'I love Sandwich': West end businesses invest in historic community - Action News
Home WebMail Saturday, November 23, 2024, 03:37 AM | Calgary | -11.7°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Windsor

'I love Sandwich': West end businesses invest in historic community

Windsor's oldest neighbourhood is enjoying new lease on life, say business owners in Sandwich Towne. "Sandwich is a really great area," said Luna Wang, 26, who has transformed an historic post office built more than a century ago into a hip and happening study spot. "I love this building and the neighbours."

'I think it is the best place to invest in Windsor'

Jennifer Hazelton moved from Toronto and took over Westside Foods, a grocery store on Sandwich Street. (Don McArthur/CBC)

Windsor's oldest neighbourhood is enjoyinga new lease on life, say business owners in Sandwich Towne.

"Sandwich is a really great area," said LunaWang, 26, who has transformed an historic post office built more than a century ago into a hip and happening study spot. "I love this building and the neighbours."

Luna Wang has transformed the historic Sandwich Post Office into a hip and happening cafe and study spot. (Meg Roberts/CBC News)

Wang purchased the property at the corner of Sandwich and Mill in 2014 and has watched a downtrodden Sandwich rise all around her.She caters to a steady stream of international students from the University of Windsor and residents looking for a quiet spot for a cup of tea. Business has been so brisk that she's opened a second cafe on Wyandotte closer to the university.

Luna Wang bought the historic Old Sandwich Towne post office, which was built over a hundred years ago. She has converted it into a hip study spot. (Meg Roberts/CBC News )

Across the street from Wang's Post Cafe, Jason and Nicole Sekela are putting the finishing touches on a sparkling new brewery, the result of a two-year $1-million dollar renovation project. CBC Windsor News at 6 with host Arms Bumanlag will broadcast live from that location Thursday night.

"It's been a crazy two years, a lot of sacrifice and lots of money but, in the end, we're investing in the area and we can say we built a brewery," said Nicole. "I love Sandwich and this community will continue to grow."

Nicole Sekela and her brother and co-owner Jason are poised to open the Sandwich Brewing Company next to Rock Bottom on Sandwich Street. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

Jennifer Hazeltontook a risk in Sandwich two years ago and purchased Westside Foods, a neighbourhood grocery store she has refurbished on the north side of Sandwich next to Rock Bottom.It's worlds removed from the life she left behind in Toronto and Hazelton likes it that way.

"I love it here in Windsor," she said. "I love the people."

Hazelton has been working hard to expand her business and solidify its roots in the community. She is creating partnerships with local restaurants and has introduced a number of veganand gluten-free products.

Jennifer Hazelton says there are signs all around that Sandwich is rising. (Meg Roberts/CBC News)

Hazelton bought a home in Sandwich shortly after she arrived. An investor bought it from her, renovated it and put it back on the market. That's a sign, Hazelton said, that Sandwich is rising.

"People that are coming here are people that want to work, people that support the community," she said. "I am pretty excited about the future and what is to come in Sandwich Town I think it is the best place to invest in Windsor."