Hespeler Village
CambridgeIntroduction
Beautifully cosy and historically significant, the Hespeler Village area of Cambridge is bounded by Hespeler Road, Blackbridge Road, Townline Road and the Jamieson Parkway. Approximately equidistant to Kitchener/Waterloo, Guelph and greater Cambridge (Galt), it is an oasis of quaintness, neatly tucked just behind the big box stores and strip mall amenities that serve the 500,000 other residents of the Golden Triangle.
Lifestyle
Not the sleepy town it appears to be, Hespeler Village is characterized by a civic-minded population with a real mix of values, from the traditional (churches abound) to the esoteric (massage therapists, acupuncturists and holistic nutritionists aplenty). Children of all ages play in the streets, and it’s definitely more of a family atmosphere than a singles scene. This is a neighbourhood on the move, outdoors oriented and eagerly embracing change.
The Vibe
This is laid-back, family-oriented community loves the outdoors and shows pride in the homes and gardens. Active professionals jog or cycle along the Speed River, and congregate on weekends and evenings in the bistros of the rapidly gentrifying main drag, Queen Street. New businesses, following the growth of several new condo developments, are bringing everything from alternative medicine to high-end modern bridal wear to the area.
Meet the Neighbours
With origins as a mill town, Hespeler Village is a healthy mix of working class and younger professionals, some with families. It’s a welcoming community to people from a variety of cultures, much like the rest of Cambridge. A number of alternative health care practitioners provide a range of services, and locals cite the many art events as evidence that this traditionally blue-collar area is changing.
In the Area
While housing is affordable, and big box stores and outlet malls are less than a kilometre away, the Queen Street strip readies itself for an influx of new condo owners in the next few years, with a more upscale feel and price scale. Restaurants are slightly pricier than those along Hespeler Road, but considering the quality and diversity of the dishes, they’re still a bargain compared to bigger city prices.
9 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Located minutes from Hwy. 401, Hespeler Village is ideal for commuters heading east to Toronto or west to London. Hwy. 24 runs south to Brantford and Lake Erie; the same road, under various names, extends north as far as Collingwood. GO Transit operates buses to and from Toronto. Within the community, bus services link the village to Cambridge and Waterloo, while locals praise its walkability and well-maintained bike paths.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Hespeler Village is home to several public and separate elementary schools, as well as Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, named after the town’s founder. The busy downtown area features a beautifully renovated early 1922 Carnegie library building, expanded and housed in a modern glass facade. Forbes Park offers tennis courts, playing fields, a splash pad and greenspaces, and Jacob’s Landing park near several decommissioned mills is a popular picnic and photography spot.
Dollars & Sense
While newcomers cite affordable housing compared to nearby cities such as Guelph, they are less enthusiastic about some of the seedier aspects that remain on the fringes of the central village, which have not yet been touched by the gentrification process. However, most see it as a community on the verge of greatness, and praise the efforts of local residents and businesses to turn around the blue-collar image.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Monty’s On Queen
Owners Brent Sills and Stefany Kawka moved this gorgeous tapas restaurant and wine bar from a 30-seat venue in 2013 to its current exposed limestone 100-plus seater.
more infoForbes Park
Located behind the Old Town Hall, now the Hespeler Heritage Centre, Forbes Park is a recreational wonderland of picnic shelters, playgrounds and the Hespeler Tennis Club. The park also hosts the Forbes Park Music Festival every July.
more infoMillpond Records and Books
Knowledgeable staff and an eclectic selection make this used music and book shop a must for collectors. Housed in jam-packed space at Queen St. and Guelph Ave., you can disappear for hours in this friendly store.
more infoJacob's Landing
The Jacob in question is Jacob Hespeler, who arrived in the settlement then called New Hope in 1845 and established several mills along the river. This park is a popular picnic and photography spot for locals.
more infoIndulge Ice Cream
Featuring gourmet ice cream and fresh fruit-mixed frozen yogurt, waffle cones or bowls and more, this is one of the busiest spots in the Village during July and August, but is open year round.
more infoBlack Orchid Designs
Specializing in alternative couture, this unique shop is the product of Kerri L. Mercer, who originally established it as an online business, but now showcases her corsetry, dressmaking and leatherwork in a delightfully dark boutique setting.
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