Eatdrink Waterloo & Wellington #5 February/March 2019

26 | February/March 2019
eatdrink.ca |@eatdrinkmag
Sponsored By
Road Trips
I Love Paris When It Sizzles
The Charms of Paris, Ontario
By BRYAN LAVERY
Nestled in the valley where the Nith
River meets the Grand, Paris benefits
from its striking natural setting
and its rich history dating back to
1829, when the town was first settled. The wellpreserved
buildings showcase architectural
styles typical of small-town Ontario. The
nickname “The Cobblestone Capital of Canada”
pays homage to the churches and residences
built with cobblestones pulled from the rivers.
Voted “the Prettiest Little Town in Canada”
by Harrowsmith Magazine, the town’s name
originates from plaster of Paris, the product
created from the gypsum beds that lay along the
riverbed. Paris is the place to explore on a road
trip or a weekend getaway.
In the late 1800s the textile industry emerged
as a key employer and economic force, driven
by businesses such as Penman Manufacturing
Company, which by 1880 operated three knitting
mills in Paris.
The Paris Wincey Mills Co. is the historic textile
mill located in the downtown area, dating back to
1889. (Wincey is not a surname, but a term used
to describe a type of cloth.) The mill’s century-old
hardwood floors have been rejuvenated, and the
multi-paned windows uncovered and restored
to allow access to natural light. The revitalized
main floor is a well-designed space, reflective of
Paris, Ontario
Paris, Ontario has a historic tradition of textile
production. Today, the Wincey Mills Co. building has
been restored to house retail and food businesses open
to the public, as well as upper-floors office space.
its heritage, and showcases quality retailers in
an indoor market hall setting.
Blue Dog Coffee Roasters and
Café and Tipperary Bog Fine
Cheese and Gourmet Shop are
open from Monday to Saturday.
From Thursday to Saturday, the
market features vendors like
butcher Anthony Ferras’ Link
Street Sausage House, Jiggs-n-
Reels Seafood Shop, Florcita’s
Classic Latin Foods, Sugar and
Spice Bakery, Gourmet Popcorn
and The Grilled Cheese Effect. A
well-appointed, fully-equipped
test kitchen was built with