PHOTOSPREAD: DOWNTOWN SPOTLIGHT

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DOWNTOWN SPOTLIGHT:

GUELPH’S ‘WOOLWICH VILLAGE’

PREAMBLE & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

THERE’S A CORNER OF DOWNTOWN GUELPH – WHERE WOOLWICH, SUFFOLK, AND YARMOUTH STREETS CONVERGE – THAT, IN RECENT MONTHS, HAS BECOME A HOTBED FOR SHOPPING, EATING, DRINKING, AND COMMUNITY-MAKING. AFFECTIONATELY (AND PERHAPS SOON-TO-BE OFFICIALLY) KNOWN AS ‘WOOLWICH VILLAGE’, THIS SLICE OF THE CORE IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION AS A SANCTUARY OF GOOD VIBES NOT JUST FROM ROYAL CITY RESIDENTS BUT ALSO FROM FOLKS ACROSS THE REGION AND BEYOND.

ANCHORED BY THE WOOLY PUB (A FAVOURITE WATERING HOLE THAT EMPHASIZES CRAFT BEER, LOCAL INGREDIENTS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SPLENDID PATIO EXPERIENCES) AND DOTTED WITH SUCH DESTINATIONS AS BLOOMS & FLORA, THE SAGE SOAP COMPANY, SUNDAY GENERAL STORE, MODERN ADDICTION TATTOOS, REVERIE STUDIO, OUTPOST VINTAGE AND MORE, WOOLWICH VILLAGE BECKONS, PROMISING TO BECOME AN ESSENTIAL STOP ON ANY DOWNTOWN DAY TRIP.

AND THESE DOG DAYS ARE THE PERFECT TIME TO CHECK OUT THE VILLAGE. START OR FINISH YOUR VISIT AT THE WOOLY (OR BAKER STREET STATION – A TERRIFIC GASTROPUB AND CRAFT BEER EMPORIUM LOCATED JUST A FEW YARDS FURTHER AFIELD). GRAB AN AMERICANO AT SUNDAY GENERAL ALONG THE WAY. OH – AND MAYBE BRING A FRIEND OR THREE. BECAUSE YOU MIGHT VERY WELL NEED SOME EXTRA SETS OF HANDS TO HELP CARRY HOME YOUR DIVERSE AND DELECTABLE GLEANINGS.

AND ONE MORE THING: WOOLWICH VILLAGE IS HOME TO PERIODIC OUTDOOR MARKETS – HELD ON THE QUASI-PIAZZA THAT WRAPS AROUND THE YARMOUTH AND SUFFOLK STREET SHOPS. THE MKT MKT FACEBOOK PAGE CAN KEEP YOU CLUED IN.

IN THE MEANTIME, PERUSE THESE NEXT FEW PAGES FEATURING A FEW OF THE WOOLWICH VILLAGE BUSINESS OWNERS YOU MIGHT JUST GET TO KNOW.

THEY’LL BE READY WHEN YOU ARE.

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CARLY KLASSEN

THE SAGE SOAP COMPANY 88 YARMOUTH ST, GUELPH @THESAGESOAPCOMPANY • locally-made bath & body products • crafted w/ locally-sourced, plant-based essential oils • clothing pop-ups & markets

IRIS DORTON

BLUE IRIS STUDIOS 179 WOOLWICH ST, GUELPH @BLUEIRISGUELPH • finely-crafted, locally-made pottery • dinnerware, charcuterie trays, mugs & more • retail space & studio

JULIE BARIBEAU

REVERIE 11B SUFFOLK ST E, GUELPH @REVERIETHESTUDIO • gender-affirming hair studio • razor cuts, shags & low maintenance hair • promoting slow hair – no tips, full attention, total enjoyment

TAMARA HUESTIS

SPA WELLNESS BY TAMARA 23 SUFFOLK ST E, GUELPH @SPAWELLNESSBYTAMARA

• full spa services • holistic practitioner in reflexology • all-Ontario product lines

ROBYN MAUDE

BLOOMS + FLORA -182 WOOLWICH ST SUNDAY GENERAL STORE - 11C SUFFOLK ST E @BLOOMSANDFLORA @SUNDAYGENERALSTORE • Blooms + Flora: a fantastic flower & botanical gift shop • Sunday General Store: all about quality goods & quality coffee • both businesses: exquisitely-beautiful and meticulously-curated experiences