Downtown Hespeler

[Porter Nines]

Hi Everyone - in the spirit of supporting local businesses I thought I'd share some gems in downtown Hespeler. THey are all located right on Queen just around the corner from us!

"Indulge" - fabulous ice cream shop - serve frozen yogurt made with fresh fruit. We went last night and took a nice little stroll down to the river while we were eating.

"Java Garden" - Fine desserts place that just opened, run by the most lovely couple. Everything in the store is home made (with the exception of the chocolate cake and brownie which they admitted they couldn't replicate the delicous factor). Great teas and soon to be sandwiches

"Village Spa on the River" - OKAY - if you have coverage through work for RMT services this place is for you! They have an RMT and some of the services that she provides that are apparently COVERED through drug plans are - get this ladies - BODY POLISH, HOT STONE THERAPY & INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE!!!! Sweet Heaven.

I was also told on our little adventure downtown last night that there is apparently a Tapas bar opening soon on the corner of Guelph ave and Queen street which will be licensed and open from 5pm to midnight daily!

Just thought I'd share and give these folks a plug. I'd like to think that if I had a small business someone would do the same for me :)

[K.C.]

Hey Nicola, don't forget Ott's Garage just down the street from there. We had some work done on one of our cars and Dave said they're MUCH cheaper than anywhere in the GTA. Of course like everything in this town they close super early.

There's also Ali's Barber shop. Dave's been there. It's cheap but Dave likes to support the locals. He says it's run by a nice Jamaican guy.

There's another barber shop across the street that caters mostly to older people and the city is trying to ban parking on that side of the street which is going to really mess up that guy's business. Old people don't like to cross a busy street. He's got a petition for you to sign when you go there.

I've been to the spa ... it's very nice. They could use our business. Since there's nowhere to park it's hard for them to get customers with such a short time limit for parking. We can walk there!

Dave and I walked down to Scoopen for ice cream. Try the banana fudge ... yummy. It would be awesome if they could build a bridge to take us over to the Pond without having to go around. Dave's always trying to get me to go for walks with him. I said I'm only going to walk there if there's food at the other end.

I'll have to try the Java Garden soon.

[justmed]

what about the Cats Meow?

[K.C.]

what about the Cats Meow?

What exactly is the Cat's Meow? I don't think I've seen it.

[justmed]

Its what looks like this dive of a place, almost boarded up (white building)
if you turn left at Queen and Guelph coming from the development you cant miss it.

i thought it was abandoned but I saw a guy going in with flowers the other day.

:eek:

[A&T]

My husband and want to support our local shops so we decided to give Grahams & Son's interiors a call regarding purchasing our patio stutters. They are located right on Queen St and Guelph Ave. The owner (Wayne) was very accommodating and came to our home to suggest a few options for window coverings. God knows we have a lot of windows to cover ...lol. There was no pressure. What I liked most about him was that he said, " you have a lot of windows to cover don't feel pressure to cover them all right now. Spend the money on the windows you need to cover first and then you can slowing add on as your budget allows". He said he was willing to come out as often as we needed him to. We wanted to pay for good quality window coverings for the main floor with out braking the bank. They offer a wide variety of products from shutters to blinds (faux and roman), draperies to hardwood etc. The price we were quoted to cover the patio doors plus the two small side windows was still one hundred dollars less than COVERS quoted us for just the patio doors. For us it was worth it. I would suggest you give our local guys a shout.
A&T

[baldwinCoronation]

My favorite on the block is by far the Grub Hub. There wraps are so fresh and delicious. I work on Queen so we go there for lunch alot. Its the same owner as Indulge(the ice cream shop). Also, there is 2 hour free parking next to Ernies(corner queen and guelph).

[gagnon777]

BE DESIGN right at Guelph Ave & Queen is a great little place.
She refurnishes pieces and make them look pretty cool. We're bought a few items from there. Super nice people.

[K.C.]

"Java Garden" - Fine desserts place that just opened, run by the most lovely couple. Everything in the store is home made (with the exception of the chocolate cake and brownie which they admitted they couldn't replicate the delicous factor). Great teas and soon to be sandwiches

I went to the Java Garden. Great place to hang out with your girlfriends or boyfriends. :D Nice relaxing environment. I had a raspberry shake ... very natural and yummy. They said they'll have 4 different very unique sandwiches by the end of the month.

They don't open until 9AM ... parking on the street isn't allowed until then. Although one of the signs said 8AM but most said 9AM.

[Claudia]

we ate last Friday at Ernie's Roadhouse
beer was cold
wings were good
pasta was amazing
philly steak was awesome

service....leaves a little to be desired.......but we will go back
and they deliver anything off their menu free in Hespler

[Claudia]

we went again last weekend after a day of plumbers, electricians and gas fitters.....my son had the pizza...it was excellent and I had the souvloki,,,,,it was great and hubby had the snitzel...he loved it

[devas]

what about the Cats Meow?

I'm a Hespelerite from way back (have lived here for almost 30 years!). The Cat's Meow used to be a dive bar, originally called The 5 Star. The bar is closed, but there are apartments in the top of the building.

My favourite places in Hespeler - The Grub Hub and Indulge (mmm ice cream on freshly made waffle cones!), The Pet Emporium, and the library. If you like walks, there are paths on both sides of the river that are pretty scenic. The Johnson's Centre has swimming and fitness classes.
Hespeler is definitely the best part of Cambridge!