A key cog of Cook Street Village for the past quarter decade is leaving the neighbourhood.
For 32 years, the Cook Street Marketplace has served fresh produce, eggs and flowers, and even a song or two from owner John de Jong.
But now at age 76, de Jong says itB次元官网网址檚 time to retire and pursue his love of music.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been playing for 60 years, so IB次元官网网址檝e got lots of songs to play for people,B次元官网网址� he says.
De Jong has worked seven days a week for over three decades, and says heB次元官网网址檚 excited that now heB次元官网网址檒l be able to do afternoon performances at venues, something heB次元官网网址檚 never been able to do before.
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Retiring will also give de Jong a chance to spend time with his wife of 58 years, June, who helped work the shop with him when she was younger.
De Jong used to be the produce manager for 11 years at a grocery store where the Rexall Pharmacy is now located, but when that business was bought out he decided to open his own.
The market has seen a lot of change in the village, changes which helped de Jong choose to retire.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just time to close her down because things have changed in the neighbourhood; the demographics now and the bank moved,B次元官网网址� de Jong says. B次元官网网址淭he past three years things have been changing a bit, we donB次元官网网址檛 get as much traffic flow.B次元官网网址�
In the past year the village has seen a significant makeover; the long-standing Pic-A-Flic video store is moving after 35 years, a marijuana dispensary just opened down the street, and a rental housing complex is being built.
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Nonetheless, de Jong said heB次元官网网址檚 had very loyal customers that heB次元官网网址檚 grateful for.
The marketB次元官网网址檚 final day will be Sept. 30, when a small retirement party will be held with cake and coffee, and serenades from de Jong himself.
Any leftover produce from the last day will be donated to the Mustard Seed.
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