OCTOBER 2020 EDITION
Message from DDB by Earl Taylor Chair, Downtown Development Board Have you noticed the nip in the air and that the days are getting shorter? Fall is definitely here so now is the time to prepare for the following colder months, which is exactly what our Downtown merchants have done. Check your closets and then checkout the many great Downtown shops for all your winter needs from boots and clothing to tires for the car! If you had a chance to visit our many Downtown patios this summer, for a coffee, meal or cool beverage, please be aware that we will be moving them into storage by the end of October. So, make a date and get out to visit them before they are gone. Did you see our lovely flower urns filled with colourful mums? Thanks to St Thomas Parks, these colourful plantings bridge the gap between our lovely petunias and our soon to be installed winter plantings. So, if you need some beautiful photos, I suggest you get them soon. Need something to do on a sunny afternoon? How about taking a stroll through our Downtown to see the many new murals that are popping up. While doing so, you’ll also notice the landscaping changes being made to Canron and Hepburn Parkettes. All of these improvements and changes are focused on our goal of making Downtown St Thomas the place where you can Love Where You Shop. Visit our website at www.DowntownStThomas.ca for more information.
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S T. T H O M A S , O N TA R I O
COVID vs Influenza in St. Thomas by Steve Bond, Pharmacy Manager Yurek Pharmacy 519 Talbot Street
Currently we’re in the midst of the worst pandemic of the century and are on the verge of entering into the flu season. The good news is all the precautions and steps we are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are also beneficial in restricting the spread of influenza. How prevalent is influenza in our region? Last influenza season, we had a total of 174,447 cases of influenza in the province and 1,330 cases in the Southwestern Public Health Region. In comparison, we have experienced 75,221 cases of COVID-19 in Ontario and 265 cases in our region (as of Sept 28th, 2020). This shows that locally, our region had 0.7% of influenza cases but only 0.3% of COVID-19 cases in the entire province. To put it another way, we have 1 case of COVID-19 in our region for every 836 people, but provincially that number is 1 in 20. A number of reasons might explain this trend. First of all, vigilance in our region with physical distancing, mask wearing, and restricted gatherings may be a contributing factor. Our less dense population compared to areas like the GTA and Ottawa could also be an advantage. Whatever the reason(s), we need to be highly vigilant to make sure we keep our
numbers low, especially as we enter cold and flu season. Steps that have been taken to flatten the curve of transmission of COVID-19 will also hopefully help lower the rate of influenza. Both are contagious respiratory conditions and are spread in similar ways — through respiratory droplets particularly between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters). For years, health officials
have warned about the flu — suggesting washing your hands, staying home when you are sick, and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. This often seemed to be ignored or downplayed. Following steps to reduce COVID-19 in theory should reduce the spread of cold and flu. There is one more step you can take to reduce the spread of influenza: get a shot! While non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for COVID should still be followed, the influenza vaccination can further reduce the spread and can limit symptoms in those who do get infected. Stay safe. Stay vigilant and as always, take care of yourselves and each other.
Those Who Create the Vibe
A Sports Bar and Pub That Lives up to its Name A great place to catch the game or catch up with a pal, Legends Tavern is a restaurant in the Downtown that provides a welcoming environment for everyone.
Owner, Andy Lerikos, has always been in the restaurant business and had an opportunity over 20 years ago to move into the building. “A friend of mine purchased the space and was looking for someone to rent, so, I’ve owned Legends alongside my brother since 1998.” The cool thing about Legends is that Andy and his family have known people from a young age who grew up and came to work at the restaurant. There are always new trends in the restaurant business and Andy stays up to date on them by going to tradeshows, reading different food service magazines and by being cognizant of clientele. “It’s important to know your own community,” says Andy, “We’re a sports pub slash bar and items like burgers and wings are popular for us.” The pandemic has also brought with it lots of online ordering for takeout. In addition to his passion for the restaurant sector, Andy’s favourite part of owning
Legends is, in fact, his customers. “To succeed, you need to be passionate and like what you’re doing,” Andy explains. For business owners in the Downtown, the Pandemic brought uncertainty and confusion. “Our community is very supportive, and our customers were patient with us while we figured out take out,” Andy remarks, “Our suppliers were also understanding, and staff was super helpful. Downtown St. Thomas is full of people who love to buy locally, which helps a lot.”
To Andy and Legends Tavern, Downtown St. Thomas means everything. “We’re blessed to be where we are and the new murals going up everywhere and being in the heart of St. Thomas is just awesome.” Make sure to enjoy Legends’ patio while the weather still permits, or, opt for their online ordering.
Fitness that Focuses on Building Confidence Are you searching for a place to work out that’s also dog friendly? Look no further than Ocean Blue Fitness at 168 Curtis in downtown St. Thomas. Here, you’ll find Emily Docs, owner and personal fitness trainer, as well as Ocean Blue’s mascot, Blu the red retriever. Ocean Blue began three years ago but moved to a Downtown building in January of this year. “It’s very new and fresh, and I decided to embark on this journey after I switched from journalism to health and fitness promotion with a little convincing
from my parents,” says Emily. Physical activity and sports have always been near and dear to her.
For U. By doing this, you’re reminded of movements you’ve forgotten about and new techniques.”
With COVID, things have been a bit tricky, but Emily says the business community has shown great support by making things safe for people as she continues to provide classes and personal training sessions. “To stay up to date on fitness trends, I like to be trained by other people,” explains Emily, “I have taken classes at the YMCA and yoga at Tru
What sets Ocean Blue apart from other fitness establishments is that programming focuses more on the person than the number on the scale. “Regardless of your body type or fitness level, when you walk through that door it’s a welcoming environment,” Emily expresses, “Here, we want to build your strength and confidence, so we don’t even have a scale in the studio.” When speaking about her business, Emily’s focus is on the community and her clients. “My favourite part about Ocean Blue is the connections I’ve made with people and when you don’t see them for a while, it’s almost like not seeing a family member; it’s weird and you miss them.” If you’re looking to book a class, check out Ocean Blue Fitness on Instagram, Facebook or the website.
Art and Soul Artistic Vibes in the Downtown Economic Development and Railway City Tourism has added colourful surroundings and a sense of community. At 930 Talbot Street on the Century Sound building, you’ll find ‘Strange Adventures,’ a mural complete with Rachel McAdams, Joe Thornton, a police badge, Thomas the tank engine and Morty. This piece illustrates the array of experiences and eclectic atmosphere that our Downtown possesses.
One thing St. Thomas isn’t is boring. There is so much to explore, so many shops to visit, and beautiful murals are
Caps Off Brewing Co Address:168 Curtis St, Unit C Hours: Wed 2-6 pm Thurs 2-8 pm Fri & Sat 12-10
continuing to be added to the downtown. The ongoing ‘Track to the Future,’ mural project in collaboration with St. Thomas
Created by artists Enjoy Denial and Kate Isley, this colourful piece is worth the visit!
Tenacious couple Rick and Fran, pride themselves in brewing their beers with many local and highquality ingredients. From brewing beer in the garage to now having their own establishment, you can feel the atmosphere of community they have created in their tap room. You can also purchase their products to enjoy at home. Cheers!
“Made in St. Thomas” is a monthly feature that highlights locally produced products
Editor Wanted
From the Editor’s Desk by Kenzie Bonnett Hi folks, Welcome to October! The trees have changed, the weather is cooler, and this edition of The Downtown Vibe is filled with new and exciting content. I am so glad to hear that our city is taking every precaution to keep everyone
safe. We, the creators of The Downtown Vibe, adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states the spreading of the virus is unlikely on surfaces. Make sure to email me (kenzie.bonnett@ rogers.com) if you’d like a PDF copy of The Vibe emailed to you. May your October be filled with positivity!
We’re looking for an Editor for The Downtown Vibe. If you’re interested, please send your resume to: kenzie.bonnett@rogers.com.
Advertising in The Downtown Vibe If you’re interested in 8,000+ people seeing your ad, please contact kenzie.bonnett@rogers.com.
Art and Soul Truly Divine Architecture One of Talbot Street’s architectural staples is the Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church. Constructed between 1911 and 1912, the Romanesque building is made of quarried limestone, constructed with buttressed walls, heavily arched doorways and windows, with a raised foundation with twin towers. The interior design of the church also reflects the exterior design with a marble alter, Stations of the Cross and one set of pews with kneelers. The history of the beautiful stone church is vast as it is the third church to sit on
stained-glass window in the front was reported to have won first place at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 and was purchased for this church. And, the church bell that’s mounted in the parking lot was the same bell used by the Catholic Church in Port Stanley.
the south side of the property, and it cost about $72,000 to build. The property has been used by the Catholic Church since 1831 and is even responsible for the establishment of churches in Aylmer, Fingal, London, and West Lorne. The
If you’re looking to learn about buildings that have contributed to the rich history of Downtown St. Thomas, look no further than the Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church on 502 Talbot Street. Holy Angels is also again holding mass. Visit their website to find out how to register and attend: https:// elginrcparishes.ca.
Rail City Vibrations Live, local and obsessed with St. Thomas and Elgin County, all day long, 94.1 myFM is our reliable source for news, weather, sports, community events and the best music mix. Their enthusiastic and hardworking team (behind and in front of the scenes) is located Downtown! In fact, you often see their vehicle driving around the City, covering local events. If you would like to submit a community event or to find out about local news, visit their website: www.stthomastoday.ca.
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Produced by St. Thomas Downtown Development Board — downtownstthomas.ca