Happy Wednesday, all! I hope everyone is having a great week, and that my fellow Canadians had a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving. My holiday weekend was lovely and filled with so many celebrations. Tania and I enjoyed two Thanksgiving meals with our families, celebrated our friends’ daughter’s first birthday, went for a beautiful autumn hike, and visited a favourite local farm of ours. Personally, I’m still recovering from all the eating! I baked the same pies I make every Thanksgiving (pumpkin and pecan) which are always crowd-pleasers, and I also made some pumpkin tarts with the leftover pie filling I had.
For those wanting the recipes, here’s the one I use for pumpkin pie, here’s the one for pecan pie, and I always use this recipe for the pie crust. They are fail-proof and have never done me wrong; they turn out beautifully every time! (My only adjustment for the pumpkin pie: I recommend reducing the amount of ginger to 1/4 tsp.) I hope that whatever you ate and however you celebrated, you had a wonderful holiday.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know there are few things I love more than a great farmers’ market. From the famous St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to the multitude of small local markets throughout Ontario, there’s nothing better than supporting local businesses and getting farm-fresh food straight from the source. On a recent day trip to Aylmer, Tania and I decided to visit a market we’d never been to before – the Old Imperial Farmers’ Market – and we loved it so much that I wanted to share it with you all!
The Old Imperial Farmers’ Market is a year-round indoor market that connects local farmers, food producers, craftspeople, artisans and other vendors with the local community. The market is located in a 1940s-era building that was formerly the home of Imperial Tobacco, once a major employer in Elgin County. In 2007, the company moved production to Mexico, resulting in the loss of 600 jobs. The million-square-foot factory remained vacant until 2010, when a group of local businessmen pooled their money and purchased the building. Their goal was to revitalize the local economy and bring jobs back to the community… and they did just that! The space was reborn as the Elgin Innovation Centre, an industrial mall that now houses over 30 businesses and employs nearly 500 people.
Last summer, Elgin Innovation Centre founder Jack Baribeau partnered with Aylmer resident Terry Dueck to open the Old Imperial Farmers’ Market in one of the mall’s last remaining vacant spaces. It’s been a great success, and it’s easy to see why: I can’t think of a better way to support the local economy, provide a space for small businesses to thrive, and foster connections within the community.
The Old Imperial Farmers’ Market is home to just under 50 vendors. At 19,000 square feet, I think it’s the perfect size for a market. It’s less crowded and overwhelming than the bustling St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, so the experience is a lot more relaxing (plus: no waiting in hour-long lineups for apple fritters!) On the other hand, there’s such a diverse variety of vendors that you could easily spend a few hours exploring everything the market has to offer.
If you love handcrafted, locally made products as much as I do, you’ll have a ton of fun browsing the different stalls at the market! The craftsmanship on display is so creative and inspiring. Check out these adorable garden sculptures from woodworker Peter O’Donnell of Arbour Turning.
At Dezigned For U, you’ll find a charming selection of brightly coloured bird and butterfly houses. (Too cute, if only they made some that were people-sized…)
Neutral & Natural Designs sells farmhouse-style decor, hanging planters, wreaths, candles and other lovely objets. The greenery and fairy lights make this one of the prettiest booths at the market!
Barn Yard Blooms sells a beautiful selection of farm-fresh bouquets at reasonable prices.
If you’re looking to shake up your spice rack, check out Port Stanley-based company Pepper Tree Spice Co. They offer no less than 300 organic natural herbs and spices to choose from!
At KF Bees Honey, you’ll find a large selection of honeys made right on their farm in St. Thomas, along with various beeswax skincare products, from soap to hand cream. I’m always battling chapped lips (especially this time of year) so I picked up an orange and vanilla beeswax lip balm – it’s so moisturizing, and tastes good enough to eat!
Speaking of eating… I promise you won’t leave the Old Imperial Farmers’ Market hungry! There’s a ton of food vendors, from bakeries to butchers to farmers selling freshly picked produce. Mr. Amish sells Mennonite-made bacon, sausage, pepperettes, cheese curds, maple syrup and more. They’re also very generous with their samples – we had so much fun trying everything!
We couldn’t resist picking up a couple of sugar cookies from Special Occasion Cakes (I chose a Barbie-themed design, naturally.) Check out their Instagram page to see the adorable cookies you can get custom-designed for special events. I’m definitely keeping them in mind for the next birthday party, baby shower or any other event I host!
There’s a seating area towards the back of the building where visitors can sit and enjoy their treats. Parents in need of a coffee break will appreciate the large sandpit, where kids can entertain themselves while still staying close by.
Our last stop at the market was Bunkie Life. Based in Rockwood, Ontario, they’re Canada’s leading manufacturer of bunkies – you know, those pint-sized cabins you’ve probably seen in a cottage backyard or two. Consider them the original tiny homes! One summer when I was a kid, my parents rented a cottage in Bayfield, and it just so happened to have a bunkie. My childhood best friend was staying there with us, and I’m not kidding when I tell you we practically lived in that bunkie. As kids who grew up “playing house”, the chance to play it “for real” and have our very own space to hang out in was a dream come true! Bunkie Life’s models range from 99 to 160 square feet, come in easy-to-assemble kits, and can be shipped anywhere within North America. They had a two-storey model bunkie at the market for visitors to tour, so of course we had to check it out! From its sleek craftsmanship to its modern light fixtures, it’s definitely an elevated take on the classic bunkie.
We had so much fun shopping, eating and exploring our way around the Old Imperial Farmers’ Market, and we can’t wait to visit again soon! The market is located at 516 John St N, Unit 6D in Aylmer, and is open every Saturday from 8am-3pm. If you end up visiting, please let me know how you liked it and who your favourite vendors were – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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