St. Jacobs streetscape

The outlet mall at the far end of the downtown in St. Jacobs has closed and reborn with a completely new use and no retail is involved. None.

Today St. Jacobs, once possibly the biggest, best known outlet mall destination for southern Ontario shop-a-holics, is settling back into its old groove: an artsy, colourful, Mennonite community: a place to buy unique products and enjoy Mennonite sausage on a bun.

Thanks to COVID-19 the main street in St. Jacobs was exceptionally quiet last Sunday. The loss of the town's two outlet malls has not helped. But the province wide shutdowns are nearing their end and with luck St. Jacobs will again be a popular, quaint destination for weekend excursions and short vacation visits.