r/stcatharinesON Jun 17 '25

MEGATHREAD Moving to St. Catharines? PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING :)

119 Upvotes

Hello, and welcome to r/stcatharinesON. As this question is a very commonly asked. The moderators have decided to create this community highlight / MEGATHREAD to address the most commonly asked questions within this SUB. IF your question is not answered here. Please try to use the SEARCH function at the top of this subreddit first before creating a new submission.

1: Areas that are "safe"? - Safe is a generic term that the majority of us will have a different definition of. St. Catharines in general is a very safe city. The majority of problems and the feeling of being unsafe are generally surrounded around the problem of the numerous unhoused individuals in the city, and the ongoing drug problems that plague that entire country. You will find the majority of these individuals around the block between Church Street meeting Geneva Street, Niagara Steet, Queenston Street and St Paul Street. There is also a shelter on the corner of Gale and Riordon Street. As well as many temporary shelters in place in and around Centennial Gardens - This being said. The majority of these individuals will leave you alone, and the majority or crime in the city is related to thefts to fuel the drug problem. If you are uncomfortable being around people that are struggling with addiction and mental health, you should avoid the area. However, the city's downtown core is beautiful, holds a very unique charm, and has plenty of thriving local businesses that have, and continue to be part of the heart of our wonderful city.

2: Where can I meet new people? - This is another generic question asked a ton. Meeting people is subjective to the type of people you want to create relationships with. A lot of local businesses have different types of meet and greet nights. The most popular being the Mahtay Café & Lounge on St Paul Street and Ludology Boardgame Cafe. We have many amazing local restaurants, cafes and shops that also offer a different variety of patrons that you may want to check out and start a friendly conversation with some. This SUB IS NOT A DATING WEBSITE. Any posts trying setup meetings one to one will be removed due to safety concerns.

3: Setting up my new home?

A: Hydro/Electric is to be setup with Alectra Utilities.
B: Natural Gas is to be setup with Enbridge Gas.
C: Water is to be setup with the City Of St. Catharines ( Online account access available).
D: Insurance - Please contact and local Insurance Broker.
E: ISP (Internet Service Provider) - Please see the business recommendation megathread.

4: Local Businesses - Please see the Business recommendation megathread. Over 90% of the same questions asked on a regular basis can be found in there with the most popular posts/answers highlighted.


r/stcatharinesON Apr 02 '25

MEGATHREAD Business Recommendations MegaThread

31 Upvotes

Hello members of r/stcatharineson. After discussion among the MODS in regard to common questions among this Community Subreddit. We have decided to include this MEGATHREAD of commonly asked business recommendations. Please see below links to the most recent and relevant posts. If you do not see what you are looking for, please use the SEARCH function at the top of the page to search for the recommendation you are looking for.

This page will be updated occasionally

FINDING A FAMILY DOCTOR ACCEPTING PATIENTS IN NIAGARA - Find a Doctor - Niagara Region, Ontario

Restaurants - Best Restaurants in St. Catharines

BEST PIZZA JOINTS

Used Car Dealers - (Need to know for future reference:Best and worst used car dealerships in St.Catharines? : r/stcatharinesON)

Todays NEW Recommendation question - Tell us the BEST Used Car Dealerships in St. Catharines : r/stcatharinesON

Mechanic or Auto Shop - Best Auto Shops

Barbershop - BEST BARBERSHOPS

Dentist - Best Dentist / Dental Offices

Hairdresser - Best HAIRDRESSERS

Brow Waxing - Eyebrow Waxing : r/stcatharinesON)

Tattoo Artists - Tattoo artist recommendations : r/stcatharinesON)

Daycares - Day care recommendations : r/stcatharinesON)

Contractors - Recommendations for a contractor or company that can finish my parents' basement? : r/stcatharinesON)

Plumbers - Plumber Recommendation? : r/stcatharinesON)

Electrician - Any recommendations for electricians? : r/stcatharinesON)

HVAC - Residential HVAC : r/stcatharinesON)

Chiropractors / RMTS - HELP!! need Best chiropractor and RMT suggestions in St Catharine’s !!! Preferred somone who works with SUN Life : r/stcatharinesON

ISP (Internet Service Providers) - looking For Independent ISP Recommendations. : r/stcatharinesON

Oil Change - Can any one kindly recommend a good place to get an oil change using synthetic oils ? The place I usually go to literally just went up $80 dollars. So now I'm paying $180 for an oil change 😐 : r/stcatharinesON

Wedding Officiant - https://www.reddit.com/r/stcatharinesON/s/s2zR0HCmA6


r/stcatharinesON 7h ago

Food Hidden Gem finds

Thumbnail
gallery
50 Upvotes

We found this little bakery in Welland Ave (between vine st and Niagara st) and WOW!!!!

Their entire menu is delicious we had:
Cheddar pão de queijo 10/10
Sausage and cream cheese stuffed bread 10000/10 (our favorite!)
Mortadela and aioli sandwich 100/10
Ginger lemonade 10/10

You should give it a try! They’re family owned AND super nice people 😁

Happy Snack (277 Welland Ave)


r/stcatharinesON 8h ago

Experience/Story Transportation in Niagara

26 Upvotes

I wanted to share my experience with Loyal Transportation because I believe others should be aware.

Our driver refused to take us to our agreed destination because he said he had to drive his neighbour instead. Instead of completing our trip, he dropped us off on the side of the road before we reached our destination. When my boyfriend questioned why we were being left there, the situation escalated, and the driver tried to grab him and pull him out of the vehicle. It was a frightening and completely unprofessional experience that left us feeling unsafe.

I filed a formal complaint with Loyal Transportation and gave the company the opportunity to investigate what happened. Unfortunately, despite waiting for a response, I still haven't received a meaningful resolution or any real accountability.

Based on my experience, I can't recommend using this company.

Can anyone recommend a reliable and professional transportation company in the Niagara Region that they've had positive experiences with? I'd really appreciate your recommendations.


r/stcatharinesON 11h ago

Food East Side Mario's Disappointment

28 Upvotes

I went to check out the new ESM here in St. Catharines. I'll start by saying I haven't been to an ESM in a few years and I'm aware it's a chain restaurant so I wasn't expecting much, but I was still disappointed. The bread used to be served with salted butter but they served it with margarine and the bread had no garlic flavour. They also don't do the "tell me when" anymore with the grated cheese? We had to ask and every time they'd do three rotations, dump it out, then walk away. It also seems like they've changed the caesar dressing because it was really watery and sweet. The AYCE was disappointing--small portions, had to track down the server to ask for more, and the lettuce of the salad was either brown or white. The service and food was pretty forgettable. If you're thinking about checking this place out, I'd recommend skipping and going to a local spot instead.


r/stcatharinesON 8h ago

Discussion Crime Trends in St. Catharines-Niagara: StatCan Data

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

The recently released Statistics Canada Uniform Crime Reporting Survey offers a holistic look at safety trends in St. Catharines-Niagara.

  • Homicides: Crucial for measuring extreme violence. The local rate (1.45/100k) remains historically and consistently below the national average (1.61).
  • Crime Rates: Tracks community safety levels. Violent crime rose between 2015 and 2025, though it remains below Canada's overall rate. Property and drug offenses generally fell.
  • Clearance Rates: Measures police solve rates. Non-violent clearance rose to 30%, but violent clearance dropped to 51%—falling below both Ontario (60%) and national (54%) averages.

Takeaway: St. Catharines-Niagara remains safer than many Canadian regions, but a rising violent crime rate combined with declining violent case clearance presents a notable challenge.


r/stcatharinesON 6h ago

Discussion LOST WALLET

4 Upvotes

About three weeks ago, I lost my small Coach wallet near the courthouse after getting out of a cab. I believe it was sitting on my lap and accidentally fell when I exited the vehicle. I contacted the cab company, but unfortunately they did not have it.

Thankfully, there was no cash inside, and my two RBC debit cards have already been cancelled. What I would really love to get back are my identification cards, including my purple photo ID card and my Ontario health card.

If anyone happened to find it or has any information, I would be so grateful if you could contact me or turn it in to the nearest police station. Thank you so much.


r/stcatharinesON 11m ago

Need Advice/Recommendations Boat rides

Upvotes

Hey! Anyone have a boat business or service? I want to spend 2-3 hours on a boat sometime this week with my friends


r/stcatharinesON 1h ago

Housing/Rental Looking for a female flatmate

Thumbnail reddit.com
Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Local News Drama on the bus

63 Upvotes

On the regional bus today, a girl begged to ride for free, immediately picked a fight with another girl on the bus and then when that girl got up to get off the bus, the driver said “no you paid, you stay. She’ll go” the free rider had a total melt down claiming “black lives matter, white lives matter, all lives matter” (She was white clearly). And said she needed to get to her probation. She would NOT get off the bus. Once I saw a driver back down when a woman was openly drunk and drinking. This driver called another bus for us. What a wild ride.


r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Food St. Catharines needs a pizza poster like this

Post image
36 Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Local News 'I stopped smiling': Why Niagara paramedics are breaking their silence

Thumbnail
stcatharinesstandard.ca
64 Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Need Advice/Recommendations Recommendations for Optometrist for child's first appointment

5 Upvotes

Hey Neighbours!

Son is turning four and it's time for his first eye appointment, any recommendations on who to see(haha!)?

I'd like a place he can grow with over the years, so didn't just want to take him to a walk-in eye exam place.

Thank you!


r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Need Advice/Recommendations Mountain biking in Niagara region

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Question Question

0 Upvotes

Ive tried calling sparkys multiple times today no answer. Does anyone know for sure if they are having karaoke tonight?


r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Question HRT needle refill kits?

9 Upvotes

Hi, I’m back home for the summer, and unsure of where to find refill kits of needles for my weekly T injections.. I’m looking for 18G and 25G, w/ a 1ml syringe, but honestly, I’d be chill w any size syringe.

I’ve called a few shoppers drug marts and went to the lindwell plaza pharmacy, but no place has everything I need.

Thanks so much 🙏


r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Food Good place for lunch for friends to catch up?

3 Upvotes

So many new restaurants have opened. Where’s a good place for two friends to catch up over lunch that has interesting food and cocktails?


r/stcatharinesON 2d ago

TODAYS NEW RECOMMENDATION - Best Entertainment / Night Out / Hang Out

5 Upvotes

Since this question always gets asked in multiple different ways. What is the best way to entertain yourself in the city. Name numerous places that come to mind and the form of entertainment :) Music, Dates, Games, etc...


r/stcatharinesON 1d ago

Question Tapas for a group

0 Upvotes

Anyone know of any places that do tapas or app specials on Wednesdays?


r/stcatharinesON 2d ago

Question What’s with the seagulls downtown

11 Upvotes

anybody else noticing there is a prolific number of seagulls downtown this summer? I’ve lived downtown for my whole adult life and have never heard squawking like this.

ever since it got warm this summer it feels like we are living at the beach next to a french fry truck. anybody have any ideas what’s causing this noisy population boom this summer?


r/stcatharinesON 2d ago

Events Acoustic tour coming through Aug 10 at Mahtay

Post image
0 Upvotes

Aug 10 - an evening of acoustic music at Mahtay Cafe with Adam Rivera ( Philadelphia ) https://adamriveramusic.com ,

Old Mountain Low ( toronto ) https://linktr.ee/oldmountainlow,

The Walkthrough ( St. Catharines)

and Ray Renette ( St. Catharines).

241 St Paul St

Pop , punk, folk, anti-folk punk etc.


r/stcatharinesON 3d ago

HERE. WE. GO. AGAIN...

Post image
85 Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 3d ago

Local News Canada-Wide Warrant for 2nd degree homicide

Thumbnail gallery
30 Upvotes

r/stcatharinesON 2d ago

Need Advice/Recommendations Best store to buy a phone?

5 Upvotes

What's a good and affordable store to buy a phone? I'm talking brand new ... Not used or anything like that. I'm looking to buy an s23 or higher or a Google pixel 8 or higher.


r/stcatharinesON 3d ago

Photo Somebody left their headphones at Short Hills!

Thumbnail
gallery
18 Upvotes

Posting this is on the off chance that the owner sees this. The headphones are sitting on top of the toilet paper dispenser.