The Pulse: May 21, 2025

Marcus Purtzki says Edmonton's newest Made by Marcus location, set to open in Strathcona this spring, could be the ice cream empire's most successful to date.

"I'm actually very, very excited for this shop. I think it could be our highest grossing shop," Purtzki, the titular owner of Made by Marcus, told Taproot. "I do think there's something very community-esque about it."

Purtzki opened the first Made by Marcus in 2016 in Calgary. Since then, the artisan creamery has grown to six locations, with Strathcona's set to be the seventh. Made by Marcus's first Edmonton store was in an alley off of Whyte Avenue, near 104 Street, and opened in 2019; the second opened in 2021 in the same historic building as Wilfred's (which Purtzki has since purchased) in the Brewery District. The latest, which Purtzki calls the Mill Creek location, is set to open at 9853 89 Avenue NW as early as late May but will "probably" open in the first week of June, he said.

His high hopes for the newest Edmonton shop are tied to the building itself. Its house-like appearance lends a sense of warmth, he said, and it has ample seating. In the back, there's also more workspace compared to the other Edmonton locations. Purtzki said that means he'll be able to increase production, and staff will be able to host ice-cream-making workshops in Edmonton for the first time, though not until the slow season for scoop service starts in October.

In Calgary, "We've sold out almost every ice cream workshop we've done in the last three years," he said. "It's been, like, 200 workshops. We really want to bring that Edmonton."

Purtzki will also experiment with a new concept in the back area of the Mill Creek location — Lil' Willy's. The pop-up will be in the space to serve waffle-based desserts and coffee. Lil' Willy's began inside Wilfred's in February, shortly after the latter suspended evening service.

He said the service reduction occurred because Wilfred's and Made by Marcus share seating. "It became really hard to run the two brands in the evening, because there wasn't much room for the Wilfred's customers to come in."

• Vacant parking lots north of Rogers Place are hindering development and neighbourhood revitalization in downtown Edmonton. Developers cite homelessness, high commercial vacancies, and economic conditions as barriers. The Oilers Entertainment Group is planning a mixed-use development in the area, which would add housing and retail space. A memorandum of understanding between the City, province, and OEG sets aside more than $68 million for public infrastructure. However, OEG was granted an extension to continue operating some of the land as surface parking lots until the end of 2028.
• Edmonton city council held a public hearing May 20 regarding a rezoning initiative aimed at supporting higher-density housing in Wîhkwêntôwin, University-Garneau, Stony Plain Road, 124 Street, and 156 Street. The bylaw seeks to streamline redevelopment and promote mixed-use development near transit corridors, including areas slated for the Valley Line West LRT. While supporters, like Brian Murray of B&A Studios, argue it will reduce red tape and increase housing affordability, others, including Westmount residents represented by Carol Craig, voiced concerns about community impact, a faulty engagement process, and strains on infrastructure.
• In a Postmedia op-ed, Michelle Maroto and Andrea DeKeseredy criticize the University of Alberta for its decision to end funding for campus-affiliated child-care centres in January 2026. They argue that the move, which affects over 300 families, undermines the university's stated commitments to access, community, and equity. The authors highlight the disproportionate impact on women, especially racialized and Indigenous women, and warn of increased financial strain on families. They call on the university to reverse the decision.
• Ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, the Edmonton Oilers were confident about their chances in their rematch against the Dallas Stars, after defeating them in the 2024 series. Mattias Ekholm participated in his first full practice since April 11, but has been ruled out for the first two games in Dallas.
• Remedy Cafe on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton closed permanently on May 18 after 13 years, due to declining foot traffic, fewer people returning to work downtown post-COVID, and security concerns. Owner Sohail (Zee) Zaidi and his son Gabriel noted the downtown core has changed, and hope to return if the area improves. Remedy Cafe has 10 other locations in Edmonton.
• The Upper Bound conference, hosted by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), is happening in Edmonton from May 20 to 23 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Amii CEO Cam Linke highlighted the conference as a meeting point for researchers, policymakers, founders, and funders in the AI field.
• Premier Danielle Smith's former chief of staff, Marshall Smith, lived in an Edmonton home owned by the sister of Sam Mraiche, whose dealings with Alberta Health Services are under investigation, the Globe and Mail reported. Fatima Mraiche purchased the $1.6 million property near the University of Alberta in August 2023 and sold it in August 2024 for $1.7 million. Smith's lawyer confirmed he lived at the property and "appropriately compensated" the landlords. Smith is alleged to have pressured former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos to benefit private companies, including those with Mraiche's financial interest. Smith plans to sue Mentzelopoulos, alleging her claims are false and defamatory.
• As of May 20, Alberta has recorded 48 new measles cases, bringing the provincial total to 486 since early March. Health officials say nearly all recent cases were in southern Alberta, which accounts for about 70% of the outbreak. Close to 80% of those infected are children, including 149 under the age of five. The province is urging residents to get vaccinated and has launched a hotline to provide immunization information.
• Eleanor Olszewski, once expected to lose again in Edmonton, now stands as Alberta's only Liberal in Mark Carney's cabinet. Appointed minister of emergency management and Prairies economic development, she aims to rebuild Ottawa-Alberta relations through dialogue, not conflict. Her portfolio puts her at the center of wildfire response and economic diversification across the Prairies. Olszewski says collaboration and respect are essential as national unity faces growing strain.
• The Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a strike notice to Canada Post on May 19, with more than 55,000 workers planning to strike starting Friday, May 23, at midnight. According to Canada Post, a work stoppage would halt acceptance of new items and secure existing ones, though social assistance cheques and live animals would still be delivered. The union stated that the strike notice was issued partly in response to potential unilateral changes to working conditions.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Community Coffee starting at 9am at Edmonton Unlimited
• Insolvency Management in a Corporate Setting starting at 12pm online
• Housing Information Session (Northwest) starting at 4pm at The Orange Hub
• DisruptHR YEG 13.0 starting at 4:30pm at Cineplex Odeon Windermere and VIP Cinemas
• Redefining Ability: Overcoming Barriers in the South Asian Community starting at 6pm at Capital View Tower
• Fund Her: Best Practices for Fundraising in a Municipal Election starting at 6:30pm online
• Story Slam Wednesday starting at 7pm at 9910
• Alessia Cara - Love and Hyperbole Live Tour with special guests starting at 8pm at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 22: What's on your mind, municipally speaking? at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• May 24-25: Rainmaker Rodeo at Kinsmen Club of St. Albert
• May 26: Housing Information Session (Southwest) at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.