🧸 30,000 items in one place

Good morning Saint John! It’s National Siblings Day… the people in your life who can roast you harder than anyone else, but won’t let a single other person say a bad word about you. God, they’re annoying…

Here’s what’s up today:

Have a fantastic weekend!!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🛍️ A pop-up store… built overnight

If you walk into the bingo hall at Exhibition Park this weekend, don’t expect a few folding tables. By Friday afternoon, it will be a 20,000 sq. ft. pop-up shop packed with about 30,000 kids and baby items, all sorted by size and type.

The twice-a-year Grapevine Events sale brings together around 200 local families selling everything from clothes to gear, with roughly 1,400 shoppers expected over the weekend. And for first-timers, the scale catches people off guard. “The fact that it really looks like a store with everything sorted by size or type of item is shocking to newbies,” said Krista Garnett, a long-time seller and shopper.

For others, it has become part of the routine. “It’s exciting to try and find a diamond in the rough… and it’s become a social event,” said Amy Buckley, who now books time off to attend each sale. Doors open Friday afternoon, with free entry later in the evening, followed by a 50% off discount day on Saturday. If you’ve got growing kids or grandkids, it’s probably worth a look.

🌊Tourism in Saint John keeps growing 

Envision Saint John rolled out a new tourism strategy this week, and it starts with a shift in how the region talks about itself.

The new brand leans into “East Coast with an edge,” positioning Saint John as a mix of gritty uptown, wild Fundy coast, and a packed events scene instead of the sleepy seaside stereotype. They’ve got the numbers to back it up.

In 2025, the region hit 1.8 million visit nights last year, with $322 million in visitor spending and $45.2 million in hotel revenue. Cruise traffic jumped to nearly 200,000 passengers, up more than 20 percent, while airport traffic climbed past 185,000.

More people are coming to Saint John, and they’re spending more when they get here.

🏆 Top clicks of the week

Tuesday - City repaving plan (page 24)
Wednesday - RamenBox open soon in Brunswick Square
Thursday - Former Irving estate sells for $2M

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Ramen at 1am? Don’t mind if they do

Turns out that the diverted cruise ship on Wednesday wasn’t full of disappointed people…at least not once they got to Umami Kid.

It began with a steady dinner rush, then things quieted down…until around 10pm, when crew members from the Valiant Lady started rolling in. Then it didn’t stop.

“We served 154 tables for dine-in,” owner Eunice said. “That’s a lot for us considering we only have 30 seats.”

Most were crew finally off shift, with a few passengers mixed in, all looking to make the most of an unexpected stop. And there certainly wasn’t any disappointment once the ramen started flowing.

“They were very positive…happy they were able to visit Saint John and hoping they get to come back and eat our ramen again.”

By midnight, it had turned into something closer to a late-night hangout than a restaurant service.

“It was like a party,” Eunice said. “Customers and staff were all engaging and talking with each other.” At one point, two separate groups only realized they knew each other after finishing their meals, too busy, apparently, with noodles and drinks to notice.

And when the cruise guests asked if they’d stay open late? “I was game for it,” she said. “And surprisingly, all my staff were too.” They wrapped up around 3am…then had a beer together before heading home at 4.

Not bad for what some Saint Johners were calling a disappointing port stop.

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What we’re doing this weekend.

FRIDAY

Grapevine Kids Pop-Up Consignment Sale | April 10-11
The twice-a-year kids consignment sale is back at Exhibition Park with racks and tables packed with everything from newborn to tween. Expect thousands of items from local families, all sorted and ready to browse. Free entry runs Friday 5-8pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.

Laughing Tap Comedy Night | April 10
A stacked local comedy lineup is taking over Fusion East for a Friday night show featuring Michelle Lynn Petite, Brian Godsoe, Alisdair Edwards, Ryan Whittaker, Cive Lucas, and Liam Patrick McNamara, with Zophia Aldred hosting. It starts at 8pm, so grab a drink and get ready to laugh. 

SATURDAY

Live Jazz and Rock Painting at City Market | April 11
An easy Saturday afternoon option with something for both kids and grown-ups. Head out 12-3pm for live jazz from Joe Hooley and Magnus Labillois while kids get into a hands-on rock painting activity. Painted stones can go home as keepsakes or be donated to support P.R.O. Kids ahead of their upcoming art sale. A fun afternoon at the market with all supplies provided. 

Stash Sale and Handmade Gift Market | April 11
Crafters, consider this your warning. A stash sale is taking over the Quality Inn in Quispamsis with 20 tables of supplies covering sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, knitting, painting, cross-stitch, and probably a few things people swore they were not buying more of. Handmade gifts will be available too, including quilts and paintings. It’s in the conference room, runs for six hours, and shoppers are asked to bring cash and bags.

SUNDAY

Saint John Amped | April 12
Symphony New Brunswick is plugging in for an afternoon concert with the Saint John String Quartet at the Saint John Arts Centre. The program includes works by Anna Clyne and Christos Hatzis, plus a new piece by Andrew Reed Miller commissioned with artsnb funding. It starts at 2pm and wraps around 3pm. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for students, for anyone craving a Sunday that feels a little more refined.

James Mullinger live at Long Bay Brewery | April 12
James Mullinger is testing out new material at Long Bay Brewery in Rothesay with a Sunday matinee show that sounds a little loose, a little risky, and probably pretty funny. He’ll be working through 90 minutes of new and old material ahead of a TV recording, which means the crowd gets the rough-cut version before the rest of the country does. It starts at 5pm and tickets are $25.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

📍 We shared a pic of a red dot on Wednesday and asked if you could tell us where we were. We figured using part of the logo from one of your top three favourite restaurants in the city might give someone a shot… but nope. We’ll regroup, enjoy some butter chicken and try again next week.

In the meantime, we know you’ve got some great local pics on your phone. Tag us when you share them on Facebook or Instagram and we’ll share them here.

🌅 6:48am | 🌇 8:03pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with you’re least annoying sibling…or all of them 👯.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher