Scott Ross-Molyneux and his wife Allison Iriye embrace horror (the fictional kind, that is), and are now sharing their love of the genre through Nocturne Books, a new horror and dark fiction bookstore in Marda Loop.

Located on the lower level of The Shops at Avenue 34, Nocturne offers a curated selection of dark fiction books spanning genres such as sci-fi, thriller, fantasy, speculative fiction and more. Ross-Molyneux and Iriye define dark fiction as an “overarching category of literature that involves themes that may generally disturb, frighten, and/or unsettle.”

Ross-Molyneux says he and Iriye (who is an avid horror reader) were always disappointed in the selection of books at big box retailers. That, coupled with inspiration from Slow Burn Books, a successful romance bookstore just doors away from Nocturne’s storefront, convinced the pair to open their own genre-specific, brick-and-mortar store.

“In this day and age, it’s just really refreshing to walk in, buy a book and then it’s yours,” says Ross-Molyneux.

Since opening Nocturne at the end of November, Ross-Molyneux has been happily surprised by the reception from shoppers, which has echoed the pair’s thoughts about the lack of a one-stop shop for horror book readers.

“I was blown away on the opening weekend [by] just how many people came in and said the exact same thing, which is, ‘I go to a bunch of other stores, can never find the book I want, the horror section is so small,'” says Ross-Molyneux. “It’s been kind of like deja vu, hearing that over and over again.”

Nocturne Books also has a consignment program that will showcase local and lesser-known authors’ works on its shelves. Ross-Molyneux is still putting it together (literally, he is building the bookshelf for the consigned books).

Naturally, we asked Ross-Molyneux for some book recommendations. He recently read and recommends Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, a haunted house story told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl, and Root Rot by Saskia Nislow, a horror story told from the perspective of nine different children visiting their grandfather’s lake house.

Nocturne Books, 15, 1934 34 Ave. S.W., 587-443-3336, nocturnebooks.ca

The post Inside Nocturne Books, Calgary’s New Horror-Focused Bookstore appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Where it is

1726 19 Ave. N.W.

The location

This home is located in Capitol Hill, one of Calgary’s older communities. The streets are lined with trees and housing styles range from mid-century bungalows to modern townhomes and infill housing. The peaceful neighborhood is a welcoming place for families to settle down and enjoy all the area has to offer.

What to love

The main floor boasts soaring 10-foot ceilings and sleek hardwood floors. There are ample windows spaced around the home, naturally brightening it, especially in the sun-drenched dining room with its nine-foot windows.

The spacious living room has a recessed electric fireplace and another large window overlooking the private backyard.

The kitchen has been lovingly designed as a space to gather for cooking or socializing. The 14-foot quartz island anchors the room, providing ample countertop space for cooking. The integrated Bosch appliances are seamlessly tucked away and accent the full-height cabinets. There’s also a spice cabinet for added convenience and undermount lighting for softer lighting options.

The stairs are outfitted with step-lights that add some light during the night. The primary bedroom has vaulted ceilings and a custom walk-in closet. The five-piece ensuite adds to the luxurious suite with its free-standing soaker tub, steam shower rough-in, dual sinks and a separate water closet. Two additional bedrooms, both with walk-in closets, share access to a four-piece bathroom.

The basement is home to a spacious recreation room with a wet bar. There’s also a fourth bedroom and a three-piece bathroom.

The stats

2,739 square feet (full home square footage)
Four bedrooms
Four bathrooms
Electric fireplace
Built in 2024
Double detached garage

Listed for $1,220,000 with realtor Craig Rushton and Allison Bannard of Bannard + Rushton Real Estate, Century 21 Bamber Realty LTD.

Inside the Home

The kitchen is the heart of the home with its 14-foot island and integrated Bosch appliances to easily cook meals. The undercounter lights brighten the cooking spaces, while the gold overhead pendant lights add an elegant flare.

The sun-drenched dining room is a welcoming space to host dinner parties with friends or enjoy meals with family.

The spacious living room is centered around the recessed electric fireplace and elegant floating shelves. The sliding doors conveniently lead to the backyard, so family and guests can mingle inside or out when the weather is warm.

The primary bedroom feels extra spacious with its vaulted ceilings and large windows. There’s room for a seating layout to enjoy your morning coffee in peace and there’s an enviable custom walk-in closet.

The eye-catching ensuite has a free-standing soaker tub, a tiled shower with rough-in for a steam option, and a private water closet.

Downstairs, the basement’s spacious recreation room and wet bar are the ideal setup for a home theatre or grand play space.

Have a home for sale that you’d like to share for consideration for this column? Let us know.

The post Property of the Week: A Beautiful $1.22 Million Home in Capitol Hill appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

December 2025

Sunday, December 21: Try a new virtual reality experience set in the Middle Ages (multiple dates).

Monday, December 22: Treat yourself to some waffles from one of the Beltline’s newest restaurants, Wafflato.

Tuesday, December 23: Pick up any last-minute holiday gifts at these one-stop gift stores.

Wednesday, December 24: See festive lights at the Enchanted Festival at Spruce Meadows (runs December 5 to 7, 12 to 14 and 19 to 24).

Thursday, December 25: Go sledding on one of these hills around the city.

Friday, December 26: Check out holiday lights, an indoor “snowball” fight arena and more at Holiday Wonder (on now until January 3).

Saturday, December 27: Snack on finger sandwiches and drink tea at one of Heritage Park’s holiday tea events (runs December 27 to 29).

Sunday, December 28: Grab a holiday drink at the Sippin’ Santa pop-up at Ricardo’s Hideaway (on now until December 31).

Monday, December 29: Enjoy a beer at Eighty-Eight Brewing Company’s Home Alone-inspired holiday taproom experience (runs until December 29).

Tuesday, December 30: Sip on some Shipnog at Ship & Anchor Pub.

Wednesday, December 31: Ring in 2026 at a fireworks show in Prince’s Island Park.

January 2026

Thursday, January 1: Kick off Dry January with some drinks from Santé, a dry bottle shop in Crossroads Market.

Friday, January 2: Explore the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo while it’s decked out in lights for Zoolights (runs until January 4).

Saturday, January 3: Try a hydrotherapy session at the new Leela Thermal House.

Sunday, January 4: Spend the day exploring the National Music Centre.

Monday, January 5: Check out the light displays at the Lions Festival of Lights (runs until January 8).

Tuesday, January 6: See Moulin Rouge! The Musical with Broadway Across Canada (runs January 6 to 11).

Wednesday, January 7: Stay warm and get some exercise at one of Calgary’s indoor swimming pools.

Thursday, January 8: Play basketball at Calgary’s new Shoot 360 facility.

Friday, January 9: Plan your next home project at the Calgary Renovation Show (runs January 9 to 11).

Saturday, January 10: Start planning your wedding with the help of the experts at Unveiled.

Sunday, January 11: Grab a coffee with a friend at Art Café.

Monday, January 12: Play arcade games with friends at The Rec Room.

Tuesday, January 13: See a show during High Performance Rodeo’s 40th anniversary (runs from January 13 to 31).

Wednesday, January 14: Try the paint-a-cake experience at 8 Cakes.

Thursday, January 15: Indulge in some cheesy dishes during the Calgary Mac & Cheese Festival (runs January 15 to 31).

Friday, January 16: Hear Hans Zimmer film scores played live with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (runs January 16 and 17).

Saturday, January 17: See Monstress, a gothic thriller at Vertigo Theatre (runs January 17 to February 15).

Sunday, January 18: Cheer on the Calgary Flames as the team takes on the Seattle Kraken.

Monday, January 19: Go roller skating with some friends at SkyCastle Roller Rink.

Tuesday, January 20: Sip on a dirty soda from the newly opened Cool Drinks.

Wednesday, January 21: Get a book from a new local bookstore focused on horror and dark fiction.

Thursday, January 22: Check out a new Contemporary Calgary exhibit about trees (on now until April 19).

Friday, January 23: Order crispy prawn cakes, pho grilled cheese, sweet and sour basa and more at the newly opened Lai Rai restaurant.

Saturday, January 24: Learn how to make ice cream with the team behind Made by Marcus.

Sunday, January 25: Try bouldering at Bolder Climbing.

Monday, January 26: Play arcade games and go bowling at PowerPlay.

Tuesday, January 27: Dine at the newly opened Penny Crown, a New York-inspired restaurant in Marda Loop.

Wednesday, January 28: Try cross-country skiing.

Thursday, January 29: Spend the day checking out the latest art exhibitions at Contemporary Calgary.

Friday, January 30: Make a day trip to Canmore to relax in the town’s first Nordic spa.

Saturday, January 31: See Calgary Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel (runs January 31 and February 1 and 6).

February 2026

Sunday, February 1: Learn about monarch butterflies with photographer and explorer Jaime Rojo at a National Geographic Live event (runs February 1 and 2).

Monday, February 2: Take your family to Chinook Blast for some winter fun (runs from January 30 to February 16).

Tuesday, February 3: Grab a hot chocolate during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest (runs from February 1 to 28).

Wednesday, February 4: Order some pizza from Sinatras Pizzeria’s new location in West Hillhurst.

Thursday, February 5: Visit some photo exhibits during the 22nd annual Exposure Photography Festival (runs throughout February).

Friday, February 6: Watch bands and musical artists perform at the 11th edition of Block Heater, a winter music festival by the Calgary Folk Music Festival (runs February 5 to 7).

Saturday, February 7: See penguins waddling around the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo during the Penguin Walk (runs January 10 to March 15 depending on weather conditions).

Sunday, February 8: Listen to romantic and soulful music with the Calgary Jazz Orchestra.

Monday, February 9: Meet a friend for coffee at the newly opened Paradigm Spark.

Tuesday, February 10: Start building your ideal Alberta bar cart.

Wednesday, February 11: Sip on historical beers at the new Good Cheer Brewing.

Thursday, February 12: Go for a walk on a forest bathing trail.

Friday, February 13: See animals ranging from sloths to kangaroos at the Wildlife Festival (runs February 13 to 16).

Saturday, February 14: Enjoy a romantic fondue dinner at Moonlight & Eli.

Sunday, February 15: Tuck into some delicious Italian fare at La Torino Trattoria.

Monday, February 16: Try a beer or seaweed bath experience at Drift Away Wellness Spa.

Tuesday, February 17: Go shopping for new skincare products at Calgary’s new Om Organics store.

Wednesday, February 18: Catch a movie at Plaza Theatre in Kensington.

Thursday, February 19: Treat yourself to some of Calgary’s must-try cookies.

Friday, February 20: Take your family to see StoryBook Theatre’s production of Anne of Green Gables (runs February 20 to March 15).

Saturday, February 21: Don your western gear to see a skijoring event (runs February 21 and 22).

Sunday, February 22: Grab some tasty treats from the first Craig’s Cookies location in Calgary (opens December 12).

Monday, February 23: Go skating on one of Calgary’s outdoor skating rinks.

Tuesday, February 24: Go to an Alberta Theatre Projects production about Princess Diana’s visit to a Canadian AIDS hospice called Casey House (runs February 24 to March 15).

Wednesday, February 25: Take your family to dinner at Miss Do, a new Vietnamese restaurant in the Fairview neighbourhood.

Thursday, February 26: Get inspired at the Calgary Home + Garden Show (runs from February 26 to March 1).

Friday, February 27: Celebrate Afro-Canadian and Caribbean cultures and traditions at the Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture (runs February 27 to March 1).

Saturday, February 28: See a lacrosse game between the Calgary Roughnecks and the Halifax Thunderbirds.

March 2026

Sunday, March 1: Go skiing or snowboarding at WinSport.

Monday, March 2: Stay warm by spending the day at Vivo’s indoor park.

Tuesday, March 3: Learn about aquatic ecosystems, fish and more at the Bow Habitat Station.

Wednesday, March 4: Learn how to make handmade pasta with Calgary Cookbook Co. Cooks.

Thursday, March 5: Grab dinner at Ibu, a new restaurant serving Asian-inspired cuisine.

Friday, March 6: Go to Theatre Calgary’s production of The Tale of the Gifted Prince musical (runs from February 14 to March 15).

Saturday, March 7: Have a laugh at the Snowed In Comedy Tour.

Sunday, March 8: Snack on a wood-fired sandwich from one of Calgary’s newest sandwich shops.

Monday, March 9: Get a thrill trying indoor skydiving at iFly.

Tuesday, March 10: Go downtown to get some brioche doughnuts from Pâte Sucrée YYC’s new storefront.

Wednesday, March 11: Check out a new Telus Spark exhibit about extreme sports (on now until April 12).

Thursday, March 12: Find your new signature scent at Miru, a new fragrance shop in Marda Loop.

Friday, March 13: See Alberta Ballet’s production of Swan Lake featuring a live orchestra (runs March 13 to 15).

Saturday, March 14: Order a sweet or savoury pie from Pie Junkie for Pi Day.

Sunday, March 15: Wear green to run in the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Road Race.

Monday, March 16: Join your friends at Hexagon Board Game Cafe for a night of games and fun.

Tuesday, March 17: Grab a St. Patrick’s Day beer at an Irish pub like James Joyce.

Wednesday, March 18: Check out a free art exhibition at the Esker Foundation in Inglewood.

Thursday, March 19: See a lunchtime comedy about love and consumerism (runs from March 17 to April 4).

The post What to Do in Calgary Every Day This Winter appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Donald McRonald Burger (with Coney Sauce) from Class Clown Hamburgers

This year’s most unforgettable bite for me was the Donald McRonald burger from Class Clown. At first glance, it leans into the classic formula: two patties, two slices of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, raw onion and pickles on a buttered bun. I asked for Coney sauce, a savoury, tangy meat sauce made from crumbled beef simmered with onions and spices, to be added inside the burger. The first bite gives you this bold and savoury punch of flavour that lets you know you’re in for something special. The patties stay juicy, the toppings stay crisp and the sauce pulls it all together in the most satisfying way. It’s the burger that still comes to mind without me even trying. — Sannah Chawdhry, editorial intern, Avenue

Rock n Shrimp from Fuji Ramen & Sushi

 

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I finally got in to try reader favourite Fuji Ramen & Sushi in the city’s south earlier this year, and have since gone a couple more times. Everything we’ve tried is so delicious. From the ramen to the beautifully presented sushi, it’s all tasty and satisfying. But one of my favourites has to be the Rock n Shrimp appetizer. It’s crispy tempura shrimp that has great crunch without being overly greasy, served in an edible deep-fried bowl. It’s drizzled with spicy and Japanese mayos, and topped with aonori, togarashi and chili pepper threads. A definite crowdpleaser. — Colleen Seto, executive editor, Avenue and RPM Content Studio

Salt & Pepper Mushroom from JinBar

When I was growing up, my aunt would buy cheap mushrooms, deep-fry them and serve them to me with a large (probably unhealthy) amount of soya sauce. It was the beginning of my love affair with the vegetable, so imagine my delight at finding a classed-up version of this snack at JinBar! Its salt and pepper mushrooms are lightly cooked and topped with crispy onion and chili flakes, with a bowl of Korean mustard soy for dipping. Pair these deliciously umami flavours with a creative cocktail — I like whatever version of an Old Fashioned it’s currently serving — and savour JinBar’s fusion approach to Korean food. — Nathan Iles, editor, The Scene

Ice Cream Sandwiches from Sunshine Ice Cream

 

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Larissa Costella, the pastry chef at Salt & Brick, is also the genius behind Sunshine Ice Cream, an artisanal ice cream sandwich pop-up that I experienced for the first time this past summer. Most of the flavours change with each pop-up, but on my visit, options ranged from a mango lassi fro-yo with salted lime sugar cookies to ginger sparkler cookies with vanilla bean ice cream in the middle. Besides being incredibly delicious, one of the things I appreciated most about these ice cream sandwiches was how the ice cream didn’t ooze out as you ate, ensuring that you got to enjoy the flavours of the soft cookies and the creamy ice cream in each bite. Follow Sunshine Ice Cream’s Instagram account to stay in the loop about upcoming pop-ups (you’ll probably see me there). — Alana Willerton, digital managing editor, Avenue

The post Staff Picks: Our Favourite Things We Ate This Year appeared first on Avenue Calgary.