Week of November 6-12, 2024

Good morning, St. John’s. This is St. John’s Living. We’re like your favourite wine – smooth, well-balanced, and pairs well with breakfast.

In this week’s St. John’s Living:

• Light It Up for Jake 🎄

• Christmas Markets & Sales 🛍

• Business Openings, Closings, and Pivots 🍕

Let’s get into it…

Digest

🎄Light It Up for Jake

Our community rallied around Jacob Anstey, a young boy who suffered severe brain damage after a cardiac arrest in January, through his recovery journey. When he needed accessible transit after coming home local community businesses Get Messy NL and Bursey’s Bus Service stepped up. Now the community is coming together again to support Jake’s family after he passed away this weekend. His mother is asking everyone to get your Christmas lights out once more and light it up for Jake.

🛍Christmas Markets & Deals

The Christmas market season kicks off with Christmas at the Glacier in October and it really kicks into high gear after Halloween. Two of the big players this upcoming weekend include Milestone Promotions’ Winter Wonderland and the Craft Council’s 50th anniversary craft fair.

Winter Wonderland will feature over 80 vendors in three rooms at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road. It runs from November 9th-11th and admission is $5/adult.

Meanwhile at the Jack Byrne Arena from November 7th-10th you can celebrate 50 years of artisan crafts and check folks off your Christmas list. Shop from over 100 juried craft producers and artists. You'll find high-quality artistry and unique handmade items from makers across the province. Admission is $5/adult.

This really is a shoppers’ weekend. Beyond the markets there are deals to be found at Avalon Mall with their annual pre-Christmas event, which is getting a bit of a rebrand this year. Goodbye 20% Event, hello Big Percent Event. This year it will take place November 8th & 9th. Scope out the deals in advance and plan your shop.

 🍕Local Business News

The biggest shocker in local business news this week is the announcement from The Nook and Cannery that they will be closing on December 23rd after their annual Tibbs Eve Times. The restaurant industry is not for the faint of heart and we hate to see another beloved business close.

Boca, the Spanish tapas restaurant, has now pivoted and rebranded as Grotto Restaurant & Bar. New menu, new concept, new interior design, same owners. They’re keeping the details under wraps for now but should be reopening in the next week. We’ll be sure to give you the scope when they do.

The Seed Company have completed their move to the former Moo Moo’s location on King’s Road. Did they keep the iconic cow print paint job (we hear cow print is trendy this season)...you’ll have to drop by to find out. And pick up a new plant friend while you’re there.

In other local business quick hits:

• 🎂 CakeyHand just opened their 3rd location at the Avalon Mall. So now you can get yourself a delicious treat along with deals this weekend.

• 🍔 Five Guys will be opening in Galway. The sign is up and we’ve heard you can get yourself some bag fries there before Christmas.

• 🦆 Mallard Cottage has closed for winter. A bit of an unusual move after introducing a new menu just a week earlier but we hope to see them back in spring.

• 🍕Taglio Pizza launches Roman-style slices out of the Postmaster’s Bakery. Whether you're craving a mid-week treat or a weekend pizza party, they’ve got you covered Wednesday to Saturday 4pm-10pm.

• 🏆 Nominees have been announced for the annual St. John’s Board of Trade Business Awards. Congrats to all nominees! The sold out gala will be held on November 21st.

What’s Happening

Wednesday

🎶 Sawyer Brown will be celebrating 40 years of music at the Mary Brown Centre with special guest Charlie Major. Known for their high-energy shows and enduring fan dedication, Sawyer Brown promises a night of iconic hits alongside Major’s chart-topping classics.

Work in Progress: The Improv Game Show is happening at Erin’s Pub at 7pm. Join in for a fun, pay-what-you-can improv night hosted by Gwyn Rumbolt and Myles Russell, where all levels are welcome to laugh, learn, and play in a supportive environment!

Thursday

The annual Craft Council Craft Fair kicks off at the Jack Byrne Arena, running until Sunday.

Cue The Music is an improvised musical game show where the players and musician try to create a never before (and never again!) seen musical from a series of short prompts provided by the Host. Watch the hilarity ensue at Theatre Hill cafe starting at 7:30pm.

Friday

Save big at Avalon Mall this weekend with their newly rebranded Big Percent Event. Shop deals Friday and Saturday.

Drag Idol 2024, St. John’s legendary drag competition is happening at Velvet Club & Lounge, where the audience decides who will take the crown! Doors open at 9 pm, the show starts at 10 pm, and it’s open to all who love to perform in drag.

The Kubasonics are a Ukrainian-Canadian speed-folk band and they’ll be warming up for their Brazilian tour with a one-night only show at The Ship. Tickets are $15 at the door - show starts at 9:30pm.

Saturday

Seraka Dance Company presents Synthesis: Noir, an evening of non-traditional dance inspired by film noir, femme fatales, and silky jazz at Bannerman Brewing, featuring solos, duets, and group pieces by Seraka Dance Co, as well as special guests.

The Mom Market takes over the Murray’s Garden Centre greenhouse with their premium, unique and fun market platform that showcases local small businesses of all kinds. If you’re a mom who loves to shop and support your local communities, this is your spot.

💿Dave Whitty launches his 4th album, ‘Long Way to Go’, with a full-band release party at The Ship. Tickets available online.

Nora de Mariaffi & Easy Keeper are opening their new space in Downtown St. John’s at 177 Water Street from 12-5PM. Drop by and shop handmade clothing and accessories or get your hair trimmed. We love a unique joint-venture.

🥅The St. John’s Senior Caps take on the Conception Bay Blues at the Mary Brown’s Center with face-off at 7:00pm.

Sunday

🐐This just might be the cutest yoga class you take all year. Goat yoga in support of the SPCA is happening at Pet Zone on O’Leary Ave at noon.

Have a Newfoundland dog? Want to meet other similar pet owners? Join the Newf Walk in Bowring Park at Bowring Park. Meet in the parking lot across from the dog park and enjoy all the adorable floof.

Monday

This Remembrance Day, there will be a rolling road closure from 10:00am – 10:45am on Queens Road, East on Duckworth Street, south on Cochrane Street, and west on Water Street. Followed by a march from the War Memorial, along Water Street and south on Ayre’s Cove. This portion of Water Street will be closed from 10:00am – 12:30pm. 

In the afternoon, join The Rooms for an interpretive guided tour of Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou exhibition to find out about the impacts of the First World War on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and how events overseas dramatically altered our lives at home. Tours are offered at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm starting outside the level 2 museum gallery.

Tuesday

Think you’ve got what it takes to win? Jump into Trivia Night Quidi Vidi Brewing in support of the MUN Education (Primary/Elementary) Second Degree Class of 2026. Questions and answers kick off at 7pm.

Municipal News

⚖️City Council Meeting

Tune into your local news outlets to find out who the new councillor will be for Ward 3. And if you live in the ward, don’t forget to get your vote counted. You can drop off your ballot outside City Hall or at the Village Mall today until 8pm.

Thanks!

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