This Saturday morning I had the day off, so thought what better way to spend it then reliving my childhood with the “Saturday Morning” pop up. This is a monthly pop up that brings Vancouverites a fun place to have a light breakfast at. Organizers take over a shop space and theme it to your childhood bedroom. The date and location are in flux, so be sure to follow them on social media to stay in the loop.
This month’s locale was the eye glass shop, “Ollie Quinn” on Commercial Drive. “Saturday Morning’s” advertisement spoke to this, as their hand outs featured an eye chart and the looney toons gang showcasing their offer of $5 dressed up cereal bowls. The collaboration had people trying on readers and sunnies vowing to come back, to purchase their next pair of frames. Although the eye glasses shop wasn’t actually open for business or sales this 10:30-3:30pm, (the duration of the pop up).
If you didn’t get the memo for the event, you couldn’t miss it walking by. The music was bumping all the way to the sidewalk, and those passing by couldn’t help but feel themselves gravitating closer with its bouncy pull. The DJ was spinning Saturday morning cartoon jams like the themes from your favourite tv shows including “Recess”, “Doug”, and the “Goof Troop’ movie. There was also plenty of 90’s club bangers playing, like “Rhythm of the Night”, “What is love?”, and even that “Crazy Frog” song.
Looking through the window you also couldn’t help but have your curiosity peaked with their colourful toys and playful displays. In the main window was a collection of the bizzaro versions of your favourite “Kellogg’s” and “General Mills” cereal mascots. Cubby versions of Captain Crunch, Tony the Tiger, the leprechaun from “Lucky Charms”, the Tucan from “Fruit Loops” and there was even “Snap, Crackle, and Pop” merged into one three faced and three legged entity. Behind it a pop culture take on the Sailor Scouts. The pretty guardians were dressed in sports attire and branded gear by “Supreme”, “North Face”, and “Nike”.
The other window was rearranged into a play nook with fuzzy carpet, plush toys, and character pillows. “Carebears”, “Garfield”, “Scooby Doo”, “Mickey Mouse”, and even an original “Treasure Troll” (not the Justin Timberlake version). Here, they had a vintage television set up with a functioning “Nintendo” gaming system, allowing attendees the ability to try their hand a classic games like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Super Mario”.
At the very back of the space was their service counter. Here you ordered and paid for your bowl of cereal. Be warn this is a cash only affair.
I have been to cereal popup before, a different event run by a different team and where I left unsatisfied there, all my issues and suggestions were address and improved upon at this pop up. They offered up limited edition cereals and flavours you don’t normally see you at your grocery store shelves, so that in itself is a reason to visit. They also allow you to mix boxes of cereal, which would be the point in visiting a cereal bar. Who wants to keep it only one flavour when there are a shelf-full of boxes to choose from. And then they take everything to a new level by offering you the ability to top your cereal bowl like you would a sundae: various sauces and toppings to make it your own. Strawberries, banana, marshmallow, strawberry sauce, Nutella, and even cookie butter spread.
There was a menu of speciality crafted bowls. Each had a combination of cereals topped with fruit and/or ice cream syrups and sauces. The ones with international cereal offerings were highlighted by the USA and Japan flags. You make your choice and after it’s poured into disposable bowl you choose and pour your own milk into the mix. They had two non-dairy options like soy and almond milk available. Whereas they only offered 3.25% for your regular cow-milk option. I personally prefer a 2% or a skim if I am counting calories. Although the heavier 3.25% made things creamier and more befitting of my dessert-like cereal bowl.
If you don’t see something you like off their menu, or maybe prefer not to mix things up, you can choose your cereal from their shelf of boxes and custom make your own. They had a chocolate and a strawberry doughnut cereal, a cereal that tasted like birthday cake, one that was mini chocolate chip cookies, a limited edition “Frosted Flakes”; and even the popular spooky cereal trio “Frankenberry”, “Booberry”, and “Count Chocola” made an appearance. Not to mention, there were a handful of Japanese cereals worth trying, including one with a syrupy chocolate at a centre of a crispy wafer chocolate shell.
The following is a list of the bowls they offer, then the ones myself and our group ordered.
I went for the “Yogi bear”, as suggested by the cashier. She would pour a pre-blended mix of “Cinnamon Toast Crunch”, “Lucky Charms”, and “Cocoa Pebbles” together; then topped it with torched mini marshmallows and a chocolate “Nesquik” drizzle. You can’t go wrong with crispy cereal, that leaves you with sweetened milk at the end.
“Cookie Monster”. “Oreo O’s” and “Cookie Crisp” with crushed Oreos and a condensed milk drizzle.
“Sylvester the cat”. “Hershey cocoa nibs”, strawberry slices, and French vanilla whipped cream.
Tasmanian devil. Cap’n crunch, Reese’s puffs, coco puffs, banana slices, and a Nutella and coconut butter drizzle.
Rainbow brite. Fruity “Pebbles” and “Trix” with strawberry “Nesquik” syrup
Would I come back? – Yes.
Would I line up for it? – Yes.
Would I recommend it? – Yes.
Would I suggest this to someone visiting from out of town? – No.
This was such a fun scene. I highly suggest following their social media to find out when the next one is and attending for yourself. There is nothing else like it being offered in the city, and this is what the city needs to inject some colour and liveliness. With “Saturday Mornings” we are one step closer to Vancouver getting its own full time cereal bar. Offering cereal bowls with milk by day, and sundaes and milkshake with ice cream and crushed up cereals by night. Don’t deny your cravings.
SUNDAY MORNINGS
https://www.instagram.com/saturdaymorningscereal/