An Insider's Guide to Waterloo Region

At the Crossroads is located at the south end of Elmira. This popular country style buffet also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options from a menu . The Mercantile has a large selection of items for sale including home and garden decor, giftware, cards and an attractive quilting shop.

384 Arthur Street South Elmira, Ontario, Canada   (map)

(photo provided by Miroki Tong)

A practical holiday gift idea! St. Jacobs Tea Company is offering custom and preset gift packages of tea for Christmas. You can place your order until December 18th, either at visiting the shop at The St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market (open Thursdays and Saturdays), or by ordering online on their website. They have a wide selection of oolong, green, black, rooibos, white, and herbal teas.

I used to go to Vincenzo’s often when I worked from an office in Waterloo. Now that my workplace is near the border of Kitchener and Cambridge, it is not convenient to stop by the store on the way home. I finally shopped at their new location this week and was not disappointed by the variety and excellent quality of products sold. Vincenzo’s website is under construction but is functional.

Location: 150 Caroline Street South Waterloo, Ontario Canada, N2L OA5 (map)

Hours: M-F 9am-8pm Sat 8am-6pm Closed Sundays

I am more of a nature trail person than a shopping mall person, but we did stop at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener last evening around dusk. The full moon was rising over the busy commercial district along Fairway Road. And I enjoyed the beauty of nature at a mall on a late summer evening.