🏗️ Audition Time + Big Building News in St. John’s!

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living —the local newsletter that’s as thrilling as getting the whole row to yourself on the plane.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Cherry Blossoms discontinued 🍫

• Great Canadian Baking Show holding auditions 🎂

• 10-storey apartment building one step closer 🏢

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🍫 Cherry Blossoms Headed to the Chocolate Graveyard

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’re soon gonna miss ‘em. Hersey announced this past week that Cherry Blossoms will be going away early this year. The 100+ year-old treat hasn’t changed much in all that time, including the packaging. Christmas stockings just won’t be the same next year.

🎂 Calling All Bakers

The most comforting baking competition show on TV is back for another season. The Great Canadian Baking Show will be holding open-call auditions here in St. John’s on February 1st. The application is pretty extensive so prep your best baked goods and get your camera ready!

🏢 One Step Closer to New Apartments

The 10-storey apartment building first proposed in 2023 is one step closer to being able to break ground. Last week city council approved rezoning that would allow the building to be built on the location of the former Max Fitness on New Cove Road. The next step is a public hearing on February 12th.

Local Business

• This one slipped by us but St. John’s has lost another local restaurant. The Salt House shut its doors recently without fanfare.

• Tempus is a newly launched business featuring chef Jeremy Charles that creates at-home culinary experiences featuring Newfoundland seafood. Shipping to the mainland U.S., think of it like gourmet HelloFresh.

• Sunflower Design rebrands to Paradise Brand Club to better encompass their full range of services.

• Bernard Stanley CBS has rebranded to Vera’s Diner. Operating in the same location, they’ve given the restaurant a bit of a makeover to match the new brand. Get ready for Nan’s home cooking and great milkshakes.

• New Evolution Wrestling finds a new home at Magic Storm Events. Expect to see one or two exciting wrestling shows a month at the O’Leary Ave venue.

• NewfoundSAND is moving into a temporary facility and will soon be able to transform all your recyclable glass. The location is still TBA.

• CDH will be closing its doors at 110 Water Street on January 31st. All stock is currently 50% off.

• After changing their business model from shop to studio, Lori & Co is now moving locations. When and where is still TBA.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

🍺 Experience a guided tasting of 4 beers with Landwash’s Head Brewer followed by a tour of the brewery. Perfect for beer lovers.

🏺 Ever wanted to be Demi Moore in Ghost? Get your pottery on with the Adult Beginner Pottery Wheel class from Clay Cafe.

🪕 Come down to St. John’s longest-running music event and enjoy Folk Night at The Ship with Jenina MacGillivray and support the Folk Arts Society.

Thursday

🎶 We can think of no better person to embody Sting in NL. The NSO’s Winter Pops will feature Jodee Richardson and the music of Sting and the Police. Friday and Saturday are sold out but there are still tickets available for tonight.

🎶 In the mood for jazz? Join Heidi Burns for a Jazz Jam at Theatre Hill Cafe. Bring your instruments and join in!

📖 Marian Frances White will be doing a reading from her new book, In Her Glory at The Rooms followed by a conversation and Q&A.

Friday

🎶 Country artist and CBS native Justin Fancy will be strumming his way into your hearts at Ninepenny Brewing tonight.

🎱 Ready to relive the iconic sounds of the 2000s to 2010s? Join Funtasy NL for 2000’s Music Bingo at Postmaster’s Bakery.

💃 Get your dancing shoes ready! Transport yourself to the Dominican Republic with a free adults-only Bachata dance workshop and learn some basic solo footwork.

Saturday

🛍️ The Mom Market makes its return to the Avalon Mall this weekend. Shop your favourite local vendors without worrying about the weather. And the best part? This is going to be a monthly market until the fall!

💃 Ever wanted to give salsa a try? No, not Tostitos. Swing by the Beginner Salsa Dance Class at the A.C. Hunter Library today.

🥅 St. John’s Senior Caps take on the Outer Cove Marines at the Mary Brown’s Center. Puck drops at 7:00pm.

🎶 If you enjoy the music of John Prine & Jim Croce, drop by The Black Sheep for the early show with Noah Thomas as he does an acoustic tribute to these two songwriters.

Sunday

☕ Join Marjorie Doyle and Willow Kean in conversation with Angela Antle at Coast Lines and Coffee at the Emera Innovation Centre. Celebrate the NL literary landscape and maybe get a book signed.

🧶 Have you ever seen those big, chunky knit blankets and wonder what size needles were used? Learn how to hand knit your own blanket with Get Messy NL.

🐝 Do you enjoy attempting to spell words in front of other people while a grown man dressed in a bee costume makes subtle jokes about your inability to spell? The Drunken Spelling Bee at the Newfoundland Embassy is happening tonight!

🎥 Hey, you guys! The Majestic Theatre is becoming the 2nd run downtown movie theatre we’ve dreamed of. Their movie series continues this weekend with The Goonies.

🎻 Celebrate the Ukrainian New Year at The Ship. Get ready to sing and dance as The Kubasonics ring in Malanka 2025.

✏️ If you know a kid who loves comic books, sign them up for this awesome 8-week workshop all about making your own comic books at the Anna Templeton Centre. Just two spots left!

🧘 Chase away stress and overwhelm with a candlelit yin yoga session accompanied by live music at Bodhi Hot Yoga. Add in some reiki and you’ll leave feeling like a whole new person.

Monday

🎨 The Clay Cafe is more than clay. This week you can make your own stained glass piece. Learn the techniques of this Tiffany-style art.

🎨 Chase away your case of the Mondays with a little paint and snacks at Magic Storm Events. This week you’ll go home with a lovely little cardinal.

🏀 If you’d like to shoot some hoops without committing to a league or not into competition? The Amal Youth & Family Centre is hosting a regular drop-in Adult Community Basketball on Mondays & Saturdays.

Tuesday

♟️ Looking for a place to play a few games with your friends or maybe even make new friends? Come down to Board Game Night at Boston Pizza.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

On the agenda for today’s Committee of the Whole meeting:

• 7 new apartment buildings being proposed for Kenmount Road. Yes, seven!

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 3 PM, 4th Floor City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading St. John’s Living today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who wears shorts in the winter. Even on days like this.