Old East Village — or OEV, if you want to sound in the know — is fast becoming one of London’s trendiest up-and-coming neighbourhoods.
Now, the area hasn’t been without its struggles, and until fairly recently, has been associated with housing problems, drug use and poverty.
However, thanks to being designated as an Ontario Heritage Conservation District in 2006, the neighbourhood has seen a huge amount of revitalization in both the residential and commercial spaces and is now a hub for independent businesses, great food and a hip atmosphere.
When OEV was awarded a Great Neighbourhood Award in 2004, Kristina Greenaway Courey, the president of Old East Village Community Association, said that the thing that makes OEV great is the sense of community that everybody shares:
And while a decade and a half has passed since they first won that award — and lots of things have changed in that time — that sense of community still remains.
People shop small, they support each other’s businesses and — best of all — they have each other’s back.
If you come to OEV, you’re sure to feel at home straight away. It’s just that kind of place.
The OEV area has historically been home to some of the long-loved cornerstones of London, in particular, the Kellogg’s Factory, where all of your morning Corn Flakes were produced up until recently.
But now, the lingering smell of cornflakes that used to fill the air is gone and in its place is an enormous indoor adventure park featuring North America’s largest indoor ropes course, a trampoline park, electric go-karts, mini-golf, escape rooms, axe-throwing, an arcade and a toddler soft play area.
Just like the entire OEV area, the Kellogg’s Factory has found a way to evolve with the times without losing a sense of its heritage.
Likewise, The Western Fair, founded in 1867, is now home to a booming weekend farmer’s market and hosts a 10-day fair every September.
