While it is not our practice to review restaurants or welcome new businesses to town in this column, we would like to do it this time – for some sentimental reasons. After months of renovations at 180 St. Andrew Street East in Fergus, a new café and inn is now open.
It seems a short time ago that we moved to 905 Gartshore Street from the old house downtown that had been home base for 22 years or so. Between that house and the old warehouse now removed from across the street we did quite a bit of business.
When Janette Feniak phoned to ask if our staff would like a little special get together to see all the changes we happily agreed. Reina Todd was going to prepare some goodies to eat, and the coffee was on. We thought it pretty classy to be invited and we know our staff enjoyed dropping in.
The improvements and changes have been immense. Part of the décor includes a series of photographs chronicling the progress of workers as the old office turned into a fine café. We won’t spoil any of those surprises, and suggest people attend themselves to see some of the other finds during construction.
Apart from all the work that has been done, it is only fitting that the new proprietors be congratulated on keeping a part of downtown Fergus history alive.
There was more than one potential purchaser who lamented the pending demise of the structure if they bought it. Luckily, Janette and Reina made the bold move of improving and modernizing the building without sacrificing its heritage.
We wish them the best of luck and thank them for restoring an old property and saving a piece of heritage.
