MY WPG is a series introducing you to Winnipeggers who share our passion for supporting local, spreading positivity and celebrating the city we call home.
In the latest edition, we catch up with Jay Richardson. If you don’t know his voice from mornings on Power 97, you may recognize it from the “last minute of play” announcements at Jets’ games. Read on to see where he eats, how he spends his time off, and more.
My story.
My family moved around a lot growing up. After high school we settled in Steinbach, where I got my first radio job. I got a radio job in Winnipeg when I was 22 and I’ve lived here ever since. Winnipeg is my home and the longest I’ve ever lived in one place.
I got a side job as the in-house announcer for the Manitoba Moose when the (then) MTS Centre opened up and when True North bought the Jets I was very fortunate and grateful that I was able to continue doing it. I love every moment I get to be a part of Jets games; it is truly an honour.
My hood.
Royalwood!
My go-to takeout.
Four seasons. The beef makuaweoweo is ahhhh-mazing. And yes, I absolutely had to look up the spelling of “makuaweoweo.”
My ideal date night.
A nice fall hike with my wife and dog. There’s this awesome trail at Beaudry Provincial Park that we get to every year and it’s a really great spot to reconnect with nature and each other. After all that walking, just an unholy amount of ice cream — because life is about balance.
My guiltiest of guilty pleasures.
I think I just mentioned ice cream? I got a Chaeban’s Ice Cream of the Month subscription for my birthday once, and the Salty Carl is soooo good. What an unfortunate name though.
My favourite local patio.
The Beer Can or Kilter. Kilter might get the edge because they have crib boards.
My favourite local coffee shop.
Mercatino in the lobby of 201 Portage Ave., is staffed by the nicest ladies who always know exactly what I’m about to order.
My favourite local brunch spot.
Juneberry!
My favourite local event or festival.
I’m super biased, but walking around the Whiteout Street Parties during the playoffs is awesome. I’m lucky to get to experience playoff games inside CLC but walking around after game 7 against St. Louis last spring is something I’ll never forget.
My best-kept secret about Winnipeg.
Henteleff Park! There’s a whole walk through the woods that you get to explore right off St. Mary’s.
My ideal day off.
Coffee! Gym! Then just getting some time with my family. Watching my step-kids play hockey. And if I can sneak in some Playstation too, I’ll do it. That damn beep when it turns on gives me away every time.
My favourite local band/musician.
Northern Royals! Evan and I were going to start a podcast where we reviewed local pizza until we both realized that we are both crazy busy and adding another thing to our plates was a bad idea.
My favourite splurge.
Hats. I have so many hats and toques. Shout out We Heart Winnipeg!
My favourite place to take out-of-towners.
The Exchange District. It’s pretty cool that in a world where things that link us to our past are bulldozed in the name of progress, we have this architectural time capsule so our kids and grandkids can see what life used to look like.
Best bang for my buck.
Falafel Place will serve you what feels like 40 pounds of potatoes for breakfast.
One place I can't walk into without buying something.
Galaxy Comics on Henderson.
My favourite day trip/weekend away.
Clear Lake. We rent a cabin there every summer. My family camped there every summer when I was growing up, so I have some very fond memories.
One thing I want everyone to know about Winnipeg.
I used to get upset when people who don’t live here dumped on Winnipeg, but now I say just let them. Winnipeg is full of awesome people and we don’t need to dilute our kindness with a bunch of mean jerks :)
