New Fat Sparrow Block in St. Jacobs
The Fat Sparrow Group is nearing the completion of a significant renovation in the heart of St.
Jacobs Village that will transform the longstanding Stone Crock Restaurant space into The Fat
Sparrow Block.
The expansive 5000 sq.-ft. flagship location will feature what Fat Sparrow does best:
provide unmistakably Waterloo food experiences made from heart and hand and showcase Waterloo Region’s culinary strengths.
“I can’t wait to show our customers just how seriously Fat Sparrow takes ‘from scratch’ cooking,” says Chef Nick Benninger, Culinary Director and Co-founder of the Fat Sparrow Group.
The Butcher and Market will anchor the Fat Sparrow Block, and The Charcuterie Bar will be within that space — along with a unique floor-to-ceiling bottle shop.
Shop manager and experienced butcher Spencer Vella will play a significant role in the new operation.
“To have an opportunity to make charcuterie, pates, liverwurst ‘smears,’ as Nick likes to say, all from-scratch, from local farms we know and trust, and in the same place we sell them and serve them is a chef’s dream,” says Vella.
“This is a culmination of my skills and experience as a chef-turned-butcher, and I’m extremely excited at the opportunity to lead this team.”
Customers will see meats on display, butchers plying their craft, and service teams building charcuterie boards with food that is either from-scratch or locally sourced, according to Benninger.
The Fat Sparrow Block is opening in stages: The Butcher and Market opened on October 7 and The Charcuterie Bar will open on October 20.
There will be a grand opening party for both on October 27.
Fat Sparrow is “a family affair:” husband and wife team Nick and Nat running the face of the
operation, while Nick’s brother, Joe Benninger, is president.
“We have created a fine-food emporium specializing in gourmet goods, artisanal
specialty products and Waterloo Region’s finest prepared fare,” says Joe Benninger.
“Our team is ready to welcome you with a smile. Our butchers will cut your meat to order, and our chefs will share cooking advice, help you select the best cheese and wine, and top off your grocery basket with a Stone Crock Bakery apple pie.”
