arrives; ideally a catch basin or storm drain
3.  The pattern of melting snow and ice on the roof surface can be a good indicator of areas of heat loss. No expensive infrared camera needed!
4.  Verify against the formation of ice dams and icicles. Although they may look pretty, they are indicators of attic ventilation problems and heat loss problems. Needless to say, a falling icicle, if large enough, can cause a lot of damage to property or people below.
5. Check the eavestroughs (“gutters”) for physical damage which might have been caused by winter ice dam and icicle formation.
6. Check for cold air draughts around the home, and mark them so that you can take appropriate measures to correct the problems. Unfortunately, some repairs (such as caulking) can only be applied in warmer weather, and without marking the draughty spots you may not remember where they were when attempting repairs several months later.
7.  If you have thermopane-glazed windows and see condensation or frost between the inner and outer panes (not always obvious in the summer months), the glass is due for replacement.
8.  If you can wipe condensation off the indoor side of the windows, you are over-humidifying the home
9.  Batteries for smoke detectors and fire detectors should be replaced annually (i.e. Jan 1st or July 1st). Operation of these devices should be tested monthly.
10.  Be sure that your home’s drainage system is functioning. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is capable of functioning in advance of the thaw period
11.  If you have a combustion furnace (i.e. oil or gas) or a combustion hot water tank you should have a functioning CO detector in the home.
12.  If you have an air exchanger, it should be in use (i.e. winter mode). The same for the central humidifier, if you have one.
13.  Be sure that potable water piping is not at risk of freezing and bursting
14. Garden hose faucets, if not of the self-draining type, should be fully opened outdoors, with the indoor shutoff valve being turned fully off, if not already accomplished.

With an Engineering degree, this 25-year certified building inspector (independent of real estate agents) can inspect your property before a purchase or sale of a house or when you need an inspection for a problem.

Home buyers should choose a home inspector with as much care as they choose a doctor, particularly since there is no regulation, either federal or provincial, which governs the industry. Contrary to popular belief, home inspectors are not members of a professional order, and anyone (even you!) can call themselves a building inspector.

Your house is the biggest investment you will ever make so you want to get a most qualified person. With Inspecto-Pro’s years of expertise, White can find what less experienced inspectors would not identify; He has experience in looking for small clues which might lead to big problems. Inspecto-Pro conducts home inspections in the Greater Montreal area and in cottage country too.

Phone: 514-696-6685
inspectopro.com

So many people drink coffee these days, it’s a no-brainer to buy them a gift of special coffee. At Cafe Union you can even have them blend a mix for a one-of-a-kind present.

Cafe Union is a coffee wholesaler who roasts the coffee right here in Montreal. You can choose a gift containing one type of bean or blend from amongst many: espresso, melange maison (regular and strong), Kenya, Panama, Columbia Supremo, Fair Trade, decaf and Swiss washed decaf. 

They were here way before the trendy coffee shops as coffee lovers have loved this Montreal institution since 1910. Instead of shoping online, just wait in the short line and get your gift immediately.

Those who like flavors can buy Bavarian chocolate, Irish cream or hazelnut vanilla or one of the 53 flavored syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.). Coffee related products like iced cappuccino, Chai latte concentrate now line the shelves

Cafe Union has been a family business for over 100 years. Why not support our  Montrealers by spending your money and keeping money right here in town. Not only do they sell coffee but you can mix your own blend. If your machine is on the fritz, don’t panic, they can fix them too.

Free delivery is offered for 5 pounds or more. They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too.

It was a natural extension for this store to start a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
Corner: rue Waverly
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-3
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
www.cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

Though we got “lucky” because it snowed early this year and thus hopefully many of you got in line to change to your winter tires. I’m reminding you that Quebec changed the date for when you must have your snow tires on. Now it is December 1st but most of us have still have Dec 15th stuck in our heads.

I like to mention Talon Tire because it is one of the few tire shops which has been approved by the consumer watchdog organization, the Automobile Protection Association. The shop is an independent tire dealer which has been in business since 1971, and specialize in quality tires for passenger cars, SUV’s, vans and light trucks. 

Jay at Talon Tire taught me that the state of your tires is one of the things that might save your life in a quick stop situation. Since this is quick stop season, or skidding or spinning season, make sure the ones on your car are the best you can have.

They are not just order takers – their staff has knowledge of a wide range of tire applications, and monitors the latest technological developments and trends in tire manufacturing. They can answer and questions about tires to help you make the right choice.

Some of the good reasons to buy your tires from them:

– Wheels are fastened on your car by first hand-threading the nuts and then hand-torquing them to manufacturer’s specifications. When needed, you will be able to remove the wheels without frustration – No warped brake rotors or stripped threads or marred wheels.

– Even if they install only one tire, they check and adjust all your tire pressures.

– Their repairs on flats are permanent and safe, since they use only quality chemical patches applied from the inside of the tire. Repairs done from the outside, without inspecting for internal damage, are only temporary, and can result in an eventual blowout.

– Their tire and wheel balancing is state-of-the-art. It’s so uniquely accurate that consumers residing several hundred kilometers away go there to resolve their vibration complaints and leave with a smooth comfortable ride.

– Your “Mag” wheels are safe with them, as they use only the highest quality nylon-coated balancing weights. They won’t change the plastic finish of your wheels or cause corrosion like regular lead weights.

Special tires can be bought here too. Talon Tire sponsors and supports grass roots Motorsports in Canada, and offer a wide range of competition tires. To help keep a cherished classic car on the road they stock over 20 sizes of hard-to-find vintage tires.

– There is no commission, so their staff won’t propose a more profitable tire when it’s not the right choice.
– There are no hidden extras in their price.
– Their road hazard guarantee provides a replacement tire based on the price you paid, and NOT on a higher suggested retail price which increases every year with inflation.

They offer a two month or 1,500 mile / 2,000 kilometer free trial period for every tire that they recommend for your car and driving needs. If you don’t like them, they’ll refund you 100% of the purchase price.

Talon Tire makes buying the right set of tires easy.

Location: 2607 Diab St. Ville St-Laurent, QC H4S 1E7
corner: rue Bois Franc
Tel: 514-337-0833
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6
http://www.talontire.com/

Q: Do you know of any where that would fix the cords on window blinds?

A: Fenetre Deco on my website www.smart shopppingmontreal.com is the answer. They can do repairs on blinds and can even re-size some of them if you change your windows. You can call for a consultation.

This company does ultrasonic cleaning and repairs of all types of blinds, from 1″ aluminum horizontals to the higher end Silhouettes and Luminettes.

The blinds are placed with a cleaning solution in large water-filled tanks, which use vibrating sound waves to loosen the dirt. Prices start at $15 per blind, and there is a minimum of $75 for a service call.

They also sell many types of blinds and drapery and provide shop-at-home service for Hunter Douglas, Shad-o-matic, Sol’r, Levolor, wooden shutters, roller shades Altex, etc.  He now sells those easy-to-use motorized blinds.

Location:  214A Ronald Dr. Montreal-West, Quebec, H4X 1M8
Tel: 514-364-2020
Business Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Email: info@fenetredeco.com
fenetredeco.com

Would you sleep on the same sheets for 6 months? So why haven’t you ever had your pillow cleaned? Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors will sanitize, deodorize, clean, and fluff you pillow – and – replace the cover.

Take time to take a look around the house to see what needs some freshening up. So if you would like to clean your drapes, window coverings , pillows or duvets –  think Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors. Is it too difficult to remove and rehang your drapes and window coverings? They’ll send someone to do it for you so you can send them in for a cleaning along with the bedding and decorative cushions

No time for laundry? For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service. Whites and coloured items are washed separately – and – independently of other peoples’ clothes. There’s free pick up and delivery. The minimum order is for 10 lbs. Their Bates Rd. location even has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

Their Deluxe Service handles delicate garments individually:

* garments individually cleaned in virgin solvent
* buttons are removed to prevent damage
* items are hand-pressed,
* double inspection procedure
* garments are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve their form

– For garment repairs (even suede and leather), every day there are seamstresses and a changing room, so quick fixes can be sewn while you wait.
– Home or office pick-up service is available over most of the island.
– Bellingham Cleaners are the only cleaners in the province of Quebec who are certified by the worldwide Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

TMR Location: 2655 Bates Rd, Montreal , plus pickup/delivery service
corner: Wilderton
Tel: 514-733-4444
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30-6:30, Thurs & Fri 7:30-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=167

There’s something wonderful about the smell of fresh coffee brewing. Coffee aficionados won’t settle for good coffee when it could be great and it’s the coffee beans which creates the biggest effect on flavor. This is where Cafe Union comes in. Since they have been in the coffee business for over 100 years they know coffee.  This family business is always at the forefront of importing a diverse variety of beans to roast and blend and then to sell it to Montreal consumers and restaurants.

Their focus has been on the coffee bean, and roasting technique and especially the customized blends for customers in order to produce that perfect individual taste. That’s where you come in. So you get to work with them to blend your own flavor profile. Wow.

Beans are imported from many countries, and each one is roasted based on their roasting profile in order to reach their optimal taste when ground and brewed, a process that is exclusive to each bean. And the expertise of the team at Cafe Union ensure that the end result is a bean that yields a cup of coffee that is rich and flavorful, and reflects the delicious taste the bean was meant to give.

Cafe Union offers unique coffee beans from all over the globe, and also have an impressive assortment of Union Specialty Blends including their Joe Beef Montreal blend. They also offer a selection of Fairtrade and Biocertified beans.

They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too. This location also features a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Go in in person and enjoy a fresh cup at the counter or check out their convenient order online service.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
corner: rue Waverly
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-4
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
Tel: 514 273 5555
cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

A forever piece of golden jewelry is always a special gift for Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t have to cost a bundle if you head for a jewelry wholesaler.

You can pay full price for gold jewelry in full-price retail stores downtown or you can go up to Bijouterie Oro, a wholesaler, and save half your money. Since 1987, this 3rd generation jeweler has been selling wholesale, and is open up to the public. Lucky us.

There is lots of golden stock to choose amongst, more than you would see in your small local jewelry store. You could go nutsy over the vast assortment of gold hoop earrings – they sell them by weight. You can select amongst the 100’s of chains; they are strong in 2-tone and 3-colors of gold from Italy or Turkey. There’s 14-carat Italian chain bracelets too, and lots of little religious pendants.

If you want to buy illusion diamond studs, they have those too. These earrings give the illusion of a whole stone, but are made up of little ones – for a much littler price.

If you have an older diamond (or any other precious stone) ring and you’d like to change it into something more modern, they can show you trays and trays of semi-mounts (that’s what your stone sits in), so you can see exactly what the ring will look like – it can even be tried on. You can take jewelry which has been just sitting in a jewelry box and have it re-modeled.

Bijouterie Oro still does local manufacturing, so they can reproduce a piece of jewelry from a photo. And they can repair your broken jewelry too.

If you decide to have something made from scratch, it would take about two weeks from the time you walk in the door until you happily present it.

Location: 1255 Phillips Square, Suite 1010
Tel: 514-393-1721 or 514-575-7511
Hours: by appointment only, Mon-Fri 9-4:30
orojewelleryinc@gmail.com
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=280

Around this time of year, Allan White of Inspectopro, says there are a few things you should be looking at in your house to avoid problems in the future:

1. Keep basement windows clear of ice and snow obstructions. If the worst happens, these windows may be your only escape route to the outdoors.
2. Make sure that runoff from melting ice and snow has somewhere to go once the thaw period arrives; ideally a catch basin or storm drain
3. The pattern of melting snow and ice on the roof surface can be a good indicator of areas of heat loss. No expensive infrared camera needed!
4. Verify against the formation of ice dams and icicles. Although they may look pretty, they are indicators of attic ventilation problems and heat loss problems. Needless to say, a falling icicle, if large enough, can cause a lot of damage to property or people below.
5. Check the eavestroughs (“gutters”) for physical damage which might have been caused by winter ice dam and icicle formation
6. Check for cold air draughts around the home, and mark them so that you can take appropriate measures to correct the problems. Unfortunately, some repairs (such as caulking) can only be applied in warmer weather, and without marking the draughty spots you may not remember where they were when attempting repairs several months later.
7. If you have thermopane-glazed windows and see condensation or frost between the inner and outer panes (not always obvious in the summer months), the glass is due for replacement.
8. If you can wipe condensation off the indoor side of the windows, you are over-humidifying the home
9. Batteries for smoke detectors and fire detectors should be replaced annually (i.e. Jan 1^st or July 1^st). Operation of these devices should be tested monthly.
10. Be sure that your home’s drainage system is functioning. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is capable of functioning in advance of the thaw period
11. If you have a combustion furnace (i.e. oil or gas) or a combustion hot water tank you should have a functioning CO detector in the home.
12. If you have an air exchanger, it should be in use (i.e. winter mode). The same for the central humidifier, if you have one.
13. Be sure that potable water piping is not at risk of freezing and bursting
14. Garden hose faucets, if not of the self-draining type, should be fully opened outdoors, with the indoor shutoff valve being turned fully off, if not already accomplished.

With an Engineering degree, this 25-year certified building inspector (independent of real estate agents) can inspect your property before a purchase or sale of a house or when you need an inspection for a problem.

Home buyers should choose a home inspector with as much care as they choose a doctor, particularly since there is no regulation, either federal or provincial, which governs the industry. Contrary to popular belief, home inspectors are not members of a professional order, and anyone (even you!) can call themselves a building inspector.”

Your house is the biggest investment you will ever make so you want to get a most qualified person. With Inspectopro’s years of expertise, White can find what less experienced inspectors would not recognize; He has experience in looking for small clues which might lead to big problems. Houses can be checked out in the Greater Montreal area and in cottage country too.

Phone: 514-696-6685
www.inspectopro.com

Jay at Talon Tire taught me that the state of your tires is one of the things that might save your life in a quick stop situation. Since this is quick stop season, or skidding or spinning season, make sure the ones on your car are the best you can have.

Talon Tire is an independent tire dealer which has been in business since 1971, and specialize in quality tires for passenger cars, SUV’s, vans and light trucks. It is one of the few tire shops that has been approved by the consumer watchdog organization, the Automobile Protection Association.

They are not just order takers – their staff has knowledge of a wide range of tire applications, and monitors the latest technological developments and trends in tire manufacturing. They can answer and questions about tires to help you make the right choice.

Some of the good reasons to buy your tires from them:

– Wheels are fastened on your car by first hand-threading the nuts and then hand-torquing them to manufacturer’s specifications. When needed, you will be able to remove the wheels without frustration – No warped brake rotors or stripped threads or marred wheels.

– Even if they install only one tire, they check and adjust all your tire pressures.

– Their repairs on flats are permanent and safe, since they use only quality chemical patches applied from the inside of the tire. Repairs done from the outside, without inspecting for internal damage, are only temporary, and can result in an eventual blowout.

– Their tire and wheel balancing is state-of-the-art. It’s so uniquely accurate that consumers residing several hundred kilometers away go there to resolve their vibration complaints and leave with a smooth comfortable ride.

– Your “Mag” wheels are safe with them, as they use only the highest quality nylon-coated balancing weights. They won’t change the plastic finish of your wheels or cause corrosion like regular lead weights.

Special tires can be bought here too. Talon Tire sponsors and supports grass roots Motorsports in Canada, and offer a wide range of competition tires. To help keep a cherished classic car on the road they stock over 20 sizes of hard-to-find vintage tires.

– There is no commission, so their staff won’t propose a more profitable tire when it’s not the right choice.
– There are no hidden extras in their price.
– Their road hazard guarantee provides a replacement tire based on the price you paid, and NOT on a higher suggested retail price which increases every year with inflation.

They offer a two month or 1,500 mile / 2,000 kilometer free trial period for every tire that they recommend for your car and driving needs. If you don’t like them, they’ll refund you 100% of the purchase price.

Talon Tire makes buying the right set of tires easy.

Location: 2607 Diab St. Ville St-Laurent, QC H4S 1E7
corner: rue Bois Franc
Tel: 514-337-0833
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6
http://www.talontire.com/