Lifestyle_NovDec2023_Final _Online

A warm welcome
in the Village
“I know almost all my customers by name.
At the end, we are friends.”
From festive to
reflective
“It’s a happy place to be, full
of Christmas joy.
As winter starts to settle in, the best way to deal with
the dark and cold may be a bit of summer’s bounty. Freshly
roasted nuts, dried fruits, baklava dripping with honey and
spanakopita oozing spinach and feta evoke Greek sunshine.
Anna Arsenis adds a warm welcome.
“It’s a very welcoming store,” she says. “We love our
customers. We try to help them. It’s personal. I know almost
all my customers by name. At the end, we are friends.”
In the heart of Wortley Village, Karpos Dry Fruit and
Nuts offers a wide range of nuts, roasted on site, for
snacking or baking: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews,
Brazil nuts, pistachios and peanuts. Pumpkin and sunflower
seeds and roasted chickpeas are also available. “I
try to bring in the highest quality product. I try to bring in
healthy things.”
Born in Canada, raised in Greece, Arsenis makes baklava
and spanakopita, cookies and sesame bars, as well as
meals twice a week. She caters for groups up to 20.
She serves Greek style ‘frappe,’ an iced coffee specialty
from Thessaloniki where she and her late husband lived.
One of the popular Greek dishes, spanakopita, is always
available to bake and serve at home. Stuffed grape leaves;
peppers stuffed with beef and rice; pasticcio; chicken or
beef soup; and salads are some of the dishes Arsenis has
ready to pick up on Tuesdays and Fridays. “If you are gathering
at home and want something different and homemade,
we make it from scratch,” says Arsenis.
For the holidays, it’s possible to find everything to entertain
in Mediterranean style or gifts for the foodies on your
list. Custom gift baskets are popular.
Whether you want to visit with Mrs. Claus and Santa,
find some modern, elegant and trendy holiday décor, learn
how to create your own urn arrangement or simply wander
through the sea of poinsettias, Canadale Nurseries offers a
festive fun experience.
“People come here to relax and soak up some Christmas
spirit,” says Kate Holt, one of the Intven family that has
owned the nursery since establishing it in 1965. “There is
so much to see and do. It’s festive and cheerful. It may be
cold outside but there’s a warm feeling in the greenhouse.
We have décor and gifts; it’s a fun place to visit.”
Weekends in November are filled with activities and
workshops, which include learning how to create wreaths,
urns and door arrangements, as well as children’s crafts.
“One of the most popular events is brunch or lunch
with Santa and Mrs. Claus,” says Holt. “There is lots of
facetime with them, activities and opportunities to take
photos. We have the best Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
Canadale offers holiday décor. Traditional green and
red are most popular, and this year the trend is black. “We
have a little of everything. We try to be a one-stop shopping
experience,” Holt adds.
Poinsettias reign as most popular plant, but Christmas
cacti, Norfolk pine and frosty ferns are available, as well
as tropicals and houseplants.
Holt says winter can be long and dark, and the greenhouse
is a place to relax, smell the plants, see the colours
and take a mental health break. “It’s a happy place to be,
full of Christmas joy. Come visit us and let us be part of
your Christmas plans.”
KARPOS DRY NUTS AND FRUITS
190 Wortley Road
www.karposdrynutsandfruits.ca • 519-672-5200
CANADALE NURSERIES
269 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
www.canadale.ca • 519-631-7264