APRIL 2022 EDITION
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ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO
Spring Forward – Check. Spring Cleaning – Check. Spring Tune-up – Check! NOW, what about you? Yes, we had the Spring Break — woohoo! But are we making sure we are “tuned-up” nutritiously? by Elizabeth Ailles, Registered Dietician Central Community Health Centre, Downtown St. Thomas
– just one small step at a time.
We feed our children and make sure their diet is balanced. We keep our pets cared for and get them regular dose of exercise; but are we looking after ourselves?
No need to make drastic changes – in fact, that can often lead to trouble – small steps lead to success. And if we look at this as a journey rather than a destination our mindset helps us embrace each day.
As was said, “A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.”
Spring is a great time for change! There is such vigour and desire to renew. Now is the time to reenergize. Where to start – what can you do? Let us look at change – but not an entire diet
How to begin? Think positively and add, rather than thinking negatively and taking away. Here are some simple but effective ways to improve your diet: • Add carrots to your lunch – great colour, fibre, nutrients and flavour • Add water, even half a glass, to your meal(s). Fluids are essential • Add chick peas or black beans to your
salad; increases fibre, protein, healthy fats and a great change in taste • Look at your plate and ask: does it have colour? Add a veggie if not • Add a fruit as a snack, include some seeds. This pair offers energy, protein and satisfaction guaranteed Start slowly, be kind, be patient. This journey is totally worthwhile. Stay tuned for more. Next, how to begin this journey locally with foods grown, harvested and sold at our farms, markets and in stores or looking to grow some of your own.
Message from DDB but those worries were unfounded. In fact, they are now packed with happy customers that couldn’t wait to get back to enjoying great food and fun times with
by Earl Taylor Chair, Downtown Development Board Welcome to the spring issue of The Downtown VIBE! Some amazing things have been happening in our Downtown over the winter. A number of new businesses have opened and a few have relocated to larger venues. Our restaurants are now open to full capacity and no longer need to check vaccine passports. There was a concern as to how customers would react to the new rules,
family and friends. Our Downtown Development Board is working full steam ahead to promote and
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beautify the heart of the city. Our flower baskets, which we missed for two years, will be installed. Our banner program is back on track to showcase local art. And the ever popular sidewalk patios will allow customers to enjoy downtown restaurants in fresh air. Last September, we hosted Nostalgia Nights and assembled the largest collection of classic vehicles ever seen in our Downtown. Not to disappoint, our Nostalgia Nights Car Show, along with free train rides and so much more, will return to Downtown St Thomas on Saturday July 9th. Stay tuned to www.nostalgianights.ca for more details. As our myFM radio jingle proclaims, Love Where You Shop - Downtown St Thomas!
@TheDowntownVibe
Those Who Create the Vibe A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN
St. Thomas
by Sarah Noble from the Elgin/ St. Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre
@SBECinnovation It’s also a dream come true for my partner that with a reintroduction to sushi through Plaza Sushi - it’s become a meal I genuinely enjoy and request...frequently. Growing up in Elgin County farm country, my exposure to flavour was limited by my father’s rather bland palate. Fed by parents who raised six children through the depression and second world war, he is a meat and potatoes traditionalist who rarely ventures out of his comfort zone. His four children have since rebelled and continue to expand our tastes beyond our childhood exposures. However, I wish to have had a friend growing up like Minsoo who loved sharing his love of food and flavour with others right back to lunches in school. What began as a fascination for him transformed into a passion with the realization that people truly enjoyed his creations. Despite the long hours and workload of life in a professional kitchen, it quickly became evident that chef life was the only dream he wanted. So Minsoo spent a decade working in Asian restaurants and studying at the Stratford Chef School and the Japanese Cookery Academy in Korea.Plaza Sushi’s
It’s an official welcome to Downtown St. Thomas to the husband and wife team of Chef Minsoo Lee and Max Qui - the pair behind Plaza Sushi. What began as a sushi counter and grab & go cooler at Plaza Convenience on Elm St. transformed into a Downtown Fine Dining option is a dream come true for the pair.
mission is focused on fresh ingredients and sharing elevated takes on traditional sushi options. With the dinein restaurant now open, the menu has expanded to include soups, noodle entrees, bao, poke and more - all impeccably presented. While the Grab and Go option is still available at the convenience store, the restaurant space offers a refreshing fine-dining atmosphere that has feels personal with art featuring the team behind the scenes. It provides a glimpse into the joy they experience preparing meals and perfecting recipes. Every element of decor highlights the food and heightens the overall experience. It’s a beautiful space that feels elegant while also being comfortable and welcoming. rom the outside, this growth seems to have F happened quite quickly. As entrepreneurs know, the behind-the-scenes practice and planning take years. For those looking to pursue dreams of their own, Minsoo shares that “it’s important not to be afraid of doing what you love to do. If you are an entrepreneur and enjoy what you do, you would be successful because you care.”
At Minsoo’s suggestion, I tried one of his favourite menu items - the Miso soup. This simple dish can be quite varied from restaurant to restaurant - but when simple flavours come together perfectly, the result is a beautiful way to start a meal. The fan-favourite Rock N Roll roll combines Crispy Spicy Salmon, Avocado, Cream Cheese, and Torched Salmon with Spicy Mayo and Onion - the torched salmon brings an unreal dimension to the sushi with layers of extra flavour and smokiness. I also sampled some of the most delicate spring rolls I have ever had. All of the portions and flavours were well balanced rolls are generous and filling but Plaza Sushi is not an All-You-Can-Eat sushi joint. It’s an experience worth savouring. I f you go, you will find the restaurant at 877 Talbot St for dine-in and take-out orders. The Grab and Go fridge remains at Plaza Convenience at 323 Elm St while quantities last. Check out the full menu at plazasushistthomas.com or dine-in Monday - Saturday from 11 am-9 pm. www.plazasushistthomas.com
Locke Insurance Brokers — Over 90 Years in Business! Locke Insurance Brokers announces a change in ownership as the fourth generation, Sarah (Locke) Groeneweg and Tom Hughes take over the reins. After over 30 years, David Locke has officially announced his retirement. The company was founded in 1929 during the Great Depression by Percy (P.R.) Locke. Sarah and Tom continue the friendly, honest approach that their clients have come to expect. In addition to providing property casualty insurance to protect major assets —home, auto and business — Locke also serves non-profit and faithbased organizations. As the insurance sector evolves, they are committed to staying on top of their game and moving in
new directions through industry leadership, educational programs and networking opportunities. Tom and Sarah’s commitment is always to their clients. “We know them personally and make it a priority to stay connected to them and our community. Each client will have a risk assessment completed by a professional insurance broker and a tailored approach to the coverage options provided by our insurers. It is important to help clients understand what coverage options they have and why.”
For over 90 years, Locke Insurance Brokers has formed strong ties to their insurance partners allowing them flexibility to offer a diverse range of products customized to suit any unique needs. This solid knowledge deepens the team’s ability to provide comprehensive solutions for their clients, to explain any changes to their existing policies and to offer practical cost-effective options. Located at 496 Talbot St., Tom and Sarah look forward to the opportunity to find innovative solutions for all your insurance needs. Call (519-631-2782) or email (info@ lockeinsbrokers.com).
Sustaining the Vibe Renewal and Motivation Form New Habits Spring is a time of renewal. For many, New Year is used as motivation to make improvements in their lives. However, spring has always been the time when I change my routine, or develop a healthy habit. It feels more natural to me; maybe because it coincides with nature coming alive again! by Jeff Yurek, Pharmacist, BScPhm. Yurek Pharmacy 519 Talbot Street
Former American Olympian Jim Ryun once said: “Motivation is what gets you started and habit is what keeps you going.” People have different ways of finding motivation. The question is how do we then form the positive habit to improve our lives? Most people say it take 21 days to form a habit. However, a 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology showed that it takes anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit and, on average, it takes 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic. The key is to not become discouraged if you fall off the rails and not give up early. Persevere and reap the benefits. The new habits must be realistic and associated
with everyday routines. State your intentions and let family and friends know, so they can hold you accountable to the change. If you want to start a new healthy habit, make it a simple one; deciding to run a marathon after being a couch potato will likely lead to failure. In my experience, simple routines lead to success. For instance: • start your day with an 8-ounce glass of water, • floss your teeth, • substitute French fries for a salad, or • take advantage of spring weather and go for a walk. The most important step is to make your new habit realistic and part of your routine. My wife and I started walking on local trails during the pandemic. Our favourite is Springwater; however the walking trails at the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area
outside Sparta come in a close second. For me, it was a tough change. I had low energy, I felt stressed out and my morning snap, crackle and pop were my joints re-aligning themselves as I walked to the kitchen to begin my day. There was no way I thought a hike would be beneficial. Thankfully my wife held me to account to schedule my early mornings hikes. We started slow, around 3 kms, two to three times a week and progressed up to 15 kms every day. Once a routine had set in and time had passed, I started to welcome the daily walks. Not only was I able to spend quiet time with my wife, but I also noted an unexpected change physically. My morning snap, crackle and pops disappeared, energy returned and my stress felt relieved. Let’s use nature’s rebirth as motivation for a healthy habit in our lives. Let’s give it time and be persistent. Our family, body and mind will thank us for the positive change.
Refinishing and More! Everything old can be new again! Taking an old piece of furniture and making it new again is second nature to Kay Vaughan, owner of Refreshed Finds. Kay has been painting and renewing furniture for most of her life and three years ago it became her career! Opened a year ago at 201-15 St. Catharine St., Refreshed Finds sells refinished furniture as well as providing reasonably priced refinishing services for your tired but treasured pieces. Refreshed Finds also carries the supplies you need for DIYers and crafters. Kay sells Dixie Belle Chalk Paint and Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint, as well as Re-Design by Prima, HTV, and permanent vinyl to add those extra creative touches. Presently, Kay offers a Ladies’ Make Your Own Sign Night and is planning on devoting space in the store for customers to book their own time to come in and create a personal sign! Keeping up to date through Dixie Belle’s training, videos and Facebook allows Kay the opportunity to
learn new tips and tricks and to pass them on to her customers. Sharing her love of creativity and understanding the importance of supporting fellow entrepreneurs, Kay offers a variety of items for sale from an assortment of local artisans, such as ForgetMe-Knot Macrame, Creatively Special, The Wooly Knitster, Leslie’s Bath Bombs, Endless Creative Infusion Handmade Soaps, woodwork handcrafted by Rob Dixon-
Lennett, Lisa’s Bath Bombs, Loubelle’s Hotmess Creations, and RF Signs, with room to grow for new artisans! Supporting others with their projects and businesses and chatting with new and regular customers are highlights of Kay’s day! Looking for a unique gift or a special addition to your home décor, then it is time to browse Refreshed Finds, in-store or online (https://refreshedfinds.square.site).
Hidden Gems
Best-Selling Romance Author, Right in Downtown St. Thomas! @shannynleah (facebook.com/shannynleah/) is USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author who loves writing small-town heroes and sassy heroines.
immerse themselves in the story. Four authors bring together a fantastic line of best-selling authors to release books in the Cinnamon Bay world for eager fans! You never know what the Trio of Trouble will do next!
Growing up and working in small towns, she’s always pulling inspiration from the friendly communities. Including St Thomas, where she owns and operates UnusualFindsDiscountStore (unusualfinds.ca or facebook.com/ UnusualFinds with her parents. Among the impressive selection of products in her store, you can find copies of her paperbacks and she’s happy to dedicate and sign them on the spot! She has three contemporary romance series, a romantic suspense series, a rom-com series that has readers laughing out loud and co-writes a comedy fiction. With over thirty books under her belt, she’s also dived into the comedy and fiction genres and is looking forward to
Shannyn is also a Sponsorship Event Co-ordinator with Ignite Your Soul Book Signing in London where not only local authors, but authors from all around the world gather for fantastic greet and meet, pictures and building friendships.
her 2022/23 YA fantasy release written with her nine-year-old nephew. Shannyn is a founder of A Cinnamon Bay Romance, a small-town book world centred around a Matchmaker Trio and mythical love spice where readers can
Shannyn’s ebooks are available at amazon.ca/Shannyn-Leah/e/ B00U7L0WXC. Paperbacks are available on Amazon and her website shannynleah. com. Signed paperbacks are available at Shannyn’s family business Unusual Finds at 449 Talbot Street.
enjoyable to see people out and about, visiting the many unique businesses our downtown has to offer.
St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston It’s great to say spring is just around the corner! With the long, drab winter months behind us, I’m looking forward to getting out and seeing everyone again.
I think comedian Robin Williams said it best “spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party”. Let the party begin!
As we move out of COVID-19 restrictions, our downtown is once again going to be alive with events. It will be
Dan Reith
Darren Reith
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We look forward to working with you! 519.631.3862 | ReithAndAssociates.com
Produced by St. Thomas Downtown Development Board — downtownstthomas.ca