CHRISTMAS 2023 EDITION
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ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO
Beauty is More Than Skin Deep. But, Your Skin Needs Attention Too! Who doesn’t like to treat themselves when it comes to Christmas? Especially with all the socializing of the holiday season, don’t forget about yourself! Shift Beauty + Wellness, located at 247 Talbot Street, “specializes in a variety of non-invasive and semi-permanent treatments. Some of these services include facials, peels, microneedling, laser hair removal and more,” says owner and esthetician, Andrea Watson. “We aim to rejuvenate and revitalize skin, leaving clients looking and feeling their best.”
Clients of all ages can expect a warm, welcoming, and relaxing environment. “You will receive a comprehensive consultation to determine your skincare needs and goals, followed by a customized treatment plan that is both effective and pampering,” boasts Watson.“We use high quality, natural products and are constantly learning about new innovations in the esthetics field. I attend industry conferences, workshops, and regularly engage in advanced training to ensure our services remain cutting-edge.” Watson is deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of sanitation and hygiene. “Your health, safety and wellbeing are our top priorities, and we consistently adhere to strict cleanliness protocols.” “I love witnessing the transformation in my clients, not just in their appearance, but also in their confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people feel comfortable and
Watson started her esthetician journey has 15+ years of experience. “I realized early on that I loved making connections with clients; helping them feel confident in their skin was my calling. I went through formal training and have honed my skills and techniques over the years to offer the best in beauty care.”
beautiful in their own skin,” shares Watson. If you are interested in their services, visit their website shiftbeauty.ca, call/text 519-207-0304, or follow their Instagram @shift_beauty for updates and special promotions.
Keeping the Vibe Going
Bake St. Thomas a Better Place!
RubyBlues is a bakery full of tasty and fresh cakes, desserts, cookies and more. After almost two years in Downtown St. Thomas with overwhelming support, owner Sam Mason and her husband Craig have decided it’s time for an upgrade. “We aren’t moving very far! Just across the street from our old location. Our tentative reopening is mid-November,” exclaims Sam.
cheesecake, and whatever you’re reading. We will also offer afternoon high tea with a three-tiered cake stand. We will be adding savory items to our menu like sandwiches and soup,” explains Sam. “A separate retail area where you can buy birthday cards, baking equipment, treats and gifts will round off the main floor. Best of all, upstairs we will have a cake studio! Not only is this where our cakes are decorated, but we will also be hosting cake decorating classes.” It sounds like RubyBlues will bake St. Thomas a better place.
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Sam used to be a nurse in the United Kingdom. She has visited St. Thomas many times over the years and fell in love with the place. “After retiring, I decided to use some of my retirement money to take bakery and pastry classes at Fanshawe. A couple of years after that, RubyBlues was born.”
“The new RubyBlues will have a cozy café seating area, where you can lounge on a sofa while enjoying a coffee, a slice of
environment,” adds Sam. “I love to see the genuine reactions to people receiving their custom cakes from us. I have amazing staff here, and I enjoy being a good employer,” expresses Sam. “I’m excited to see where we will grow as a business and become a staple of St. Thomas for the local community. We appreciate all the support we have had so far. It has carried RubyBlues forward in ways we could’ve never imagined.” RubyBlues’ new location is 571 Talbot Street. Interested in ordering something? Call 519.637.1212. Check out their Facebook page, @RubyBluesBakery, for updates on their grand opening.
RubyBlues has a welcoming atmosphere and aroma to those who enjoy delicious fresh-baked goods. “Every customer is valued, and their opinion matters to us. We like to connect with customers on a personal level and keep a friendly
Christmas Spirit and Good Health All our lives, we’ve heard “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, some people are lonely and isolated during Christmas. Others grapple with mental health issues, and many stress with financial difficulties. by Peter Yurek Yurek Pharmacy When I was growing up, Christmas season was about family (mainly reserved for children), homecooked meals and gifts. It was also about making a difference. My parents showed us that Christmas was a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day to exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas in St. Thomas was in the togetherness — not just our immediate and extended
family — but the thought and actions you put into thinking about others. Christmas is a selfless time when we forgive, and forgiveness gave us permission to be happy.
Thanks to my upbringing, I learned that Christmas is a time when we evaluate what’s important and become better versions of ourselves. It’s the common ‘feel good’ season for people who are positive and generous. Even those don’t celebrate Christmas can’t help but feel the love. At this time of the year, we become more accepting, more neighbourly and more charitable. When we make a difference to someone who needs us, even if it’s taking the time to just talk to talk or visit them, we will spread good health to them and ourselves. Merry Christmas!
Healthy Vibe Healthcare With a Difference Central Community Health Centre (CCHC) located at 359 Talbot Street serves over 3000 vulnerable clients in our community. It offers family medicine, footcare, smoking cessation, counselling, diabetes education and support, physiotherapy, 2SLGBTQ+ support, needle exchange program, outreach programs, opioid avoidance program, mobile healthcare unit and much more.
CCHC’s interdisciplinary team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, dietician, physiotherapist, nurses, systems navigator, chiropodist, and program coordinators. In addition, a wonderful team of volunteers who help in many ways, including program and service delivery. Through its Opioid Avoidance Program, CCHC supports 150 people to gain better control of their health and wellbeing and become able to recover from the devastating effects of opioid dependence. Many of them have returned to work and are successful in being housed.
Anglican Church for offering accommodation for this program and to CCHC’s dedicated volunteers who make it possible. New programs at CCHC include: • osteoporosis education and support • new moms at risk for postpartum depression • iPad lending • new partnership with Queens and Western Universities (OASIS) for the residents of Grand Central apartments
If you have skills you would like to share and help make our community healthier, please check out the volunteer opportunities at www.centralchc.com. Healthcare with a difference is not just a slogan; it’s treating the whole person from a variety of perspectives. CCHC does that.
CCHC Seniors’ Social Support program is open to all. Its purpose is to help remedy the impacts that social isolation had on many people, especially seniors, during COVID. Kudos to St. Thomas
All Our Lift Chairs Are on Sale! Beat the Christmas Rush!
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Lift chairs raise you to standing and lower you to be seated—with the push of a button. Lift chairs make great gifts for people who have mobility issues. For more details, and to try one, please visit us in-store.
519 TALBOT STREET ST. THOMAS HOURS: 9–9 Monday – Friday 9–6 Saturday • 10–4 Sunday
Helping You Feel Better™
Worth Discovering A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN
St. Thomas
The best shawarma you’ve ever tasted meets with other world cuisines to create something unique and downright delicious. Welcome to Shelby’s, a restaurant with a loyal following, in Downtown St. Thomas. Shelby’s serves chicken, beef, lamb and vegan shawarmas! “We have wraps and bowls, as well as fun fusion options that are a big hit among customers,” boasts owner, Parth Patel. “Here, you get to experience Shawarma Poutine, Shawarma Biriyani, Halloumi Shawarma Quesadillas, Shawarma Tacos, and more — to eat in or take-out.” Patel and manager, Parshwa Shah, have been running the restaurant since 2021. “We have been lucky to have found such a loyal customer base because we opened during the pandemic!” Patel acknowledges. “We serve all sorts of walkin customers, from high school students, to working professionals, to seniors. Customer loyalty is a part of our Shelby’s culture, and we try hard to earn that,” Patel continues.
Discover the Shawarma Delights at Shelby’s
“We also work hard to make every visit a tasty and positive experience for our customers. Customer service and great food are essential to us,” Patel emphasizes. “I’ve always been a big foodie, and love to make others happy by serving them a delicious meal. It’s been great to meet so many people in the community,” Patel shares. “I would like to thank the people of St. Thomas for the tremendous support they have showed us since we have opened. They are what makes us strive to do better every day. We are determined to continue serving our legendary shawarma.” Shelby’s is located at 737 Talbot Street. For any inquiries, call 226.317.4765 or email shelbysstthomas@gmail.com.
St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston As we enter the festive season, I would like to recognize our Downtown businesses for their resilience throughout the Talbot Street Construction. I wish for continued success and growth in the coming year. I would like to encourage everyone to continue to shop locally and support our downtown businesses. There are many unique finds, something for everyone on your “nice” list and maybe even a few for those
on the “naughty” list. May the peace and joy that this season brings fill your home now and throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Maintaining the Vibe A Rock ‘n’ Roll Treasure Trove There’s nothing quite like the quality sound of vinyl. If you’re looking for a gift for a rock music lover, pay a visit to Records and Relics at 347 Talbot Street. Owner, Rick Leeson, has been collecting records for over 20 years. “I worked in construction my whole life. Since I am highly knowledgeable about records
and have thousands of albums in my collection, after I retired, I opened my own business,” Leeson shares. Leeson along with partner, Karen Sealy, have been running this store for two and a half years now. “I travel around Southwestern Ontario and buy a variety of collections so that customers have a large selection of good vinyl,” Leeson explains. “We are the only record store in St. Thomas and carry both preloved and brand-new vinyl. We have a monthly album giveaway as well.”
wrong with your purchase, we will either replace, exchange, or give your money back,” assures Leeson. “All records are ultrasonic cleaned before placed on the shelves.” “We always try to stay up to date with the latest rock albums being released and keep it in stock. We enjoy doing our own research,” Leeson quips. “I love meeting new people with the same interests, and listening to albums all day in my shop,” Leeson concludes. Have a question? You can call 519.495.7332 or message their Facebook page Records & Relics.
Leeson runs his store like a mom-and-pop shop to keep prices affordable. “We have customers coming in from London because many other record stores sell online and run out stock. We only sell locally, so when you stop by Records and Relics, there will be lots of good records available.” Customers of all ages choose Records and Relics for their own listening pleasure or special gifts. “We guarantee everything. If anything is
Message from DDB by Earl Taylor Chair, Downtown Development Board The Spirit of the Holidays is in the air and Downtown St Thomas is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the many friends and partners that generously support us: • Thanks to Entegrus for installing our LED Snowflakes that light up the nighttime streetscape. • Thanks to St Thomas Parks for getting our 24 giant planters filled with festive winter greens.
Merry Christmas • Thanks to Yurek Pharmacy for sponsoring our Tree Lighting Celebration which brings Santa to our Downtown on a shiny St. Thomas Fire Truck on Friday November 17th at 6:45 p.m. to greet the children and light the giant City Hall Christmas tree. • And thanks to the many sponsors that are helping us expand the evening festivities with our first Light Up Talbot event. Downtown businesses will remain open until 9 p.m. giving you a chance to get your Christmas shopping started - and don’t miss the free horse and wagon rides, hot drinks, cookies and entertainment.
• Thanks to 94.1 myFM for bringing Santa back to St Thomas on Saturday December 2nd for Downtown Santa where a few lucky shoppers will receive a big Christmas surprise. Visit downtownstthomas.ca for full details on all events. Please check out the many unique Downtown shops and stores this Christmas season for all the items on your shopping list. By Shopping Local, you support the businesses that are owned by St Thomas families just like yours. “Love Where You Shop - Downtown St Thomas.”
Long-time Merchants Give Memorable Treasures from Titewads Looking for a fun and unforgettable gift this Christmas? Checkout Titewads in Downtown St. Thomas. Titewads is a hobby store that has been in business for 31 years and the last 20 in St. Thomas. They sell new and recycled hobby diecast, action figures, stereos, speakers, DVDs, CDs, video games, coins, collectibles, and more. “We have a quality recycled line and only buy and sell real collectible entertainment products. All of our new products are real hobby stock and not mass produced,” boasts Roy Delaney, owner. “That’s why we are very picky when buying used products. We want to ensure it’s a real collectible — similar to other items we sell.” “We accept special orders for people looking for a specific model kit or hobby die cast. We do our best to help a customer find what they are looking for,” says Roy. Titewads also offers a warranty on both new and recycled products. “If anything goes wrong with the electronics, we have a great service man who can fix it.”
continue to visit us. Many friendships have been formed over the years.” “I love to meet the different people who share the same passion. I’m always intrigued by what people bring in to sell, or what they are looking to buy,” smiles Roy. “This is a family-run business, and I couldn’t have made it 31 years without my three daughters and best friend, Donna.” Titewads is located at 570 Talbot Street. They are open Monday – Saturday. Sunday meetings may be arranged if enough notice is given to Roy. Have a question? Contact Roy at 519.631.8777 or email titewads@rogers.com.
& HAPPY NEW YEAR
Titewads has had many positive reviews over the years. “I would like to thank all my loyal customers who
Reith &
Associates INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
Follow Us and Keep Up With The Downtown Vibe @Downtown Vibe
@Downtown Vibe
462 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B9
519.631.3862
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Produced by St. Thomas Downtown Development Board — downtownstthomas.ca